New York Mets survive Los Angeles Angels in 13 innings

Image: Jar C. Hong/AP

Anthony Recker. The Mets’ catcher probably isn’t the player most fans would expect to get clutch hits for the team. Go figure.

Already credited with two RBIs on the night, Recker commenced the 13th inning with a solo homerun off Angels’ RHP Matt Shoemaker (0-1; 4.05 ERA) to afford the visitors a 7-6 lead, and LHP John Lannan sealed the victory by retiring the Angels (5-6) in order in the bottom of the frame. Lannan (1-0; 12.00 ERA) fired two perfect innings as the Mets’ bullpen combined to set down the final 13 Los Angeles batters.

The Mets (5-6) showed mental toughness in the win

Coming off a heartbreaking 5-4, 11-inning loss in Friday’s series opener, New York appeared to have this contest under control, leading 6-3 in the ninth inning. RHP Jose Valverde, who hadn’t given up a run over 5.1 IP entering Saturday, retired the first two batters in the ninth and jumped ahead of 3B David Freese, 1-2. Then, out of the blue, the wheels came off: Freese singled up the middle, SS Erick Aybar walked, and DH Raul Ibanez belted the tying three-run dinger deep into the right field seats.

Fortunately for the Mets, Valverde escaped the frame, and the subsequent relievers - LHP Scott Rice, RHP Gonzalez Germen, and Lannan – shone to give Recker his opportunity.

LHP John Niese had a quality start against a potentially potent Angels’ lineup. The southpaw surrendered three runs on six hits over 7.1 IP. He struck out five and walked only one.

The Mets put up a solid effort against often dominant Angels’ RHP Jered Weaver. New York managed four runs against the ace over his 6.2 IP, including three tallies in the seventh inning to take a 4-3 lead. Recker culminated the rally with a two-run single off RHP Fernando Salas.

Los Angeles quickly took a 1-0 lead on a RBI single by 1B Albert Pujols in the opening frame. DH Lucas Duda knotted the contest with a solo dinger in the second, but the home team went back ahead, 3-1, after solo shots by C Chris Iannetta and LF Collin Cowgill, respectively.

SS Omar Quintanilla’s two-run single in the ninth inning gave the Mets some breathing room, but they stranded the bases loaded.

The two teams will play the rubber game on Sunday afternoon at 3:35 p.m. RHP Bartolo Colon (1-1, 2.08) is scheduled to start for the Mets against Angels’ LHP C.J. Wilson (1-1, 4.61 ERA).