The Amazin Mets try to keep the ball rolling tonight as they take on the Phillies for game two of the three game set. Last night, it was R.A. Dickey making things Tricky for the Phillies as they faced knuckleballers for two games straight. Tonight the Mets will try to fool the Phils with Takahashi while the Phils will call on Joe Blanton to quiet the Mets bats.
Takahashi (3-1, 2.53 ERA) was brilliant in his last started as he pitched 6.0 scoreless innings against the Yankees (in his first major league start). Although he allowed 5 hits over that time, he only walked one batter and was able to strike 5 out keeping hte basepaths mostly quiet and keeping the Yankees bats silent. The key for Takahashi will be to do the same tonight. He has to keep runners off the paths because its ok if the Phillies hit a solo shot, but its not ok if they hit a grandslam. He faced the Phils in relief this season and pitched 1.1 innings allowing 5 hits, ER, no walks while striking out 1. All fve hits were from different players (Howard, Moyer, Polanco, Werth, Victorino) with Werth hitting the only extra base hit (2B) and getting an RBI.
The Mets will be getting their first taste of Blanton tonight as he makes his fifth start of the season. So far he is 1-2 over 26.2 innings pitched with an ERA of 5.06. Last season he faced the Mets once and he pitched a four hit, scoreless 7.1 innings against us. The Mets have these numbers on Blanton over his career:
Reyes 0-9
Wright 2-10, 2B
Barajas 2-10, 2 2B
Francoeur 4-9, 2B
Lets Go Mets! Beat the Phils!
