Not that I like to gloat or anything, but the end of this game is what should have happened last night. Billy is worth every penny paid to him, and tonight he proved it. What was an impossible job for Sanchez and Feliciano last night, was a walk in the park for Wagner. Closing games out is as much a mental job, as a physical job. Billy proves time and again that he's the warrior that's needed in the closer's job, not Sanchez or Pedro.
My Maine man John came thru like he's known to do. He's the stopper on the team and needed a good game after struggling the last 4 starts. John is 6-1 this year after Mets loses, and the team is 7-2 when he starts after a team loss. He's also the only Mets pitcher to be undefeated in his 1st 9 starts against the Phillies. He's 5-0 with an ERA under 2.40 in his starts against the Phillies. Not a bad record for someone that "doesn't have an out pitch". He attacked the strike zone, went 7 strong innings, and left with the lead thanks to a long homerun from Jose' in the 6th. John is such a perfectionist that he's often too hard on himself while pitching. He looked much more relaxed on the mound and never seemed to get frustrated with his pitching. Ron Darling commented during the game that John is very much like he was when he came into the league. Ron was often told that he was too hard on himself. If John can be a pitcher like Darling was for the Mets, I think we'll all be happy with that.
The offense did enough but still has a habit of leaving runners on base. Jose' had the deciding HR, Delgado was on base 4 times, David walked twice and singled while scoring 2 runs, and Easley had a couple of hits too. Why Marlon Anderson continues to start in left field is beyond me. He's helpless at the plate and left men on base all night. Schneider got off the skids too with 2 hard hits, and kept every pitch in front of him. I really look forward to the return of Ryan Church. He's so important to this offense. With his big bat, the Mets should be able to add another run or 2 to their average during August and September.
Schoeneweis and Smith picked up the 8th inning and did it in convincing fashion. They seem to be the most reliable relievers now. Feliciano's head is messed up. He's doing now what Heilman did in May and June. He looks like a deer in the headlights when he's out on the mound. Sanchez is the biggest puzzle. For a few games he'll look good, then he'll look god awful the next few. I hope the Wizard of Ollie shows up tomorrow, and not Ollie the fool. The Mets need 7 strong innings from Ollie and then hope that someone doesn't blow-up the game in the 8th. If Billy can go again tomorrow, the Mets have a good chance to win the series and send Philly home in second place.
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Let's not confuse Maine's luck and win as dominance or a "strong 7 innings". He only threw strikes 63% of the time. Myers threw strikes 52% of the time. So I would still like to see more control from John. His ERA for the game was 3.86 and a lot of that had to do with luck. The Phillies hit balls directly at the Mets defense. He gave up back-to-back homeruns to Victorino and Jenkins for God's sake!
The game could easily have been a loss the way that Maine pitched.
Funny how everyone else on SNY and the papers says it was a strong game. If you had seen the post-game interview with John as I did, you'd understand that he and Dan talked during the week. Dan told him to stop nibbling and throw strikes and trust his fielders. That's the same thing that Pelfrey was told to do. I know you're bound and determined to make John a reliever, but that pipe dream isn't happening. You're the only person I ever heard that thinks that's John's future. Most baseball people when asked say John has the Stuff to be a solid #2 and is on the edge of a breakout season in his career.
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