Santana & Pen Fall Apart

BRAVES 3

METS 2

Not exactly what the Mets needed in an important double header at Shea Stadium today. The Mets struggled to scratch out runs and struggled to get outs in the first game against the Atlanta Braves, losing 3-2.

The Mets had a 2-0 lead going into the sixth inning and a chance to find more. With the bases loaded, Braves pitcher Mike Hampton went 3-0 on Damion Easley. It appeared that he was in danger of walking in a run, or, maybe, the Mets could get a big base hit to drive in a few more runs to give Johan Santana more room to work his magic. Neither happened. Easley grounded into a double play to kill the Mets chances and give Atlanta hope.

In the eighth, Santana lost control of his game. He gave up singles to Brian McCann and Yunel Escobar. Jerry Manuel had no choice but to pull Santana at this point. His pitch count was too high and the Mets needed outs. Scott Schoenwise came in and procceeded to give up a single to Casey Kotchman to load the basesfor the Braves.

Manuel came out again and replaced Schoenwise with Brian Stokes. Stokes has been reliable of late but was not tonight. He surrendered a two-run RBI single to Jeff Francouer, tying the game at two. Stokes later surrendered a sacrifice fly to Omar Infante, allowing Kotchman to score with the winning run.

The Mets loss is huge. The Phillies won their game against Milwaukee and have now trimmed the Mets lead to two games. At least the Mets have something of a net; if the Brewers keep losing the Mets could always settle for the wild card if the Phillies pull the division title away for the second straight season.