So Chris Young last night outdueled Phillies Ace No. 4 Cole Hamels — he’s the ace who went 10–11 on a pennant-winning team with a 4.32 ERA two years ago — chasing him during a big third inning after he’d pitched his way out of trouble in the first. That inning — during which the Mets scored six times without a single extra-base hit — featured two singles by Chris Young, who in his first start for the club became the first pitcher in franchise history to collect two base hits in an inning. (He went 3-for-3 on the night.) And Young had a pretty good outing on the mound, too, tossing five and a third innings of one run ball, striking out seven (but walking four). The 7–1 win means that after four games, the Mets can boast a 3–1 record, just as good a start as the Phillies, and good for a tie for first place, for what it’s worth on April 6. These are good times for the Mets — and it’s been awhile since we could say that. Get your Opening Day tickets, while you still can.
Chris Young Does It All
Photo: Drew Hallowell/2011 Getty Images