Postgame Wrap-up

The New York Mets were defeated by the Arizona Diamondbacks by the score of 9-6. From the start of this game it was apparent that home plate umpire Chad Fairchild had a very tight zone. This lead to trouble for Mike Pelfrey. Pelfrey struggled right out of the gate by allowing a 3 run first inning. However, the Mets responded quickly to tie the game in the first thanks to a 3-run HR by David Wright. After the Diamondbacks took a 4-3 lead in the top of the 3rd thanks to an RBI 2B from Stephen Drew, David Wright once again came through and hit his second of HR of the game, a 2-run shot to dead CF to put the Mets ahead 5-4. Things though came unraveled in the top of the 6th. After retiring the 8th hitter Parra to start the inning, opposing pitcher Ian Kennedy hit a ground ball to Jose Reyes at SS that he booted. Pelfrey would retire the next hitter Chris Young, but was unable to get through the inning. Next hitter Kelly Johnson connected for a 2-run HR to put the Dimondbacks ahead for good. Raul Valdes would come on and be unable to retire any hitters as the D-Backs put three more runs on the board thanks to a Miguel Montero 3-run HR. The Mets were able to muster 1 more run on the night with an Angel Pagan RBI 1B.

Mike Pelfrey was bad again tonight. The small strike zone did not help but that is still no excuse. The D-Backs seem to have Pelfrey's number as many of their hitters have some gaudy numbers against him.

Jose Reyes' error in the 6th inning was huge. Not only did it allow the opposing pitcher to reach base, it also allowed the inning to continue. It opened the door for the D-Backs 5 run inning.

Jerry Manuel once again left another pitcher in 1 hitter too long. Already after he gave up a 2-run HR, Manuel left Valdes in after allowing 2 more 1B's. It was apparent that Valdes did not have his best stuff tonight. I feel Manuel should have had Pedro Feliciano up in that spot to face Montero in case it got to him. Sure enough it did, and Manuel left Valdes in to give up the 3-run HR. Manuel then did his usual trot to the mound to take Valdes out 1 hitter too late. This is a theme with Manuel's managing style.

Although it was a loss there actually were a few positives on the night. Jose Reyes despite making the error was 3-5 at the plate.

David Wright is starting to get hot again. He had a huge offensive night going 3-4 with 2HR and 5 RBI. He now has 17 Hr's and 74 RBI on the year.

Angel Pagan continued to hit with runners in scoring position by driving in another run with 2 outs.

The Mets look to even the series tomorrow night as LHP Hisanori Takahashi takes the mound against D-Backs RHP Barry Enright.