The Mets finally got a decent performance out of their bullpen and held on to win 3-2 in Washington on Tuesday night.  With Johan Santana on the mound you almost automatically think the bullpen will blow it.  However, Santana did get his 10th win of the season, he pitched seven innings, allowing three runs on eight hits; he walked two and struck out six.  

Jerry Manual elected to pinch hit for Johan Santana in the top of the eighth inning.  Santana was visibly unhappy about leaving the game at that point.  Listen, considering how the bullpen has pitched as of late, and particularly how they seem to pitch in relief for Santana, I can imagine that he was not too happy about leaving the game in the hands of the bullpen.  Also, now he’ll have to hear that he only gave the Mets seveninnings, he hadn’t even thrown 100 pitches.  Listen, Santana wasn’t exactly stellar last night, he relinquished the lead on two occasions.  In the bottom of the first with a two run lead, Santana gave up two in the bottom of the inning.  Then, with the Mets winning 3-2 in the bottom of the seventh, he gave up a solo pinch hit homer to Ryan Langerhans-it was Langerhans’ first homer of the season.  However, Santana pitched well enough to get the win and after what he has been through with this bullpen, it was good to see that he finally got one. 

If someone had told you in March that Santana wouldn’t get his 10th winuntil the middle of August, you would think that something ridiculous had happened, and the truth is, the bullpen has been ridiculous.  If the bullpen had been able to hold leads in the games that Santana started he would be a 15 game winner right now.  Since the all star break, the Mets bullpen has a 6.82 era, the worst in the majors.  After the latest debacle against the Pirates in Monday’s make up game, Jerry Manual vowed to shake things up.  Scott Schoeneweis called a bullpen only meeting challenging guys to step up and go out and do what has to be done.  Apparently, it must have worked because both Joe Smith and Pedro Feliciano threw scoreless innings to finish out the game last night.  Smith worked the eighth, he allowed on hit and stuck out two.  Feliciano worked the ninth, he did not allow a hit or a walk and stuck out two, Feliciano also earned his first save of the season. 

The Mets scored two in the top of the first, Nick Evans singled with one out, and scored on a two out double by Carlos Beltran.  Beltran would score on a single to center by Carlos Delgado.  The Mets scored one in the third to go ahead 3-2 on a RBI double by Carlos Beltran.  Beltran had a better night at the plate last night, he was 2-4 with 2 doubles and 2 RBI.  He left two guys in scoring position when he stuck out with two outs in the top of the fifth inning.  However, hitting in the cleanup spot seems to agree with him, and given that winning these games against Washington and Pittsburgh are so important, hopefully, Beltran can really get it going.  The Mets left the bases loaded againin the top of the eighth inning. 

Good thing Damion Easley got hit in the head by a pitch in the top of the eighth ( he wasn’t actually “hit”more like the ball just grazed his helmet), otherwise the Mets would not have gotten a run home from third withless than two outs at all in the game.  What a terrible job by the Met’s hitters in that spot.  Dan Murphy pinch hit for Ramon Castro and struck out.  Then Brian Schneider pinch hit in the pitcher’s spot and struck out also, for that Santana could have batted and stayed in the game. 

A win is a win, and because the Phillies lost to the Dodgers on Tuesday night, the Mets sit in second place just one game out.  This is really a make or break road trip for the Mets.  The bullpen has got to get straightened out because the Mets are in a situation where a couple of losses in a row could be very hard to overcome.  Yes, the Mets do have five games left with the Phillies, so there is that to keep in the back of your mind, but the Marlins are not going away just yet.  The Mets meet the Marlins six more times, three of those games are the last three games of the regular season.  While we are discussing the last week of the season, the Mets are at home but play three with the Chicago Cubs and three with the Marlins; at that same time the Phillies will be at home for three against Atlanta and Washington.  So, really, the time to make up ground is getting short so the Mets must take advantage of the next two series and win some games. 

Ryan Church had a good work out down in Florida and is feeling good.  The Mets have still not set a time frame for his rehab assignment.  Carlos Muniz was sent down to Triple A New Orleans and Brian Stokes will stay with the team.  Luis Castillo’s return from the DL has been delayed “indefinitely” because he has been away from workouts attending to a personal family matter.  That or he realizes that when he returns he will be sitting on the bench.  Either way, let him stay down in Florida. 

The Mets and the Nats meet up again Wednesday night.  John Maine, fresh off his stint on the 15 day DL will start for the Mets and the Nationals will have Jason Bergmann on the mound.  Maine is 9-7 with a 4.13 Bergmannis 2-8 with a 4.13 era.  Game time is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. 

Mets Blog           

Thank god Carlos Beltran finally hit a homerun.  Now, every time he comes up to bat, I don’t have to hear that he is now homerless in 82 at bats.  Yes, it took 82 at bats, or 20 games for Beltran to hit a homerun.  Clearly, the Mets need Beltran if they are going to stay in the mix.  In the last six games, Beltran has had four multihit games.  He was 3-3 last night with 3 RBI.  He also said that he felt really good at the plate and that everything finally seemed to be working at the same time. 

It’s not just Beltran who has heated up. David Wright was 3-4 with two doubles.  Wright, who talked his way into the line up last week when manager Jerry Manual wanted to give him a day off has really been in good form at the plate.  Wright is a gamer and goes out there day after day.  I know earlier in the week, I was a little hard on him in the blog, and I thought rightfully so, works and plays so hard, has really redeemed himself after have two bad games in a row against the Padres.  And, because Carlos Delgado has continued to hit well in August-one can only imagine the kind of run the Mets could go on if the three of them were hot at the same time.  Combine that with what Daniel Murphy has brought to the Mets this past week and it could get exciting.  It was Murphy’s fist major league homer, a two run (pinch hit) shot that gave the Mets a 7-4 lead in the bottom of the sixth.  Murphy is hitting .500 in his short time with the Mets, and if he continues to be this productive, him might just figure in the Mets plans going forward (I’m thinking post season roster).   

Speaking of debuts, Brian Stokes made his first start for the Mets on Saturday.  Stokes went five and two thirds innings, allowing four runs on seven hits, walked one and stuck out six.  He allowed to big homeruns, both of them came with one on and two out.  After Stokes left the game, it took five different relievers to close out the game.  Joe Smith allowed two runs on three hits in just a third of an inning of work.  Aaron Heilman worked around a one out walk in the top of the ninth to get his second save in two days.  

After the Astros disaster the Mets took two of three from the Padres, and if all goes well today, the Mets could possibly make a strong statement with a sweep of the Marlins.  The Mets really needed to play well in this series, not only did it get them back into second place, it gets the crowd back into it and I think it gives them confidence going forward.  Also, yes, they didn’t play well against the Astros, but they didn’t let it carry over either-and it was important for them to stop the slide when they did.

Sunday’s starters: Mike Pelfrey 10-7 with a 3.85 ear and Josh Johnson is 2-0 with a 3.34 era.  Game time is scheduled for 1:10 p.m. 

Mets Blog

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

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 

The Mets were swept three straight in Houston over the weekend, leaving all of us as baffled as Robinson Cancellooked when he was thrown out at third in Sunday’s game.  And while it is only three games, the Mets are winless in August and are coming off a 2-4 road trip, and were swept by the Astros for the first time since 1993. 

There is plenty of blame to spread around in this terrible streak that the Mets have put together.  They seem to have gone into a slump at the plate; unable to hit with guys on base.  They didn’t run the bases well for example in Sunday’s game Carlos Beltran was picked off first and for some ungodly reason, Robinson Cancel was tried to steal third in the third inning with David Wright up at bat-that was a good move there. 

The Mets were unable to score in 16 innings against the Astros.  In Saturday’s game, they scored a total of four runs two in the second and two in the third.  From there on out, they did nothing.  On Saturday night, the Mets left eight guys on base, and failed to even show up for the later part of the innings.  In Sunday’s game it was pretty much the same issue, only they didn’t score at all.  The Mets left 11 guys on base, they had the bases loaded in two consecutive innings and failed to even get one run home. 

Ah-but it isn’t just the offense that was terrible, the defense had their share of problems as well.  The Mets were only charged with one error, but they didn’t do what they had to in the field.  Nick Evans and Fernando Tatis both misplayed balls in the outfield-and that is what is going to happen when you have ”converted” infielders playing the outfield.  The Mets don’t seem to have a an outfield prospect that they can bring up to help them out.  With Marlon Anderson on the DL they brought up Daniel Murphy to take his roster spot, and while he did have a great play in Saturday night’s game, he too is primarily and infielder.  Well all know that the Mets made no moves at the trade deadline to get any outfielders, and we’re all waiting for the return of Ryan Church-because if you at least have Ryan Church in the line up, you can play Endy Chavez in the outfield, you might not get the offensive production you would like to have from Tatis, but his defense will save runs. 

The starting pitching wasn’t terrible in the three games, it wasn’t stellar though either.  Pedro Martinez pitched the opening game.  It was his first start in nearly three weeks, he was on a pitch count allowing him only to work through the fifth inning, he gave up three solo homers, walked two and struck out five-he did not figure in the decision, because Aaron Heilman gave up a grand slam to blow the game wide open for the Astros.  Johan Santana pitched only 6.1 innings on Saturday, he allowed just one run on three hits, walked two and struck out two.  He left the game, and the Mets had a lead.  Oliver Perez gave up four runs in six innings in Sunday’s game, he was charged with the loss as all four runs were earned.  Perez though, and even Pelfrey have pitched much better, granted Pelfrey struggled against the Marlins and Perez wasn’t great against the Astros, but they have cut down on walks-which was a tremendous problem for them and are a big reason why the Mets had such a good July.  I’m  not going to get crazy just yet as they have both had about four plus good starts, until they revert back to how they were performing earlier in the season, I won’t panic just yet. 

The bullpen continues to be the achilles of this team.  Billy Wagnercouldn’t hold a two run lead.  The bullpen over all has just been putrid.  Since the all star break, the Mets bullpen has pitched 32.1 innings.  They have allowed 30 earned runs on 45 hits.  Aaron Heilman-10 runs in 10 innings of work,  Pedro Felicano-six runs in four and a third, Joe Smith-six runs in five and a third, Scott Schoeneweis-four runs in five and two thirds and Duaner Sanchez has given up four runs in six and two-thirds innings.  (New York Post August 5, 2008)

So, with John Maine on the DL and Billy Wagner probably soon to follow the Mets are in trouble.  They have called up Eddie Kunz and it seems that John Niese will make a start against the Marlins over the weekend.  Also, there is talk that the Mets will be in the mix for Freddy Garcia who is trying to make his way back to the majors after shoulder surgery.

Not to fear though, I think I have found the reason why the Mets pen is struggling so.  I think it is the fact that they really miss Matt Wise.  Yeah, remember him?  Last I heard the guy had shoulder tendinitis, and now has just fallen off the face of the earth.  Seriously, what happened to him?  Is he in the witness protection program?  Did he witness Tony Soprano getting whacked or something?  One minute  you complain that you have shoulder pain and then the next you are wearing cement shoes.  Remind me to keep any shoulder injury I suffer to myself. 

The Mets open a three game series with the Padres and if they can some how find what they had in July, they might just make some headway as the Phillies and the Marlins will be beating up on each other for three games.  The Marlins come to New York for the weekend while the Phillies open a three game set with the Pirates.  So, how important is it for the Mets to play well in the next six games?  As it stands the Mets are three games out of first and in third place.  Yes, there is still almost two months of baseball left and the Mets have five game left with the Phillies, the question is, will they be battling for the division or will they be playing spoiler? 

Tueday’s Starters: Mike Pelfrey 9-7 with a 3.91 era and Chris Young 4-4 with a 4.12 ear.  Game time is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. 

Mets Blog

What are the Mets doing?  I realized that they were 18-8 in July, but if it doesn’t carry over into August, then July isn’t going to matter much.  I know, I know not exactly time to panic just yet.  Even though the Mets lost, the Phillies and Marlins did too; the Mets remain one game out of first with the Marlins trailing close behind. 

Pedro Martinez was making his first start in nearly three weeks.  He threw 87 pitches in five innings, giving up three runs (all of which were homers) on five hits, he walked two and stuck out five.  Knowing that Pedro would not be in it for the long haul tonight, the bullpen had to know that the team would be counting on them to keep them in the game. 

The trade deadline has passed so we pretty much know that this team is our team and this is the bullpen we are going to have to count on.  There might be some additions, but it will be of guys who made us better by subtraction-think Luis Castillo.  But the Mets bullpen right now has been atrocious.  I have heard talk this week from guys on SNY and on WFAN trying to tell us that the Mets bullpen isn’t that bad.  These guys then must not watch them night after night like the fans do, because I can tell you, and I’m sure you know it-this pen is horrible right now. 

“Right now” are the key words.  These are the same guys we’ve seen be really good.  And in fairness, the guys who have said that the Mets pen isn’t that bad, preface it by saying that if the pen actually pitched the way it is capable of, then they are actually pretty good.  But, they haven’t pitched like they are capable of anything, and in order to be in the thick of it, the Met have to have all parts working.  Again, the problem is that it isn’t just one guy who is struggling.  From night to night you don’t know who will blow it.  Last night it just happend to be Aaron Heilman.  He gave up a grand slam to Mark Loretta in the bottom of the eighth that really put the game out of reach for the Mets, but why was Heilman ptiching a second inning?  Can no one else pitch in relief and get an out?  Joe Smith finally got someone out, he pitched a scoreless sixth inning, and Pedro Felicano, who came into the game after the Astros had blown it wide open retired both batters that he faced. 

Clearly part of the problem last night was that Pedro Marinez only pitched five innings and the Mets bullpen was going to have to pick up the slack.  But, isn’t that their job?  Seriously, Damion Easley, Endy Chavez, and Fernando Tatis have (for the most part) done their jobs and continue to go out and do them night after night.  Tatis is probably one of the biggest reasons that the Mets played so well in July.  The point is, the bench guys picked up the slack when other guys went down, it is a little concept known as “team.”  And, no, I do believe that the bull pen is stinking up the joint because they want to, but it just seems more often than not they are the problem rather than the solution. 

Pitching wasn’t the Mets only problem.  They had plenty of scoring chances against Brandon Backe on Friday night and didn’t make the most of them.  They left seven guys on base and with no one out in the top of the seventh the Mets loaded the bases but failed to score-Endy Chavez struck out, David Wright grounded into a force play, and Carlos Delgado hit a fly ball to left.  I realize that the Mets have no other option, but Endy Chavez is not a good two hitter.  He struck out in a bad spot last night, and was 0-3.  I know the they are thinking that when Ryan Church comes back that he will hit in the five spot with Carlos Beltran will hit in the two hole.  And really, I am not bagging on Chavez because I believe that he has done a good job stepping in and when he is in the game the Mets have two of the best defensive outfielders in the game.  He isn’t the worst thing out there, he is hitting .268 and has had some big games, but I think that the Mets need a little more consistency, espeically at the top of the lineup. 

John Maine will not start on Sunday instead we will see Oliver Perez.  The Mets a hoping that the rest will work for Maine, he is scheduled to pitch at home on August 8th against the Marlins.  Meanwhile, in his first Triple-A start Jon Niese allowed just one run on three hits in seven innings of work on Wednesday.  Niese could make his major league debut with the Mets on August 11th in a rainout make up game against the Pirates, he will make one more start at Tripple-A before possibly pitching for the Mets.  Daniel Murphy’s promotion lasted just one day in Triple-A as newspapers here in New York are reporting that he will join the Mets tonight against the Astros.  He was hitting .308 with 13 homers and 67 RBI at Double-A-Binghamton and just one day ago was promoted to Triple-A.  I’m not sure what moves the Mets are making to place Murphy on the active roster, the transaction pages have yet to be updated. 

Tonight’s starters: Johan Santana is coming off his first complete game as a Met.  He is 9-8 with a 2.93 era.  Roy Oswalt is 8-8 with a 4.67 era.  Game time is scheduled for 7:10 p.m.

Mets Blog    

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

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