Bombers Blanked in Bronx

The New York Mets haven’t lost any luster away from luxurious Citi Field. The Amazin’s extended their road winning streak to seven after prevailing Friday night at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx. The Bombers were shut out for just the second time at home this season, fall to their inter-city rivals 4-0. Hisanori Takahashi yielded four hits in six innings for the Mets. The 35 year old Japanese southpaw stymied the Bronx bats for the second time this season as the Mets blanked the Yankees in the Subway Series opener. Takahashi improved to 6-2 as a starter in outdueling Vasquez for the second time this season.
Losing pitcher, Javier Vasquez, couldn’t prevent the Mets from vaulting to a season-high eleven games over .500. The Mets trail Atlanta by a half-game for first in the NL East and are an impressive 9-1 against AL East clubs this season. The Yankees are tied with Tampa for the top spot in the division. Vasquez pitched respectively through seven strong innings of one run ball, but the slumping Yankee bats were sluggish and lazy in backing their 6-6 starting pitcher. Vazquez issued three walks and fanned four Amazins after allowing an Ike Davis RBI base hit in the top of the first. Takahashi and Vasquez settled into their grooves and matched mound mastery through six innings in front of a sold out stadium. The low-scoring dual was shattered in the eighth after Angel Pagan pelted a two-run double off Yankee reliever, Chan Ho Park. Jose Reyes collected his second hit and 25th RBI in the ninth with a base hit off Boone Logan to give the Mets a 4-0 cushion. The Yankees were shut down by closer, Francisco Rodriguez, in the bottom of the ninth after loading the bases with one out against Raul Valdes. Rodriguez was on the sour side of a 12-pitch walk to Brett Gardner before striking out captain, Derek Jeter and getting Nick Swisher to pop-up for the final out. It was K-Rod’s 16th save of the season. Francisco Cervelli and Swisher starred for the Yankee offense with two hits apiece, neither of which drove in any runs.
The Yankees send 9-1 hurler, Phil Hughes, to the hill this afternoon to face the Mets’ own 9-1 tosser, Mike Pelfrey. It’s Lou Gehrig’s birthday, so I fully expect the pinstripes to pull out a win for the Ironhorse.
Parting Points: In addition to Gehrig’s birthday, it also happens to be Paula Abdul’s birthday.
Song for Saturday- “Opposites Attract” by Paula Abdul