MET NOTES
Even though the Mets dominate Randy Johnson and Rick Reed has won twice while facing The Big Unit, he’s still rather start on a day when a non-Cy-Young candidate is out there.
“But I guess someone has to go against him,” Reed said diplomatically after the Mets’ 13-3 blowout win Friday night. “Hey, we’ve had our way against him, but he’s still a helluva pitcher. One of the best.”
Reed was naturally grateful for the early run support and responded with another fine outing. He continued to be a control pitcher, walking none. His lone blemish was a three-run homer by Steve Finley in sixth inning. It scored the D’Backs’ only runs.
“Reed was fabulous tonight,” manager Bobby Valentine raved of his righty’s seven-inning, five-hit, two-earned-run outing.
The two baserunners who scored on Finley’s bomb to right field had reached base on flukes. Reed, who has pinpoint control, uncharacteristically plunked Jay Bell to lead off the inning. Then shortstop Mike Bordick fumbled a sure double-play ball for an error, allowing Matt Williams to reach first. Finley followed with his long ball.
But, with the Mets’ six early runs against Johnson, the three Arizona runs were hardly a blip on the screen.
“We are battling these guys for a wild-card spot,” Reed said of the D’backs. “It’s good to win the first game of the series. We know what’s at stake.”
Reed is 8-4 with a 3.96 ERA, and the Mets are 16-7 in Reed’s 23 starts.
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Jay Payton said the intimidation factor for a Johnson-type pitcher is only there when a hitter is doing poorly.
“If things are going bad, as they were for me the last time we faced him,” Payton explained, “you go up there thinking, ‘I’m not swinging well and now I have to face Johnson.'” But Payton said that when a hitter has confidence, as Payton has lately, Johnson is just another hurler.
Payton had two hits and three RBIs Friday night to improve his average to .289.
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Entering last night, the Mets’ 44 home victories (against 20 losses) were the best in the majors. San Francisco was second with 43 … Edgardo Alfonzo (3-for-4) was happy to report after Friday’s win that his stiff neck warmed up as the game went along. He said the felt it at the plate in the first inning, but it didn’t seem to affect him as he had the first of his two hits off Johnson. Alfonzo said he is better but still not 100 percent
Lenny Harris had a pinch-hit single in the seventh inning Friday and now has 125 career pinch-hits, which leads all active players and ranks him fourth on the all-time list. Manny Mota is first with 150 while Smokey Burgess is second with 145. Greg Gross is third with 143.
