The Mets put Jon Niese (5-5 3.51) on the mound versus Braves' hot pitcher Jair Jurrjens (8-2 1.82). Last time the Mets faced Jurrjens, he was knocked out going 4 innings, allowing 4 runs. Jon Niese's last 2 performances have been stellar, pitching in both games 7 2/3 innings getting the win on both games.
Willie Harris batting .500 versus Jurrjens got the call from Manager Terry Collins to play left field. Jason Bay is benched yet again.
The Braves currently lead the NL Wild Card, but the Mets only trail by 5.5 games. This series would be huge if the Mets could take 2 of 3.
Since the Mets are playing in Turner Field, I feel some Justin Turner mojo coming into play these next three games.
If the Mets can win two of the three games, they would jump into .500, a milestone that continues to run away from them.
No one in the Mets lineup has hit a home run against Jurrjens in their career.
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Jose Reyes singled up the middle and then stole second base to begin the game. With Harris walking, Beltran smacked a line drive single to center scoring Reyes. Jurrjens hadn't let up a first inning run in 19 straight starts. After 2 line drive outs, and a Lucas Duda fly out, that was all the Mets were able to bring in, just 1 run.
In the bottom of the first, after a Cody Ross single, wild pitch and a Jeff Mather single, the Braves scored a run to make the score 1-1.
In the second inning, Reyes singled, Harris singled, and made a double steal happen. With both of them in scoring position, Beltran popped out. Murphy then walked to create bases loaded for Pagan. Pagan then hit an RBI single to bring home Reyes and the score was then 2-1. With bases loaded again, Lucas Duda smacked a fly out to center field, and Harris came home on a sacrifice fly to make the score 3-1. Josh Thole grounded out to retire the side.
Into the 6th inning, Ruben Tejada was walked, and moved over by a sac bunt, something the Mets couldn't do in the last two weeks (Thank You Niese). Reyes then lined a base hit into center field to drive home Tejada. The score was 4-1, and Reyes' hot streak continued. After walking Harris, Jurrjens was done. George Sherrill came in, and got the remaining outs.
Into the 7th inning, Niese had no trouble up to this point. With a infield single by Alex Gonzalez, and a past ball to David Ross, Ross lined a double off of the left field wall on one hop, miss played by Jason Pridie (in for Willie Harris after Jurrjens left). Niese was taken out after pitching very well. Beato took his place. On four pitches Beato walked Mather, and there were two men on 1st and 2nd with only one out. McCann, getting the day off, was called upon to pinch hit for Young. That was all for Beato, and Tim Byrdak came in to face the left handed hitter. Byrdak struck McCann out looking, throwing just 4 pitches. He then struck out Diory Hernandez, a right handed batter right after that, and retired the site with brilliant pitching.
Jason Isringhausen in to set up the 8th inning, let up a home run to Dan Uggla, a line drive shot to cut the lead to 4-3. One minute later, Chipper Jones smacked a line drive to right field, but was caught by a leaping Beltran at the wall. "Izzy" got out of the inning only letting up 1 run.
K-Rod, Francisco Rodriguez came in for the 9th inning looking for his 19th save of the season. Striking out two and finishing the game with a fly out, he got his 19th save of the season. The score was 4-3 as the Mets hung on.
Jair Jurrjens (8-3) went only 5.1 innings allowing 8 hits on 4 earned runs, 5 walks and only 3 strikeouts. Upping his earned run average to 1.82 to 2.13. Jon Niese (6-5 3.46) on the other hand had a somewhat better performance allowing 5 hits on 2 runs walking 0, striking out just 4.
Niese pitched very well once again, if it wasn't for a trip by Reyes, Niese whed brilliantly again, and almost could be considered the ace of the team.
Tim Byrdak came on in the 7th inning, and struck out the 2 batters he faced. That was the best anyone has seen him pitch in his time with the Mets. He saved the Mets, and helped them to only 1 game from .500 again. The game ball goes to "Birdie"" after that performance.
Jair Jurrjens has lost only 3 games this season, 2 of them were from the Mets.
Jose Reyes went 3 for 5 uping his batting average to .347 the best in the majors.
Jason Bay should be back tomorrow night against Hudson.
Mets have moved to third place in the N.L. East as the Marlins lost to the Phillies.
Again, the Mets are flirting with .500, and with Dillon Gee on the mound, it is quite possible the Mets can reach that mark. Atlanta is missing McLouth, Heyward, and Prado. Gee needs to do what he has been doing, not overpowering, and throwing good pitches in the right spots, and the Mets could reach their mark since last making it versus the Yankees.
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