New York Mets Baseball Blog » Mets Injuries http://www.metshomeplate.com A blog about New York Mets Baseball Thu, 09 Sep 2010 02:40:18 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 A Train Wreck for Mets in the First Game of Subway Series http://www.metshomeplate.com/a-train-wreck-for-mets-in-the-first-game-of-subway-series/ http://www.metshomeplate.com/a-train-wreck-for-mets-in-the-first-game-of-subway-series/#comments Sat, 13 Jun 2009 15:18:00 +0000 Bernalda http://www.metshomeplate.com/?p=227 The Mets had this one in their hands and then it popped right out of Luis Castillo’s glove.  I know errors are part of the game, but this guy is so unlikable and never plays hard that this one is even harder to swallow.  The sad part is, this could have been avoided if he did what every little leaguer is told to do-use two hands.  It is a good thing that Castillo’s teammates are backing him up, because he is not going to get any sympathy from Mets fans; I don’t care how much he cries. 
 
So, the silver lining, even after the debacle earlier this week is that the Mets remain just four games behind the Phillies as they lost to the Red Sox in extra innings. But, after losing to the Yankees like the Mets did last night, it is hard to believe that the Mets will be in any race much longer.  I don’t want to hang on the fact that the Mets have have too many injuries, but they do.  The Mets, no matter how they try, have not been able to replace Carlos Delgado’s bat with Gary Scheffield, and they miss Jose Reyes.  Two-fifths of the Mets starting rotation is out; John Maine’s arm is so tired because he has been throwing since December and apparently Oliver Perez has defected because there seems to be no news about what is going on with him.  The point I guess is two fold, the Mets are not out of it even though they really could be, but the Phillies, who are really their main competition, haven’t played much better.  The other part of this is that the Mets are the walking wounded.  How long can they go out there with a pieced together line up night after night hoping to stay in any race.  I’m also worried that this game will be the beginning of the Mets decline. 
 
I know that Omar is getting a lot of heat here on sports talk radio.  I do know that the Mets have to make some moves but do they even have anything to give up in exchange.  Would you give up Fernando Martinez (and whatever else for Matt Holiday?) 
 
So, if last night wasn’t bad enough, the Mets send Fernando Nieve to the mound to face Yankees’ starter Andy Pettitte; this will be Nieve’s first big league start.  Saturday’s game is the Fox game of the week.  I will be interested if Ken Rosenthal comments on his article where he made comments that the players don’t really like Jerry Manual.
 
]]> http://www.metshomeplate.com/a-train-wreck-for-mets-in-the-first-game-of-subway-series/feed/ 2 Mets Drop Four straight on the West Coast http://www.metshomeplate.com/mets-drop-four-straight-on-the-west-coast/ http://www.metshomeplate.com/mets-drop-four-straight-on-the-west-coast/#comments Thu, 21 May 2009 13:43:57 +0000 Bernalda http://www.metshomeplate.com/?p=226 The Mets were stellar in the first three games against the Giants, they stole a ton of bases (7 in one game), they hit with runners in scoring position and they even played defense.  Even though Carlos Delgado was placed on the DL (he is expected to be out until July at the earliest), they had plenty offense and were able to win the first three of a four game series. However, the Mets lost the final game of the series and as of last night, were swept three straight by the Dodgers.

The losses against the Dodgers may not have been so bad if the Mets had not played so bad. The Mets looked like buffoons; in game one alone the Mets committed five errors. It was also in that game that we got some insight into the true relationship between Ryan Church and Jerry Manual. Church made the biggest base running blunder of the season when he completely missed third base the Mets would have taken the lead in the top of the 11th and would have handed the ball off to Frankie Rodriguez, but instead the Dodgers appealed at third and Church was called out. Manual totally threw Church under the bus, he didn’t bother to even argue the call, instead he literally turned his back on him. I for one like Church, but now I feel he probably has to move on considering the relationship between he and the manager.

Lets be honest though, the Mets didn’t just lose that game and the series because Church missed third, the Mets committed a ton of errors and have failed to hit a home run in 60 innings. In the Dodger series the Mets left 26 men on base and were 3-27 with RISP. Suddenly the bats are dead. Not only did the Mets not hit, they also didn’t play defense well either-the committed seven errors in the series, five in one game.

The Mets are in trouble. Manya has said that they will not go out to trade for a first baseman and feels that that position can be filled by who they have on the team right now, but after watching Jeremy Reed there, it is nearly impossible to believe that Omar is watching the same team we are because as FANS we can see that this little experiment isn’t going to work. Daniel Murphy had the opportunity to play first and actually didn’t look as bad there as he does in the outfield, but suddenly this guy’s bat has been very cold.

Not only is first base a concern but so is Sean Green and JJ Putz. Putz gave up the winning run in the last game of the Dodger series. I really don’t want to hear about adrenaline or lack thereof, you are being paid to do a job and if you are asked to pitch in the second or the eighth you better do what you are supposed to do, short of the fact that you arm is falling off, I don’t want to hear excuses. On that note, Sean Green stinks and I think the Mets need to chuck him, he is a nightmare out there, he can’t get anyone out. Look, I love the Putz and Green deal, for nothing more than it got Aaron Heilman out of town but if they can’t get anyone out, they’ll get the Heilman reception from the crowd.

If the Mets are going to throw in the towel, then do so. Let Murphy play first, bring up Fernando Martinez, add one of the young pitchers from Triple A, and play out the season, but don’t feed us a line of bull and try to make us believe that the Mets can win now with what they’ve got, because they can’t. Now…not only is Delgado on the DL, Jose Reyes seems headed there too with a calf injury. Also, I’m not making excuses for the Mets because of injuries, every team has injuries; I’m just questioning who is going to step it up. I do think it is interesting that with Delgado departing, David Wright heated up…

The Mets will wrap up their road trip with three in Boston over the weekend. Interestingly, this weekend the Mets and Yankees have the opportunity to help each other out this weekend as the Yankees will host the Phillies for three…wow, I might have to root for the Yankees (ugh!)

Mets Blog

]]> http://www.metshomeplate.com/mets-drop-four-straight-on-the-west-coast/feed/ 1 Mets Drop Two of Three to Braves http://www.metshomeplate.com/mets-drop-two-of-three-to-braves/ http://www.metshomeplate.com/mets-drop-two-of-three-to-braves/#comments Sat, 16 May 2009 15:54:45 +0000 Bernalda http://www.metshomeplate.com/?p=225 Game 1: Braves 8 Mets 3 After a three game sweep against the Pirates, the Mets faltered against the Braves.  It is no secret that the Mets have always struggled against the Braves and I was hoping the would not lose momentum especially in the first match up between Johan Santana and Derek Lowe.  The game was a nightmare.  Pitching, outside of Santana was terrible, the bats were dead and the defense was dreadful.  I know that when Santana is on the mound the Mets don’t score a lot of runs, I don’t know why that is; but I do think it is worth noting that when Santana is on the mound the Mets face the other team’s ace as well. Plus, it seems that everyone steps it up a notch against Santana, of the two runs that scored with Santana on the mound, none were earned; actually of the eight runs the Braves scored, only three of them were earned. David Wright and Jose Reyes have got to step up their defense-they have had periods of times where they have played well, but too often they make errors in big spots they have caused the Mets some games. The Mets were without Carlos Delgado who sat because of a sore hip. 

Game 2: Mets 4 Braves 3 (10 innings) Mike Pelfrey pitched seven strong innings, he allowed just two runs on six hits, he walked only one.  JJ Putz came into the game in the eight and stunk up the joint-he allowed one run on one hit while walking two.  Amazingly, after saying in spring training that he had no problem being the set up man Putz has changed his tune; apparently, he has admitted that he is having trouble getting excited to pitch the eighth inning-the adrenaline isn’t there! This is the kind of crap that annoys me to all hell.  Seriously, just shut up and do your job-by the way-I think it is worth noting that when you did have some adrenaline last year in Seattle you still weren’t all that great.  He claims that he is healthy but that, I believe will remain to be seen.  This was a great extra innings game; the Mets had not scored a run until they scored two in the bottom of the eighth off a Jose Reyes double-too bad Reyes was thrown out at third trying to stretch it into a triple.  In the ninth, the Mets tied the game, Carlos Beltran hit a double and with one out stole third-Chipper Jones was very unhappy with the call-but early in the game David Wright thrown out at second on stolen base attempt earlier in the game (and he was clearly safe) so I guess the game sometime hinges on bad calls, Chipper.  Oh and by the way, he was safe.  Anyway, Beltran scored on a sac fly by Luis Castillo.  In the bottom of the 10th the Mets loaded the bases on a single by Reyes who stole second, Alex Cora was intentionally walked, Ramon Castro walked to load the based. Carlos Beltran came to bat with the bases loaded, Braves reliever Jeff Bennett walked him which scored the winning run.  For a second straight night, Delgado was not in the lineup.   

Game 3: Braves 8 Mets 7 (12 innings) This was a classic Mets Braves battle. The Mets had Jonathan Niese on the mound and lets just say, he didn’t pitch as well as the Mets would have liked. The Braves put up a two spot in the top of the first, but, the Mets came back and scored two in the bottom of the inning. The Braves would take the lead to make it 4-2 but in the bottom of fourth, Fernando Tatis hit a Grand Slam to put the Mets ahead 6-4. The Braves scored the go ahead run in the top of the eighth but the Mets fought back and tied the game in the bottom of the eighth on a homerun by Gary Sheffield.  The game went into extra innings but in the end the Mets couldn’t pull it off.  Ken Takahashi gave up a solo homer to Martin Prado to lead of the 12th.  The Mets had a chance, Reyes lead off with a double and Castillo moved him over with a sac bunt, but with a guy on third, both Beltran and Sheffield stuck out to end the game.

The worst part about dropping two of three to the Braves is that the Mets could have won all three of these games. I think Jose Reyes had the worst series of his life. His defense, his base running, his show boating…this kid needs to get his head on straight.

Also worth nothing, for a third straight game, the Mets were without Carlos Delgado. The Mets have come out and said that if Delgado isn’t feeling better by Friday they will put him on the DL. This could spell trouble for the Mets. Delgado’s power can’t be replaced by a platoon at first; as much as I like Tatis, I would be remiss to believe that he could take over for Delgado.

Mets Blog

]]> http://www.metshomeplate.com/mets-drop-two-of-three-to-braves/feed/ 0 Mets Lead Just 1/2 Game As Nat’s Win 7-2 http://www.metshomeplate.com/mets-lead-just-12-game-as-nats-win-7-2/ http://www.metshomeplate.com/mets-lead-just-12-game-as-nats-win-7-2/#comments Tue, 16 Sep 2008 10:05:25 +0000 Bernalda http://www.metshomeplate.com/?p=185 Just curious, did the Mets know there was a game last night and did they realize that it was important?  Because if they did, shame on them for not showing up.  Nothing was happening for the Mets last night as they were downed 7-2 by the Nationals. 
 
The Mets are now just 7 and 5 in the month of September and have seen their three game lead shrink to just half a game.  The Phillies are tied for the wild card and the Brewers, trying to avoid the collapse of last season, just fired their manager, so the race has heated up and everyone is fighting for a position.  But instead of urgency, it almost seems like a sense of dread had overcome the Mets.  Especially when they the bullpen comes into the game. 
 
Pedro Martinez started, but in his six innings of work he allowed four runs on eight hits, he walked four and struck out three.  Listen I want to be all warm and fuzzy about Pedro but I think we all know that he is not going to be a Met next year and he isn’t exactly helping us down the stretch.  But if you ask him, he went out there and battled.  And, I guess that is all that matters, at least he tried.  Give me a break!  I realize we don’t really have another starter, but really what are they going to do with this guy?  Anyway, after Pedro coughed up four runs, the Pig Pen was at it again.  Duaner Sanchez gave up three runs in a third of an inning.  Wow-face three batters and don’t even get one of them out.  Great job, Duaner! 
 
And clearly the Nationals (who are coming off a five game losing streak) had all star pitching last night as the Mets were only able to generate five hits.  Not one player had more than one hit and David Wright, Carlos Beltran and Carlos Delgado were hitless in the game.  Wright had a tough night, he struck out with a runner in scoring position in the first inning and then grounded into a double play with the bases loaded in the eighth.  I know they’ll give us the whole thing about having to go back out there and get it done tomorrow, but guys-you’re running out of tomorrows.  Not only that but you are playing teams under .500 and out of the race, these are the teams you are supposed to beat!  Is anyone going to show up and play “tomorrow”?  This whole falling apart thing is all starting to feel a little to familiar.  If this team does this a second year in a row, they may never bounce back. 
 
On a side note, John Maine is hoping to rejoin the team at Shea Stadium when they return home on Monday.  Apparently he has even volunteered to be the closer if the Mets want him too.  Might as well give him a shot, he can’t be any worse than anyone else who is out there.  I wonder, how do you look your teammates in the face after you go out there night after night and play like this?  I guess it is ok because they all stink too.  Also, I guess we should realize that they clearly don’t feel any heat, they were all able to have fun after that terrible weekend of play as it was all fun and games when they went about their hazing rituals for the rookies.  So, I guess as fans these losses just hit us a little harder and if that is the case, maybe I need to rethink this fan thing…
 
The Mets and the Nationals meet again tonight, Mike Pelfrey will pitch for the Mets.  Game time is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. 
 
]]> http://www.metshomeplate.com/mets-lead-just-12-game-as-nats-win-7-2/feed/ 0 10-8 Seems to be Lucky As Mets Win and Phillies Lose By Same Score http://www.metshomeplate.com/10-8-seems-to-be-lucky-as-mets-win-and-phillies-lose-by-same-score/ http://www.metshomeplate.com/10-8-seems-to-be-lucky-as-mets-win-and-phillies-lose-by-same-score/#comments Wed, 10 Sep 2008 21:39:17 +0000 Bernalda http://www.metshomeplate.com/?p=175
The Mets were able to get by the Nats 10-8 last night, and strangely the Phillies lost to the Marlins by the same score.  So the Mets stretched their lead over the Phillies by two and a half-three in the loss column.  The Phillies were down early and came back to make it interesting, but in the end just couldn’t get it done.  Unlike the Mets who seemed to be determined last night. 
 
I don’t know if the Mets were scoreboard watching or what happened but they played like crazy last night.  The Carloses hit back to back homeruns to give the Mets the lead in the inning.  For Carlos Delgado that was his second homer of the night.  He is in a zone that I pray lasts until the end of September.  He hit two shots that were just unbelievable.  It isn’t just Delgado who has been in a zone, Carol Beltran is hitting .348 with six homers and 17 RBIs in his last 14 games, he also joined Wright and Delgado in 100 RBI club.  I thought it was a good sign last night that both David Wright and Jose Reyes did a much better job with the bat.  Wright actually had a two out RBI.  In addition, Ryan Church hit in the two spot last night, he had two RBI, one of the solo homerun. 
 
Oliver Perez stunk up the joint, for the most part the pitching for both teams was terrible.  Lucky for the Mets the Nationals pitched worse.  Perez, who has really been good for the Mets just didn’t have it last night.  He only worked three and a third innings; allowing seven runs on eight hits while walking three and striking out two.  It was uncharacteristic of the Perez we have seen recently.  Nelson Figueroa and Brandon Knight were awful, but kudos to Joe Smith, Brian Stokes, Scott Schoeneweis and Luis Ayala who combined to pitch four shut out innings.   
 
For as much as I have ragged on Billy Wagner in the blog this season, I actually felt bad for him last night when they showed clips of his press conference from earlier in the day.  He really broke down when asked what his son thought of what was happening.  I guess you can understand how it feels.  It isn’t a life threatening illness, but it is your livelihood, and while I’m sure he has plenty of money, but it is always better to leave your terms.  Who knows if he’ll ever pitch again. 
 
The Mets and the Nationals will meet again tonight at 7:10 p.m.  Mike Pelfrey will be on the hill for the Mets and the Nats will counter with Odalis Perez. 
]]> http://www.metshomeplate.com/10-8-seems-to-be-lucky-as-mets-win-and-phillies-lose-by-same-score/feed/ 0 Mets Avoid Sweep, Win Nightcap 6-3, Remain in 1st With a Two Game Lead http://www.metshomeplate.com/mets-avoid-sweep-win-nightcap-6-3-remain-in-1st-with-a-two-game-lead/ http://www.metshomeplate.com/mets-avoid-sweep-win-nightcap-6-3-remain-in-1st-with-a-two-game-lead/#comments Mon, 08 Sep 2008 16:36:52 +0000 Bernalda http://www.metshomeplate.com/?p=171
The Mets escaped a sweep by the Phillies winning the second game of the day night double header 6-3 on Sunday night.  After getting blanked by Meyers in the first game of the series, Mets fans were hoping to see some fight out of the Amazin’s but Pedro Martinez got off to a bad start and the Mets offense was unable to get anything going against Jamie Moyer in the first game of Sunday’s doubleheader.  The Mets would lose the first game 6-2, and given how nonexistant their offense was in the first two games of the series, looked in danger of being swept by the Phillies. 
Prior to the final game of the series, the Mets saw their division lead dwindle to just one game, and were in danger of being swept.  The Mets bats had been silenced for something like 16 innings before they were able to score two runs in the bottom of the eighthin the first game on Sunday. 
 
I think there is some legitimate concern regarding the Mets offense as they play out the last three weeks of the season.  Like, will David Wright ever get a big hit?  In the nightcap, he struck out in the bottom of the second with the bases loaded-I know he is second in the NL in RBI, but has been atrocious when the bases are loaded.  Jose Reyes too is mired in a slump and I don’t think he even had a hit in the series, Reyes has said that his goal is to finish the season hitting over .300 and to not let his offense go missing at the end of the season like it did last year.  Well he was MIA in this series, and it nearly cost the Mets.  Hopefully this won’t be a prolonged slump and after a day off he can get back to business and get back to helping the Mets win some games. 
 
If Pedro wasn’t bad enough, the Mets also had some defensive miscues that certainly didn’t help the situation much.  We knew that having guys play out of position was something that might eventually come back to bit us in the rear-and that was the case yesterday when Fernando Tatis misplayed two balls and then again when there was some confusion between Nick Evans and Jose Reyes when a ball dropped between them for a base hit.  Of course though, there is no rule that says that Pedro Martinez can’t get anyone out either (although he can’t really and that is a problem).  
 
Martinez yesterday through just 74 pitches but he allowed six runs on seven hits, he walked one and struck out win.  He gave up two runs in the second and then just fell apart in the fourth.  Yeah, Pedro finally had more velocity on his pitches yesterday, but something that Tom Seaver says all the time, it isn’t about velocity it is about location-and that was the truth yesterday.  You could see that just by watching Moyer-the hardest he throws is like 79 but yet the Mets couldn’t touch him.  It is always sad to see legends fall like this. 
 
So, Johan Santana started the nightcap for the Mets, and if ever they needed a pitcher to step up and throw like an ace, it was last night.  Santana was spectacular.  He had a shaky first inning, but was able to pitch out of trouble allowing just one run.  Santana started the eighth inning facing two batters but only retiring one of them.  In his 7.1 innings of work, Santana allowed just two runs on five hits; he walked three and struck out six.  He really stepped up and pitched the game the Mets needed him to pitch.  Jerry Manual said it best when asked about Santana pitching this game, he said-that is why you have an ace. 
 
Carlos Delgado is a man reborn.  He hit two more homeruns last night, one of which I don’t think has landed yet.  They were monster shots and really gave the Mets what they needed.  Delgado had four RBI on the night, and has had 65 RBI in his last 65 games.  Last night’s RBI put him over 100 for the season.  It was his RBI single in the bottom of the first that put the Mets on top for good.  It isn’t just that Delgado has had a resurgence with his bat, but he has warmed up to the crowd, accepting the curtain call after the second homerun; he also has taken on a leadership role that we have not seen out of him before.  Last night, ESPN cameras caught a very animated conversation between Delgado and Reyes and it looked as if Delgado was really telling him something important (I hope Jose listened).  I was one of many who thought Delgado was finished-Wow am I glad that he proved me wrong! 
 
Any hopes of seeing Billy Wagner are now over, yesterday after throwing just 10 pitches in simulated game, Wagner had to stop because he was still experiencing tightness in his arm.  I don’t know what this means.  The Mets have been able to win with out Wager but can it go on.  Ayala has “filled” the closer role, but had a shaky outing last night-although the run that scored was actually unearned.  The problem is you just don’t know what you’ll get from the bullpen.  There is a lot of ball left to play, and along the way the Mets have gotten help from the most unlikely of candidates, so I guess all we can hope is that someone in the bullpen steps up. 
 
The Mets have an off day today before starting a three game series with the Washington Nationals at Shea Stadium.  Oliver Perez will be on the mound for the Mets and the Nats will counter with John Lannan.  Game time is scheduled for 7:10 p.m.  If you are like me you will all be scoreboard watching, the Phillies start a three game series with the Marlins before playing four with the Brewers.  Go Marlins! 

]]> http://www.metshomeplate.com/mets-avoid-sweep-win-nightcap-6-3-remain-in-1st-with-a-two-game-lead/feed/ 0 Pelfrey Remains Winless Against the Marlins http://www.metshomeplate.com/pelfrey-remains-winless-against-the-marlins/ http://www.metshomeplate.com/pelfrey-remains-winless-against-the-marlins/#comments Mon, 11 Aug 2008 15:48:58 +0000 Bernalda http://www.metshomeplate.com/?p=139

 

The Mets failed to sweep the Marlins losing 8-2.  Mike Pelfrey who looked as if he had started to figure some things out, has now struggled in his last three starts.  On top of that Pelfrey has failed to win a game against the Marlins this season.  Thus far his numbers against Florida are staggering; in three starts he is 0-3 with a 10.66 era.  For a second start in a row, Pelfrey has failed to go at least five innings.  In Sunday’s start he worked just four and two thirds, giving up six runs on seven hits, he walked three and stuck out three.  Eddie Kunz come in to relieve Pelfrey, with two out and the bases loaded, the run scored on a wild pitch.  Kunz then walked Matt Treanor to load the bases once again, but he got the pitcher Josh Johnson to strike out swinging to end the inning.  In two innings of work Carlos Muniz allowed two runs (two solo homers) on three hits, he didn’t walk a batter and stuck out two.  Joe Smith and Scott Schoeneweis both tossed scoreless frames.   

The Mets offense was abysmal in the loss, only able to muster two runs off six hits.  In the third inning, Endy Chavez lead off the inning with a triple, he would score on a ground out by Jose Reyes.  In the sixth inning, Jose Reyes lead of with a single, advancing to third on a wild pitch by Johnson, and then scoring on a single to center by David Wright.  After looking as if he might be coming out of a slump, Carlos Beltran was 0-3 with a walk.  Beltran was not the only 0-fer of the game; Carlos Delgado was 0-4 with two stikeouts.  Dan Murphy continues to swing a hot bat, he hit a double, and was 1-3 with a walk.

I don’t really know how to feel about this loss.  I thought that Pelfrey had really seemed to find a good groove and was pitching well, but in his last three starts or so, he really hasn’t been great.  The bullpen has been terrible so the Mets really need their starting pitching to be in there for the long haul, or at least until the bullpen can get somebody out.  As far as the offense goes, there are going to be days when you just face a good pitcher and things will not go your way.  I can accept that-so I guess it remains to be seen if this is an aberation, of it the Mets bats are going to go silent. 

Right now, the Mets have a chance to “take care of business” as they will play five with the Pirates (one a make up game) and three with Washington, both teams are the worst of their divisions.  The Mets have played well against teams that are over .500, this year they are 16-9 against the Phillies and the Marlins, but only 6-5 against the Nationals and Pirates.  The Mets have to get it done against those teams. 

Ryan Church is in Port St. Lucie trying to get himself major league ready.  I had heard rumblings that he could be back as soon as August 19th, but given the circiumstances, that might just be wishful thinking on my part.  

The Mets and Pirates are scheudled to start at 1:10 p.m. on Monday afternoon. 

Mets Blog

]]> http://www.metshomeplate.com/pelfrey-remains-winless-against-the-marlins/feed/ 11 Wright Way to Win, David’s Homer Lifts Mets Past Pods 5-3 http://www.metshomeplate.com/wright-way-to-win-davids-homer-lifts-mets-past-pods-5-3/ http://www.metshomeplate.com/wright-way-to-win-davids-homer-lifts-mets-past-pods-5-3/#comments Fri, 08 Aug 2008 15:41:58 +0000 Bernalda http://www.metshomeplate.com/?p=123

I guess I should have started ragging on David Wright a long time ago!  What an exciting homer in the bottom of the ninth.  After having two bad games in a row, David really deserved to be the hero.  It was Wright’s first game ending homer, and it was great that it came at home.  He was 3-5 at the plate yesterday, so maybe this game is just the thing he needs to get him into a nice hot streak. 

The Mets bullpen continues to just stink up the joint.  I don’t even know what to write anymore.  Yesterday was the sixth time this bullpen has blown a game for Johan Santana.  Prior to that, you have to go back 100 games to Santana’s time with Minnesota to find five games that the bullpen had blown.  You can make all the noise you want to about Santana going deeper into games, and maybe there were a few times that he should have, but the bullpen needs to get outs.  When your starter goes out there and puts you in a position to win, the bullpen guys need to do their jobs.  There is no reason that a group of 7 guys can’t get six (or so) outs. 

Duaner Sanchez was basically booed off the mound yesterday but what did he expect?  When you come in and hit the first guy you face to load the bases, the crowd isn’t going to be exactly exited to see you.  Manual pulled him right there and brought in Pedro Feliciano who got Brian Giles to ground into a force out at home.  However, Felicano then gave up a basehit that scored a run.  Felicano would be replaced by Joe Smith who got Kevin Kouzmanoff to hit into a double play.  Scott Schoeneweis blew the save when he gave up the home run to Jody Gerut at that point, Horrible (Aaron) Heilman came into the game and actually got two out.  Thank goodness for David Wright, because I don’t think I could have taken another inning of the bullpen. 

Also, can SOMEBODY please learn how to bunt!  The Mets had three failed bunt attempts in Thursday’s game.  That is horrendous!  And, if there is one facet of Santana’s game you want to bag on, this can be one of them.  He is the worst of the pitching staff in terms of getting down an sac bunt.  He is a good hitting pitcher, but there is NO reason this guy can’t get down a sacrifice.  That is such a fundamental part of the game that it is astounding that these guys go out there game after game failing to execute.

How in the world did the Devil Rays pick up Chad Bradford?  It was reported that the Mets were interested in reacquiring him at the trade deadline, but nothing came of it.  Now I read today that Tampa Bay was able to pick him up off waviers.  I can’t imagine that the Mets bullpen trouble is lost on anyone in the organization, so how is it that a guy the Mets were interested in before the trade deadline will end up with another team for a player to be named later?  I know the Mets are tyring to make do with what they’ve got, but really? 

The Binghamton Boys, as Howie Rosie calls them were a big reason for the Mets win.  Dan Murphy looks like a hitter.  He started in left field, went 2-4 at the plate with one run scored and one RBI.  Nick Evans  was 1-3 at the plate yesterday adding two RBI, on a double and a sac fly.  He made his first star at first and part of that tremendous double play in the eighth inning. 

The Mets are two games out of first as the Marlins took two of three from the Phillies.  The Marlins come to town on Friday night for three games while the Phillies will play the Pirates at home.  The Mets last week lost two of three to the Marlins so I think that they really need to take two of three here. 

The Florida Marlins come into Shea for three games starting Friday.  Friday’s pitching match up: Oliver Perez 7-4 4.12 era and Ricky Nolasco 11-6 3.91 era.  Game time is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. 

Mets Blog

]]> http://www.metshomeplate.com/wright-way-to-win-davids-homer-lifts-mets-past-pods-5-3/feed/ 2 Mets Continue to Struggle, Lose to Padres 4-2 http://www.metshomeplate.com/mets-continue-to-struggle-lose-to-padres-4-2/ http://www.metshomeplate.com/mets-continue-to-struggle-lose-to-padres-4-2/#comments Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:58:21 +0000 Bernalda http://www.metshomeplate.com/?p=120

Pedro Martinez allowed two back to back homers in the first inning, but really settled in there after.  When he gave up the second homer, I was thinking that maybe he is done, maybe it is time to hang it up.  But in six and a third innings of work, he allowed three runs, only two earned on four hits, walking three and striking out three.  After the first inning, he pitched much better.  However, it is hard to watch him pitch like this knowing what he use to be.  Generally speaking, I think it is hard to watch the great ones age and not perform as they once did. 

On a side note, who are these umpires kidding?  I have harped on this pretty much since I started contributing to this blog, I find it so frustrating that there is no consistency to his to their strike zones, some guys have strike zones the size of postage stamps.  Again, last night, there were several questionable calls; for example, in the top of the third there were at least three pitches that Pedro threw that should have been strikes, but weren’t called as such.  But, in the bottom of the third the first pitch to Jose Reyes was a curve ball, but it bounced-and it was a called strike.

So, what is up with David Wright?  Two boneheaded base running mistakes in back to back games, at the  start of play last night 0-15 at the plate.  It was his error in the seventh inning that allowed the go ahead run to score.  Largely, David has gotten a pass and I do think that is because he is third in the NL in RBI and he plays hard (mostly) and goes out there everyday.  But his struggles have a lot to do with where the Mets are now.  That being said-there is plenty of blame to go around. 

The offense put up only two runs.  Rookie Dan Murphy hit his first triple scoring on a fielder’s choice. he also had an RBI in the game.  The team left 10 guys on base, and with the exception of the opening game against the Padres, the offense has been feeble at best.  Carlos Delgado seems to be coming back to earth and Carlos Beltran hasn’t done anything; both of them were hitless in last night’s game.  There doesn’t seem to be any answers for the Mets offense, if they guys they have don’t come around, it is what it is.  The Mets are counting on Wright, Delgado and Beltran.  And clearly, Delgado’s July performance put the Mets back in the mix, but someone has to break out of this funk otherwise, it will be the end of August and the Mets will have put themselves back in a hole. 

July was such an exciting month for the Mets, but I always worried that it could come back to this and it has.  Night after night, it has been one thing after another and the Mets have struggled to win games.  After the all star break, it was the bullpen, now it is a lack of offense.  As days go by there is more and more pressure to win because there is less time to make up games, do the Mets have the intestinal fortitude to pull themselves up and play like they are capable of playing? 

Eddie Kunz got one inning of work last night and gave up on run, a solo homer to Chase Headley in the eighth inning.  Pedro Felicano entered the game in the seventh inning, he walked one and stuck out one.  He was the guy who got the ground ball that David Wright misplayed.  Scott Schoeneweis pitched the ninth inning putting up zeros.  It doesn’t appear that lefty John Niese will be called up to make the start against the heavy righty line up of the Marlins-no one is sure just yet who will make the start, two of the names mentioned are Nelson Figueroa and Brian Stokes.

Today’s starters: Johan Santana 9-7 with a 2.86 era and Josh Banks 3-4 3.65 era.  Game time is scheduled for 12:10 p.m.

Mets Blog

]]> http://www.metshomeplate.com/mets-continue-to-struggle-lose-to-padres-4-2/feed/ 1 Mets Survive Horrid Heilman’s Outing Beat Padres 6-5 http://www.metshomeplate.com/mets-survive-horrid-heilmans-outing-beat-padres-6-5/ http://www.metshomeplate.com/mets-survive-horrid-heilmans-outing-beat-padres-6-5/#comments Wed, 06 Aug 2008 17:24:32 +0000 Bernalda http://www.metshomeplate.com/?p=117

Powered by the bat of Fernando Tatis, the Mets survived Aaron Heilman‘s ninth inning outing to take the first of three from the Padres 5-4.  Tatishad a great night at the plate, going 2-4 with two homers and four RBI.  The crowd was so excited that Tatis was actually called from the dugout for a curtain call (as seen in the picture above).  Not only was Tatis really the main source of offense last night, but he continues to swing a hot bat, extending his hit streak to 11 games.  The Mets got a little a little help from the rookies as Daniel Murphy hit an RBI double in the seventh to record his first major league RBI and Nick Evans hit an RBI double in the eighth inning-that run ended up being really important.  The other guys in the line up really struggled Jose Reyes, David Wright, Brian Schneider, Damion Easley and Carlos Delgado all were hitless in last nights game.  However,  Carlos Beltran; who has been moved back down in the order had a good night at the plate as well going 2-4 with two runs scored-if this guy would ever get hot the Mets could really put a nice win streak together (again). 

Mike Pelfrey pitched a decent game.  He gave up two runs, both solo homers.  He worked just six and two thirds innings, walked one and stuck out three to earn his 10th win of the season.  I know the Mets hoped that Pelfrey would have worked deeper into the game, espeically considering that the bullpen was without Wagner, but Pedro Feliciano worked an inning and a third without giving up anything.  Because Billy Wagner was placed on the 15 day DL prior to last nights game, manager Jerry Manual said that the bullpen would be a closer by committee.  I thought maybe because the Mets had a four run lead that we might see Eddie Kunz, guess not.  And really, would he have been worse than Heilman?  This whole bullpen by committee thing, never works but if this is the way they are going to have to do it, I hope Heilman has been thrown off the committee.  What a terrible outing!  He left the game giving up three runs retiring only one batter that he faced.  Granted, there was a ball that was misplayed by Argenis Reyes, but Heilman walked the lead off hitter which was an indication that the things were not going to go well and I had a sinking feeling they were about to get worse after he gave up the three run homer.  But, Joe Smith and Scott Schoeneweis each faced one batter to close out the game,  Schoeneweis actually got credit for his first save of the season. 

This was a win the Mets needed, and because the Marlins beat the Phillies 8-2 last night, the Metswho are still in third place are now just two games out.  With the Marlins and Phillies playing each other, it is a win-win for the Mets, if they play well.  They might not be in first when that series is over, but if they play well against San Diego, they may make the race just a little tighter. 

I know that the Mets are going to have to fill roles in the bullpen without Wagner there-but I just don’t see Aaron Heilman filling that role.  He has been a disaster recently, and I know you have to tip toe around and not hurt any one’s feelings, but this guy is a freakin’ headcase.  I am so sick of him out there. What is frustrating is, he can be good, and we’ve seen him pitch well, but I think deep down he is still pouting about not being a starter.  Geez Aaron, get over it.  As for the rest of the guys, I feel a little about relief pitching like Bill Parcells feels about kickers, you have one job to do-go out and do it! 

 Wednesday’s Starters: Pedro Martinez 3-2 6.16 era and Cha Seung Baek 3-6 5.22 era.  Game time is scheduled for 7:10 p.m.  

Mets Blog 

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