NEW YORK– Mike Pelfrey, for the second consecutive start, didn’t have his greatest stuff. His fastball was flat and his sinker had no bite, as the Mets lost the battle of long balls.
The game got off to a roaring start for the Mets as Jose Reyes lead off with a home run off Phil Hughes.
Pelfrey though, would give the run right back in the first, as he gave up two singles and a run-scoring double play to begin the inning, tying the game at 1-1.
The Mets got a leadoff single from Jason Bay in the second, but Chris Carter hit a double play.
The Yankees threat in the second, but never scored as the game went to the third still tied. In that third, after a Henry Blanco walk, Jose Reyes hit a two-run home run to right, his second of the game, giving the Mets a 3-1 lead.
But just like the first, Pelfrey would give the runs right back in the third. Brett Gardner lead off with a single, and the slumping Mark Teixeira hit a game-tying two-run home run.
In the fourth, the Yankees would add another two runs, thanks to a Curtis Granderson two-run home run, giving the Yankees a 5-3 lead.
With Pelfrey trying to settle in, the Mets had a chance to do something in the sixth. Angel Pagan lead off with a single, and after a David Wright popup, Ike Davis walked. Jason Bay though, grounded into a inning-ending double play, continuing to struggle this season, as the rally ended.
Pitching in the sixth, trying to keep the game close, Pelfrey issued two walks but got out of trouble with a grounder to Jose Reyes, who made a nice throw to first. Mike Pelfrey, although he didn’t pitch well, went seven innings, allowing five runs on seven hits, he walked three and struck out two, while giving up two home runs.
Phil Hughes on the other hand, was only burned by Jose Reyes’ two home runs, as he also went seven innings, allowing three runs on five hits, walked three and struck out four.
The Mets tried rallying off of the Yankees’ bullpen, but to no avail. Joba Chamberlain came in in the eighth and allowed a double to Angel Pagan but didn’t let him score. Mariano Rivera saved a 1-2-3 ninth inning, as the Mets went down 5-3.
The loss is the Mets’ first since May 10 against the Padres in game one of a doubleheader, snapping their eight-game winning streak. Pelfrey falls to 9-2 on the season, while Hughes improves to 10-1.
The Mets will try and get back on track tomorrow afternoon, when they send Johan Santana to the mound against CC Sabathia, closing out the Mets’ nine-game road trip.
NL East standings (top 3 teams)
Atlanta 41-28
NY Mets 39-29 (1 1/2)
Philadelphia 35-31 (4 1/2)
Series probable pitchers:
June 20
New York Mets: Johan Santana (2010: 5-3, 3.13 ERA) vs. New York Yankees: CC Sabathia (2010: 7-3, 4.00 ERA)
Upcoming schedule:
New York Mets:
June 20 @ New York Yankees
June 22-24 vs. Detroit Tigers
New York Yankees:
June 20 vs. New York Mets
June 21-23 @ Arizona Diamondbacks
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