The New York Mets (50-68) had five men on base in the first two innings of Game Two on Tuesday night, but could not chip in-as this team is still unable to shake the Philadelphia Phillies (83-44) in a 9-4 loss.
On the day that an earthquake rattled the East Coast, things still haven’t shaken up this Mets squad, as they were unable to cash in on those early inning runs. Meanwhile the tornado known as the Phillies recorded four runs in the bottom of the fourth and fifth innings, to continue their dominance in a once great rivalry between these two teams.
Philadelphia went on to add five more runs in the fifth and sixth, to assist with the confidence of starter Vance Worley (W, 9-1). Worley responded by tossing seven innings, while recording a career-high nine strike outs against the Mets.
The difference between these two teams, and one of the main reasons why Philly is competing for a playoff spot-is
the ability to cash in with runners in scoring position. The Mets were unable to do that, while the Phillies had a hit parade, as they finished the night with 13 total hits.
That hit parade coming off starter Jon Niese (L, 11-11) who tossed four innings, giving up 10 hits, eight runs, but did strike out six batters-as the lefty starter much like the rest of his team looked good early…but fell hard later in the game.
The Mets finally did score a run, after Worley sat down 15 batters in a row, as Nick Evans broke that streak with a double (2) to center field in the top of the seventh. Evans was plated for the first New York run on a ground ball by Justin Turner.
New York plated two more runs from Lucas Duda, who had a stellar at bat in the top of the eighth, was rewarded for his patience with a home run (7) to right field. Duda didn’t bite on two wicked curveballs by Phillies reliever Michael Stutes, and eventually received a fastball-which was immediately sent to orbit.
Evans hit another laser shot for a triple (2) in the top of the ninth to start another mini Mets comeback, and scored on a ground out by Josh Thole, which made the Phillies lead 9-4 at the time. Stutes was able to invoke two fly ball outs, as the Mets have now dropped their fifth consecutive game.
Looking to avoid a second straight sweep against an elite National League team, the Mets will send out starter Mike Pelfrey (6-10, 4.61 ERA) takes on Kyle Kendrick (7-5, 3.24 ERA). The first pitch for the finale is scheduled for 1:05 p.m.
Written on August 23, 2011