Game Recap

Usually, when people hear about a walk-off in Dodger Stadium, it involves an Andre Ethier walk-off home run. Although he was a part of a turning point in this game, and although he was back in the lineup for the first time in 15 games after suffering a broken pinkie finger, he wasn't the reason why they won last night: Casey Blake was.

SAN DIEGO-- Was this Mets-Padres or Jets-Chargers? The Mets gave up 18 runs in last night's loss, the most they have allowed in a game since 2004.

It may not seem right, but the Mets actually had a 1-0 lead in their 18-6 defeat, but what a disaster. The Mets thought they had a pretty good chance of winning this game, sending Hisanori Takahashi to the mound, who hadn't allowed a run as a starter in his first two starts this season.

Takahashi gave up a shocking grand slam to Jerry Hairston in the second when it seemed he was getting out of trouble.

MILWAUKEE—The Mets took a huge risk throwing a pitcher whom hadn't thrown more than 2.1 IP in a game this season. It came back to bite them and the way they had to use their bullpen.

Both pitching staffs had awful nights and it was a game that felt as if it lasted five-plus hours.

It started well for the Mets in the first inning when they took a 1-0 lead on a Reyes run. After Reyes walked to leadoff the game, stole second, and moved to third on a groundout, Jason Bay doubled him home.

Caption: In a scene that has become all-too-familiar during Red Sox games, a Red Sox starter hands the baseball to manager Terry Francona after getting bombed. Last night, it was Tim Wakefield’s turn to get pulled mid-inning, after surrendering a grand slam to shortstop Yunieski Betancourt that gave Kansas City a 9-5 lead. The Red Sox lost, 12-5.

MILWAUKEE-- For a while, it seemed as if the Mets were about to throw their fourth consecutive shutout. It took until two outs in the ninth for the streak to be snapped after 35 2/3 innings.

It was a classic pitcher's duel between two aces. For the Mets, Johan Santana was on the mound. He was lights-out, as he became the first pitcher for the Mets this season to go eight innings.

Caption: 3B Adrian Beltre hit a solo home run to get things started in the Red Sox 11-3 win over the Tampa Bay Rays tonight at Tropicana Field.

Maybe I should head back out of town.

During my recent sojourn to southern-most Canada (Ontario) and Chicago, the Red Sox have shaken off the doldrums that afflicted them over the first six weeks of the season. As a superstitious fan, I am nervous my return to New England will disturb whatever karma has suddenly ignited their play.

NEW YORK— For the second consecutive game, the Mets shutout the two-time defending National League champion Phillies. For the second consecutive start, Hisanori Takahashi shined for the Mets.

Originally posted on Midwestropolitan .

Much has been said about the last three spots in the starting rotation for the New York Mets.

Throughout the off-season, spring training, and the beginning of the season, there have been many questions.

During the majority of this process, Hisanori Takahashi has quietly taken the mound when asked and has pitched effectively.

When a Cy Young Award candidate hangs a curveball and a sixth position hitter is there to see it, does it make a run? 

Well, not usually. But at PETCO Park Tuesday night, the San Diego Padres nabbed a win from one of baseball's finest starters when Jerry Hairston Jr. turned a pitch by Adam Wainwright into a solo home run and a 1-0 win for the NL West Division leaders.

In his first three Triple-A starts, Stephen Strasburg did not allow a run—earned or otherwise—while blowing away the more seasoned hitters in the highest minor league.