Game 123 Recap-
Future hall of famer Pedro Martinez(4-3,4.96) pitched 7 innings for the 1st time this season, while SS Jose Reyes and C Ramon Castro each had 2 hits, 2 rbi and homered. Martinez allowed 8 hits and 1 run while striking out 4 & a walk, while pitching into the 7th for only the 2nd time in 22 starts dating back to 2006. He was pleased with his outing, “I felt pretty good,” Martinez said. “It’s starting to come along. The last two outings, I’ve been making adjustments to get where I needed to be. I had command of the fastball, especially getting ahead, and the changeup. They kept swinging at it, and that made it easier for me.”
The Mets batters jumped on LHP Zach Duke(4-11,5.26) for 4 runs in the first 2 innings(3 in the 1st), hilighted by Reyes homering to lead off the game and rbi hits from CF Carlos Beltran(double), RF Fernando Tatis(single) and Reyes(triple) again in the 2nd. Duke settled down and did not allow another run until the 6th when Castro touched him for a 2 run homer. His 2nd half struggles continued, over 12 games he is 0-5 with a 5.79 era.”He was missing his spots early,” Pittsburgh manager John Russell said. “He took two to three innings to get into a rhythm. He can’t do that. When that happens, the damage is already done.”
Pedro tired in the 7th and allowed a home run by 3b Andy Laroche to left to cut the lead to 6-1. However, a bases loaded walk added to the Mets tally to 7. The Pirates did not quit and showed heart in the 9th, scoring 3 runs vs the New York relief corps. The Mets used 3 pitchers to get through the inning, with LH Pedro Feliciano(2-2,3.57,16 holds) getting the final 2 outs to earn his 2nd save. “It was nice to see us push it in the ninth,” Pittsburgh Manager John Russell said. “We didn’t quit.”
Star of the Game-
Pedro- As witnessed tonight, the Mets bullpen is a mess and any strong starting pitching by New York helps!!! With Johan Santana, Oliver Perez, Mike Pelfrey and a returning John Maine back from injury, Pedro is a nice bonus! These 5 are the key to the Mets playoff push
Pirates Notes-
37,506 fans gave the club its 2nd consecutive sellout….Team signed 2nd overall pick Pedro Alvarez….Wilson and Sanchez had 3 hits… Every Pirates starter had a hit & they had a base runner every inning
Next Game-
Sunday,1:35 PNC Park
Pirates RH Jeff Karstens(2-1,1.23) vs Mets LH Johan Santana(10-7,2.89)
