Mets Bullpen Beats Phillies’ Barrage
Posted by Tim Malcolm, Tue, June 09, 2009 10:14 PM | Comments: 67
2009 Recaps, Posts
Denizens of Citi Field whooped and wailed in their loudest voices; the faux iron and brick of the new palace almost shook as Francisco Rodriguez reeled off a low fastball that tugged the strike zone, past Greg Dobbs’ static frame. A 6-5 loss for the Phillies, and for the Mets, so much more.
It was the most unorthodox of games — ground ball wizard JA Happ and future Hall of Famer Johan Santana squared off, but they each fell victim to bombs launched into the distant seats of the new park. The balls hit by Carlos Beltran and David Wright, and Ryan Howard, Raul Ibanez, Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley all reached the Bronx.
But it was the most unorthodox of home runs: A smoked fastball off the bat of powerless Ryan Church that, like a marble, found the magic hole of the Mets’ home run apple. Chad Durbin’s earned run was the difference. One pitch on two outs spelled doom.
Of course, the Phillies had the lead before this blast. Clay Condrey allowed two runs in the sixth inning; one damaging shot came off the bat of Santana with two strikes. Despite everything the Phillies offense could do to beat Santana (a landmark beating; the first time he surrendered three lefty home runs in his career), the bullpen let it go.
Then the Mets bullpen kept it together, again, in a very unorthodox scene. This time it was Pedro Feliciano mowing down the Phillies. Then it was Rodriguez, despite a leadoff single by Jimmy Rollins, hanging in and finishing the job. On the day the Phils lost Brad Lidge to the disabled list. And Citi Field rocked. Its closer had arrived.
Posts: 0 Greg V.
I can’t be too upset about this one. I mean both teams played hard and the Phils unfortunately didn’t win. It was an exciting game with plenty of great moments for the Phils and not one to be terribly upset about.
Posted: 10:21 PM on June 9, 2009
Posts: 0 The Little Guy
Geoff, still want to trade Rollins? He stinks right?
Posted: 10:28 PM on June 9, 2009
Posts: 0 4daysrest.com
See, as a fan, I know you should say to yourself that they had the clear advantage tonight and were likely to lose. To hit four homers off of Santana, come all the way back after being dead in the water, and then lose because Clay Condrey and Chad Durbin couldn’t get the job done is frustrating. That’s the type of game that sticks in my crawl.
Posted: 10:29 PM on June 9, 2009
Posts: 0 4daysrest.com
I’ve been all over Rollins this season, and truthfully, rightfully so. I thought he played his best game of the season tonight, though. It was inspired baseball.
Condrey’s 0-2 to Santana is absolutely inexcusable, and can Durbin get through one game without hanging a slider over the middle of the plate? Maybe just once?
Posted: 10:31 PM on June 9, 2009
Posts: 0 Maverick
On the surface….Im thinkign this is more of a Mental loss than an actual loss.. or actually a mental win for the Mets..
BUT… then i think about it.. and the muts barely beat us with their ACE Johan vs our #4 JA Happ…. and we BANGED 4 homers off MR JOHAN…
despite the L i think we had some small wins… although.,..i think they did too
Posted: 10:31 PM on June 9, 2009
Posts: 0 Chutley
Im upset. Wehn you lose a game because a pticher beats hits a double you better be upset. I was at the game and watching Santana get at god damn double pissed me off.
Posted: 10:31 PM on June 9, 2009
Posts: 0 kyle
Not to be upset about? The phils are 10-2 against the nats and 1 above 500 against everyone else. They need to beat good teams, you know, like the mets. Seen their record against them lately? That’s a triple a lineup we lost to sans Wright and beltran. Losing on an rbi double by the 050 hitting pitcher? Pathetic. Not using eyre to face cora, who drove in the game-winner? Asinie. If cole loses tomorrow, we go home tied. Ouch
Posted: 10:33 PM on June 9, 2009
Posts: 0 4daysrest.com
Chutley- I’m on board with you.
Anyone at all concerned with this bullpen right now from the right side?
Posted: 10:33 PM on June 9, 2009
Posts: 0 4daysrest.com
Kyle, we actually go home up one. I thought the same thing at first.
We are 1-5 against the Mets this season, and T-Mac/Wheels talk about how they are scared of us. K-Rod didn’t look too scared in the ninth, did he?
Posted: 10:36 PM on June 9, 2009
Posts: 0 RiVLez
lol Kyle that stat is unbelievable. The Phillies need to change that. The Phillies can’t look for the Mets to let them win the division again for the 3rd year in a row. I think they will have to earn it.
Posted: 11:04 PM on June 9, 2009
Posts: 0 Pat Gallen, Phils Examiner
I’m not so concerned about the ‘pen. The Mets were fired up and in the end just wanted this game more. Durbin and Condrey are serviceable, not every pitcher is going to be lights out all the time. They made mistakes, and paid, but to be honest I can live with this loss. I love how fired up the Mets were in June…that means they still fear the Phils.
Posted: 11:05 PM on June 9, 2009
Posts: 0 Iceman
Sure it was Santana you “banged four homers off” and you’re looking for a moral victory. I guess that helps you ignore the fact that Alex Cora had the GWRBI and started in a lineup with Fernando Tatis, Gary Sheffield and Omir Santos that beat your Fillies.
Posted: 11:07 PM on June 9, 2009
Posts: 0 Iceman
Ummm, yeah. Take a peek at Francisco Rodriguez recording a 3-run save against the Gnats, he was fired up, it must mean the Mets fear the Gnats. Psych 101 has failed you, Pat, I love it.
Posted: 11:11 PM on June 9, 2009
Posts: 0 Eli
Why wouldn’t the Mets still fear the Phillies. They did win the N.L. East last year. But the fire was because how injury depleated they are and realizing that every win they can get over the next month is huge. they are playing stud teams and need to play hard.
Posted: 11:23 PM on June 9, 2009
Posts: 0 4daysrest.com
The Mets are down. And if your theory was true that they were all fired up, then we should be able to come back the next 2 days and beat them down if we are truly superior. Show them what’s up a little, leave town with a 4 game lead, and I’ll be happy.
Posted: 11:36 PM on June 9, 2009
Posts: 0 stephanie
i do think we beat good teams though, we should have swept the yankees and the dodgers we just ran into some bad luck. its not like those teams beat up on the phillies all the time, i do agree thought we really need to start playing better against the mets
Posted: 11:38 PM on June 9, 2009
Posts: 0 Davek
Hey there fellow Phillies phans,
It’s hard for me to identify tonight’s game as a “tough loss”. We ALMOST beat the Muts with their ace pitcher. And if this year is a sign of the Mets choking as they did the past two years (come on, getting swept by the Pirates!?), then we have little to worry about. We didn’t beat them overall head to head but we still ended up on top, both years, and it will happen again. There’s a good reason that they fear us. Most MLB teams fear us. There isn’t a single hitter in our lineup that can’t knock the ball out of the part in the blink of an eye. Keep your hopes up, tomorrow we hammer them where it hurts.
Posted: 11:40 PM on June 9, 2009
Posts: 0 Mickey
I’m not upset by this loss at all. Remember, we cant expect to win them all. Some people need to relax. Against Johan I didnt think they even had a remote chance to win, so Im presently surprised by how the Phils played. They basically rocked Johan and thats gonna give them a lot of confidence for the future.
We may have received the “L” for this game, but there were several wins throughout.
Posted: 11:42 PM on June 9, 2009
Posts: 0 Miles
My main concern is the trickle down effect we saw with Lidge not available. It’s nice to still have Madson to pitch the 9th, but we gotta get there. The bridge now has more holes in it.
Really we are probably talking about a Phils win if Santana can get a bunt down. But as some have said, the pitch by Condrey 0-2 was ridiculously bad. If you have a pitcher down in count 0-2 and he is trying to bunt you either throw a fastball way up in the zone or something off the plate. Dumb dumb dumb.
Well just like he stepped up last start, Cole is going to have to play the part of the ace and get us a win tomorrow.
Posted: 11:47 PM on June 9, 2009
Posts: 0 AmazinCiti
I’m wondering what the Philly fan thinks of this. SNY showed Victorino staring and muttering out to K-rod after the game, clearly upset by his “antics” after picking up a HUGE save. Was he also muttering under his breath as a barely over the Mendoza line Jimmy Rollins put his finger to his lips as if to hush the Citi faithful after hitting his home run. It’s the same old stuff as last year. Phillies players “annoyed” at Mets “antics,” when in reality there isn’t a bigger hot dogging team in baseball than the Philadelphia Phillies. Huge win for the Mets, the difference this year, our bullpen is LEGIT without it’s second best pitcher pitching (Putz), and your bullpen has come back down to earth!
Posted: 12:00 AM on June 10, 2009
Posts: 0 Keith
eww another Mets troll on a Phillies site
Posted: 12:04 AM on June 10, 2009
Posts: 0 Grrrumpy Miner
Davek….ANY team can win on any given day.Did the Pirates beat up on the Mets last Mon,Tues& Thu?Yes and its all good by me.I don’t like it but anyway,You turn the page and move on.We took 5 out of 6 games from the Nats,you move on.Just like you split with the Dodgers and sweep the Padres,it happens you move on.I’m now concentrating on the up and coming 2 games vs the Phillies Cole vs Pelfrey.Are the NY Mets going to make Cole “Choke” on his words (I didn’t mean to tag that in this convo) we don’t know but we shall soon find out.BTW great game tonite,the Turning point was the DP Top 8th.Phils lost as the Mets won;its 1 game out of 162 you move on.Oh and BTW the Japanese DID bomb Pearle Harbor and we all know it and Amazins fans DO have a sense of humor too.
Posted: 12:12 AM on June 10, 2009
Posts: 0 Keith
moving on . . .
Posted: 12:16 AM on June 10, 2009
Posts: 0 Jeff G
THERE SHOULD BE NO MET FANS HERE. GO TO YOUR OWN WEBSITE. YOU LOSER. MAN. WIN A WORLD SERIES FIRST YOU JERKS. YOU WILL NEVER NEVER WIN A WORLD SERIES.
Posted: 12:21 AM on June 10, 2009
Posts: 0 phillyhater
that was a great game tonight…form both sides…kind of ironic with all the talk about citi not being a homerun ballpark and all of a sudden there were 7 homeruns hit tonight…lol…johan did not have his best stuff…his past couple of starts have not been his best…we have given him run support..and he helped his cause tonight…phillies lineup is scary…they can all hit…but all this talk about the mets wanting to beat the phillies really badly…obviously…just like the phillies want to beat the mets really badly…lol..its both ways…i dont get why SOME philly fans..not all just some think that the phillies dont care about beating the mets…in their division they want to beat them…oh and it feels SOOO GOOD having a bullpen..this is another game we lose last year…but then again thats last year…i LOVE seeing victorino looking mad with krod celebrating..HAHAHA….thats awesome
Posted: 12:24 AM on June 10, 2009
Posts: 0 David, the Mets fan from Queens
I was present at tonight’s game, and have some interesting thoughts to posit.
1. Emotions, emotions!
The vibe at Citi Field was absolutely remarkable and yet telling. Firstly, I believe that Mets fans have been quite arrogant, and arguably condescending when speaking about their NL East rivals after the dominant 2006 Mets season. Tonight, it felt as if it was the first time that Mets fans felt as if they had something to prove to those Phillies fans that arduously (and maybe regrettably) drove up the I-95 for tonight’s game. No longer do Mets fans take such imperative games for granted, or so it seems. The stadium was rocking in a way that I have not felt thus far this season; mind you, I’ve attended several games! Such emotion was invested into every pitch of every at-bat. After Mr. Rollins gave Mr. Rollins gave his Phillies the lead, the Mets-faithful seemed to have lost hope. When Mr. Santana hit a double to tie the game once again, hope had arisen once more! Let’s not forget Pedreo Feliciano’s ability to induce a double play from the always indomitable Ryan Howard! When Fransisco Rodriguez finally struck out Greg Dobbs looking, euphoria set in. It was then that the Citi Field corridors were filled with echoes of “Let’s Go Mets,” “Phi-llies suck,” and “Phi-lly trash.” I was tempted to echo such sentiments as well, but withheld my composure and serenely proceeded to my car. Luckily for me, there was not much traffic on the Grand Central Parkway.
2. Rollins’ Austerity
Regardless of the merciless booing and heckling by Mets fans, Jimmy Rollins found the will to be productive in the sixth inning and promptly pounded a Johan Santana pitch deep into the left field seats; does such an act not speak louder than words? As a Mets fan, I am not particularly fond of Mr. Rollins, his self-righteous mannerisms and his loquaciousness. As a baseball fan, I appreciate his austerity and realize now why Philadelphia has fallen in love with their short stop.
3. Is Ryan Howard the Albert Pujols of the East?
I couldn’t believe how far Ryan Howard’s home run had traveled off his bat in the fourth inning. It seems as if every time Howard comes to the plate, the pitcher is ambivalent as to whether or not he should walk Ryan. Mr. Howard is becoming one of the most feared hitters in baseball; I understood tonight why he’s so prolific.
Maybe such a comparison isn’t quite fair as Pujols currently experiencing an 0 for 15 slump!
4. What a rivalry!
Is it just me, or is the Phillies and Mets rivalry as hot, if not hotter than the Yankees and Red Sox rivalry? I hope that this northeastern baseball-fervency never ceases. As long as the Mets and Phillies are in the same division, no love will ever be shared between both teams. There’s nothing wrong with sharing an antipathy towards one another, Philadelphia!
Regardless of the Mets’ win and Phillies’ loss, tonight’s affair was exhilarating.
Good night, Philliesnation!
Posted: 12:25 AM on June 10, 2009
Posts: 0 Chris.I
First of all I have to admit, it was a good game….But my only question here is why the hell does Hamels keep avoiding facing Santana? Manuel should of put Hamels on the mound tonight, and Happ tomorrow to face Pelfry…There was no excuse not to pitch Hamels tonight (short rest, or whatever the excuse might have been) We had off yesterday, so he should of been well rested. Bad move on both Hamels and Manuel, because I guarentee we would of pulled this game off tonight.
Posted: 12:25 AM on June 10, 2009
Posts: 0 Mike D.
Outside Miner. I respect Miner.
I’m worried. The Mets are a mirror image of our team last year, or maybe even 2007 – good starting pitching that carries us through injury and a cold starting lineup. K-Rod is their Lidge. Putz might even be their Tom Gordon. The best news for us is Lidge going on the DL to rest that knee, so he’ll have a knee left for the rest of his contract.
Tonight is also proof as to WHY we need a RH bench bat – Eric Bruntlett going against Santana is a mismatch, no matter how it turned out.
Posted: 12:28 AM on June 10, 2009
Posts: 0 phillyhater
the difference is two main guys of our lineup is out…i cant wait for when jose and delgado come back…mets are going to be better..obviously expecting delgado to be himself…but not expecting much after coming back from surgery…and jose is jose…its going to be a different time come stretch time because we have a bullpen…
Posted: 12:40 AM on June 10, 2009
Posts: 0 Chris.I
I agree…Mets fans need to troll on their own damn sites. They win a game, and they think there the Phillies or something (lol). No but seriously NOONE here cares about the Mets…Go that way ~~~~~>
Posted: 12:44 AM on June 10, 2009
Posts: 0 4daysrest.com
This was a frustrating loss tonight mainly because the Phillies finally got to Santana. This loss falls into the hands of Condrey and Durbin. They made bad pitches when it was time to put hitters away.
And The Mets are not a good team so it pisses me off every time we lose to them. Hamels will get it back tomorrow.
Posted: 12:52 AM on June 10, 2009
Posts: 0 Sylar
“And The Mets are not a good team”
Moron alert, moron alert!
Posted: 12:54 AM on June 10, 2009
Posts: 0 David, the Mets fan from Queens
4daysrest.com,
Surely a team that hit the same amount of home runs as your team did tonight, a team that is only two games behind your team in your division, a team that has a better closer thus far, a team that wins games regardless of suffering from injuries to key players, a team that has beaten your teams more times than your team beat our team is not a team that “[isn't] good.”
Frankly, I’d argue that the Mets are as good as the Phillies, even if the such a claim seems far-fetched on paper.
Make valid and substantive claims before you ascertain whether or not a team is “good.”
Posted: 01:08 AM on June 10, 2009
Posts: 0 DaveB
fancy that, a mets phils thread where the mets are generally the civil side of the conversation! refreshing.
Badass game.
Posted: 07:45 AM on June 10, 2009
Posts: 0 Woodman
When it counts, in September, as always the Muts will choke again. It’s got to be comforting to Muts fans that their best pitcher gave up FOUR dingers to the Fightins. Oh, that’s right, they have a closer now. (chuckle) This is only one game. Not a worrry about these guys. They will find a way to choke, as always.
Posted: 07:46 AM on June 10, 2009
Posts: 0 bull
you can say all you want about how charlie manages players…but to me he cant manage “the game”. Rollins leads off the 9th with a single against a pitcher that can give up stolen bases and essentially a rookie catcher and he does not try to steal! Then he does not have Feliz bunt him over! These are two glaring mistakes in my opinion. This team last year ran on anyone any time and that puts tremendous pressure on the pitcher.
Posted: 07:52 AM on June 10, 2009
Posts: 0 therookie300
Durbin is maddening to watch at times. His stuff can look really good, like last night, and then that one bad pitch and bam. It just seems that when he makes that one mistake it gets blasted somewhere. Maybe we are expecting a little much out of Condrey. He is good, but not an elite middle reliever.
Posted: 08:03 AM on June 10, 2009
Posts: 0 therookie300
bull:
Feliz is hitting the ball pretty well this year and Matt Stairs is on deck. The risk/reward for stealing that base is not good when with one pitch Stairs can give you the lead. Remember when Vic got thrown out stealing with Stairs PH. Even a single by Stairs wouldn’t guarentee a run from second base.
Posted: 08:17 AM on June 10, 2009
Posts: 0 Frank Helps You Think It All Out
Death By Situational Left-Handers…
I’m not sure I agree with the Mets’ ‘pen being competent is “unorthodox”. Frankly, the Mets have proven they can play that six-seven inning game with the Phillies. A baseball season is about finding repeatable formulas, and while the Mets dont h…
Posted: 08:37 AM on June 10, 2009
Posts: 0 Marc H
Why do I have a sinking feeling that the Phillies won’t be in first place by Sunday evening.
Tonight is a MUST…it’s the most favorable pitrching match up of this series for the Phillies
Posted: 08:57 AM on June 10, 2009
Posts: 0 bull
Therookie300,
To me that philosophy is playing to lose. You can’t sit back and wait for something to happen you need to make it happen. Yes Feliz is hitting the ball well but wouldnt you rather have him hitting with Rollins at 2nd than at first? No it doesnt but it still has you first and third 1 out and for as good as dobbs was last year he is that bad this year.
Posted: 08:57 AM on June 10, 2009
Posts: 0 Joe
I am a Mets fan and the reason I come on this site is simple. Have you seen Metsblog lately? Place is horrible.
Believe it or not, the actual baseball conversation and analysis here is MUCH better. Not sure who runs this site or whatnot, but it is a fantastic baseball blog.
Posted: 09:04 AM on June 10, 2009
Posts: 0 beta sigma shag
It is only one game, and I know most of you thought it was a throw away game against Santana anyway so the loss is no big deal.
I just do not understand why you take Happ out after getting Shefield out at home. Let the kid lose the game or win the game, he was batting 3rd or 4th the next inning, has one out and a man on first base. Let the kid pitch, he seemed to settle down after giving up the 3 runs he gave up. 105 pitches i know is a lot, but give the kid a chance to finish that inning, if he gives up the tying run then you bring in Condrey, or JC. I am not saying it would have changed the outcome
In addition I would have to agree, I think you try to steal second while Peter Happy is up, you play aggresive on the road, especially against a closer who is on fire right now. I don’t think you sacrifice the tying run to second, you steal it, Pete struck out but they may have been different if JRoll was on second base.
One more thing JRoll has been hitting out the 6th spot you leave him there, or is he the lead off again in a week
Posted: 09:05 AM on June 10, 2009
Posts: 0 Don M
If Hamels would have pitched last night.. on normal rest.. he could have also gone Sunday against the RedSox
Instead they give him an extra day of rest.. No Hitter tonight
next week he’ll get an extra day of rest before facing the Blue Jays..
You need your ace to pitch against the Mets ACE, and the RedSox.. more than you need him to go against the Mets #2? and the struggling Blue Jays..
BUT i guess in their minds, its too early to worry about head-to-head… and they think that the total number of wins is all that matters??
Posted: 09:30 AM on June 10, 2009
Posts: 0 Manny
This game was a freaking rollercoaster… either team could’ve won it… we did get 4 homers off Santana… and Jimmy played really well… so there’s definitely something to look forward today and tomorrow!
It is a tough loss cause we managed to get the lead from Johan Santana. Then almost immediately Condrey gives up that double to Santana and we fall behind… are you kidding me!?
Posted: 09:31 AM on June 10, 2009
Posts: 0 Don M
Last night.. it seemed like a playoff game on TV.. both teams were really into that game.
Happ looked alright.. but him and Bastardo need to learn how to not waste pitches.. have a plan.. don’t let your pitch-count be around 100 in the 5th inning.
Too many times we’ve seen them throw “waste” pitches.. like Fastballs up-&-away with a 1-2 count… why not throw that ball up-&-inside?.. then you have more of the plate to use with the 2-2 count …
Posted: 09:32 AM on June 10, 2009
Posts: 0 Chuck
Well…I predicted a 1 run game (with the Phils on top) but never saw the slugfest coming.
The first post on this thread was something like “I can’t get too upset about this one.” Ok…maybe it wasn’t the the shocker of a walk-off HR or a blown save or whatever…but how can you not be upset by losing a game when you’re 3 runs down to Santana, come all the way back to take the lead…in the 6th inning…..only to cough up the lead….AND…….give up a double to Santana.
All I can say is that is the kind of game that the Mets really needed…..and I don’t want to sound the alarms….but it’s the kind of game that could be season changing for them. The competitiveness that he showed could go a long way towards motivating that club.
So…YES….I am upset about this one..
Posted: 09:36 AM on June 10, 2009
Posts: 0 Don M
Durbin scares me anymore.. I know Condrey took the loss, but we did get that 5th run back
I feel like Durbin is going to give up runs every single time he enters the game.. which sucks because he was GREAT for us for most of last year.
I didn’t like Stairs pinch-hitting before Dobbs, because Jimmy couldn’t steal.. they would have definitely walked Stairs.
Why not have Dobbs hit there.. if Rollins steals and they want to walk Dobbs to put guys on 1st and 2nd with Stairs at the plate, and only one out.. ??? That should have been the move..
How about Rollins take-out slide at second!!!! I wonder how he’s feeling today.. that one had to hurt, and he looked like he was limping in the dugout after the game. Clean play.. kept the game alive.. Hell of a game by Jimmy last night
Shane Victorino throwing home with Santana running was dumb.. Howard was off the bag, so he had a long, long way to go to get to a spot to cut that ball off.. just not a good play by Victorino (ended up not hurting us, but not smart)
Posted: 09:42 AM on June 10, 2009
Posts: 0 Chuck
Yeah, Don M….I agree. Pitch count was way too high too early. Happ did show guts and guile getting out of a huge jam to hold it to a 3 run game…so that’s a good sign.
And was anybody surprised that Jerry Manuel took Santana out with his pitch count in the low 90s with a strike/ball ratio of something like 70/20?? Ok…it worked out…..but I was a bit surprised.
Posted: 09:46 AM on June 10, 2009
Posts: 0 Don M
It’s a game in their ballpark, in early June..
not a season-changing anything in my mind.. both teams are banged up right now..
If they had won that game in our ballpark.. maybe it gives them some confidence. But it was a home game, with their ACE on the mound.. a game that they should have won much more easily..
If anything it scared them that we got to Santana a little bit.. and our Lefty’s took him deep.. Rollins with a great game..
I’m fine with last night.. sucks we lost, but we get to take a crack at them tonight
Posted: 09:46 AM on June 10, 2009