Game Recap: Hairston and Davis Homer to Back Niese in 7-3 Win

The Mets have done something they haven’t done since August 12th…they scored more than three runs in a game at Citi Field! All it took was Terry Collins suggesting to the media that he thought his team had quit on him. Even in the win, there was still some negative in there, as Lucas Duda was pulled for not running hard on a pop up to left field that ended up falling for a base hit.

Mets Offensive Highlights:

The scoring started in the bottom of the first, as Daniel Murphy singled and stole second base to put himself in position with two outs for Ike Davis, who singled him home with the game’s first run. Then, Scott Hairston hit his 18th homer to increase the lead to 3-0; this long ball gave Hairston a new career high. In the next inning, Josh Thole doubled, while Jonathon Niese and Fred Lewis both got aboard due to a pair of fielder’s choices. Jacob Turnerthrew a wild pitch that allowed Niese to score and Murphy hit a sacrifice fly to bring in Lewis. In the fifth, Murphy struck out, but reached first thanks to a passed ball, and came around to score with two outs on a triple from Hairston. Davis put the cherry on top with his 28th homer of the season in the seventh, a solo shot to right field.

September 7, 2012; New York, NY, USA; New York Mets pitcher Jonathon Niese (49) throws a pitch during the second inning of a game against the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-US PRESSWIRE

Marlins Offensive Highlights:

Niese was able to hold the Marlins in check for most of the night; they tried to start chipping away at the deficit in the third inning, as Gil Velazquez singled and was sacrificed to second base. Donovan Solano singled him home to get Miami on the board, but they were again silent until the sixth inning. Gorkys Hernandez singled to lead things off, and Solano doubled him home. Austin Kearns singled in Jose Reyes for their third, but final run of the evening, as they continue to have sole ownership of the NL East basement.

Pitching Highlights:

Jacob Turner got hit hard last night, but his defense behind him didn’t help much. He threw 5 innings and allowed 6 runs (3 earned) on 8 hits, 1 walk, and 3 strikeouts. Dan Jennings, Wade LeBlanc, and Carlos Zambrano each pitched an inning in relief, combing to give up 3 hits and 1 run while striking out 2.

Jonathon Niese was exactly what the Mets needed as he earned his career-high 12th win of the season. The southpaw lasted 6.1 innings, allowing 3 runs on 7 hits and 1 walk, while striking out 7. Bobby Parnell came in and got out of the seventh inning, then went back out to retire the side in order for the eighth. Jon Rauch was called upon to shut the door, and that’s exactly what he did, as he’s done in every appearance since June.

The Mets are now 67-83 on the season, breaking their current five-game losing streak with last night’s victory.

Probable Pitchers Saturday:

Today’s match-up will be a good one, as R.A.Dickey (18-6, 2.67 ERA) will try again to earn his 19th win of the season. Ozzie Guillen will be sending his most consistent starter to the hill in Mark Buehrle (13-12, 3.78 ERA). First pitch is set for 1:10pm.