Mike Pelfrey’s 27-inning scoreless streak and the Mets’ eight-game winning streak both came to an end with the help of two popups that were in, then out of the gloves of Jose Reyes and Alex Cora.
No, Squawker Lisa, these weren’t reminiscent of Luis Castillo last year in the Subway Series. They were tough plays that would have been great catches had they been made. But they were catchable, particularly the Reyes one. Had the catches been made the Mets might well have gotten out of the fourth inning without any damage. Instead, the Phillies scored six runs and ended up winning, 10-0.
So for the second day in a row, a lopsided game might well have been decided by two early defensive plays. On Friday, Jeff Francoeur and Jason Bay made the plays, Jon Niese got out of the second with only one run scored, and the Mets went on to win, 9-1. Saturday, Reyes and Cora didn’t make the plays.
The Mets probably weren’t going to win this game the way Halladay is pitching, but it does show how a couple of defensive plays can determine the direction of the whole game. At least this year, the Mets have generally made these plays, so they still have a split in the series with a good chance of winning the series and staying in first Sunday night with Johan Santana on the mound.
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Squawker Lisa, I see your cat-themed Derby picks went up in smoke. But look out for my pick, Ice Box, in the Preakness.
Speaking of which, looks like Curtis Granderson may be on ice for awhile. Meanwhile, Johnny Damon, who wasn’t enough of a “Super Saver” for Brian Cashman to re-sign, gets a walkoff homer the day after Austin Jackson goes 5-for-5.
And as for Javier Vazquez pitching well in a Yankee uniform, that’s truly “Mission Impazible.”
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