Back to J.A. (pronounced Jay) Happ, making his second major-league appearance last night against the team that roughed him up a year ago in his debut. Happ fared much better last night, despite starting the game with a walk to Jose Reyes, who ended up stranded at 3rd. After that Happ was solid, retiring the Mets in order and pretty much matching Johan Santana. Only in the 5th did he run into trouble, allowing walks to the light-hitting Endy Chavez to load the bases, then to David Wright (who was out to all but the umpire). The Mets scored only two weak runs, on a ground-out and that walk to Wright. After the 5th, they were held to just one hit.
With his nervous-looking mom and dad in the stands, the lefty Happ went 4.2, giving up 2 runs on 3 hits and 4 walks, and striking out 3. He did what he was asked to do: keep his team in the game. The fabulous Phillies bullpen did the rest.
FWIW, my mother has seen J.A. Happ pitch several times this season with the IronPigs. About a month ago, she said out of the blue, "That kid Happ is going to do well in the majors."
