Mets Take 1st Of 4 Games Against St. Louis At Citi Field

Mets Take 1st Of 4 Games Against St. Louis At Citi Field

 

Alex Cora singles in the eighth inning, scoring Luis Castillo with the Mets’ sixth run.

By Dan Miller
The New York Mets returned to the safety of their Citi Field home, where they have won 13 of their last 20 games, and put on a hitting display against the St. Louis Cardinals on June 22. The Mets defeated the Cardinals by the score of 6-4 on what turned out to be a come back pitching performance for Tim Redding, whose only other claim to fame thus far has been that he is second cousin to Joyce Randolph (Trixie Norton from “The Honeymooners” television series). Redding came into the game with a 0-2 record and a bulging 6.27 ERA.

The Mets drew blood in the very first inning, scoring two runs on four singles. They led throughout the game, scoring one run in the fourth, fifth, sixth and eighth innings. Their only home run of the game was hit by Mets first baseman Daniel Murphy in the fifth inning to extend the Mets’ lead to 4-1. Mets catcher Omir Santos reached base on four straight singles, while second baseman Luis Castillo reached base four times. He hit two singles, a double and walked.
 Redding pitched into the eighth inning, facing one batter until he was removed by Mets manager Jerry Manuel following an eighth inning leadoff home run by Cards shortstop Brendan Ryan. It was the second Cardinal home run of the game and Manuel brought in Jon Switzer, followed by Brian Stokes, to put out the fire.

Luis Castillo slides into home plate ahead of the throw, scoring on a single by Alex Cora.

 With this victory the Mets trail the idle first place Philadelphia Phillies by 1 1/2 games.
Prior to the game Manuel announced that Mets centerfielder Carlos Beltran would be placed on the 15-day disabled list with a bone bruise on his right knee. The Mets recalled outfielder Fernando Martinez from their triple-A International League farm team in Buffalo. In order to make room for Martinez on the 25-man roster, the Mets optioned left-handed pitcher Ken Takahashi to Buffalo and designated infielder Wilson Valdez for assignment.

The Mets improved to a Major League best 17-7 in the first game of a series. Redding won his first game as a member of the Mets. Mets catcher Omir Santos established a new career high with four hits in one game and has accumulated five RBIs in his last four games. Francisco Rodriguez (aka K-Rod) notched his eighth perfect save, retiring all three batters, and his 19th save of the season. He is tied for second place in the Major Leagues.

Francisco Rodriguez, (K-Rod) in relief gets all three batters he faced in the ninth for his 19th save of the season. Photos Dan Miller/DMD Images