The LoHud Mets Blog

Reyes
Cora, 2B
Murphy
Beltran
Wright
Church
Tatis, 1B
Castro
Santana

Jerry Manuel’s decided to bat Murphy in the three hole and Beltran in cleanup. Carlos Delgado and Luis Castillo are still sitting out with tweaks.

Inning by inning

Top 1: Santana just gave up two runs. Jorge Cantu hit his third home run, a solo shot, in two games. This isn’t typical of Santana. Hopefully, that will be the extent of the damage. The Mets really need this game heading into Philadelphia on Friday.

Bottom 1: Reyes just hit a triple. It’s the second triple of the game already. This ballpark should be called Triples Alley. Reyes scores on a bunt by Cora. Murphy safe at first on another bunt. Murphy gets first stolen base. Ugh, Wright strikes out again. 2-1, Florida.

Top 2: Marlins go down in order. That’s better.

Bottom 2: Despite two hits in the inning, Mets don’t score. That’s three base runners stranded in scoring position already.

Top 3: No scoring.

Bottom 3: Wright grounded into inning-ending double play.

Top 4: Wright commits error. It’s just not his day. Sounds like he needs a day off.

Bottom 4: Tatis scores on an RBI single by Castro after Tatis stole second. Game tied at 2. Four total runners in scoring position left on base.

Top 5: No scoring.

Bottom 5: Wright gets a hit. Yay! Of course, there was no one on base.

Top 6: Wow, Santana is so good at getting out of jams. He left two Marlins on base after giving up a leadoff double and an intentional walk.

Bottom 6: Tatis hits long ball. Umpires are trying to determine if it’s a home run or not. They’re going to the replay booth. They’re callling it a home run.

Top 7: Marlins go down, 1 2 3. The Mets really need to give Santana some more run support right about now. That’s probably it for Santana. He’s at 109 pitches.

Bottom 7: Cora hits leadoff single. Murphy sacrifices Cora to second. Wright being intentionally walked. Wright steals second. Cantu robs Church of single.

Top 8: C’mon, Putz. No meltdowns! Um, I said no meltdowns. Two straight walks is not a good start. Cody Ross gets his first clutch hit in forever and knocks in two runs. There goes Santana’s chance for a win. Like yesterday, the Mets are poised for a loss. They have to be able to recover. That’s what championship teams do. Ross caught stealing.

Bottom 8: Reed hits a two-out triple. Gotta get him home, Reyes. Reyes walks. Cora grounds out. The Marlins have played some pretty good defense today, quashing several Mets chances. The Mets are in trouble as Matt Lindstrom surely will try to close. At least he’ll be facing the heart of the order.

Top 9: K-Rod in to prevent any more runs. K-Rod does his job. Now it’s time for the Mets offense. Put on those rally caps.

Bottom 9: Sheffield is pinch-hitting. Sheffield draws a walk. Beltran walks. Wright is up. Time to be clutch. Wright called out on strikes. Beltran grounded out but runners advance. Tatis hit by pitch. Bases are loaded, with two outs. Castro was called back, and Omir Santos will be pinch-hitting. Interesting call by Manuel. Castro has two hits today. Santos pops up. Game over, 4-3.

The Mets left 14 runners on base, nine in scoring position. So, the Mets bullpen failed again in the second straight game. The Mets have an off-day tomorrow. Hopefully, they can regroup and rest a little before taking on the red-hot Phillies.