Making a mark on today’s game was center fielder Angel Pagan who finished 3-for-5 with a run scored (LSV)

New York - Mets starting pitcher Johan Santa was sensational in throwing a seven inning shutout to help the New York Mets (48-40) beat the Atlanta Braves (52-36) by the score of 3-0 at Citi Field on Sunday and avoid a sweep while ending on positive note going into the All-Star break.

“We played well today the offense really came alive today,” Mets manager Jerry Manuel said after the game. “We are still in the hunt for the pennant and it feels good.”

With the shutout today Santana (7-5) stretched a scoreless streak of 16 consecutive innings. This is the 13 shutout for the Mets this season with the last time New York shut out a team was when Santana pitched against the Cincinnati Reds on July 6th. The 3-0 loss  snapped the Braves four-game winning streak.

“It is almost like we were able to get two players back today with Beltran and Johan,” Manuel said. “It is exciting we are going to now head on out to the west coast and see what we can do.”

Santana said of his performance after the game, “I feel much better; I’ve made some improvements throughout the year and have been more consistent on my pitches. Today I was able to throw my two-seemer and got them to hit it to where the guys behind me could make the plays.”

“The last two outings he was lights out for us.” first baseman Ike Davis said of Santana afterward. Santana (7-5) wasn’t the only lights out today as the scoreboard out in center field went blank in the top of the fourth inning. Maybe the electricity went into today’s starter as he went seven innings, giving up five hits and striking out five batters. Atlanta starter Derek Lowe (9-8) was just as good, but was outdueled in today's game, going five and one-thirds innings, giving up eight hits, striking out four batters while also giving up two runs and two walks.

Making a mark on today’s game was center fielder Angel Pagan who finished 3-for-5 with a run scored and has had a consecutive string of four consecutive multi-hit games which ties a career-high. Pagan who has provided key clutch hits for the Mets all season long, Pagan maybe the odd man out as before today’s game the club announced the return of Carlos Beltran Thursday in San Francisco.

“I really did work hard in Port St. Lucie all this time being out,” Beltran said to reporters today. “I feel like I’m in the best shape of my life. That’s the way I feel. Now I need to go outside, play the game and get acclimated.”

The rest of the team was excited for the possible return of Beltran, but have had many players stepping up including Pagan. In the bottom of the third inning Angel provided the energy and lifts the team needed from the beginning of the game, making a great grab in center field to rob Braves first baseman Troy Glaus of a hit. In the bottom of the third inning Pagan ripped a triple (6) to center field and would score the first Met run on an Alex Cora single to center field.

“I want to say in the lineup every day,” Pagan said afterward. “But the decision is not mine to make, I just want to stay healthy and continue to help this team contribute in the second half of the season.”

Also stepping up offensively for the Mets has been rookie Ike Davis who hit a home run (11) in the bottom of the sixth inning, which made the score 2-0 Mets. 

“Ike has had the ability to make adjustments along the way,” Manuel said of the rookie. “As difficult as it is for a young player to do that he has been able to do it in clutch situations. It’s good for him to leave (for the break) on this note and he will be ready to go after the break.”

In the bottom of the eighth inning the rookies along with small ball helped the Mets plate the final run, as Jesus Feliciano placed a single to right field. Catcher Rod Barajas laid down a beautiful sacrifice bunt which moved Feliciano to second base. Ruben Tejada hit a ground ball which moved the runner to third for pitch hitter Josh Thole. Thole who looks to be another bright spot in the Mets bench laced a single to right field for the final Mets run. For the Mets Thole has now had three RBI as a pinch hitter in a very short sampling this season.

Also stepping up today was the Mets Bullpen as the combination of Bobby Parnell and Francisco Rodriguez both had one-two-three innings to keep the shutout intact.

“Parnell’s performance in the eighth inning was big for us,” Manuel said after the game. “It helps us going forward and was a big plus for us today.”

The Mets hope to make a run on a very tough road stretch starting in San Francisco being four games back from first place. As R.A. Dickey (6-2, 2.77 ERA) will take the mound for the Mets when they return to action on Thursday.

“It was good to win today before we head to the break,” third baseman David Wright said afterward. “Our offense really reflected our pitching and it was good to see.” The 2010 All-Star continued by saying, “This will be a tough stretch for us in the second half, but we want to continue to strive towards winning the division and it all starts with this next stretch of games in the start of the second half .”

 -------------

 Posted by WGR

---

Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites