2012 PTP Mets: We'll crash into a wall or each other for a win!

The Steve Stone (above) skippered New York Mets are tied for first place after an impressive, at times thrilling, first half.

This post will re-cap two enjoyable weekend series played at Casa De Goldy (thanks, Goldy), while providing a general mid-season analysis, as well.

-----SERIES 1: Nick at Goldy (San Fran)-----

GAME ONE:
Although my day went great overall, game one couldn't have gone worse! Goldy pounded my team, 17-2. Jose Reyes had five hits, and was a triple shy of a cycle. Brandon Phillips had two doubles, while Andre Ethier added three Rbis in a multi-hit performance. My staff ace, Matt Latos, was battered for seven earned before several relievers failed me.
What's worse ***my shortstop Ruben Tejada and left fielder Elvis Presley crashed into each other and both came up injured***. Tejada for seven games and Presley for 15. This injury comes just games after Nyjer Morgan went down for 21 games after colliding with the center-field wall and the team traded for star slugger, Matt Kemp.
GOLDY 17, NICK 2
W T.Hanson, - L - Latos

GAME TWO:
A Placido Polanco (of all people!) ninth inning error, allowed two runs to score for the visiting Mets. Behind a wasted Chacin start, Goldy's team jumped to a 3-1 lead on three solo homers from Geo Soto, Sparkles Male Model and the tough-luck Polanco. Chase Utley hit two doubles and drove in a run.
NICK 4, GOLDY 3
W - Cordero, L, BS - Axford, SV - Putz

GAME THREE:
WIAC grad Jordan Zimmerman (represent, represent!) finished a very strong first half by pitching a dazzling seven shutout innings before Drew Storen and J.J. Putz locked down a team-effort shutout. A first inning solo homer from Chase Utley was the only run scored in this pitcher's duel. In the loss, Brandon Beachy went 8 innings yielding just one run while striking out 15 Mets.
NICK 1, GOLDY 0
W - Zimmerman, L - Beachy, SV - Putz

After scoring 17 runs in game one (and then spending a long night in the Castro District), Goldy's team managed just three in the final two games. Although down a couple players due to injury, the Mets were smiling widely as they boarded the plane headed for Miami.

-----SERIES TWO: Nick at Torto (in Miami)-----

GAME ONE:
The Mets new leadoff hitter, Todd Helton (what?), hit a base-clearing double in the top of the ninth to boost the Mets over the stunned Marlins and closer Sergio Romo. Injury fill-in Bryan Peterson laced two hits, including a two-rbi double. Ryan Hanigan and Matt Kemp each collected three hits in the win, while Mike Stanton hit a homer and Prince Fielder had two doubles in the loss.
NICK 6, TORTO 5
W - Storen, L - Romo

GAME TWO:
An eighth inning, Rod Barajas three-run double - off the oft-rattled Christian Martinez - proved to be the difference in a game two's comeback Marlins win. Chris Heisey hit another round-tripper as did Lucas Duda. Matt Kemp hit a two-run homer and drove in three runs, while Blake DeWitt had three hits in the loss.
TORTO 6, NICK 5
W - Hawkins, L - Martinez, SV - Lannon

GAME THREE:
Marlins ace Roy Halladay was injured and removed after just one batter (thankfully) against the Cardiac-kid Mets who grabbed a game-three, 5-4 win and a series victory. New York scored all five runs in the eighth and ninth after trailing all game. The Mets continue to get big production from likely (Ultey and Holliday) and unlikely sources (Bryan Peterson had two RBI and Willie Harris added a lead-off ninth inning double). Princey had a two RBI and a double and Jimmy Rollins collected two hits and two steals in the loss.
NICK 5, TORTO 4
W - Storen, L - Romo, SV - Putz

Fun with stats!!!

HITTING

• Matt Holliday had a 15 game hitting streak and 14 RBI
  
• Chase Utley is hitting .328 with 10 RBI and 3 SB
  
• Nyjer Morgan was great, batting .341, before injuring himself
  
• Matt Kemp has started hot, hitting .308 with a homer in just two series
  
• After a slew of injuries to key players, Bryan Peterson has come up huge, hitting .375 with four steals.

PITCHING

• Jordan Zimmerman is 3-1 with a 3.05 ERA, anchoring a solid starting five
  
• The bullpen has been HUGE!
• J.J. Putz has converted 6 of 7 saves with a 1.64 ERA
• Drew Storen has won four games and saved two others