Hisanori Takahashi pushed his record to 6-2 with his second dominating performance against the Yankees. This time around he allowed just four hits and two walks over six innings, ceding things to the bullpen without having allowed a run. The Mets offense didn't manage much against Javier Vazquez, scoring just a run through seven frames. They came alive against the Yankee bullpen, plating two against Sir Dumps-A-Lot CHan Ho Park and another off Boone Logan to build a 4-0 lead they carried into the ninth.
With only three outs and the bottom of the Yankees batting order separating the Mets from their eighth straight win, Jerry Manuel called on nothingman Raul Valdes, who retired Jorge Posada on a fly out to right before giving up consecutive singles to Francisco Cervelli and Curtis Granderson. Save situation? Check. Bring in the closer now? Double-check. Enter: Francisco Rodriguez, who got things started with a twelve-pitch walk to Brett Gardner. He then quietly turned away Captain Fantastic on a three-pitch strike out and Nick Swisher on a foul out to third to extinguish the fire.
Naturally, the Braves, Phillies, and Marlins all won, so the Mets remain a half-game back of Atlanta in the NL East. Mike Pelfrey takes on Phil Hughes at 1:05pm Saturday, a game that will be mercifully broadcast on WPIX instead of its typical insufferable Sabbath resting place on FOX.
Unintentionally sexual quote of the game: "The fans are waiting for something to explode on." --Michael Kay during Jorge Posada's at-bat in the fifth inning.
Runner-up: "K-Rod rubs up a new ball." --Howie Rose describing Francisco Rodriguez between pitches to Brett Gardner in the ninth.Poem by Howard Megdal
Takahashi making a cuckold of Maine
While crushing the Yankees with change-up of pain
Mets get insurance with Pagan’s two-run double
While Pedro, again, steers the ‘pen out of trouble
In ninth, K-Rod summoned, with fans on the ledge
But bases-full strikeout was Jeter’s only Edge
SB Nation Coverage
* Traditional Recap
* Boxscore
* Amazin' Avenue Gamethread
* Pinstripe Alley Gamethread
Win Probability Added
Big winners: Hisanori Takahashi, +40.9% WPA, Pedro Feliciano, +29.9% WPA
Big losers: Elmer Dessens, -12.6% WPA, Jason Bay, -6.4% WPA
Teh aw3s0mest play: Posada ground out with bases loaded in sixth, +12.7% WPA
Teh sux0rest play: Cervelli leadoff double in seventh, -12.6% WPA
Total pitcher WPA: +60.5% WPA
Total batter WPA: -10.5% WPA
GWRBI!: Ike Davis
Game Thread Roll Call
Nice job by Jonathan.; his effort in the game thread embiggens us all.
| Num | Name | # of Posts |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jonathan. | 145 |
| 2 | astromets | 141 |
| 3 | Gina | 130 |
| 4 | Brian. | 119 |
| 5 | sj10689 | 115 |
| 6 | MookieTheCat | 113 |
| 7 | Jadden Hopkins | 96 |
| 8 | CTRefJay | 95 |
| 9 | HotChipWillBreakYourLegs | 94 |
| 10 | Michkin | 75 |