HOME AWAY FROM HOMEWITH CROWD OF METS FANS IN BLATIMORE, NEW YORK WINS FIRST ROAD SERIES OF THE SEASON
David Wright, Jeff Francoeur and Rod Barajas were lounging in the clubhouse before Saturday’s game here when Wright noted that it had been almost a year since the Mets had won consecutive games on the road. The players laughed at the absurdity of the streak, which had reached 56 games dating to last July 25-26, and Francoeur later related that Barajas jokingly declared, in a coarse way, just how pitiful the Mets were that year. Reporters might never have learned about the conversation had the Mets not finally erased the ignominy of the streak by beating the Baltimore Orioles in the first game of this three-game series here Friday night, then following it up with a 3-1 victory Saturday. Those two results also ensured that they would win their first series on the road this season after going 0-7-2 in their previous nine series, and allowed Francoeur to reveal their discussion to illustrate how surprising the length of the streak was to the Mets and how confident they are feeling now. “It’s embarrassing, it really is,” Francoeur said. “It’s something that we as a team can laugh about because we’re playing well and we know what kind of a team we have this year. But it shows just how bad things were last year, and how bad we’ve been on the road this year. It’s almost hard to think that that’s actually possible, but it was.” With the victory, which was due in large part to the excellent pitching of Hisanori Takahashi, the Mets improved to 34-28 and are now a season-high six games over .500. Jose Reyes started off the game with his 15th career leadoff home run, extending his team record, and Francoeur added a solo home run in the eighth. Francisco Rodriguez pitched a scoreless ninth for his 13th save. Later, after Francoeur told reporters the story of the players’ conversation, Barajas, the Mets’ invaluable addition this year, was asked about it. He threw up his hands, pointing out that he was merely commenting on how difficult 2009 was for the Mets. Then he went into a different part of the clubhouse to have another chat with Francoeur. Moments later, Francoeur, the gregarious right fielder, emerged from the clubhouse and announced with a smile that Barajas had never in fact used bad language and that whatever he said should not be used on either back or front pages of tabloid newspapers. It was all good-natured fun, something that had not been in abundance on the road for most of the season. Also in a cheerful mood was Takahashi, who might have extended the length of his stay in the pitching rotation after two suspect outings. Manager Jerry Manuel said one concern about Takahashi was his ability to fool batters who had faced him once or twice already in a game, and he had no trouble doing that. Takahashi said through an interpreter: “It’s the same pitches. But they anticipate what’s coming, but I think that way too, so I change my mind. They think the sinker is coming, but I pitch the fastball inside.” Takahashi’s status in the rotation remains in doubt if and when John Maine returns from the disabled list, but after he allowed only one run, six hits and one walk in seven innings, it appeared he had regained his command. He gave up a run in the first inning, then never allowed a runner to reach third base, improving to 5-2 with a 3.48 earned run average. It was a reassuring sight, not only for the Mets, but also for the thousands of their fans who filled Camden Yards and cheered their team. But even if the atmosphere suggested a home game, it was still a road victory, and a significant one, too. “There’s no doubt about it,” Manuel said. “It’s been a big issue, a big story. To put that in the rearview mirror and keep playing it’s probably a confidence boost for the guys in the clubhouse, that they can win road games. That’s always huge.” (NY Times)
David Wright, Jeff Francoeur and Rod Barajas were lounging in the clubhouse before Saturday’s game here when Wright noted that it had been almost a year since the Mets had won consecutive games on the road. The players laughed at the absurdity of the streak, which had reached 56 games dating to last July 25-26, and Francoeur later related that Barajas jokingly declared, in a coarse way, just how pitiful the Mets were that year. Reporters might never have learned about the conversation had the Mets not finally erased the ignominy of the streak by beating the Baltimore Orioles in the first game of this three-game series here Friday night, then following it up with a 3-1 victory Saturday. Those two results also ensured that they would win their first series on the road this season after going 0-7-2 in their previous nine series, and allowed Francoeur to reveal their discussion to illustrate how surprising the length of the streak was to the Mets and how confident they are feeling now. “It’s embarrassing, it really is,” Francoeur said. “It’s something that we as a team can laugh about because we’re playing well and we know what kind of a team we have this year. But it shows just how bad things were last year, and how bad we’ve been on the road this year. It’s almost hard to think that that’s actually possible, but it was.” With the victory, which was due in large part to the excellent pitching of Hisanori Takahashi, the Mets improved to 34-28 and are now a season-high six games over .500. Jose Reyes started off the game with his 15th career leadoff home run, extending his team record, and Francoeur added a solo home run in the eighth. Francisco Rodriguez pitched a scoreless ninth for his 13th save. Later, after Francoeur told reporters the story of the players’ conversation, Barajas, the Mets’ invaluable addition this year, was asked about it. He threw up his hands, pointing out that he was merely commenting on how difficult 2009 was for the Mets. Then he went into a different part of the clubhouse to have another chat with Francoeur. Moments later, Francoeur, the gregarious right fielder, emerged from the clubhouse and announced with a smile that Barajas had never in fact used bad language and that whatever he said should not be used on either back or front pages of tabloid newspapers. It was all good-natured fun, something that had not been in abundance on the road for most of the season. Also in a cheerful mood was Takahashi, who might have extended the length of his stay in the pitching rotation after two suspect outings. Manager Jerry Manuel said one concern about Takahashi was his ability to fool batters who had faced him once or twice already in a game, and he had no trouble doing that. Takahashi said through an interpreter: “It’s the same pitches. But they anticipate what’s coming, but I think that way too, so I change my mind. They think the sinker is coming, but I pitch the fastball inside.” Takahashi’s status in the rotation remains in doubt if and when John Maine returns from the disabled list, but after he allowed only one run, six hits and one walk in seven innings, it appeared he had regained his command. He gave up a run in the first inning, then never allowed a runner to reach third base, improving to 5-2 with a 3.48 earned run average. It was a reassuring sight, not only for the Mets, but also for the thousands of their fans who filled Camden Yards and cheered their team. But even if the atmosphere suggested a home game, it was still a road victory, and a significant one, too. “There’s no doubt about it,” Manuel said. “It’s been a big issue, a big story. To put that in the rearview mirror and keep playing it’s probably a confidence boost for the guys in the clubhouse, that they can win road games. That’s always huge.” (NY Times)
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