“This has a chance to be the final soundtrack at Shea: jeers, curses and various expressions of anguish as Mets runners on third never score” scoffed the NY Post’s Joel Sherman after Friday’s dispiriting 6-1 loss to Florida. Some 14 hours later, the Schizo Mets remain alive for at least one more day after Johan Santana made Shea’s penultimate game one of the most memorable in franchise history. Pitching on three days rest after throwing 125 pitches against Chicago on Tuesday, Santana’s 3 hit shutout of the Marlins earlier today was the sort of heroic performance even the most delusional Mets fans wouldn’t have dared imagine. The talismanic Venezulean starter — who might cost Tim Lincecum and Brandon Webb a few first place Cy Young Votes — whiffed 10 and walked just 3 in an electrifying outing that will hopefully inspire some greater concentration on the part of Oliver Perez tomorrow afternoon. And at the risk of sounding terribly morbid, short of rendering Shea’s closing day meaningless, what could be more distasteful (or appropriate) than having the entire season riding on the back of the enigmatic Ollie?
As of this writing, Ted Lilly hasn’t allowed a baserunner in Milwaukee, with the Cubs leading the Brewers, 4-0 after 5 1/2. Supposedly, Carlos Zambrano will start for Chicago tomorrow, and keep in mind he’s got a hitless innings streak of his own happening at Miller Park.
Here’s an interesting stat: in late September games crucial to keeping the Mets’ postseason hopes alive, Santana’s ERA is 189 points lower than Tom Glavine’s. 189 point zero.
They both deserve a lot of credit for making such a ridiculous fact possible. I’ll extend it to Johan first. What a huge, huge showing from him.
Looks like Zambrano’s off the table. Does this mean Lou would rather face the Dodgers?
Was at the game yesterday and it was electric. The crowd came to its feet every time Johan had a Marlin on the ropes and when he came out for the top of the 9th, it was a done deal.