Game Recap: Scott Hairston’s Two Homers Help Mets in Wild 8-7 Win

The bullpen had a hard time holding the lead in the late innings, but the Mets were able to put together multiple late inning rallies to grab the upper hand in the first of a four-game set in San Francisco.

Mets Offensive Highlights:

New York didn’t get on the board until the fourth inning, as David Wright led the frame off with a single. Scott Hairston took his place on the bases with a fielder’s choice, then Jason Bay walked. Ronny Cedeno answered with two outs, doubling both Hairston and Bay in for the first two runs of the game. The Mets were silent until the eighth, as Jordany Valdespin singled in front of Hairston, who launched a two-run homer. Justin Turner doubled in Bay, and then scored himself on a Rob Johnson single. After not being able to hold onto the lead in the ninth, Hairston led off the 10th with his 14th homer of the year, second of the night. Jason Bay walked again, followed by a Mike Baxtersingle, moving Bay to third for Johnson, who sacrificed himself with a bunt, plating the second run of the inning, which proved to be the difference.

Giants Offensive Highlights:

San Francisco took the early lead in the third inning, as both Brandon Belt and Madison Bumgarner singled, and new acquisition Marco Scutaro hit a sacrifice fly to bring in the first run. Scutaro was at it again the the fifth, as he doubled and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt before Melky Cabrera singled him home. In the sixth, Belt and Brandon Crawford singled to get the rally started, and Aubrey Huff brought one run home with a force out. Ryan Theriot then singled in the second run of the inning. With their backs against the wall in the ninth, Buster Posey lined a double to score Cabrera, and Nate Shierholtz doubled off the glove of Ike Davis to tie the game. Shierholtz singled in a run again in the 10th, but it wasn’t enough as the Giants fell a run short.

Pitching Highlights:

Jeremy Hefner pitched 5.2 innings and gave up 4 runs on 10 hits, 3 walks, and 5 strikeouts, obviously not playing a part in the decision. Ramon Ramirez, Tim Byrdak, and Jon Rauch didn’t allow runs in their relief outings, but Bobby Parnell got touched up for two, even though Josh Edgin got the blow save as he couldn’t strand the inherited runners. He got his first MLB win though, as Manny Acosta came on to save it in the 10th.

Madison Bumgarner provided a quality start, going 6 innings and giving up 2 runs on 6 hits, 2 walks, and 9 strikeouts, but it was the bullpen that couldn’t hang onto the lead for their starter. Brad Penny, Javier Lopez, and Clay Hensley all provided scoreless relief, but it was Sergio Romo who blew it in the 8th, giving up all four runs that inning.

Worth Noting:

Andres Torres and Scott Hairston were the only Mets to enjoy multi-hit games, but Jason Bay collected a hit and two walks as he scored three times last night. Mike Baxter made his return as a pinch hitter, lining a base hit, as if he never left. Despite giving up his first run since returning from the minors, Manny Acosta registered his first save of 2012.

The Mets now stand at 50-53, and gain a half game on the idle Nationals, now 12 games out of first place. They still remain 8.5 games out of the second NL Wild Card spot.

Probable Pitchers Tuesday:

Matt Harvey (1-0, 0.00 ERA) is scheduled to make his second start in the Major Leagues, hoping it will be somewhat similar to what he did in his debut down in Arizona. He will face off against a struggling Tim Lincecum (4-11, 5.88 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 10:15pm.