September 10th, 2008
Nationals- 10
Mets- 13
If I had told you on Monday morning that the Nationals would come into Shea this week and score 18 runs in two games with Oliver Perez pitching one game and Pelfrey the other, you likely would have laughed in my face and asked what I was smoking. That's exactly what happened. How the Mets were able to win both games after such a rare occurrence is both impressive and refreshing. Impressive because it meant our offense would score 23 runs! Amazin'. And refreshing because I don't need to remind anyone of how the Nats fared last year against the Mets...But since I have my 2008 media guide, I will anyway.
In the month of September of 07, the Mets played six against the Nats and won only one. To realize just how bad this collapse was, this team walked into our building, and swept us! Incredible. Now 4 games remain against them this month, all of them at Washington next week. Although they could still break our hearts, we're off to a 2-0 start. Excellent! (By the way, they were 82-61 this time last year, having just beat the Atlanta Braves. Even though I want to get excited, it puts in perspective how much longer we have to go.)
I keep saying this along with all the fans, but here's ANOTHER example of a game they would have lost a year ago. Adam Rubin just wrote about how this 3.5 game lead feels safer than the 7 game lead they nursed at this point in 07.
So true. It's not just about numbers all the time. It's about energy and toughness and depth and as Mr. Fran Healy says, 'Confidencccccce.' They have all those things this year. More importantly, they have a red hot Delgado and a manager the players respect.
I got to Shea a little late tonight, at around 6:55. ANd of course the one night I need to rush in and buy my ticket is the same night that the purchase lines are gigantic! Never fails. You see, when I buy my ticket online and pay what seems to be dozens of extra dollars in fees, to avoid lines, there are no lines. Or they're small. But when I say, 'screw it. I'll buy my ticket at Shea', everyone and their grandmothers decide to do the same. I get impatient and in serious panic mode when it's 7:09, I hear Matchbox 20's How Far We've Come and the PA announcer getting ready to introduce the 2008 Mets and where am I? I'm in the middle of a slow line because some 50 year old wants to plan out his seating arrangement as if it were physics! And another thing, I finally get to the front, they don't have anymore 5 dollar tickets! Are you kidding me? You're really gonna do this. The cheapest at that point was 20 and for upper box. So I just say forget it and buy a loge seat. It was pretty cheap considering I almost pay that amount for row T in the upper during a gold game.
Amazing seat. One of the best of the year. Row A right behind first base. Here's the view.
But of course I sit down, and there are hundreds of empty upper reserved seats. Who's running the show here!? Geez.
I missed the top of the first inning (hate that) but that's all. I observed a few things. People spend too much time walking and not watching the game. And some of these ushers are very nasty individuals.
GAME TIME!
The Mets scored yet another first inning run. Wright doubled. Beltran followed with a single that fell right in front of Milledge who was playing a very deep CF. 1-0 Mets. Okay easy win. Let's just relax.
Pelfrey gives up a long home run from the moron Elijah Dukes. I'll explain shortly.
The 3rd inning would be another huge one for the Mets, which was started with a Reyes liner to center. He would then steal second, giving him sole possession of the Mets stolen base record, originally held by Mookie Wilson. Congratulations Jose!
It took a while for the crowd to read the graphic on the screen which acknowledged the achievement. Once they did, basically everyone stood up and clapped. Once he held his helmet up, the fans were excited and chanted...you guessed it. "Joseee...jose, jose joseeeeeeeee' It was a great moment since we've seen him grown into a dominant player. Believe it or not, he's been a Met longer than anyone else on that team. Hard to believe. He's so young.
Church walked, Reyes stole third and set up David Wright to drive him in on a single to CF. But the inning was far from over. Beltran also hits a single, driving in Church. Then the MVP! Where would he hit the ball this time? Citi Field? Nowhere, because he was intentionally walked to load the bases. The fans weren't too pleased. But I knew that loading the bases with 1 one was a bonehead move. Because Superman was up! Tatis the righty hits a laser to left field. 2 RBI double! Move backfired. Still not over! Because TOO EASLEY hits a single that gets beyond the reach of the shortstop and drives in both Deli and Tatis. Finally the inning would come to an end after a Schneider fly out and a Pelfrey strikeout. A 6 run easy! I'm thinking this is definitely going to be an easy one. Pelf is pitching. He doesn't lose his focus like Ollie tends to do at times. 7-1. That may even be the final score.
Then something bizarre happened and it started in the fourth when Pelfrey threw inside to Dukes, who didn't take a liking to it. What a cry baby this guy is. Be a man and stop whining about a pitch that went a little inside. That's what pitching should be! The ball didn't even hit you! Shut the hell up and hit! Once both teams were warned, Dukes hit a double and would later score to cut the lead to 7-2. Nothing to worry about yet.
BUT in the fifth inning, the Nats would score 3 runs! The big blow came with 2 outs when Kory Casto hits a 2 rbi single to right field. 7-5! Where is our starting pitching!? It's MIA! This is why we need Maine to be healthy, though he probably won't pitch again this year.
I guaranteed yesterday that Pelf would go longer than Ollie did and he accomplished that feat, but not by much at all! 5 innings! It's okay Pelf, you'll get em next time in DC. I'm not secretly concerned that you resembled the April version of yourself.
Heilman comes into the game in the 7th...I don't even need to write anymore. You knew what was coming. That's why I went to get my over priced but pretty good foot long hot dog. So I come back and he already walks the leadoff man. Wow. There are just some certainties in life. You will be born, pay taxes, die, and watch Aaron Heilman will give up a home run whenever he's put into a game. So Christian Guzman was the latest beneficiary of this terrible pitcher. A two run shot. Game tied at 7! I wanted to puke out my hot dog. I've heard some loud boos directed at Mets. Benitez, Bonilla, Delgado at the beginning of the year, but never anything as loud as this. I don't boo Mets but I have said I wanted him off the team a number of times! It all started at a game in DC this past April. He gave up a grand slam to Felipe Lopez and I yelled like I never yelled before.
OUT OF THIS TEAM! I WANTED HIM OUT THEN AND I WANT HIM GONE NOW! I DON'T CARE IF WE TRADE HIM FOR NOTHING AND HE TURNS OUT TO BE NOLAN RYAN! HE NEEDS TO BE OUT OF A MET UNIFORM NOW! THEY SHOULD'VE TRADED HIM FOR FUENTES WHEN THEY HAD THE CHANCE. I HEARD JERRY LOOKED UPSET AFTER THE HOME RUN. WELL, HE CERTAINLY SHOULD'VE BEEN SURPRISED. THIS ORGANIZATION IS UNDER THE ILLUSION THAT HE IS A DIFFERENCE MAKER AND WE NEED HIM TO BE EFFECTIVE IF WE ARE TO WIN THE NATIONAL LEAGUE PENNANT. SO THEY FORCE THIS GUY OUT AND HE JUST THROWS JUNK. HE WANTS TO BE A STARTER SOMEWHERE ELSE. WE WANT HIM SOMEWHERE ELSE. MAKE IT HAPPEN! PLEASE! I STOOD UP FOR HIM AFTER THE MOLINA HOME RUN IN GAME 7. I STOOD UP FOR HIM AFTER HE BLEW A HUGE GAME IN FLORIDA LAST SEPTEMBER! NO MORE! I'VE LOST ANY TYPE OF PATIENCE AND LOYALTY MONTHS AGO.
So we're tied at 7 but not for long. (By the way, nice performance by Joe Smith to get some key outs in the 6th and 7th)
Bottom of the 7th, it's time to stop screwing around! Wright started the big inning again with a single. Beltran hit one as well. So it's Delgado up, ready to save the night. He flies out to right on a hard hit ball. It was deep enough to drive in a run. What?! No HOME RUN!? Superman, Tatis hits a single! A run later scored on a wild pitch by Saul Rivera. But the big blow came off the bat of Brian Schneider! A two RBI single (He was thrown out at 2nd) 11-7.
Not over. Brian Stokes, who has been so solid for us in the bullpen with the exception of giving up a two run homer in Pittsburgh, faltered tonight. He gives up a three run shot to Cristian Guzman! This team keeps doing it. They keep giving us heart attacks. The crowd was very much on edge.
11-10 going into the bottom of the 8th. But don't be nervous, because this was David Wright's breakout night. He added insurance in a big way, hitting a ball into the picnic area after a Church walk (Keep batting him 2nd) 13-10 Mets!!
Ayala, who my Shea Faithful partner Matt, suggested he come out to Enter Sandman now that Billy's gone, finally made quick work of the Nats in the ninth! Game finally over at around 10:30! Mets win! Phillies lost! 3.5 lead. Yes! It's all coming together.
No scorecard today unfortunately. Took a break from it tonight. Fear not. It'll be back Friday. I know how upsetting it is.
Tonight's My Shea Memories takes place in May of this year. I had just finished my graduation ceremony and although I finished back in the winter, it was very satisfying to do the whole traditional cap and gown thing. Some people hate it, but I'm not one of those people so back off! After spending time with family, I quickly changed and went to the Mets game with the entire Shea Faithful crew. It was a game against the Marlins who were hot at the time. Willie was on the hot seat. Things weren't looking good. Thankfully, that feels like a whole different season. But this game was a keeper. All hope seemed to be lost. We were down one run in the ninth and all hope seemed to be lost. I know that sounds cliche but really, we didn't think we were gonna win the damn thing. Chavez was up with their closer Gregg pitching. Guess what?! Endy hits a pinch hit home run to tie the game! Sanchez gave up a run in the 12th and it looked bad again! But Tatis in the bottom of the inning hit a game winning 2 rbi double! Mets win a classic. I was so ecstatic that I accidently stomped on the free pudding that I placed on the floor. So the bottom of my jeans were filled with chocolate and I couldn't have been happier. It was a great day.
Video of the night: This was taken last night but it's still awesome and played everyday. It's the introduction video they play on diamond vision. Enjoy.
No comments:
Post a Comment