PHILADELPHIA– The Mets made some bold moves after last night’s loss to the Phillies, calling up some younger players to try to install energy in the team.
It’s not as if the Mets were completely energized tonight, but they did more than enough to earn a victory.
Johan Santana was on the mound, and he was as dominant as possible. He was opposed by Phillies left-hander Cole Hamels, and they locked up in a classic pitchers’ duel.
Santana carried a no-hit bid into the sixth inning, and looked ultra sharp. His change-up was fantastic with plenty of movement.
With two outs in the sixth, Santana struck out Raul Ibanez but the ball got away from catcher Henry Blanco allowing the batter to reach base. The next batter, Placido Polanco, singled cleanly up the middle, ending the bid. Looking at the big picture, his performace was outstanding, rebounding from some rough starts.
Meanwhile, Cole Hamels wasn’t giving in either. He finally cracked in the seventh, allowing a leadoff home run to Jeff Francoeur, his second game-winning shot of the road trip.
Hamels went seven, striking out 11 without walking a batter. It’s his second straight start of at least 10 strikeouts without a walk.
Santana did allow a leadoff double in the seventh, protecting a 1-0 lead. The next batter hit a ground ball to shortstop. Jayson Werth, who doubled, foolishly ran to third and was thrown out by Jose Reyes. The Phillies never came through in the inning.
The Mets had a chance to distance themselves from the Phillies in the eighth. Jose Reyes lead off with a single. Two outs later, Chad Durbin walked two straight batters to load the bases. He would strike out Jeff Francoeur on what looked like ball four to stop the Mets from scoring.
The Phillies eighth was the key inning of the game. Jimmy Rollins and Raul Ibanez both singled to start the inning.
The moment of the game came with Polanco at the plate. He bunted back to Santana, who would throw out the lead runner at third base.
That’s the final out he would get, as Jerry Manuel opted to bring in Francisco Rodriguez for a five-out save.
After inducing a line drive out, he loaded the bases with a walk. Pinch-hitter Ross Gload, after a long at-bat, grounded out to Ruben Tejada. It was a scary moment though, as Tejada threw low to first, but Ike Davis bailed him out.
Rodriguez would come back on for the ninth and pitch a 1-2-3 inning, to preserve a Mets’ 1-0 victory.
Ruben Tejada started the game at second base, and Fernando Martinez came in for defense in the eighth; he grounded out in his only at-bat.
Santana earned his ninth win of the season, and Cole Hamels lost his eighth.
The Mets will try to win the series tomorrow in a fine pitching matchup. Mets knuckleballer R.A. Dickey will pitch opposite the Phillies Roy Halladay.
Player moves:
INF Ruben Tejada promoted from Triple-A Buffalo
OF Fernando Martinez promoted from Triple-A Buffalo
OF Jesus Feliciano demoted to Triple-A Buffalo
INF Alex Cora released
NL East standings (Top three teams)
Atlanta 63-47
Philadelphia 61-49 (2)
NY Mets 55-55 (8)
NL Wild Card (Leader and Mets)
San Francisco 63-48
—————————
NY Mets 55-55 (7 1/2)
Series probable pitchers:
August 8
New York: R.A. Dickey (2010: 7-4, 2.36 ERA) vs. Philadelphia: Roy Halladay (2010: 13-8, 2.17 ERA)
Upcoming schedule:
New York Mets:
August 8 @ Philadelphia Phillies
August 10-12 vs. Colorado Rockies
Philadelphia Phillies:
August 8 vs. New York Mets
August 10-12 vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
Follow Sammy on Twitter: http://twitter.com/SammyMakki
Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com