Remembering Mets History (2010) Frenchy HRs in Johan Santana's 1-0 Shut Out

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Saturday August 7th, 2010: The New York Mets were just under .500 (54-55) & they would finish a dismal fourth in a forgetful year under Jerry Manuel. On this day they were in Philadelphia playing Charlie Manuel's second place Phillies (61-49). 

The Phillies would end up winning the NL East but losing to the Champion San Francisco Giants in the NLCS. 

The Mets & Phillies would split the season series with the Phillies this year, shutting them out five times. In today's game Johan Santana (9-6) would go against Cole Hamels (7-7). Or as Met fans called him Hole Camels in front of 45,194 at Citizens Bank Park.


Santana had a bit of control issues when he walked two batters in the 2nd inning but got Carlos Ruiz to ground into a double play to end the inning. He would not give up his first hit until the 6th inning, when Placido Polanco singled.

In the top of the 7th, short time Met Jeff Francoeur left off with a HR to left center for the only run of the game. It was his 11th HR of the year & the only run of the game, as New York took a 1-0 win behind Johan Santana who shut out the Phils for 7.1 innings. 

He struck out six & walked three while scattering five hits. Francisco Rodriguez earned his 24th save.

Trivia: In his next start, Santana would toss a four hit, complete game shutout against the Colorado Rockies, striking out ten. Earlier from July 1st to July 23rd, he had gone 3-0 with a 0.71 ERA not allowing more than a run in five straight starts. 

Injury to his pectoral muscle would end his season in September. He would miss all of 2011 recovering from anterior capsule surgery in his left shoulder. he came back in 2012 but injuries ended his career.

Trivia: Jeff Francoeur spent parts of two seasons with the Mets after coming over from Atlanta in a July 2009 deal for Ryan Church. He was once labeled by Sports Illustrated as "The Natural" after coming in third in the NL Rookie of the Year voting in 2005. 

A nice guy who never lived up to that potential. After coming over to the Mets in 2009 he hit .311 with 10 HRs in 75 games. In 2010 he batted .237 in 124 games with 11 HRs 54 RBIs & was traded to Texas on August 31st for Joaquin Arias.

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