After the Mets handed the Yankees their first win in four days last night, the Mets (32-38) handled the Yankees (35-27)in a 6-2 victory in the Bronx. It was their fourth loss in their last five games.
Quick ‘Cap:
The early-game struggles continued for Andy Pettitte in the second game of the series. He allowed a two-run homer to Omir Santos in the second, and didn’t finish the inning until he reached a whopping 54 pitches for the game. Alex Rodriguez cut the deficit in half with a solo shot in the second, but that was one of four hits for the Yankees against Mets starter Fernando Nieve.
Nieve only allowed two hits through six innings, but then allowed back-to-back singles in the seventh before getting pulled. One run would score in the inning, but it was the last run for the Yankees and they were already down 6-2. The Mets rallied for three runs in the fifth, which was Pettitte’s last inning. The Mets added one more in the seventh when ex-Yank Gary Sheffield charged one to the left-field stands off Alfredo Aceves. Full box score here.
Thoughts:
This game goes to show what a great performance by a starting pitcher can do for a team. Nieve looked very sharp in his first start with the Mets, and will most likely remain in their injury-plagued rotation.
The Yankees didn’t get the big hit they needed, and the Mets didn’t drop any fly balls for them either. The Yankees really need to have a good win on Sunday just for a team confidence builder, because realistically, they should be on a five-game losing streak.
Noteworthy Performances:
- Brett Gardner was the only Yankee with a two hit game, and his second knocked Nieve out of the game.
Up Next:
The rubber match is a Sunday matinee game, and the Yankees are in for a real challenge. The Mets send out Cy Young Award-hopeful Johan Santana (8-3, 2.39, and the Yanks counter with the inconsistent A.J. Burnett (4-3, 4.89).
