The Mets pulled out an improbable comeback, avoiding a three-game sweep against the Cardinals with a six run ninth inning. The early afternoon contest became a mid-afternoon contest after rainy conditions delayed the start for two hours and nineteen minutes, but once the game started it was all redbirds. It seemed like Terry Collins penciled in an inexplicable line-up obviously designed solely to troll Talking Chop and Craig Calcaterra. ("I'm Willie Harris, and I bat fifth.") If that was Terry's plan, it was incredibly effective, as the Mets did little against starter Jake Westbrook.
The tarp was barely off the field before the Cardinals were on the board, as Rafael Furcal led off with a single, and then Allen Craig followed with a two run home run off Mets starter Chris Capuano. The Mets got half of that back in the top of the fifth, scoring via their preferred method of late, a bases loaded walk, but that was all they would get. Albert Pujols launched a moonshot in the bottom half of the inning, and then three consecutive singles chased Capuano from the game.
The Mets pen, wait for it, was not much better. I know, I am as surprised as you are. Josh Stinson, and Daniel Herrera conspired to extend the Cardinals lead to 6-1 in the bottom of the seventh, but the Mets would get a run back in the eighth on a single, error, wild pitch and passed ball. Yes, it was a real LASER SHOW from the Mets offense today.
But The Mets would troll us all in the ninth, loading the bases on a walk, an error and another walk. Justin Turner worked out a ten pitch walk, forcing in a run. (MONEYBALL!) That last walk ushered closer Jason Motte from the game, who clearly was laboring after getting a four out save yesterday. Jose Reyes blooped a broken bat single to plate another, making it 6-4 and setting that stage for Ruben Tejada, who doubled in the tying runs. And after an intentional walk to Angel Pagan and a David Wright strikeout, Willie Harris singled to make it 8-6 Mets. Bobby Parnell came in in the ninth and recorded the save, helped out by a nice diving catch by Jason Pridie to end the game.
So the Cardinals now fall 2 games behind the Braves, who are off today, while the Mets head back to Citi Field for their last homestand of the year. It kicks off with a three game series against Philadelphia this weekend. R.A. Dickey will take on Cole Hamels in the opener Friday night.
GAME NOTES
Your recapper got trolled worst of all as he had to be somewhere at 7:00 and was ready to post the game recap at 6:50 with the Mets down 6-2 and instead had to dictate the finish over the phone like a 1920s horse racing reporter.
The Mets pen surrendered 11 runs in 8 1/3 innings of work in this series. They are threatening James Kannengieser for the award for best troll of the season.
Manny Acosta is the only reliever I have any faith in right now. We are officially through the looking glass, people.
Val Pascucci got an at-bat and struck out, sorry Ted Berg.
Albert Pujols is having the worst season of his career. He has a .926 OPS. This is more than 100 points below his career average.
This was would have been Jake Westbrook's 86th win. For some reason I thought that number would be higher.
/grantland'd