Ike Davis Homers, but Bullpen Falters as Mets Drop Finale 8-2

Mike Pelfrey and the Mets came to Citizens Bank Park yesterday afternoon with the intent of sweeping the Phillies in their backyard for the first time since June 2006. It looked as though it was headed that way in the top of the first inning against Philly southpaw Cole Hamels; David Wright continued his hot streak with another single and Ike Davis busted out of his 2-28 slump in a big way with a two-run homer to right field, giving New York an early lead. The Phillies answered back in the bottom of the inning against Pelfrey with a run, but then on, it was a pitcher’s duel.

Pelfrey didn’t have his best stuff, but he was able to make it work today and not only keep his team in the ballgame, but be in line for the

win once he was taken out of the contest after throwing six solid innings, giving up eight hits, one run, two walks, and two strikeouts. Also, the right-hander’s sinker was very effective yesterday, a good sign moving forward. After the early home run to Davis, Cole Hamels settled down, throwing seven innings, giving up those two runs, six hits, one walk, and striking out 10 Met hitters. Collins took his starter out after 99 pitches, allowing the fifth-best bullpen in the league to take over and secure the sweep. Right? Wrong.

With Ramon Ramirez and Manny Acosta on the mound following Pelfrey, the Phillies offense surged ahead with six runs scored, but only two of them were earned, due to a Ruben Tejada error. Ramirez also threw a wild pitch, which didn’t help all that much either during his abbreviated outing. Even though the bullpen wasn’t able to hold down the lead and secure a rare sweep of Philadelphia, the Met offense left seven on base and couldn’t move them into scoring position (0-2 with RISP). So, despite their nine hits, they weren’t very productive.

Some of the positives from yesterday’s game include the solid performance from Mike Pelfrey. After the game, he said that he didn’t fight Terry Collins when he went to yank him because he struggled through his six innings without his best stuff on the mound. Even though he wasn’t very sharp, this is Pelfrey’s second straight solid outing after a poor spring. Knowing that he didn’t have his best stuff and still being able to keep New York in the game is yet another big confidence booster for the right-hander. Offensively, Davis doubled his season hit total with two yesterday, and finally unloading for his first home run of the year. Lucas Duda piled up two more hits, building on his solid game at the plate from Saturday. David Wright laced two more base hits, and is now hitting a blistering .571. Broken pinkie, what?

Probable Pitchers today:

The Mets continue their short road trip filled with division rivals as they head down to Atlanta to face Tommy Hanson and the Braves tonight at 7:10pm at Turner Field. Dillon Gee is taking the mound for his second start, trying to get back on track following his poor first outing against the Nationals, while trying to cool off a hot Braves team that is coming off a sweep of the Brewers.

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