It was the kind of at-bat that could be dangerous. It was an at-bat that might not have gone the Mets’ way through much of the season.
But in just his second major league start, Hisanori Takahashi struck out Ryan Howard with a changeup with runners on first and third and one out in the sixth with the Mets up by just two.
He followed that by getting Jayson Werth to fly out to right, ending the Phillies best chance to get back into last night’s game and leading the Mets to a 5-0 victory at Citi Field.
“I know he’s one of the biggest hitters in the league,” Takahashi said of Howard, through an interpreter. “Rod [Barajas] had a plan to get him out.”
And that plan featured changeups. Takahashi fooled the Phillies with off-speed pitches throughout his six scoreless innings, as the Mets shutout the NL East leaders for the second consecutive night.
It was the fourth straight win for the Mets (24-23), and the Amazin’s have cut the Phillies’ NL East lead to three games. It was Philadelphia’s fourth loss in a row.
“We might as well go for the sweep,” Jeff Francoeur said of tonight’s series finale at Citi Field.
The Mets’ current streak, coming against the Phillies and Yankees, has given them confidence, but as important as who the wins were against was the fact they have received contributions from starters not named Johan Santana and Mike Pelfrey.
Takahashi, who spent 10 years as a starter in Japan, isn’t leaving the rotation any time soon. He struck out six and didn’t walk a batter last night and threw 94 pitches.
“Of course,” Jerry Manuel responded whether the lefty would stay there after inserting him into the rotation out of necessity last week. “Until we see different, he’s in the rotation. It’s gonna be tough to get him out.”
Takahashi has now shut down the Phillies and Yankees.
“I did not have any expectations at all when I heard we signed him over the winter,” Manuel said. “Then when we went to spring training and started throwing side sessions . . . his command he was off the charts.”
And last night, unlike against the Yankees, Takahashi got more than enough offense.
The Mets got two more hits — and two RBIs — from Jose Reyes, including his homer of the season, and three RBIs from Rod Barajas, who continues to be impressed by Takahashi, but not surprised about his success against tough teams.
“He doesn’t look at faces or jerseys,” said Barajas, who capped off a three-run sixth with a two-RBI double. “He just competes.”
He also is not worried about that changing as the league gets a closer look at him.
“All the signs I’m seeing, he can make adjustments and keep this going,” Barajas said.
“His changeup has made guys from [Derek] Jeter to Werth look bad,” Francoeur said. “If he keeps doing that, he’s gonna do well. I’ve seen it since spring training.”
The Mets hope the same goes for them.
The Mets have now won five-of-six and have taken advantage of the Phillies falling back to the pack.
“I’d like to think we had something to do with that,” Francoeur said.
Takahashi certainly did, and when he was done, he received a hug from Manuel in the dugout.
“As usual, he [Manuel] just said ‘Good job,’ ” Takahashi said.