A seeming mismatch, Ezequiel Astacio vs Pedro Martinez: the glittering veteran vs the rookie who the Astros have on speed dial. This mano a guano duel was played out before 43,552 people, the 4th largest crowd in the new ballparks' history. I think it was some sort of special occasion.
The first inning did not bode well. A grounder that bounced off the mound, and then again off Everett?s glove, a walk, and a possible double play ball that pinged off Clank?s glove loaded the bases with no outs. The Mets got a sac fly to right, but the scoring ended right there. Ensberg pounced on a one hopper and threw home, then a K ended the potentially disastrous first.
Martinez, throwing his inexplicable collection of slop that featured an 84 mph fastball, caught on quickly to home plate ump Paul Schrieber?s random strike zone. I saw Schrieber rolling 20 sided dice for balls and strikes. Astacio, pitching without the advantage of a moveable corner, put in his best appearance of the season. 6 innings 1 run. He?ll be back folks, tip your waitress.
Astacio got some good D from MoBerg, who made a nice play in each of the first three innings. But offensive support was lacking until Maximus was able to extend his arms and deposited a Martinez ?fast ? ball? into the Crawford Boxes. The thing was tied 1-1 in the 5th.
It stayed that way until Miguel Cairo greeted Chad Qualls in the 7th with his own Crawford Boxer and put the Mets up 2-1. But that didn?t last. In the bottom of the inning, the Astros worked Eric Bruntlett over to third with one out. (Note to the Astros, when Piazza is catching, 2nd is a free base. Take it.) Then up comes Ausmus. With the obvious example of last night?s squeeze, Ausmus knew that Pedro knew that he was capable of a bunt. But Ausmus also knew that Pedro knew that Ausmus knew he knew that. Truly a dizzying intellect! But he hadn?t even got going! Ausmus, flinging caution to the wind, and hoping Pedro would not chose to fling a pitch at his head, bunted. Game tied.
Gallo and Wheeler kept the Mets from getting a hit in the last 2 innings.
The Astros worked Martinez in the 8th. They sent 5 batters to the plate aided by Mike Cameron?s error on a routine fly which he dropped when transferring to his throwing hand. That was it for Pedro. They sent out Ramon Hernandez for the 9th. Hernandez has owned the Astros.
No matter. Palmeiro singles, Everett bunts him over and Ausmus splits Beltran and Cameron with a double in the gap. Scamper home boys the games over.
Wandy gets Kris Benson tomorrow 7:05
