The last time Johan Santana pitched he told manager Jerry Manuel to leave him alone, that he could go ten innings.
Game #119 at Astros
Want to bet there will be a similar conversation tonight?
For the first time in two months, the Mets the first game of a road series last night. They’ll try to make it two in a row tonight behind Santana (10-6, 2.89), who is coming off a masterful 4-0 blanking of the Colorado Rockies. They haven’t won two straight on the road since June 11-18.
Santana admits there’s a certain degree of pressure when he takes the mound considering the Mets’ lackluster offense.
“Every time we go out there, we go out there with the mentality of winning,’’ said Santana, who has given up nine hits in 16 1/3 scoreless innings in his last two starts.
Over his last nine starts Santana is 5-1 with a 1.88 ERA. With a little run support he could have 15 victories by now.
Two slumbering Mets showed wake-up signs last night. David Wright had three hits and Carlos Beltran had two, including a home run.
