Reds 8, Mets 6: Regression Is Mean To Pelfrey, Comeback Falls Short

As the Mets closed a 7-1 deficit to 7-6 on Pyrotechnics Night 2010, memories of Fireworks Night 2000 were briefly conjured. However, Mike Piazza isn't here anymore and there would be no go-ahead laser three-run homer.

Mike Pelfrey had absolutely nothing tonight -- 4.2 innings, nine hits, seven runs, four walks and just one strikeout. He couldn't command any pitch for the second game in a row. Things might have been different if the umpires hadn't overturned a caught foul-tip for strike three on Scott Rolen with the bases loaded and none out in the fifth inning. After some discussion, it was ruled a hit-by-pitch (replays were inconclusive; if the pitch did hit Rolen it was a jersey scrape) and Jerry Manuel was ejected for arguing the reversal. Pelf was eventually pulled after giving up five more runs, capped off by opposing pitcher Travis Wood's RBI triple. Home plate umpire Randy Meals's strike zone was also a bit wonky. Regardless, it's tough to be successful when walks outnumber strikeouts four to one.

Charlie Manuel is a brilliant man. He must have omitted Joey Votto from the All Star Game roster to fire him up for the Mets series. It worked, as the best Canadian in the game went 3-4 with two homers and a double. Well played, Mauer Manuel.

Angel Pagan, David Wright and Alex Cora each had two hits, including one extra base hit each. Pagan socked a solo home run (batting righthanded!), a reassuring sign given his recent injury concerns. Cora had a two-run double in the fifth inning and now boasts a modest six game hitting streak. Speaking of that inning, here is an outless sequence featuring Jeff Francoeur, Rod Barajas and Cora that you don't see everyday:

This was an overall disappointing game but it was nice to see the bats come to life following Pelfrey's meltdown inning. And Frenchy gunning down Votto trying to advance to third base on a flyout in the eighth inning provided some entertainment. Johan Santana will try to play stopper Tuesday night at 7:10 against Aaron Harang.

Unintentionally sexual quote of the game: "The Reds coaches will try to massage Wood through the fifth inning." -- Gary Cohen

Poem by Howard Megdal

Upon further review, Rolen hit by the ball
This spelled doom on night when Big Pelf was quite small
Pagan homered, Mets rallied for five in same frame
But Pelf dug too big of a hole in this game

SB Nation Coverage

* Traditional Recap
* Boxscore
* Amazin' Avenue Gamethread
* Red Reporter Gamethread

Win Probability Added

Big winners: Alex Cora +22.5%, David Wright +3.2%
Big losers: Mike Pelfrey -36.1% (as pitcher), Ruben Tejada -13.1%
Teh aw3s0mest play: Alex Cora double +20.8%
Teh sux0rest play: Drew Stubbs two-run single -17.5%
Total pitcher WPA: -36.6%
Total batter WPA: -13.4%
GWRBI!: Travis Wood

Game Thread Roll Call

Nice job by KeithsMoustache; his effort in the game thread embiggens us all.