Mets 6, Blue Jays 1 (top of the 8th)
On a night when yet another solid out from Tom Glavine, a 3 for 4 night by Paul Lo Duca, sparkling defense from Lastings Milledge and HR’s from Milledge and David Wright (above) ought to command full attention, instead, it’s doom and gloom time.
Duaner Sanchez relieved Glavine in the bottom of the 8th and threw a mere two pitches to Alex Rios, the second of which landed about 4 feet to the right of home plate. Doubled over in pain, Sanchez would depart to make way for Chad Bradford.
Regardless of how far ahead of the rest of the division the Mets might be at present, they can ill afford to lose Sanchez. Though Omar Minaya’s decision to trade away starters Jae Seo and Kris Benson was questioned often last spring, it cannot be disputed that New York’s bullpen has proven to be deeper and better than any time since the mid 1980’s. Sanchez has been a huge component.
UPDATE : Pedro Felicano had an uneventful 9th ; Tom Glavine is now the NL’s sole 11 game winner, and the Mets have tied a club record with their 9th consecutive road win.
Ben Hendrickson (above) of the PCL’s Nashville Sounds saw a no-hit bid come to an unfortunate end last night in Round Rock. Hendrickson had held the Express hitless through 6 innings before being removed with a broken nail on his pitching paw. Round Rock’s Joe McEwing would go on to break up the no-no in the following inning, a 2-0 win for the Sounds that ended the Express’ 9 game winning streak.
This evening at the Dell Diamond, the Express lead the Sounds, 5-4, after 5 innings. Nashville’s Dennis Safarte has allowed HR’s to Cody Ransom and Mike Rodriguez.
The plight of Hendrickson brings to mind the frequent woes of Boston’s Josh Beckett. Mr. Blister’s bid for a perfect game ended tonight on a David Bell single in the 6th inning. Chase Utley just hit a 2 run HR in the bottom of the 7th, narrowing Boston’s margin to 6-2.