Some statistics are really deceiving. If I told you that one team had 6 hits and 2 errors, and the other had 10 hits and 1 error, you'd probably feel pretty confident that the first-mentioned team emerged victorious. However, in the only statistic that counts, the Mets beat the Diamondbacks 5-2. The pitching was phenomenal. Johan Santana gave up a run in 6 innings. While it took him a lot of pitches to do so, he surely showed the D-backs who is boss. Joe Smith, Pedro Feliciano, Jorge Sosa and Billy Wagner combined for 3 innings pitched and just one run allowed.
The Diamondbacks pitching was equally special, with Danny Haren and three relievers giving up just 3 runs over 9 innings.
The hitting was not all that great, which is understandable, considering the fact that the pitching matchup was Santana vs. Haren.
The difference in this game came in the top of the ninth. With the score died at 2, Beltran and Alou hit singles. Delgado grounded to first base, where Conor Jackson, attempting to make a double play, threw the ball into left-field. The result was disastrous for the Western-division leading Diamondbacks. Beltran scored with ease and Delgado joined Moises Alou on the basepaths. Then, Schneider bunted the runners over, Castillo received an intentional walk, and Marlon Anderson, the pinch-hitter, plated Delgado and Alou with a well-struck single to right.
All in all, great pitching, decent fielding (Ryan Church made a great play on a ball in the 8th) and good, timely hitting. To me, that spells victory.
The Mets are currently tied for second place with the Florida Marlins, half a game behind the Phillies.
Update: Just a couple of non-vital stats that I just saw. Johan Santana currently leads the major leagues in strikeouts, with 47. He also just cracked the top 10 in the National League in ERA.
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