1 Aug 2007

Mets have that ‘You gotta believe’ feeling, Cape-style


Photo by Dave Colantuono
Hyannis Mets manager Greg King is flanked by all-stars Dan Brewer, Tyler Stohr, Shane Peterson and James Darnell during pre-game introductions at Saturday’s game. King has his Mets just four points out of a playoff spot entering the last week of the season.

By Staff reports
GateHouse News Service

Cape Cod - The Hyannis Mets have jumped right into the thick of the Cape Cod Baseball League’s West Division playoff hunt after winning seven of their last 10 games.

     However, the Mets dropped a tough 3-2 decision Tuesday to division-leading Bourne and face a must-win game Friday at Falmouth. Pitching ace Andrew Doyle (4-1) will go up against Kyle Gibson (2-0) in a 7 p.m. game. Falmouth leads the Mets by six points for the final playoff spot in the West.

     The Mets run was highlighted by Matt Daly (Hawaii), who pitched the season’s only no-hitter last week as the Mets defeated the Wareham Gatemen, 4-1.
The only runner to score, Luke Murton (Georgia Tech), reached on a walk in the second and came home on a throwing error by catcher Shea Robin (Vanderbilt). Most of the fans weren’t aware that the Gatemen had been held hitless by the 5 foot, 11 inch California native until they heard the announcement at the end of the game. And what was even more surprising was that neither did many of his teammates.

     “At the end of the game in the meeting, coach [manager Greg King] asked who didn’t know that he had thrown a no-hitter and about half the team raised their hands,” said first baseman Kiko Vazquez (Central Florida). Vazquez and Daly both knew what was going on because they heard the chatter emanating from the Gatemen dugout.

     “[The no-hitter] crept into my mind in the sixth inning when I heard the guys in the Wareham bench talking about it, and talking about getting a hit to break it up,” said Daly. It was his first no-hitter since high school and also happened to be his first win of the season.

     The Mets defeated Brewster, 5-2, behind Dan Brewer (Bradley) 4-for-5 day at the plate and Jason Franzblau’s (Winthrop) 7 1/3 innings of two-hit ball.

     Vazquez said he enjoys playing in the league with the best collegiate talent in the country. He said he spends his spare time making money on weekends and working on his golf game.

     “On Saturdays and Sundays we caddy at Hyannisport, and we also go putt-putt down in Yarmouth,” said Vazquez. As for the playoff push, Kiko credits the entire team.

     “It’s just been everything coming together now. Everyone’s been playing well and our pitching’s been good recently,” he said.