The Fightins » June 9 Game Recap: Mets 6, Phillies 5

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Jun

2009

June 9 Game Recap: Mets 6, Phillies 5

Posted by Dash Treyhorn at 10:25 pm ET 10 Comments

What happened?

The Phillies’ brought the long ball, but the Mets’ bullpen was able to hold the offense at bay. They move to 33-23 on the season, and their lead in the east was cut to two games.

Who did what?

J.A. Happ gave up four runs in 5.1 innings. He allowed six hits, four walks (one intentional) and struck out four.

Chase Utley went 1 for 4 with a homer (13) and an RBI.

Jayson Werth went 2 for 4 with a run.

Ryan Howard went 1 for 4 with a homer (18).

Raul Ibanez went 1 for 4 with a homer (20).

Jimmy Rollins went 3 for 4 with a homer (4) and 2 RBIs.

Clay Condrey (4-1) took the loss by allowing the go-ahead run in 0.2 innings of relief. He gave up three hits and one intentional walk.

Johan Santana (8-3) gave up five runs in eight innings to get the win. He allowed eight hits, one walk and struck out two. He went 1 for 3 with a double (1) and an RBI.

Alex Cora went 2 for 5 with a double (6) and an RBI.

Carlos Beltran went 1 for 3 with a homer (8) and 2 RBIs.

David Wright went 2 for 4 with a homer (4) and an RBI.

Ryan Church went 1 for 3 with a homer (2) an an RBI.

Franciso Rodriguez earned his 16th save of the season on two strikeouts and one hit in the ninth.

What does this mean?

Going into this game, the Phillies knew they had to battle if they wanted to win it. Despite some recent “struggles,” Santana is still among the best in the game, and he rises to the occasion in moments like these. He wasn’t great, and I would be hard pressed to say that he kept the Phils at bay, but he got the job done versus J.A. Happ, whose early struggle with his command would end up being his undoing. Say what you want about him, but he showed tremendous poise on the mound tonight, especially in the second and third.

And tonight was unfortunately a rare night that the bullpen couldn’t get it done. If Condrey doesn’t throw Santana a fastball down the middle on an 0-2 count, things could have turned out differently. Maybe Santana whiffs at a slider in the dirt, maybe he takes a pitch. But that at-bat could have been the turning point in the game. The Mets would take the lead two batters later, and a Ryan Church bomb to the apple would be the difference in the game.

All in all, it’s tough to be too upset over this loss. The Phillies took it to a great pitcher, Happ looked good (for the most part), and perhaps most importantly, Jimmy Rollins had a big night. Two hits against Santana and one off Rodriguez could prove to be a huge confidence builder for the J’Roll, so maybe some good did come out of tonight’s loss.

What’s next for our heroes?

In game two of the series, Cole Hamels (4-2, 4.40) takes on Mike Pelfrey (4-2, 4.85).

10 Comments on “June 9 Game Recap: Mets 6, Phillies 5”

4daysrest.com Says:
June 9th, 2009 at 10:35 pm
Is anyone at all concerned with the right-handers in the pen? Condrey has been great this year, but I feel like it’s been a little bit of a smoke and mirrors act.

Regardless, his 0-2 pitch tonight was both ineffective and unintelligent on several levels. I know we weren’t supposed to win the game, but any time you come back like and hammer four bombs off of Santana, only to not win the game- that’s tough to swallow.
bigmyc Says:
June 9th, 2009 at 11:23 pm
Uhh yeah…but those things are gonna happen in a sport that where teams play 162 games. I’d take a look at what the catcher decided upon on that 0-2 pitch.

I am beginning to get a little antsy about Lidge, though.
It’s important to keep in mind, for whatever reason, that the Phils have made their hay in the second half of seasons.
Lynniemac Says:
June 9th, 2009 at 11:27 pm
I know the odds were against the Phillies winning this game, but still…it sucked.
bigmyc Says:
June 9th, 2009 at 11:28 pm
Uhh yeah….those kinds of things will happen in a sport where teams play 162 games. I’d take a critical look at the catcher too on that 0-2 pitch.

I’m starting to get antsy with Lidge, though. Still, it’s important to note that, for whatever reason, the Phils seem to make their mark in the second half of seasons…
4DaysRest.com Says:
June 10th, 2009 at 12:51 am
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.
Chuck in 'bama Says:
June 10th, 2009 at 12:54 am
Keep this in mind too:
The two games we’ve had to deal with Santana in New York, both Happ and Chan Ho Park pretty much went pitch for pitch against him, only for others to blow the games. If we can keep this up, I feel good about our chances not only against the Mets but throughout this tough stretch of games we have here.
MikeS Says:
June 10th, 2009 at 2:45 am
Tough loss. But the Phils will take the next two.
Heese Says:
June 10th, 2009 at 9:29 am
I mean, Happ didn’t look all that good. He got bailed out with that call at home plate too.

I’m more pissed at the offensive showing in the 8th and 9th innings. Runner on first with no outs in each inning and the runner dies on first each time. That’s just terrible baseball in a one run game.
Gaze Says:
June 10th, 2009 at 9:48 am
I don’t like how in a tight game we run ourselves out of bench options. There’s a glaring hole in the roster when Charlie has to chose between Bruntlet and Coste as a RH bat. Backing yourself into a corner where Matt Stairs is your fastest option on the bases in the top of the 9th is a problem.
maria Says:
June 10th, 2009 at 9:56 am
@Heese

Those two baserunners were also basestealers. It’s a tough game to lose but it was good to finally get on Santana. Three homeruns to three different left-handed hitters? That was a good sign to see. Also, Jimmy got three hits. At least we have Cole going tonight.