The New York Mets managed just two measly hits -- and yet again, Mike Pelfrey was hit around like a punching bag as the Mets (4-11) dropped their seventh straight game, 4-0, to the Atlanta Braves (7-8) tonight at Turner Field.
On the plus side, Pelfrey threw at least five innings for the second straight outing -- and this time his ground ball-to-fly ball ratio was an encouraging 10:2, but he also allowed all four runs, 11 hits and walked one. The Mets opening day starter has allowed 39 baserunners this season (2.34 WHIP) and just nine strikeouts (three today). It's been a disastrous first four outings for Pelfrey and a forgetful first 15 games for the Mets as well. The team has now lost 10 of its last 11 games of the season.
For the second game in a row -- which is an eternity from the several games ago -- the bullpen was a plus, as it didn't allow a hit in three innings tonight. Pedro Beato tossed two scoreless innings, striking out two batters, while Taylor Buchholz pitched an inning with a strikeout.
Willie Harris and Daniel Murphy recorded the only hits for the Mets in this game, as Jair Jurrjens pitched seven innings, fanning four. An incident in the sixth inning epitomized the Mets season to date: Murphy swatted a double with no outs, then decided to try to steal third -- again, with nobody out -- and got caught. Terry Collins wants the team to be aggressive, especially with this dreadful start, but not be stupid.
David Wright went hitless, 0-for-7, while Jose Reyes went 1-for-8 in the doubleheader. With the way this team has looked thus far, it's almost like they need a miracle to win one game.