The highest leverage situation in this game featured Manny Acostalypse Now facing Melvin Mora with the bases loaded, two outs and the Mets leading 2-1 in the bottom of the eighth inning. Rockies manager Jim Tracy instructed Mora to terminate the Mets with extreme prejudice -- and Melvin did, rocketing a grand slam into the left field seats. Jerry Manuel's advice to The Acostalypse was apparently "allow the bomb, exterminate my employment". Meanwhile, handsomely paid relief pitcher Francisco Rodriguez chilled out in the bullpen, despite the save situation. Maybe Frankie was tired from his 18 pitch outing last night, who knows. But if he was available, he should have been pitching. From after the game:
Jon Niese enjoyed another brilliant outing -- seven innings, five hits, one run, seven strikeouts, no walks. He now has the second best xFIP in the Mets' rotation.
The Mets' lineup struck out a bunch of times (eleven), walked few times (once) and failed to score a run after Angel Pagan's two-run homer in the first inning. David Wright struck out four times, three of them coming against a soft tossing southpaw. His 2010 wOBA is now lower than it was in 2009. Since going 2-2 in the All Star Game, David is hitting .196/.252/.326 in 103 plate appearances. Bad news bears, people. He needs a day off tomorrow and probably some intense swing coaching. For starters, maybe he should stand closer to the plate.
Jerry named Hisanori Takahashi his new eighth inning toy but pulled him tonight for Acosta after Tak2 allowed two baserunners and recorded two outs in the penultimate frame. Show some confidence in your man, Jer. Give him a chance. And while you're at it, put him back in the rotation. Tak2 is better than Pat Misch, Raul Valdes or whoever else might start on Saturday.
The rubber game of the series starts at 12:10 on Thursday, with Johan Santana and Jason Hammel squaring off.
SB Nation Coverage
* Traditional Recap
* Boxscore
* Amazin' Avenue Gamethread
* Purple Row Gamethread
Win Probability Added
Big winners: Jon Niese +29.4% (as pitcher), Angel Pagan +12.3%,
Big losers: Manny Acosta -73.4%, Luis Castillo -4.5%
Teh aw3s0mest play: Angel Pagan +15.7%
Teh sux0rest play: Melvin Mora grand slam -62.0%
Total pitcher WPA: -41.7%
Total batter WPA: -8.3%
GWRBI!: Melvin "Bordick" Mora
Game Thread Roll Call
Nice job by NetsMets4Life; his effort in the game thread embiggens us all.
| Num | Name | # of Posts |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | NetsMets4Life | 105 |
| 2 | deadspy3 | 99 |
| 3 | Gina | 99 |
| 4 | MookieTheCat | 92 |
| 5 | metsguy234 | 89 |
| 6 | Syler | 64 |
| 7 | JetsMetsNets | 52 |
| 8 | KeithsMoustache | 50 |
| 9 | Michkin | 43 |
| 10 | jdon | 41 |