The Mets hit two home runs, but it wasn’t enough to top the Diamondbacks as they lost 3-2. Livan Hernandez had his best outing in a while but allowed two solo home runs. He pitched six innings and was pulled for a pinch hitter with bases loaded. Angel Berroa grounded out to quash the potential rally.
David Wright and Daniel Murphy provided all the offense as they both hit solo home runs. Their shots were two of only four hits the Mets had all night. The Mets had one last gasp thanks to a dropped ball by Mark Reynolds in the bottom of the ninth, but Angel Pagan grounded out into a double play. He went 0-5.
The game was tied up 2-2 in the eighth as Sean Green came into the game after Pedro Feliciano allowed a leadoff walk. Green then proceeded to hit the next batter and walked another, loading the bases. He then induced a double play. Against the next batter, he threw the ball into the dirt that got away from Omir Santos and allowed a run to score.
It was a poor way to start their second straight four-game series against a sub-.500 team. Oliver Perez will take the mound Saturday night.
Jerry Manuel said in his post-game interview that although Gary Sheffield is scheduled to come off the disabled list, he might not play until Sunday. This comes on the heels of the news that Jose Reyes suffered a setback in his rehab. He was scheduled to run the bases yesterday but did not. Some days he feels good and some days he doesn’t, general manager Omar Minaya said. Today, he didn’t feel good.
Billy Wagner, on the other hand, pitched a scoreless inning against Minor Leaguers in Port St. Lucie. He struck out two and induced a ground ball. His fast ball clocked in around 94 mph.