Mets and Phillies Get Down and Dirty in Series Finale

The Mets took both games against the Phillies this week and have taken three of four total since last weekend.

Last night, David Wright had an impressive night at home plate, probably his best of this early season so far, with a first inning home run and two singles to center field. And in the seventh inning, reliever Clay Condrey threw a purposeful pitch at the back of Wright's batting helmet.  Wright ended up walking and was erased at second base on a fielders choice.

Purpose pitches are becoming an all too common occurrence in baseball, but, unlike most games, no warning was issued to Condrey or the Phillies. The Mets bench did not put up any kind of protest, even though I am sure they had to be downright terrified.

Last year, Matt Lindstrom of the Marlins blew a 98 mph fastball at Wright's temple, knocking him to the ground. Nothing was done in his defense, and it clearly frustrated Wright, as he remained on the ground seeming to hope that someone would at least come out and talk to him.

Once it was apparent that no one was coming out to talk to him or the home plate umpire, Wright just sat up and glanced at the Mets bench like "Gee thanks for nothing". 

Two weeks later, during the last game of the season, Lindstrom buzzed him again. If he had been warned two weeks earlier, chances are that he would have thought twice about doing it again.

Jerry Manuel was ejected from the game in the eighth inning for arguing an interference call on Jose Reyes during a rundown play with Shane Victorino running between first and second. 

Victorino clearly shoved Reyes with his elbow, but Reyes was in the basepath and the umpire called him on it by calling obstruction.

There is always some kind of drama between the two teams but, between Victorino's elbow shove and Condrey's brand of purpose pitching, things seem to have gotten worse between the Mets and Phillies.

Carlos Beltran also homered in the first inning and Jose Reyes homered in the second inning for the Mets last night, which Mike Pelfrey appreciated because an early cushion is very important.

Pelfrey is now 4-0 and Jamie Moyer was denied career win 250 after only making it to the third inning.