Mets win, despite a couple of negative moments
Game Overview:
Starter: Brian Bannister took the mound today, and for the second time this season his walk rate was actually respectable. However, unfortunately Bannister was not able to complete his outing, as he left the game in the top of the sixth inning, rounding third base on a Kazuo Matsui double. Bannister's injury has been described as a strained hamstring, which can mean an assortment of things. Braves starter, Horacio Ramirez, had a similar injury on April 6th, and he has yet to pitch in his second game of the season. Bannister pitched five innings, walked two batters, and allowed seven hits in what could of been a much better start. Bannister had retired seven hitters in a row, and seemed to be settling into a groove before the injury. Hopefully, the injury does not keep Bannister out for an extended period of time, but it all depends on the severity of the injury. Bannister will be re-evaluated tommorow in Atlanta, and the best case scenario is probably what happened with Victor Zambrano earlier in the season. Zambrano's start was pushed back from Wednesday to Sunday which does not seem likely in Bannister's situation. Although, it is debatable whether Zambrano's hammy is the reason why he has pitched so bad recently.
Bullpen: Aaron Heilman looked awesome in his first inning of relief, striking out two of the three batters he faced. However, in the seventh inning Heilman allowed one run on two hits and a walk. In the ninth Sandman entered the game, and if David "Wrong" Wright hadn't made a throwing error (his fifth error of the season) Wagner would of been able to earn the save and end the game through nine innings.
However, Wright did make an error allowing Omar Vizquel to score, and allowing Barry Bonds walk to the plate as a pinch hitter. Bonds preceded to a hit a dramatic two run home run, tying the game. Wagner was given his second blown save of the season, despite not allowing any runs. Wagner did look good despite allowing the three un-earned runs, as he threw his hardest pitch of the season at 99 MPH.
Offense: Jose Reyes reached base four times, and recorded two hits to raise his average to .242. Reyes also stole two bases to increase his NL lead in steals (10). Matsui doubled once causing the afforementioned Brian bannister injury. However, it did appear as if Bannister tweaked the Hammy running to second on his double, so you Matsui haters out there cannot blame Matsui for Bannister's injury. Carlos Delgado also continued to put up MVP calibur numbers, as he went 2-4 with two walks and a home run, raising his average to .337. Castro and Chavez both had three hits and scored two runs, and Castro's average raised to an impressive .429. Wright's slump continued, as he went 1-6 with an rbi double, however he did leave six men on base. Cliff Floyd also continued his season long slump, going 0-4 with two walks. Speaking of Floyd, I don't mean to brag, but I did call his home run last night. Ok, I'm done tooting my own horn. Lastly, Bannister's bat is impressing me, and he know has three doubles on the season, the same total as Cliff Floyd.
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