Game Recap: David Wright Powers Mets to 2-1 Victory

So, the Mets couldn’t take care of business against the Cubs in Wrigley Field, and now had to deal with the first place Dodgers at Chavez Ravine. At least, they were in first place when the night started, not by the time the night ended. The Mets were facing their former teammate in Chris Capuano, and David Wright paced the offense toward a victory.

Mets Offensive Highlights:

After throwing up 17 runs the day prior in Chicago, Wright decided to keep the scoring going right in the first inning. Andres Torres struck out to lead the game off, but Ruben Tejadafollowed with a single to right field. With hours remaining for fans to vote for All-Star starters, Wright solidifed his case, and started with a RBI double to left field to give New York an early lead. In the fourth, Wright was at it again, as he hit his ninth home run to left

center field. With the game tied in the fifth, New York was able to manufacture the go-ahead run. Mike Nickeas singled, Chris Young sacrificed him to second, and Torres doubled him in for the third and final run of the game.

Dodgers Offensive Highlights:

Without Matt Kemp or Andre Ethier in the lineup, Los Angeles has been struggling to score runs, and tonight was no different. Their only scoring happened in the bottom of the fourth when they tied the game at two. Dee Gordon led the frame off with his eighth double of the year, followed by a triple from Elian Herrera. Immediately following that, Juan Rivera singled up the middle to score Herrera, but that was all the Mets pitching staff would give up last night.

Pitching Highlights:

Both starting pitchers performed well, but it was Young who was able to get the upper hand. The Mets righty threw 6.1 innings, gave up 6 hits and 2 runs, on 6 strikeouts. The key for Young last night was that he didn’t allow a free pass, as four New York pitchers only gave up one walk all game. Tim Byrdak, Jon Rauch, and Bobby Parnell followed Young on the mound, with them only allowing one hit and one walk in 2.2 innings of work.

Chris Capuano was handed his third loss of the year, though it wasn’t for a lack of effort. He worked 7 innings against his former team, giving up 5 hits and 3 runs on 5 strikeouts, while also not walking anyone. Josh Lindlom and Scott Elbert also kept the Met bats silent, but the damage was done.

Worth Noting:

On a night where there weren’t many opportunities with runners in scoring position, the Mets went 2-for-7. David Wright was the only Met to collect a multi-hit game, while Elian Herrera and Juan Rivera did so for the Dodgers. In his first oppportunity to save a ballgame after Frank Francisco landed on the DL, Bobby Parnell retired LA in order.

The Nationals and Braves both lost one-run contests to their respective opponents last night, so the second straight win for the Mets comes at a perfect time, putting them back in a tie with Atlanta for second place, 3.5 games back. The victory pushes their season record up to 41-36.

Probable Pitchers Friday:

New York will look to take game two of this series against a depleted Dodger lineup as Terry Collins sends R.A. Dickey (11-1, 2.31 ERA) to the mound to get back on track after a disappointing start against the Yankees. Don Mattingly will counter with Aaron Harang (5-4, 3.81 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 10:10pm.