Mike Pelfry could not pitch well enough to match Garland's performance (LSV)

Queens, NY - Arizona starter Jon Garland pitched a complete game in the 5-2 Diamondback victory over the Mets.  The game was delayed two-hour and twenty eight minutes due to the thunder showers. The rain could not stop Garland from going nine innings, as the sinkerball gave up seven hits and struck out two in picking up his sixth victory of the season.

Mets manager Jerry Manuel said of Garland, “He’s been a guy for us that has given us a lot of trouble this year. The sinkerball keeps the ball on the ground and its been hard to solve.” He would continue by saying, “We think we have a chance against anybody. So far this season these sinkerball pitchers have been a mystery to us. I don’t know if maybe I need to mix it up, or if we need to make adjustments against those types of pitchers. It is something I am going to explore.”

Mike Pelfrey tied his season high with six strike outs today, only going five innings giving up three runs and three walks. 

Mets Manager Jerry Manual would like to get his team back on a winning streak (LS/Bill Menzel)

Manuel said of his starter, “Like any young pitcher there will be different challenges to face with Pelfrey.  Today he got ahead of hitters, but he didn’t really put them away. There will be a time in his pitching career he will learn how to do that, and because of his stuff he will also learn how to be more economical with his pitches. He had a 107 pitch count after five innings today and that is pretty rough on your bullpen.”

The two teams stayed scoreless until the top of the fourth inning when Arizona scored the first run.  Miguel Montero started the inning with a double to left field; he later scored on another double by Alex Romero. 

Arizona would add on two more runs in the top of the fifth inning as Stephen Drew hit a single to right field. Justin Upton worked a walk to continue the inning; both players were scored when Chad Tracy hit another double to right field for the 3-0 Diamondbacks lead.

Jeff Francoeur hit a solo home run to left field, to start cutting into the lead for the Mets in the bottom of the fifth inning. For Francoeur it was his ninth home run of the season and fourth with the Mets, the right fielder now has 19 RBI in 19 games since coming to New York.  Cory Sullivan ripped his second double of the season to set the stage for Alex Cora. The short stop delivered with a double to right field to cut the Arizona lead to 3-2. It seemed as if the Mets were going to mount another comeback win as Gary Sheffield, who was just activated from the 15-day disabled list prior to the game, strode to take his swing as a pinch hitter. Sheffield hit the ball to Chad Tracy ending the offensive momentum for the Mets.

Manuel said of Sheffield’s at bat, “that was a big swing, if it would have went through it would have given us a lot of momentum. If we get that run, then it’s a tie ball game.”

For the Mets though, Arizona would only add on to their lead in the sixth and the eight innings to make the final score 5-2. The Mets seemed like for a second they were going to try to mount another come back when Francoeur hit a single to center field, but Sullivan could not drive him home as he flied out to center field to complete the victory for the Diamondbacks.

These two teams wrap-up the four game set on Monday as the Mets call up righty Fernando Nieve  (3-3, 2.95 ERA) as he will go up against ace Dan Haren (10-6, 2.19 ERA). The starting time for tomorrow’s game is slated for 7:10 p.m.

---

Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites