Crazy Fifth Inning, Joey Votto Lead Reds to 8-6 Victory

Tonight the Mets had a tough time with Joey Votto and the fifth inning as the Reds won the opener of this three game series tonight, 8-6 (box score).

Before we get into the craziness that was the fifth inning of tonight's game, the REAL story was the way Joey Votto played tonight.  Votto killed the Mets tonight, going 3-4 hitting 2 homers, and scoring 3 times.  The Mets could not keep Votto in the park tonight, and that made a huge difference in this game, especially the solo shot he hit in the 6th off Nieve.  The homer Votto hit in the sixth was a huge response to the bottom half of the fifth inning the Mets put up...

So, now, let's talk the fifth inning...

In the fifth inning with the bases loaded and no outs Mike Pelfrey threw a 2-2 pitch to Scott Rolen that came in a bit tight on him.  Rolen tried to hold back on a check swing, but couldn't and Barajas caught the pitch.  Rolen immediately took off down the first baseline acting as if he were hit, but the home plate ump, said the ball hit the bat and was caught for strike three.  Dusty Baker came out and after some discussion the umpires overturned the ruling as gave Rolen first base, and the lead 2-1, on a hit-batsman.  Pelfrey then retired the next two batters, only to give up consecutive run scoring hits to the 7, 8 and 9 (a triple to the pitcher) hitters.  So, as much as the replays were questionable as to whether or not Rolen was hit, the bigger issue was how hard Pelfrey worked to get the next two outs and coming close to limiting the damage.  BUT...after a bad call on a pitch on the outside part of the plate to the number 7 hitter, Drew Stubbs, Pelfrey seemed to lose his cool and left pitches up in the zone.  The Reds scored 6 runs in the fifth...

But the Mets did not just roll over, and came out in the bottom of the fifth and score 5 runs themselves, leaving them down only one after the crazy frame.  Unfortunately it only stayed that way until one out in the sixth (one batter later) when Joey Votto blasted his second homer of the game, making the score 8-6.

Overall, Pelfrey wasn't goog tonight.  The Mets did their best to come back but they couldn't manage clawing themselves all the way out of the 6 run hole.  At least the Braves lost too...

Tomorrow the Mets will send Johan Santana to the mound against a pitcher yet to be determined after tonight's scratch of Aaron Harang.  The game will start at 7:10.