Check out Sammy’s video preview: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2egK0V_FMk
NEW YORK: The theme for the Mets this season has been, lose heartbreakers or shut opponents out. In fact, the Mets have now compiled the most shutouts in the Majors this season with their one last night, 18.
Against the Phillies, they just don’t allow anything. The Mets’ last five wins against the Phillies have been shutouts, including all four games at Citi Field.
Last night, the string continued, behind R.A. Dickey’s one-hitter. Once again, the Mets would be denied a no-hitter, as the only hit off Dickey was a Cole Hamels sixth-inning single.
It might be difficult for the Mets to shut out the Phillies tonight though, as they will rely on minor league call-up Pat Misch.
He made his Mets debut on June 24, 2009, and appeared in 22 games for them, while starting seven. In the seven starts, he went 3-3 with a 4.69 ERA.
This season in 23 starts for Triple-A Buffalo, Misch was having a good season. He was 11-4 with a 3.23 ERA and had a more than four-to-one strikeout-to-walk ratio.
Going for the Phillies will be their ace Roy Halladay, whom the Mets faced on Sunday and lost to.
Trailing 6-2 after three, the Mets staged a rally but fell one short, losing 6-5. The Mets got to Halladay for five runs on nine hits in seven innings of work, although he did strikeout 10.
Overall, Halladay has had a great first season with the Phillies, going 14-8 with a 2.34 ERA.
Tonight’s Mets lineup will look very different than last night’s. Whenever a right-hander is on the mound, the Mets will have a younger lineup, being all of their young players are lefties.
Tonight’s lineup should feature Ike Davis back at first base, Fernando Martinez back in right field, and Josh Thole back behind the plate. Perhaps Luis Castillo will get the start over the struggling Ruben Tejada at second base.
The Mets are working on a good home stand so far, having gone 3-1 against the Rockies and Phillies. All three wins have been shutouts, and their last two games have been complete-game shutouts.
It has been shutout-mania this season at Citi Field for the Mets, and they’ll hope that Misch can continue the trend tonight.
Player moves
RHP Francisco Rodriguez taken off restricted list (violation)
LHP Pat Misch recalled from Triple-A Buffalo
RHP Ryota Igarashi demoted to Triple-A Buffalo
LHP Raul Valdes demoted to Triple-A Buffalo
Pat Misch vs. Philadelphia (career)
0-1, 5.09 ERA, 17.2 IP, 14 hits, 7 BB, 16 SO
Roy Halladay vs. New York this season (2 starts)
2-0, 2.81 ERA, 16 IP, 12 hits, 2 BB, 16 SO
2010 season series (New York vs. Philadelphia)
April 30: New York 9, Philadelphia 1
May 1: Philadelphia 10, New York 0
May 2: Philadelphia 11, New York 5
May 25: New York 8, Philadelphia 0
May 26: New York 5, Philadelphia 0
May 27: New York 3, Philadelphia 0
Aug. 6: Philadelphia 7, New York 5
Aug. 7: New York 1, Philadelphia 0
Aug. 8: Philadelphia 6, New York 5
Aug. 13: New York 1, Philadelphia 0
Mets lead series 6-4
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