213 Miles From Shea

(via Mets Merized Online)

18 hits and 11 runs later the Mets came out of Baltimore with a 3 game road series sweep. Before starting this series the Mets had only 8 wins on the road, now they have 11 as they accomplished a sweep which should boost their confidence on the road. To see a Baltimore Cartoon about how the game went down, click here.

Looking at the game before it started, it looked like this would have been a low scoring affair for the Orioles. Pelfrey didn't come out with his best stuff, but thats OK. The Mets don't need dominant starting pitching every night, just most nights. Today it was tolerable because the offense was explosive. Anyway, Pelfrey still gave the Mets a quality start and the Mets bats were able to do the rest.

The game felt like it was decided in the top of the first as David Wright hit a two run homer, and then Chris Carter hit a 3 run homer. Later the Mets would get a third homer as Jason Bay hit a solo shot followed by another two run homer for David Wright. So the power was there for the Mets this afternoon. On top of the homers, all of the Mets starters at least got one hit in today's rout. The other key number of the day would be 4. David Wright had 4 RBI's. Jason Bay had 4 hits (in 4 AB). Jason Bay scored 4 runs.

Overall it was a good game for the Mets, and it was real statistical boosting day for the Mets. It was nice to see David Wright hit two jacks and it was nice to see Jason Bay break his 0-16 slump. The Mets get the travel day tomorrow as they go to Cleveland and look to extend their winning streak to 5 games in Jacob Progressive field.

The local paper in Baltimore, the Baltimore Sun, has a comic every morning generally referring to the game from the previous day. Here's the one explaining last night's 3-1 Mets win:

(via the Baltimore Sun)

The Mets try to sweep the Baltimore Orioles on the road today as they wrap of their series in charm city this afternoon. The story for the Mets so far this series has been pitching, and key homers providing small cushions for the lead. Today the Mets will send out Big Pelf to handout some Pelf-Control as the Amazin's will see possible trade canindate Kevin Millwood.

Pelfrey (8-1, 2.23) will try to continue being Mike Pelfrey today. In his last 4 starts he is 3-0 with a 0.90 ERA while he has pitched 30.0 innings. Also an interesting trend in his last four starts: 4 starts ago he pitched 6 innings, 3 starts ago 7 innings, 2 starts ago 8 innings and in his last start he pitched 9 innings. Big Pelf pitched agaisnt the Orioles last season as he posted 5.2 innings of work, 3 BB, 2 K, and 2 ER on his way to a win. The Orioles have the following numbers on Pelf:

On the other side of the rubber is the hard luck Millwood. He was statistically the ace of the team early on, but he got no run support leading him to an 0-7 record. He has also had some average to below average outings as of late, which has bumped up his ERA to 4.64. In his last three starts he has recieved three losing decisions as he has pitched 17.1 innings and allowed 16 ER, 17 runs total. He is looking to rebound this afternoon. The Mets have these numbers on Kevin:

Lets Go Mets! Get that Sweep!

Some quick hits to go with your Sunday morning Grand Slam*:

*This was the most American Breakfast I could think of to celebrate the accomplishments of the USA team.

For a long time tonight, the only two hits the Mets had were via Jose Reyes. The 1-1 tie was broken when the Orioles failed to turn a double play, and a run came in. The final insurance run came off a solo shot by Frenchy.

When the score of the game is 3-1, the story is pitching. Takahashi bounced back by pitching 7 innings allowing 1 run. What was impressive but stressful to watch is he constantly let the lead off runner on. So it is surprising that he only gave up one run, but he was able to pitch out of the stretch effectively as he struck out 3 and only walked 1. Honestly, I'm sure how he was able to pitch out of these jams, but I am so happy that he was able to.

The ball was then put in the bullpen hands and Pedro did a fantastic job and then Krod saved another game as the Mets went on to get the victory. This means the Mets will now get a chance to sweep a road series and continue building their cushion above .500 as they still chase the Braves, whom they trail by 1.5 games.

The Mets play game two against the Orioles tonight as they look to win a road series and enter (finally) into double digit road wins. The Mets last night got a great start out of Dickey who confused the Orioles batters (and Rod Barajas) and the Mets got an opportunity to give the Animal more AB's (and he took advantage of it last night with a great 3-run homer). The Mets tonight will send out Takahashi to battle Matusz.

Takahashi as a starter at first was amazing, but he has really struggled recently. First two starts 12 innings, no runs, 11 K's. Last two starts 9.1 innings with 11 runs. It is pretty clear that either when Maine gets healthy, or the Mets bring in another starter, Takahashi will probably be the pitcher to leave the rotation (but that is a discussion for another day). Hopefully Takahashi will be able to keep the Orioles off balance tonight and keep himself out of trouble. Takahashi being a rookie means he has not seen the Orioles at all in his few months in the majors. A trait he shares with the pitcher he will be facing on the other side.

The Mets will be facing the young rookie Brian Matusz who has been interesting year so far for the Birds. At the start of the year he was their best pitcher. In recent times, he has struggled with his command and keeping the ball in the park. On the season he is 2-6 with a 5.10 ERA. In his last four starts he has pitched 19.2 innings while allowing 16 ER. Since he is young, the key for the Mets will be to get in his head. If they can cause some damage early they can prevent him from getting settled and really cause some damage. Lets Go Mets! Take a Road Series!

After years of the Mets playing at Camden Yards, I finally was able to see it happen (since I live in Bmore, I ashamed that last night was the first time, but whatever). It was a pretty memorable game. At first I was surprised that there weren't as many Mets fans as I thought there would be, because I was expecting Yankee amount, but once the game started, it was clear there were a high percentage of Mets fans there and for the most part we were (maybe surprisingly?) really well behaved.

Except for my favorite Mets fan of the night. I was out on Eutaw around the fifth inning and there was a (rather intoxicated) Mets fan shouting “Phils Suck! Phils Suck! Phils Suck! 10-0 in Beantown” This seemed really out of place at first, and then I realized he was following two Phillies fans around the stadium giving them score updates. Classy.

Other key moment from last night was when I got tickets. Students on Friday Nights can get $6 seats. That was the price range myself and my friends were focusing on. On the way to the ticket booth a Mets scalper came up to us, in a perfect Brooklyn accent, “I just came down from New York and I have these extra seats in section 13 for sale” I responded, “Section 13 is out of price range”. His response “They're only 25 but I'll give em to you 5 off face value” We just walked away.

All in all it was a good game. Also it was the first time I've heard Oriole fans boo their own team. This happened during that key inning where the Orioles got the basesloaded with no outs and then Dickey just masterfully got out of that inning. Lets Go Mets!

While looking around the interwebs for some Mets information this morning, something on Amazin Avenue popped out.

They posted this tweet from Bob Nightengale who says that Selig will announce the next several seasons of All-Star games and the Mets get it in 2013. The list:

Selig's announcement, if it happens, should be about Weds. I believe it when I hear it.

Ha Ha, see what I did in the title? I used Niese instead of Nice because I missed a backpage about Niese. Anyway via the Daily News:

(NY Daily News)

Some quick hits to go with your Saturday morning Trix Yogurt: