When a relief pitcher is put on ice for a week, it usually creates rust.
That is exactly what happened to Jonathan Papelbon, who hadn’t thrown a pitch since last Tuesday. Papelbon surrenedered the game-winning three-run home run in the top of the 9th in the Mets 5-2 win on Monday.
The home run was hit by Jordany Valdespin and it was his first career hit in the Majors. Getting it off of Papelbon and in a clutch situation will make the moment in his career that much sweeter.
After a number of Phillies late-inning losses resulted in the fans calling for the Phillies to use their closer in a non-save situation, the layoff resulted in a frustrating loss.
It was a good rebound game for Roy Halladay, who was trying to shake off a brutal eight-run outing his last start. He did just that, pitching near-flawless baseball in seven innings of work.
Halladay had the Mets at his mercy all game, even in the 6th inning when he allowed two runs to cross home. Bad luck marred that inning, but other than that it was a typical dominant outing by the Ace of Aces.
Halladay went seven, allowing two runs on three hits and a walk while striking out seven.
Halladay got through the first two hitters in the 6th. But after walking Andres Torres, Kurt Nieuwenhuis hit a single to set up first and second with two outs. David Wright then did what he did best, tying the game agains the Phillies with a two-run double that just stayed fair down the third base line, tying the game 2-2.
It erased a 2-0 lead created in the 1st and 2nd innings on a John Mayberry sacrifice fly and Placido Polanco RBI double respectively.
The Phillies had a chance to score a go-ahead run in the 7th. With the bases loaded and one out, Hunter Pence hit a ground ball to second. Though Pence beat out the back-end of the double play ball, Shance Victorino interfered with short stop Justin Turner and caused Pence to be called out.
2B: Rollins (5), Polanco (5).
WP: Byrdak (1-0). LP: Papelbon (0-1). SV: Francisco (8).
TTB 