Many thought the ’73 Mets were huge underdogs in this series, but through two games they have been right there with the Yankees. The difference is that one big hit. Last night, they may have blown their best chance of making this a series as they left 14 runners on base in a 2-1 loss at Yankee Stadium in Game 2 of the Strat-O-Matic Sim Series.

A.J. Burnett was erratic all nights (6 walks), but f0und a way to dance around the base runners. Perhaps the Mets best chance was in the 4th, as they had the bases loaded with two-outs for Rusty Staub, but Burnett buckled down and struck him out. The game would remain scoreless through five innings.

The big decision came in the sixth, after the Mets broke through. After two quick outs, Wayne Garrett singled, Felix Milan walked and Rusty Staub broke the scoreless tie with a base hit to left that scored Garrett. Joe Girardi elected to go to his bullpen and call on Alfredo Aceves. The versatile righty would finish up the inning, and give the Yanks 3 scoreless until he left with tightness in his back with 2 outs in the ninth. His status for Game 3 is unknown.

Aceves setting down the Mets let the Yankees get to work offensively. Jerry Koosman was equally as good (8 innings, 7 Ks, 2 earned runs) as Tom Seaver was in Game 1, but Derek Jeter started a rally in the sixth.

Just like the prior night, the Yankees answered after the Mets took the lead. Jeter led off the sixth with a single, stole second and scored on a two-out RBI single by Alex Rodriguez. Despite the big ’09 postseason, Yogi Berra elected to pitch to Rodriguez with a base open, instead of walking him to get to Jorge Posada.

The Yanks nearly took the lead in the eighth, but Don Hahn made the defensive play of the night by robbing Johnny Damon of a home by jumping up at the right-centerfield wall.

Koosman took the mound in the ninth and the Yankees made quick work of him.

Mark Teixeira singled. With Freddy Guzman running for him, A-Rod lined a single to left that chased him to third. Rodriguez advanced to second on Cleon Jones throw. Koosman would intentionally walk Posada to load the bases with no one out. Despite Tug McGraw and Ray Sadecki warming up in the bullpen, Yogi stayed with Koosman against Hideki Matsui. The World Series MVP lined a single through the drawn-in infield to send the Yankees home 2-1 winners, again, and with a 2-0 series lead.

Phil Coke was the winning pitcher, while Koosman took the tough-luck loss.

Friday is an off-day for the two teams as they move the series to Shea Stadium on Saturday night. The Mets will call on Jon Matlack (14-16, 3.20) to help get them back in the series. The Yankees will counter with Andy Pettitte (14-8, 4.16).

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Mike Silva is a freelance writer and radio host since March of 2007. This website is his own personal "digest" of New York Baseball He's also hosts NYBD Radio on Blog Talk Radio and 1240 AM WGBB. Check out his sports media commentary at www.sportsmediawatchdog.com. Check out his official website, www.mikesilvamedia.com

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Tags: 1973 Mets, 2009 Yankees, A.J. Burnett, Alfredo Aceves, Don Hahn, Hideki Matsui, Jerry Koosman, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Strat-O-Matic