Zito, Giants Blank Mets, 3-0

By Professor Joe Janish
Posted Thursday, May 31, 2007

FLUSHING, N.Y. -- The overhand curveball remains the Mets’ kryptonite. And if Pedro Feliz sat out, the game might still be going on.

Barry Zito had a pocketful of kryptonite in this ballgame, scattering six hits over seven innings, striking out seven, walking one, and allowing no runs. Manager Bruce Bochy was interested in winning the game, so Armando Benitez remained on the bench and the Mets fared no better against Giants relievers Jack Taschner and Brad Hennessey.

The Mets could get nothing started the entire evening, offering nothing in the way of offensive support for Tom Glavine, who had an otherwise excellent performance. Glavine pitched seven strong innings, allowing nine hits, two walks, and three runs — all driven in by Feliz on a first-inning single and a third-inning triple. A wasted effort in his bid for career win #296.

Notes

Paul LoDuca went 2-for-4 with a double, lifting his average to .327.

Carlos Beltran also doubled, his 14th of the season.

In a matchup of similarly styled pitchers at different phases of their respective careers, Zito threw 122 pitches, 77 for strikes, in 7 innings, while Glavine threw 122 pitches, 77 for strikes, in seven innings.

Barry Bonds started in leftfield. Nobody cared.

Speaking of steroid users, Guillermo Mota made his 2007 debut, pitching two scoreless innings, striking out two.

Next Game

The rubber match pits Orlando Hernandez vs. Matt Cain in another 7:10 PM start.

**Read more from Joe Janish at: www.metstoday.com