NEW YORK—Nothing seems to work for Johan Santana in a Mets uniform. When he doesn’t allow a run, the Mets don’t score. Today the Mets gave him some early runs, but Santana wasn’t on his game.
The Mets lost the opening game of the doubleheader to the Padres this afternoon, snapping their nine-game home winning streak.
It looked promising early on for the Mets when Henry Blanco provided a two-run home run off Padres’ starter Mat Latos in the second, but the Mets wouldn’t get another baserunner for the rest of the game.
The Padres’ top-ranked pitching staff retired the final 22 batters to face them, from Mat Latos to Luke Gregerson to Mike Adams to former Met Heath Bell.
With a 2-0 lead to protect, Santana just didn’t have any life on his fastball. He topped out at around 89 MPH, and he looked flat for a second straight start against the Padres. The difference is, last Wednesday, Santana battled through his issues to pitch scoreless ball, this time he coughed it up.
After not allowing a run through the first three innings, he loaded the bases with no outs in the fourth. He would only allow one run though on a sacrifice fly to Jerry Hairston Jr.
In the fifth, the Padres took a lead. After issuing a lead off walk to Tony Gwynn Jr., David Eckstein doubled him in to tie the game at 2-2. Two batters later, Adrian Gonzalez would line his third hit to center field, giving the Padres a 3-2 lead.
Santana still in the game with two outs in the seventh, gave up an RBI double to Chase Headley, extending the Padres lead to 4-2.
Santana’s numbers weren’t Santana-like. He allowed four runs on eight hits and he walked four while only striking out one, that being the opposing pitcher Mat Latos.
Speaking of Mat Latos, after allowing the early two-run shot, he was nasty. He retired the last 13 batters to face him, striking out eight in the process, although he was pulled after only six innings, having thrown only 99 pitches.
Padres’ reliever Luke Gregerson struck out the side in the seventh inning, the second time he has done that in this series.
The Mets lost the first game of the doubleheader 4-2, having had a lead at home with their ace on the mound.
Now they’ll try and earn a split tonight with Jon Niese on the mound, trying to duplicate his Saturday performance against the Marlins. Jon Garland, coming off of a bad start at the Phillies, goes for the Padres.
Series probable pitchers:
Tonight
New York: Jon Niese (2010: 2-2, 4.28 ERA) vs. San Diego: Jon Garland (2010: 6-3, 2.68 ERA)
Upcoming schedule:
New York Mets:
Tonight vs. San Diego Padres
June 11-13 @ Baltimore Orioles
San Diego Padres:
Tonight @ New York Mets
June 11-13 vs. Seattle Mariners
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