Well, it appears that the Marlins are bad luck for Mike Pelfrey.  The last time Pelfrey “lost” a game was against the Marlins in late May.  He didn’t fare to well in this start either.  In four innigs of work he allowed five runs on eight hits, he struck out three and didn’t walk a batter.

For whatever reason, Pelfrey just lost it in the fourth inning.  He didn’t really give up much to the Marlins in the first three; but in the fourth, Jeremey Hermdia tripled to lead of the inning and scored on a single by Jorge Cantu.  Cantu would advance to second on a single by Josh Willingham.  After Dan Warthen visited the mound, Pelfrey then got Dan Uggla to strike out swinging and Mike Jacobs flied out to center.  With two out, the Marlins put together three straight extra base hits.  Cody Ross tripled, scoring both Cantu and Willingham.  John Baker hit a double to center, scoring Ross; the the pitcher Josh Johnson hit a RBI double.  In all the Marlins would score five in the inning and take a 5-1 lead. 

The Mets had plenty of scoring chances but they hit into double plays in the first, second and third innings.  The heart of the order, David Wright, Carlos Delgado, and Carlos Beltran were a combined 0-11.   Damion Easley hit a three run pinch hit homer in the top of the seventh.  The Mets tacked on one more run in the top of the ninth on an RBI single by Ramon Castro, but with two on and two out Jose Reyes flied out to left to end the inning. 

Wednesday nights loss  was a combination of things, the Mets didn’t hit, they didn’t get great starting pitching and Joe Smith didn’t help matters.  So, the Mets are now a half game out of first place and we knew that the lead would change hands a bunch of times before all is said and done.  This is the first series the Mets lost in the month of July.  No need to panic, but just a little reason to be disapointed.  We all know that the Mets were bound to lose a series at some point, I was just hoping they would lose the game on the night that the Phillies lost. 

While the Mets play three in Houston, the Marlins will play four with the Rockies and the Phillies will wrap up a four game series with the Nationals on Thursday and then play three in St. Louis. 

Friday’s pitching match up Pedro Martinez will take the mound for the first time in two weeks he is 3-2 with a 6.25 era.  Brandon Backe 6-10 with a 4.73 era.  Game time is scheduled for 8:05 p.m. 

Mets Blog 

What if I had said to you in May that by the end of July Carlos Delgadowould have hit more homeruns than ARod?  You would have told me I was crazy, right?  Well guess what?  As of the end of play on Tuesday, Carlos Delgado has hit 23 homeruns, Alex Rodriguez has 21.  And while that isn’t a huge difference, it puts into perspective just what Delgado has done to turn things around after a dreadful start. 

The Mets opened the game with three straight doubles, however, Jose Reyes was thrown out at third for trying to stretch his double into a triple.  Nick Evans then doubled to left and would score on a double by David Wright.  The amazing thing was that all three of those doubles were virtually in the same spot, hitting off the scoreboard in left field. The Mets took an early 1-0 lead, but Perez gave it back in the bottom of the inning.  In the sixth inning, Nick Evans singled and would come around to score on a single by Carlos Beltran.  Carlos Delgado added two insurance runs in the top of the eighth when he hit his 23 homerun of the season, the Mets would win 4-1.  

Oliver Perez earned his first victory since the end of June.  He worked six innings, allowing just one run on five hits, he walked three and struck out five.  Ollie has really come around since he started working with Dan Warthen.  Last night he was probably not as good as we’ve seen him recently, but instead of completely falling apart, he kept it together and ended up pitching pretty well. 

Aaron Heilman came in and worked two scoreless innings in relief.  It looked a little scary at first when he walked two batters in the seventh, but Heilman hung in there and pitched two innings, allowing just one hit, and no runs.  Once he got past the walks he made some great pitches striking out four.  It would be great if we could get the “setup” Heilman back, he was so good in the role last year and the Mets could really use a go-to eighth inning guy.  Billy Wagner retired the side in order to close out the game and earned his 27th save of the season.  After the meltdown by the pen on Monday night, the bullpen needed to come out and shut the Marlins down.  Clearly, the Mets really need to get their pen woes in order.  The race for the NL East appears as if it is going to go down to the wire, and the Mets really need to get everyone playing their best baseball because three teams are battling for the top spot. 

John Maine got the resutls of his MRI, the Mets are saying that he has a mild strain of the right rotator cuff.  He is likely to miss at least one start, but because of the off day, the Mets will not have to call up a spot starter.  Pedro Martinez will pitch on Friday.  Obviously it will be an emotional start for Pedro with everything that he has been through recently.  Ryan Church took batting practice for a second straight day and said that he felt good afteward, based on how he is in the next few days the Mets will sent a time frame for his return to the lineup, I know Jerry Manual has said he’d like Chruch to have a few rehab starts before returning to the lineup. 

Starters for Wednesday  Mike Pelfrey 9-6 with a 3.67 era and Josh Johnson with a 3.71 era .  Game time is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. 

Mets Blog

That was a pathetic performance by the Mets bullpen last night in the 7-3 loss to the Marlins.  The Mets lead is now just a half game over the Phillies and the Marlins are now just one game out. Listen, I know you can’t win them all but after what they did last week against the Phillies and after what we saw last night, we should be worried.  Yes, Maine had to leave the game early, so we had to figure that it wasn’t going to be easy, but the bull pen was dreadful.  Can you imagine how much pressure the performance of the bullpen puts on the starters?  First off if you want a win you have to pitch a complete game, and if you have to leave early, you will be fearful that the other guys can’t do their job.   

Obviously the Mets are in trouble in the bullpen department.  In his last five outings, Joe Smith is pitching to a 13.50 era.  It appears that Pedro Felicano will only face one guy (the lefty), and I’m sick of Scott Schoeneweis too, he has really been a disappointment since joining the Mets, yeah he has had some spots where he was doing a good job, but by and large he has been a disaster.  Who knows what will happen with Duaner Sanchez, I bet he never rides in a cab again.  He certainly hasn’t been his old self and who knows if he ever will be.  But, if the Mets are going to stay in the thick of it, they have to be able to trust their relievers.  Is there anyone in the pen that you can say you trust right now?   

For the most part, the offense was dead last night.  Jose Reyes was 0-5 and popped up at least twice, I hate when he has hit a few homeruns, it messes with his game, because instead of putting the ball in play, he tries to hit it out of the park.  The lone bright spot in the lineup last night was Fernando Tatis, on the day when Jerry Manual anointed him the starting left fielder he went 2-4 with a triple and two RBI.  

The unsettling thing about John Maine leaving the game with shoulder stiffness is that he may not be able to make his next start.  Because the Mets have two off days in the next two weeks they may not have to move guys in and out of the rotation; however, we have to be worried if it turns out that he needs more than just a little rest.  The coaching staff was aware of the stiffness, and when pitching coach Dan Warthen said he saw a hitch in Maine’s delievery they decided to pull him.  Clearly Maine did not want to leave the game and you could see him arguing with Jerry Manual when Manual came to the mound.  After the game, Maine said he understood the decision to pull him; he also talked about his shoulder and described the pain as like nothing he has felt before.  Warthen said he didn’t think that Maine’s problem was serious because the pain isn’t exactly coming from the shoulder, but rather in the back area, under the shoulder, stating that that it is not usually a “red-flag area.”  But, this is also the club who screwed up the Ryan Church thing, so I’m not putting a lot of faith into what we are hearing right now.  On a side note, I actually like Maine a lot, but I’m getting a little tired of him.  I know he is having a rough year, but the sulkiness gets old after a while.  And also, for the second consecutive game, his bunt attempt was awful-you have to be able to do a better job than that.  Why don’t these guys know how to bunt?   

David Wright made a spectacular catch in the fifth inning on a pop up in the seats on the third base line-he totally knocked two guys over-it was great.  So, later in the game, I think it was in the seventh inning when Wright went into the same area to see if he could make a play on a ball, if you saw replay in slow motion there was a big doofy guy in the red shirt, you could read his lips, he said to Wright, ”Hey , dat was a good play before!”  (think really thick NY accent-you know the guy!)  I don’t know why, but it stuck me as seriously funny!   

Ryan Church is supposed to take batting practice with the team on Tuesday.  I was wondering if they had him go on the road trip to see how he does with the flying.  It seems that most of his problems have all come after he has been on an airplane.  The soonest he’ll rejoin the team is August 5^th.  Pedro Martinez will make the start for the Mets on Friday, and it is possible that he could work an inning of relief in Tuesday night’s game.   

Tuesday’s Starters: Oliver Perez 6-6 4.15 era and Scott Olsen 6-5 4.07 era.  Game time 7:10 p.m. 

Mets Blog 

RECAP

The Mets wrapped up the three game series with the Cardinals with a 9-1 win.  They did not make up any games in the standings as the Phillies beat the Braves.  What matters is that the Mets won the series, came back looking reenergized after that very long game on Saturday night, and continue to play well.  So well in fact that they are 23-13 since the managerial change, they have won 11 of their last 13 at Shea, and have won 12 of the 15 “rubber games” of three game series, and they are 9 games over .500.  

In nine innings Johan Santana threw 118 pitches, allowed just six hits, one run (a homer to Pujols).  Santana walked one and stuck out five. This was the first complete game for Santana in nearly two years, and it was the first complete game by a Mets pitcher since 2006.  His complete game was just what the Mets, specifically the bullpen needed.  

The offense was great, they handed Cardinal’s starter Kyle Lohse his first loss since May.  The Mets had had a lot of trouble against Lohse when the two teams met up in St. Louis earlier in the season, but Sunday it was all about the Mets offense.  David Wright hit his 20^th homer of the season and has now scored in 11 straight games; he was 3-5 with 2 RBI.  Carlos Beltran was 2-5 with an RBI and a run scored, Fernando Tatis was 3-4, with two doubles and a homer he scored twice and drove in two, Ramon Castro hit a two run homer.  Everyone in the starting line up had at least one hit, even Johan Santana had two hits and drove in a run, his first in the NL.  There was some talk about Santana’s second hit as he hit a ball that he believed was going to be foul and did not run it out, and then when he realized that it was fair he only jogged to first.  He said that he was embarrassed, but was glad that he ended up scoring before the inning ended.   

Carlos Beltran made one hell of a catch yesterday, robbing Ryan Ludwick of a homerun.  I must have watched that replay over and over, that catch had to have been #1 on Sports Center’s top plays.  Not only did Beltan rob Ludwick of the homer, it didn’t even look as if he would have a shot at the ball, it looked almost as if it would go over his head, but he tracked it down, jumped up on the wall, and reached over to keep the ball from going out. 

TRADE TALK

I don’t know if the Mets will make any moves but I have read that the Mets have inquired about reacquiring Chad Bradford, I liked Bradford the first go around, and was disappointed when the Mets did not resign him.  He has 45 appearances with Baltimore this year, with a 3-3 record and a 2.56 era.  Bradford has pitches 38.2 innings, given up 17 runs, only 11 earned.    It doesn’t look like the Mets will have a shot at Jason Bay, Pittsburgh wants four guys in return-which is amazing considering that they let both Nady and Marte go for only four guys, but whatever.  It also seems that the Mets might have interest in Randy Winn.  Winn is 34 years old, owed 8.5 million next season, hitting .275 from the three spot, and has 5 homeruns, 40 RBI, and 20 stolen bases.  I’m all for getting Bradford, but I just think that Winn is too old, is owed too much money, and just isn’t the right fit for the Mets line up.  But I guess we’ll see what happens.   

Mets Blog 

The Mets lost 10-8 in the bottom in 14 innings on Saturday night.  The game was five hours and nine minutes long, there was a total of 37 hits, 18 runs, and over 400 pitches thrown.  With this loss, the Mets lead was cut to one, you can only imagine how many days that that number is going to change. 

You know there will be games like this, and hope that there is no carry over.  The Mets bounced back against the Phillies, so you know that they do have it in them to take the rubber game of this series.  I guess that is what you have to do, just focus on one game, one series at a time.   

On Monday the Mets will start three with the Marlins while the Phillies play the Cardinals.  So, the Mets have a chance to continue to help themselves.  As David Wright said yesterday if they go out and do what they have to do, then the rest will take care of itself.  However, I think today I am still hoping that the Cubs and Braves win.  As a Mets fan did you ever think to yourself that you would want the Braves to win any games-ever?  I just find it hard to believe that Mike Hampton actually made a start for the Braves.  I figured that he and Carl Pavano were hanging out somewhere laughing that they were getting paid crazy money and not having to work for it, while concocting new schemes to keep them away from the team.  You can just hear the conversation, “Ok, Mike here is what you do now, just make a face when you’re playing long toss and everyone will come running over to you to see what is wrong!”  and then Hampton says something like, “Can’t Carl, did that last week.  Maybe I should tell them that my shoulder feels tight, that got Wagner a day off last week.”  I guess Moises Alou should be joining them any day now…    

The Mets are in a bad sport, or specifically Johan Santana is in a bad spot, because the bullpen was depleted in Saturday’s game, everyone is expecting that Santana is going to pitch a complete game Sunday, especially because Wagner will be unavailable.  Personally, I thought all that griping about Santana not going the distance in his outing was crap.  He pitched a great game and the bullpen let him down.  Actually, considering how some of the guys in the pen are throwing right now, Santana might decided that it is in his best interest to keep matters into his own hands if he wants to finally get anther win.  

I can’t help but feel like it is hard to get excited, and don’t get me wrong because I am excited, but I still don’t completely feel like I am ready to trust that the Mets can hold their own in this race.  It doesn’t appear that there are any moves the Mets are going to make before the trade deadline; the guys that would fit well have ended up with other teams.  Ryan Church is due back just after the deadline so maybe the Mets feel that they’ve got what they needed.  But with out a bench to really speak of, this is something that might be a problem for them down the stretch. 

RECAP

The Mets over came deficits on more than one occasion, and they actually had the lead at one time, but because they were 1-16 with runners in scoring position, leaving 16 guys on bases, and letting opportunities fall by as they had runners in scoring position in the 10^th, 11^th, and they left the bases loaded in the 12^th.  Carlos Delgado was 2-5 with two homers and 3 RBI, Jose Reyes was 4 for 8 with two runs scored and 1 RBI, he had two doubles, and homer and a single, David Wright was 2-6 with one run scored, one RBI and two walks, Fernando Tatis hit a homer in the bottom of the eighth to tie the game and extent it to extra innings, he was 3-5 with two RBI.  Carols Beltran has been just 2 for his last 17 but said after Saturday’s game that he was feeling better at the plate, he was 1-4 with three walks in the game, hopefully the fact that he was walking rather than striking out is an indication he is seeing pitches better and might be ready to bounce back and start getting some hits.  Could Carlos Delgado in a better zone right now?  It just seems like he is getting all of the hits right now that he should have been getting earlier in the year.  I hope that they carry over into August.    

Brandon Knight made the start for Pedro who remains with his family in the Domican.  Clearly Knight’s nerves got the best of him as he gave up four runs in the first inning.  However, he settled in to pitch five innings allowing only those four runs on seven hits, walking two and striking out four.  The Mets used every guy in their bullpen.  In fact, when Heilman gave up the two run homer to Pujols, Oliver Perez was warming up in the bullpen.  Carlos Muniz came in for Knight in the sixth inning and was terrible, he pitched only a third of an inning, allowing three runs on three hits (those runs would score with Joe Smith on the mound), Joe Smith worked an inning and a third, he allowed one run on three hits, Pedro Felicano faced just one hitter, getting him to strike out, Duaner Sanchez and Scott Schoeneweis each worked scoreless innings, Billy Wagner worked two scoreless innings, not allowing any runs.  Aaron Heilman pitched in his fourth game in five days and worked three innings, the first time he pitched more than two innings since May of 2006.  He allowed two runs on six hits, stuck out four and walked none.  Unfortunately for the Mets and for Heilman, those two runs came off a homer to Pujols, and those two runs won the game for the Cardinals.  

Sunday’s starters: Johan Santana 8-7 with a 3.05 era and Kyle Lohse 12-2 with a 3.35 era.  Game time: 1:10 p.m. 

Mets Blog

The Mets took the first of three games against the Cardinals on Friday night, 7-2.  They have now won three straight and have a two game lead in the NL East.   

The Cardinals came to town fresh off a four game sweep by the Brewers, so it was important for the Mets to jump on them fast and keep them down.  And the Mets did just that.  They got a great performance out of Mike Pelfrey and the offense did their job too.   

Mike Pelfrey, was great.  He pitched seven innings giving up just one run off seven hits.  He issued no walks and struck out five.  The Mets have now won the last seven games that Pelfrey has started.  Pelfrey, who earlier in the season was 2-6 and had a 5.27 era (as of May 20^th), now has a 3.67 era with an 8-6 record.  It is amazing, the turn around in this guy, it is like a light went on.  He has been great!

David Wright hit a RBI double in the third that scored Endy Chavez (4-5 on the night) to give the Mets an early 1-0 lead.  The Mets added two more on Jose Reyes 12 triple of the year.  Carlos Delgado continues to make the case to be the player of the Month of July, he is not going to want to see July end.  He had only one hit last night, but it was a big two run homer.  Argenis Reyes had a big night, he hit a RBI single and then in the seventh he hit his first big league homerun, a solo shot to right centerfield.  

The bullpen, once again, tried to make things interesting.  Duaner Sanchez allowed three straight Cardinals to reach base.  With the bases loaded, Pedro Felicano came in and got Skip Schumaker to pop up.  With one out, and the bases still loaded, Aaron Heilman got Ryan Ludwick to fly out, but allowed the run on third to score.  Heilman got Albert Pujols to ground out to third to end the game.   

So, the Mets have a two game lead, and Jimmy Rollins isn’t sweating it.  Glad to know that the Phillies went out and lost to the Braves last night, I guess they are looking just to make things interesting, huh?  Funny, I officially hate the Phillies, for so long they had been a nonentity and Mets fans were always so focused on the Braves, well I guess all of that has changed.   

And also, while we are on the subject of the Phillies, maybe their broadcast guys need to shut the hell up.  Tom McCarthy didn’t seem to have much of a problem with Jose Reyes when he was broadcasting Mets games.  And, isn’t it socially irresponsible for Larry Anderson to advocate throwing at someone’s head?  Everyone’s all pissed off at the fact that Reyes hotdogged the homerun, and while that is not my favorite part of the game these days, Reyes is right, he came through in a big spot.  Also, I would like to hear what Larry Anderson, and Charlie Manual have to say when Ryan Howard strikes his homerun pose?  If you are going to bag on Reyes, then you better start saying the same things about your hotdogs too!   

OMG-Are you kidding me?  Why would anyone trade with the Yankees?  And seriously, Russ Ohlendorf?  Wow, so is this the dialogue between the Yankees and Pirates?  Yankees: “We want Nady and Marte.”  Pirates: “Uh, ok.  We would like “Russ Olendorff, a bag of balls, and throw in a hotdog, cuz you guys have those funny looking hotdog rolls!”  This might be the worst trade I’ve seen since I saw a minor league hockey player was traded for the other team’s bus-no telling who got the better deal there.  This trade makes me so angry-I hate the Yankees!  I know the Pirates have been eyeing Phil Coke for quite some time!  WOO-HOO!!  I just don’t understand how other teams make these trades with Yankees, giving them their gems and getting nothing in return.   

In other trade talk, it seems that the Dodgers on the verge of acquiring Casey Blake from the Indians.  So that is one player less likely to end up with the Mets.  Also, are the Mariners living in reality?  Do they really think the Mets would trade Fernando Martinez for Raul Ibanez? 

Brandon Knight will start for Pedro Martinez on Saturday night, and the Cardinals will have Joel Pineiro on the mound.  Game time is scheduled for 7:10 p.m.

Mets Blog

The Mets had me on the edge of my seat this afternoon.  I was at my desk and listened to it on the radio (more on that later).  My coworkers think I’m crazy, because I mutter things at the commentary from the radio.   

What a great performance by the pitchers today.  Jamie Moyer was his usual self against the Mets, he lasted seven innings, struck out six and allowed one run on two hits.  Oliver Perez hung right with him and did an amazing job.  In seven and two-thirds innings, Perez gave up just one run on six hits, striking out twelve; his only walk of the game was an intentional pass to Pat Burrell in the top of the eighth.  Perez was great, he threw just one bad pitch to Jayson Werth who hit a homer to tie the game in the top of the seventh,   Perez OWNS Ryan Howard.  Perez stuck out Howard three times on Thursday, and now has now stuck out something like 13 times in 18 at bats against Perez. 

The Mets got just enough offense today, they scored their first run of the game when Jose Reyes got aboard with a walk, with two out in the bottom of the third, he stole a base and scored on a single by David Wright.  The Mets added two runs on a double by Carlos Delgado in the bottom of the eighth inning, winning the game 3-1.   

Aaron Heilman got an important out for the Mets, after Perez hit Ryan Howard to load the bases in the top of the eighth, Heilman came into the game and got Jayson Werth to flyout to end the inning.  Billy Wagner entered the game in the top of the ninth; he allowed on hit, but no runs and earned his 26th save of the season.

I forgot to mention in yesterday’s recap, that Delgado has been moved into the four slot with Carlos Beltran hitting behind him.  Manual said he felt that he just wanted to protect Delgado a little more just because he had been swinging a good bat. 

I don’t know if anyone caught it, but Jerry Manual does a weekly radio spot on the local radio station, WFAN 660 NY, and it comes on as I am driving home from work.  I happened to catch most of it yesterday, and all I can say is he seems so laid back.  I always thought that Willie came across uptight, and he really did not take criticism well, and if you know Mike and the Mad Dog, they piss all over everybody and Willie couldn’t really take it.  Anyway, Manual is a good interview.  He was funny, and laughed and just seemed totally laid back, and I also thought honest.  He talked about Chavez being out at the plate twice and how he felt about Aguayo’s decision there-but not harsh.  He clearly has a very different style than Randolph had.  I’m not totally on the Manual Express just yet, but he is growing on me.   

It was great for the Mets to take two of three here.  They are now 9-4 against the Phillies this season, and they are sitting all alone in first place for the first time since April 19^th.  I’m sure that lead is going to change hands a few times over the next few weeks, but for today, I am going to enjoy seeing the Mets in first place.  I really didn’t know if they would be able to bounce back after the way the lost the game on Tuesday, but they did, and to their credit they hung in there. 

I don’t know who made the decision to hire Wayne Hagen, but he is just awful.  I could listen to Howie Rose all day, and why they would pair Howie up with such a drip, I don’t know.  He’s is so bad, I thought that my ears were going to bleed.  Maybe I am spolied because the Gary, Keith and Ron are so good on TV, but I have to say, I hate the fact that can hardly stomach listening to the Mets on the radio.  I cringe when I know that they are playing a day game, this guys is awful. 

The Mets now take on the Cardinals, they will be in town for the weekend.  Mike Pelfrey will pitch the opening game on Friday and the Cardinals will have Mitchell Boggs on the mound.  Game time is scheduled for 7:10 p.m.   

Just wanted to pass along my condolences to Pedro Martinez and his family on the passing of his father. 

Mets Blog 

The Mets were able to bounce back from their terrible ninth inning on Tuesday night, to beat the Phillies 6-3 on Wednesday night. 

The Mets got some help from Brett “I hate the Mets” Meyers, as he walked four in the first inning.  The Mets scored two runs in the first with out even getting a hit.  What was most frustrating though, was the Mets couldn’t seem to put the nail in Meyer’s coffin, as they left the bases loaded in the first inning, the third inning, and again in the seventh (by the seventh, Meyers was out of the game).   

Not to be undone, John Maine wasn’t able to hold the lead.  In the second inning he gave up back to back jacks, one to Shane Victorino, and the other to Geoff Jenkins, Jenkins is in the midst of a 9-71 (well, now 10-72), I guess he was over due, huh?  Maine was better; he made it through seven last night because he was able to keep his pitch count down.  In seven innings of work he allowed three runs on six hits, walked two and struck out five.  On a side note, he did a terrible job in the sixth inning, with guys on first and second he was up there to sacrifice and was awful.  Granted the Phillies has the wheel on-whatever, but these guys need to help himself out.  Seriously, how do these guys not know how to bunt?  He is lucky that it come back to bite him, because Jose Reyes came up and hit a three run homer, to give the Mets a 6-3 lead.   

Also, Angel Hernandez is jerk.  The Mets have had their issues with him in the past.  He is a piece of work.  Last night in the first inning, Carlos Delgado asked for time and he wouldn’t grant it, there was really no reason for it.  His strike zone was awful.  And, I had to laugh because Keith said something that I’ve heard in my very own living room which is, that Angel Hernandez must think that the crowd is there to see him.  What a jerk! 

I’m in a ranting mood!  Will everyone please lay off Johan Santana!  He threw 105 pitches; he pitched exactly like the Mets needed him to.  He pitched eight complete, and was amazing.  There was NO reason to believe that the bullpen would not be able to record three outs with a three run lead.  I have no problem with him not pitching the ninth, what I have a problem is the Duaner Sanchez and Pedro Feliciano stunk, and didn’t do their jobs!   

Speaking of doing their jobs, is anyone else sick of seeing Marlon Anderson?  I know he has had some big pinich hits, but he has nothing these days.  And I just cringe when a ball is hit to him in the outfield. 

Also, Billy Wagner pitched the 9th last night.  He retired the side in order and said that if he feels that he can compete he will be out there. The Mets are in a postion where until there is any distance (one way or the other) between them, the Phillies or the Marlins, they need all their guys. 

And another thing is any Mets pitcher going to hit anyone?  Three guys have been hit so far in this three game series, and nothing.  I mean, really?  Enough!  I would love to see that little Shrimpy Victorino hit right on the 8!   

The Mets have Oliver Perez on the mound today.  The Phillies will counter with Jamie Moyer. 

Mets Blog

Before game time, I heard that the Mets claimed they would have a packed house for the first of three games with the Phillies.  While I’m not sure if it was a “sell out” crowd, it was a play off atmosphere.  The Mets, the fans, the commentators, everyone knew that this was a big game.  The question is, would the Mets play like it was a big game?  The answer is, they played like it was a big game for about eight innings.  The Phillies scored six runs in the top of the ninth to win the game 8-6.  This game marks the fourth time this season that the Mets have blown a four run lead.   

Johan Santana was fantastic.  He pitched eight innings, allowing two runs on eight hits, no walks and four strikeouts.  He struggled in the first inning; allowing three straight two out hits to give the Phillies and early 1-0 lead.  But there after, Santana did what he had to do.  He is the guy I felt bad for last night.  It was the third time the Mets have blown a save for Santana.  It was awful.  Santana put up exactly the performance that the Mets (and us fans) needed from him, he was great.  But, he didn’t pitch the ninth inning.  However, after retiring the heart of the order in the top of the eighth, you had to figure that the Mets bullpen could at least get the last three outs. 

Since the all star break the Mets bullpen has been terrible in 14.1 innings of work they have an 8.18 era and opponenets are hitting .271 against them.  I was going to say that last nights game was probably the worst display of relief pitching I’ve every seen, but then that would be a lie, because this whole season we’ve seen one bad pitching performance after another.  Billy Wagner was unavailable last night due to spasms or whatever; he probably would have stunk too.  Duane Sanchez allowed three straight hits; Joe Smith came into the game, faced one batter, but because Jose Reyes was greedy, he tried to turn two instead of getting the sure out at first, and no one was out.  Pedro Felicano came in and was just putrid, he allowed two straight doubles, one to a guy who was 0-16 as a pinch hitter and was 0-5 (or some number like that) against him; the other to Jimmy Rollins, Feliciano had the opportunity to get a double play when Ryan Howard hit one back to him, but he dropped the ball and could only make the play at first.  Aaron Heilman came in and since he isn’t really the guy you think of when you are looking to stop the bleeding, I figured the Phillies would tack on a few more.  Heilman walked the first guy he faced, but finally got Gregg Dobbs to pop up to end the inning.  It didn’t matter, the Phillies scored six, they batter around, and both Jayson Werth and Gregg Dobbs came to the plate twice in the inning.   

The Mets got two big homeruns last night, one from Carlos Delgado and one from Ramon Castro.  Reyes didn’t do anything at the plate he was 0-4 with a walk.  Beltran had an RBI, but no hits.  Endy Chavez was 3-4 but he was thrown out at the plate twice.  But, their offense wasn’t the problem, if they got the three outs they needed we wouldn’t even be having this conversation.   

It isn’t as simple as saying if the Mets had just capitalized on opportunities, maybe they would have gotten the “W”.  Endy Chavez was thrown out at the plate TWICE, although the Mets scored 6 runs they still left eight guys on base.  But the fact is, they had a three run lead and couldn’t get three outs.  That is all they needed to win, as much as I try to find a way that the Mets could have won the game, the truth is, they did have the game in their hands and they blew it.   

Again what you notice is that this Phillies team is never dead, they don’t stop, they don’t give up, they play to the last out.  That is something you can not say about the Mets.  We’ve finally seen a little fight out of them with their resurgence, but if they get a big lead, they kind of just nonchalant it, if they get down by too many they decided to save it for another day.    

Who knows what tonight will hold for the Mets.  Can they shake this loss off and come out and play well tonight?  Remember the Mets lost the first game of the Fourth of July series against the Phillies and then won the next three.  They can’t let last night linger too long or else they will be in trouble.   

John Maine will start tonight and he will be opposed by Brett Meyers, Meyers who apparently hates the Mets-(and might we say the feeling is mutual) is coming of a stint in the minors where he was finding his fastball.  Maine has struggled and would really like for him to find himself tonight.  Game time is scheduled for 7:10 p.m.   

Mets Blog 

The Mets were lucky to get out of Cincinnati with a split after winning Sunday 7-5 in 10 innings.  The Mets relinquished the lead on two occasions, but nonetheless, they pulled out the victory and found themselves again with a share of first place.   

Starter Mike Pelfrey, who has been very good as of late, winning his last six starts, did not figure in the decision, pitching seven giving up five runs on six hits while walking just one and striking out three.  Pelfrey, who has only allowed four homeruns in 108 2/3rds innings, allowed three homers in this game.  However, because he did pitch seven innings, the Mets were able to preserve their bullpen.  Duaner Sanchez pitched two scoreless innings in relief, walking one and striking out two.  Billy Wagner recorded his 24^th save of the season, and struck out each of the three batters he faced to close out the game.   

The Mets found some of the hits that had eluded their bats in Saturday’s loss.  The were facing Edinson Volquez, who has not allowed more than three runs, in all but one of his previous 19 starts.  He allowed four hits on 8 hits, while walking three and striking out 3.  Carlos Beltran gave the Mets a 1-0 lead in the first with an RBI single, and the Mets tacked on two more in the second on Ramon Castro’s two run homer. 

Both Carlos Delgado and Jose Reyes had monster days at the plate.  Jose Reyes was 4-6 yesterday with three runs scored and one stolen base.  He hit his 11th triple of the season and 63 career triples, passing Mookie Wilson’s for the Mets all time record.  

Delagado didn’t just have a good game yesterday, he had a great series.  He has had eight hits, scored three runs and recorded five RBI in the series.  In Sunday’s game he was 3-4 with 2 RBI.  Delgado’s hit in the 7^th tied the game at 5 and his sacrifice fly in the top of the 10^th gave the Mets a 7-5 lead.   

The Mets had two errors in Sunday’s game.  They really need to play better if they are going to make in headway against the Phillies this week. The Mets and Phillies open a three game series at Shea on Tuesday night.  The Phillies lost 2-3 of three to the Marlins.  You have to think that the wild card team is coming out of the central as the Cubs, Cardinals, and Brewers are all within games of each other and are playing pretty good baseball as of late; although the Cubs have struggled some after getting off to such a hot start.   

Johan Santana will start the game on Tuesday for the Mets.  Santana was putrid in his last outing and then blamed it on Billy Joel.  He has an opportunity here to win some Mets fans over with a good start against the Phillies.  Santana has one win and a no decision in his starts against the Phillies this year, in those starts, he has allowed five runs, walking none, and striking out 16 in 15 innings.   

Not to be overly dramatic, but this is a big series for the Mets.  They are at home, for the most part have (or at least had) been playing pretty good ball, and they are 7-3 against the Phillies so far this season.  They have to play well, they really need to win the series and show the Philllies that they aren’t going away. 

The Philllies will have the newly acquired Joe Blanton on the mound.  In two starts against the Mets, Blanton has thrown 15 shutout innings.  Game time Tuesday is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. 

Mets Blog