In what could be called a rather dumb move, I boldly told Twitter that if Mike Nickeas saved/won this game I would “eat his glove…with salt”. Welp…pass the salt, folks. While Nickeas may not have driven in the winning runs (I’ll get to that in a bit), he was a vital part of the Mets’ 8th inning rally that broke the tie-that-wouldn’t-die.
It wouldn’t come without a price, however. Josh Thole took a Ty Wigginton shoulder to the head during a play at the plate in which Wigginton was called out. How Thole managed to hang onto the ball is a feat in and of itself. As I write this, the diagnosis seems to be a concussion for Thole, and he will more than likely be out at least a week. Hopefully the Mets handle this concussion the way they did David Wright’s and not Ryan Church’s. Josh would be avenged, however, as his backup Nickeas filled in rather nicely and as I said before, came up big to help the Mets in the 8th.
Jon Niese once again started off a little erratically, but would eventually settle down and kept the Phillies to only 2 runs. Personally, I’m still not convinced there isn’t something physically wrong with him, but I suppose only time will tell. The bullpen, after a few nail-biting moments, was also good tonight, with special props to Bobby Parnell and Frank Francisco. The fact that Shane Victorino was the final out made it all the more sweet (see below).
Turning Point
This is one of the only times you’ll see me give Shane Victorino credit for anything good. Victorino, doing his best Chase Utley impression, interfered with Justin Turner while attempting to slide into 2nd base (more like right center field). Victorino was nowhere near the bag, and after Turner neatly hopped over him, he was called out via interference. That unusual double play kept the game tied and gave the Mets the chance to eventually win.
Moment(s) of Note
Yeesh, where to start…
In what seemed to be a near-impossible (and highly improbable) out, Frank Francisco’s lob to Ike Davis, who then batted Jimmy Rollins away from 1st base with the tag, was a thing of beauty…and web gems!
Justin Turner shooing manager Terry Collins back to the dugout after he came out to argue the Victorino interference play, which was immediately reversed in the Mets’ favor. So instead…sit down Charlie Manuel!
David Wright broke an 0-for-99 extra-base hit drought tonight with his 2-run RBI double that tied the game.
The Philly fans, in a moment of class, applauding Josh Thole as he walked off the field on his own power.
Game Ball
Congrats on your 1st MLB hit Jordany Valdespin! And boy, was it a doozy. With 2-out and 2-on in the top of the 8th inning, the pinch-hitting Valdespin rocketed one to the right field seats, giving the Mets the 5-2 win. Now go call your mom! Gary Cohen’s call of said home run makes this all the more awesome.
Next Game
Miguel Batista (0-1, 6.92 ERA) will take the mound tomorrow against Joe Blanton (3-3, 2.83 ERA) as the Mets (16-13) and the Phillies (14-16) play game 2 of their 3-game series at Citizens Bank Park tomorrow night at 7:05 pm EST. The game can be seen on SNY and heard on WFAN660 AM. @MetsWFAN @dailystache @Meriwyn
Let’s go METS!!
