Mets Cruise to Eighth Straight Behind Niese and Extra Base Hits

Tonight at Citizens Bank Park the Mets really took it to the Phillies defeating them 9-1 (box score).  The Mets extended their winning streak to eight straight with the total package tonight, pitching, defense and hitting and really dominated a very very good team tonight.  It was fun to watch as a Mets fan.

First at the plate, the big stories were Rod Barajas and the Mets ability to get extra base hits.  Rod Barajas, as mentioned several times during the telecast by Gary Cohen, kills the ball at Citizens Bank Park and tonight was no different.  Barajas went 3-4 with two homers, with 3 runs scored and 3 RBI, and all of his hits going for extra bases.  As much as I don't like Barajas' average being as low as it is, there is no denying his power at the plate, and it was on display tonight.  If Barajas continues to hit around .200 all season but drills the Phils the way he did tonight, I'll take it.  As far as extra base hits, 8 of the team's 10 hits went for extra bags...unreal.  Also, Francoeur and Wright both went deep for the Mets, and Wright is starting to heat up and it's nice to see.

On the hill, Niese was awesome.  He went 7 innings giving up 1 run on 4 hits, while striking out seven and walking only one.  He had the Phillies off balance all night, especially Howard who looked bad at the plate outside of one line out to center that he made some nice contact on.  I would have to say I am now officially confident in Niese, he looked great.

Most importantly, tonight my man-crush on Francoeur went to astronomical heights.  He was awesome tonight.  Frenchy golfed a homer into the left field seats, and played fantastic defense while showing everyone how big his balls are.  Frenchy crashed into the wall in right while making a great play to rob Ibanez of a hit.  Later in the game he was plunked by Danys Baez, and not only did he stay in the game, but he immediately swiped a bag to really stick it to Baez.  But of all the things Frenchy did tonight, his turn and fire in the corner of a Werth hit to hold Jayson to a single was my favorite play of the game.  Frenchy cut a ball off heading to the corner and planted one foot and fired a rocket to the second base bag.  It was such a nice play, that Werth actually fell putting the breaks on when he decided to stay at first.  Jason Bay also made a pretty nice grab on a shot from Victorino.  Great stuff.  Frenchy, however, was taken out of the game eventually because of the beating he took tonight, and in the post game Jerry said he'd probably be out tomorrow, which I get.

What a great night for the Mets.  Tomorrow will be a tougher game, as Roy Halladay takes the mound for the Phillies while Pelfrey hits the bump for the Mets.  First pitch at 3:10 on Fox...