Santana’s signature
Johan’s line: 7-IP, 2-H, 10-K, 0-R (4-1, 0.91-ERA, 39.2-IP, 54-K)
Johan Santana versus Chan Ho Park wasn’t being billed as your classic pitching duel but when it was all said and done the two teams combined for just 5 hits and one unearned run in what turned out to be one of Johan Santana’s more memorable outings as a Met. The games only run scored in the 7th when pinch-hitter Fernando Tatis stepped up to the plate and hit a broken-bat slow-roller up the third base line. The usually surehanded Pedro Feliz charged in, barehanded, and made an off balance throw into no-mans-land. Delgado(HBP) got a good jump off first base and eventually chugged his way around the bases and scored the games first and only run on a bang-bang play at the plate.
If it were a 0-0 game Manuel would have stuck with Santana, but with a revamped pen, a lead, and Santana having surpassed 100 pitches Jerry turned to the bullpen for relief. Feliciano came in to face Rollins, Victorino, Utley, and Howard and with the exception of a Texas league flare of the bat of Victorino, Feliciano dominated, striking out Howard on a nasty slider to end the inning. Mr cool, calm, and collected, Frankie Rodriguez entered in the 9th and made mince meat out of Ibanez, Werth, and Feliz, converting his 8th save in 8 chances and his 3rd in 3 consecutive games.
For an in depth preview of tonight’s game, Pelfrey vs Moyer, click here