Johan Santana throws complete game in Houston for sixth loss of season
The ace for the New York Mets threw a good game against the Houston Astros Tuesday night; Astros outfielder Hunter Pence kept it from being a great game.
Pence gave Houston the early lead with a three run home run in the bottom half of the first inning to put Houston up 3-1. Jose Reyes had scored in the Mets’ half of the inning courtesy of a single to right-center field by Fernando Martinez. Reyes brought the Mets within one an inning later after he grounded out, but catcher Josh Tolle scored to close Houston’s lead to 3-2 after one and a half innings.
The pitching for both teams stepped and effectively shut down the offense of the other team till the eighth inning. After giving up four hits in the first inning, Santana retired the side in three of the next six innings while only giving up three hits.
Houston took a more collective route in the pitching department. Starter and former Met Nelson Figueroa lasted five innings giving up only four hits, three walks, and two runs while striking out four. Jeff Falchion allowed only one hit over the next two innings to keep Houston in the lead, 3-2.
Mark Melancon let the Mets back into the game in the eighth inning giving up a home run to David Wright to start the inning. Carlos Beltran followed it up with a single only to be thrown out as part of a double play. Jeff Francoeur ground out to end the inning, but the damage was done as the Mets were able to tie the game at 3-3.
Santana had recovered well after Hunter Pence’s earlier home run to be in the verge of a very impressive win. That was until Pence did it to him again, this time hitting a home run over the left field fence to put Houston in front for good, 4-3.
Wilton Lopez gave up one hit in the ninth, but held the Mets scoreless to earn his first save of the season.
The loss kept the Mets from moving a game over .500, and put them 11 games behind the Atlanta Braves in the NL East with a record of 59-60. R.A. Dickey is scheduled to take the mound for the Mets in the third game of the four game series against Brett Myers for the Astros on Wednesday.
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