CitiField Of Nightmares

The last year such an event took place, The Ford Motor Company produced the last "Tin Lizzie" (Model T); Babe Ruth became the first baseball player to hit 60 home runs in a season; Philo Farnsworth demonstrated the first use of TV in SF; The Holland Tunnel opened on November 13th connecting New York City with New Jersey; the first transatlantic telephone call, from New York City to London, was made; and The Harlem Globetrotters play their first game. The event: Tigers first baseman Johnny Neun made an unassisted triple play to end a baseball game. The date: May 31, 1927.

It could only happen to the New York Mets. It could only happen in 2009. Just when you thought this bizarre year could bring no more bizarreness, eight-two years after Johnny Neun (who?) ended a Detroit Tigers game with an unassisted triple play, Eric Bruntlett (who?) performed the same magic at Citi Field in Flushing, New York.

Trailing 9-6 entering the bottom of the ninth, back-to-back Phillies errors brought the Mets within 2 runs. Angel Pagan reached third on an error by Ryan Howard and scored when Luis Castillo reached first on an error by Bruntlett (who?). Daniel Murphy singled, bringing Francoeur to the plate. Francoeur slammed a 2-2 pitch from Brad Lidge into the glove of Eric Bruntlett (who?). He then stepped on second and tagged Murphy to complete the unassisted triple play to end the game.

In a post-game interview, Manuel said, "We were trying to push the envelope to get back in the game. It's a good break for them, obviously."

Jimmy Rollins, the Phillies shortstop, viewed starting the runners a bit differently. "I'm thinking that wasn't smart baseball." I suppose Rollins learns “smart baseball” from Phillie’s manager Charlie Manuel, MLB’s version of Peter Sellers’ character "Chauncey Gardiner” in the film Being There.

The Mets and Phils played 8 ½ innings before Bruntlett (who?) singlehandedly ended the game. There was the top of the first. Oliver Perez could not finish the top of the first. He allowed six runs on three-run homers by Jayson Werth and Carlos Ruiz. Nelson Figueroa took over after Perez retired all of two batters, and recorded the third out.

There were some good moments in the game for the Mets: two Angel Pagan homeruns, three hits for Castillo and Murphy and Pat Misch pitching four shutout innings.

And except for Johan Santana’s sore left elbow and Jeff Francoeur’s torn thumb ligament*, that was Sunday at CitiField.

*Note the reserved attitude when writing about the injuries to two of the Mets more important assets. I have come to expect season-ending injuries everyday. Both Santana and Francoeur could return quickly. It's a miracle, no?

**Update....No miracle. According to today's NY Post, Santana "will be examined by Dr. David Altchek today." Then,"....manager Jerry Manuel said his $137.5 million ace could be finished for the season."

Wasn't there a question about Santana's elbow this spring? Nah.