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           

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

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

Pedro Martinez and the Mets bullpen combined to throw a one hit shut out against the Colorado Rockies on Saturday afternoon and won the game 3-0.  Eight in a row!  Wow, this is exactly what the Mets needed, a good streak heading into the all star break.  What a great win on Saturday.  Their win streak of eight is the Mets longest since June of 2006 and it is currently the longest streak in MLB.  Since June 13^th, the Mets have reduced the Phillies lead of 7 games to just half a game going into play today.   

The Amazin’s seem to be coming together as a team and it looks like they have found what was missing.  Do you realize if the Mets can continue their winning ways, and if they get a little luck and a little help from Arizona, the Mets could conceivably be in first place at the all star break?   

The Mets are finally getting the pitching they expected.  Pedro Martinez started the game Saturday.  He left after just four innings of work because of shoulder stiffness and I have also heard that he is nursing a sore groin.  Pedro has been examined and has been cleared to make his next start after the all star break.  He worked four scoreless innings, allowing just one hit while walking three and striking out three.  

The bullpen continues to perform in dominant fashion.  Carlos Muniz came into the game for Pedro in the top of the fifth, he worked two innings, walking one and striking out two, and got credit for the win.  Aaron Heilman and Scott Schoeneweis pitched an inning each and both struck out one batter, walked none, and allowed no hits.  And Billy Wagner, with out any drama or undue stress earned his 22^nd save of the season by retiring the side in order.    

The Mets had been scoring a lot of runs, but they have only managed to score five runs in the first two games of this series.  Saturday’s win was good old fashioned baseball.  The Mets manufactured runs, they stole bases, they ran hard on the base paths and they got a homerun.  The Mets stole four bases yesterday and now lead the National League with 91 steals, just nine behind the Tampa Bay Rays who lead the majors with 100. 

In the fourth inning, Carlos Beltran doubled to right, stole third and would score on a single by Fernando Tatis to score the first run of the game.  Jose Reyes hit his 10^th homerun of the season in the bottom of the fifth to make the game 2-0.  In the bottom of the sixth, Carlos Delgado singled to start the inning; he advanced to second on a sac bunt by Endy Chaves and would come around to score on a double by Brian Schneider.   

The Mets look good right now.  If you’d asked me just a few weeks ago, I would not have been able to say that.  But, they are finally getting the pitching they thought they would have.  Both Mike Pelfrey and Oliver Perez have really taken their games to a new level.  And while Pedro has been cleared to make his next start after the all star break, you will always worry about his health.  This winning streak is nice, and it has put the Mets in a good position, but they are going to have to continue to work and play the kind of baseball they have been playing since the beginning of July.  No one, including myself imagined that the Mets would have started out as poorly as they did this season, and after everything they have been through and after watching them play just awful baseball, I would have never thought that they would be sitting in this spot at the all star break.  

If the Mets can take advantage of their good play and their ability to beat sub par teams, the schedule plays in their favor when play resumes after the all star break.  The Phillies and Marlins will be playing each other at the same time the Mets play an under achieving Cincinnati Red’s team.  It is all starting to really heat up and get exciting.  

The Mets are on Sunday Night Baseball tonight.  (Oh joy, three hours of Jon Miller and Joe “I just keep on talking even if I say nothing of value” Morgan.  Mike Pelfrey will pitch for the Mets and the Rockies will have Mark Redman on the mound.  Game time is scheduled for 8:05 p.m. 

 Mets Blog

The Mets completed a three game sweep of the San Francisco Giants on Thursday afternoon with a 7-3 win.  New York is now 1.5 games out of first and are in sole possession of second place.  The Mets played well in the three games against the Giants and really could be in a good way headed into the all star break if they play well in this series against the Rockies this weekend. 

John Maine started for the Amazin’s but he had a rough day.  Again his pitch count was crazy and he just didn’t seem to have great command of his pitches.  He only made it through four and two-thirds innings before leaving the game after allowing two runs to score to tie the game at three in the top of the 5^th.  Maine threw 109 pitches and gave up three earned runs on two hits while walking 5 and striking out 8.  I know Maine was disappointed, especially after his last outing, but I do have to say that his trouble today was not all his own doing, the home plate umpire Gerry Davis’ strike zone was the size of a postage stamp ( I will discuss the umps in a later paragraph).

The Met’s bullpen continued to be stellar in this series.  Carlos Muniz came into the game in the top of the 5^th and got Aaron Rowand to pop up to end the inning.  Muniz would work an inning and a third and not give up anything.  Scott Schoeneweis got the win, he entered the game in the 7^th inning and retired the side in order.  In the 8^th, Duaner Sanchez allowed a hit and walked one, but did not allow any runs.  We even saw our buddy Billy Wagner in the bottom of the 9^th.  Obviously it wasn’t a save situation, but apparently he needed the work.  With out any drama he retired the side in order to close out the game for the Mets. 

The offense was a little weak early against Barry Zito.  The Mets didn’t take advatage of all thier scoring opportunities early in the game, in fact although they scored 7 runs the Mets as a team left 12 guys on base.  Early on the bottom of the second Fernando Tatis lead off the inning with a double, but did not advance past second base.  In the bottom of the third the Mets put three on the board, and there looked to be a lot more to come because in the bottom of the fourth, Zito walked three batters to load the bases, but he was off the hook after getting Carlos Beltran to ground out into a force play to end the inning.  After the Giants tied the game in the top of the 5^th, I thought the Mets might just melt down, but not so.  They scored four more runs off the Giants’ bullpen to secure the victory. 

Fernando Tatis had another great day at the plate; he was 3-5 with four RBI, hitting two doubles and the go ahead two homer in the bottom of the seventh.  As I said previously, I think it is great to ride his bat now, I would be worried that the longer he plays the outfield the more likely his defense or lack there of will be exposed, but for right now, I think he has been a big asset to this team; he has been on a hot streak and has gotten some big hits for the Mets.  Tatis has really be a big part of the Mets 6 game winning streak.  David Wright was on base 5 times, going 2-3 and scoring a couple of runs.  Argenis Reyes was in the mix; he started at second base and made some outstanding plays in the field as well as notching another hit.  A. Reyes has appeared in 7 games for the Mets and in his 13 at bats he has four hits-and the hits have all come in clusters. 

Ok, so here is my thing on the umps-they have done a terrible job this year.  I think it shows you that something is terribly wrong when both starting pitchers in a game throw a ton of pitches (both Zito and Maine threw over 100 pitches and neither made it past the 5^th).  Not only did both starters throw a ton of pitches, they also had ball to strike ratios that were nearly 50/50.  And while you can say that neither one of the guys had the great stuff, and certainly both of these guys have had their issues this season, if you watched the game you would have seen that much of what happened to Maine and Zito today had a lot to do with the miniscule strike zone.  It isn’t just that the strike zones are largely inconsistent or sometime just way too small, but it bas been some other things as well.  The call in Tuesday night’s game (and I forget which ump was at second base and which Giants’ runner was on), but, the runner was clearly out of the base path, not just a little out of the base path, he was on the grass and the ump was standing right there and did not bother to call it.  And, don’t even get me started on the Ryan Howard homerun.  That was clearly NOT a homer.  How about the blown call on the Delgado homer in the Yankee game?  Didn’t the umps also blow another homerun call in another Yankee game after the messed up the call in the Met’s series?  What are these guys doing out there?  I have watched a lot of baseball and do catch the Mets nearly every night, and I have to say this is about one of the worst years of all around umpiring that we’ve seen.  I guess the umps really do want instant replay and at this rate, maybe the players association should demand it. 

I am so glad the Mets beat the Giants.  Now Christopher “Mad Dog” Russo can just shut up!  Every day this guys is bagging on NY baseball, but let me tell you he had little to say today.  Oh wait-he did cry a little about Tatis’ “dance” after his homerun. Seriously Chris, I think you are just a sore loser!  It isn’t as if he stood and home plate and watched the ball leave the yard like your boy Bonds use to.

The Mets were outstanding in this series.  It has been so much fun to watch them.  It is great to see the bats alive and to just see them having fun.   The pitching had been good.  I hope the all star break really gets them all refreshed and that they can pick up where they are right now.  Of course, they still have three games to play against an underachieving Colorado Rockies team, but last year they had a lot of trouble against the Rockies so I’m not taking anything for granted.  It would be great though for the Mets to take two of three and put them a few more game over .500. 

Also, just one last note I was at work yesterday and unable to watch the game on TV so I was listening to local radio here in New York, on 660 WFAN-the Mets play by play guys are Howie Rose and Wayne Hagen.  I love Howie, he is great and I love the fact that he has been a Mets fan his whole life, but Wayne Hagen STINKS.  I think I am going to start a website, something to the affect like www.waynehagenmakesmyearsbleed.com  He really ruins the whole game, I don’t even to listen to the post game report becuase this guy is terrible. 

As I said the Rockies come to town for a three game set scheduled to start on Friday evening.  Oliver Perez will be on the mound and we’ll all be waiting to see if Ollie can make it three good starts in a row.  The Rockies will counter with Aaron Cook.  Game time is 7:10 p.m.    

Mets Blog

The Mets are the only team in Major League Baseball, when trailing by two runs that has not come back to win the game.  So, when they went down 4-0 in the first inning, it seemed like it was going to be another long night for Mets’ fans. 

Pedro Martinez was awful.  In five innings, he allowed 5 earned runs off 7 hits, two of those hits were homeruns, but he walked only one (so at least the Cardinals had to earn their way on base).  Pedro gave up four runs in the first inning.  Aaron Miles and Skip Schumaker both singled to set the table for the Cardinals, Schumaker would score on Rick Ankiel’s single to center.  Troy Glaus hit his 12^th homerun of the season to make it 4-0.  The 47 minute rain delay that Pedro called a “blessing” might have been just that as when play resumed, Pedro pitched more aggressively and allowed just one more run, a homerun to Rick Ankiel. 

It wasn’t just Martinez that labored on the mound last night.  After a great job by Mets hitters to take the lead 7-5 in the top of the seventh, Aaron Heilman entered the game in the bottom of the eighth and hit a batter, he would leave the game at the point and be replaced by Pedro Feliciano who threw one pitch to Chris Duncan that he sent over the fence in right field to tie the game at 7.  In the bottom of the ninth Carlos Muniz gave up a walk off homer to Troy Glaus, and the Cardinals won 8-7.   

The offense had a much better game on Wednesday.  When they fell behind 4-0 in the first; I figured we’d see them play like they usually do when they fall that far behind that early.  However, the Mets really battled to get some things going offensively.  As a team, the Mets still left 10 guys on base, but they did get 15 hits and everyone in the line up except Endy Chavez and the pitcher had at least one hit.  Jose Reyes was 3-5 David Wright was 3-4 with a walk, and an RIB.  Damion Easley had a great night; he went 3-4 with 3 RBI.  Ryan Church had two more hits last night, but did have some trouble with runners on base as he stranded three.  Carlos Beltran also got a hit last night, but he left four runners on base.

This is what happens; the Mets can’t get everyone on the same page at the same time.  The offense did their part last night, the pitching did not.  And while the effort was there from the offensive and position play standpoint-what happened to the bullpen?  It is just a pathetic display.  You can’t even say it was a better loss for this team-because it wasn’t they were winning at one point. 

On thing is for sure, as much as I hate the Cardinals-and I HATE the Cardinals, they play some good ball.  They run hard, take the extra base, stay in games.  This is something we have not seen from the Mets.  They don’t play hard, they don’t keep their heads in games, and Mets are far from mentally tough.  So, the best the Mets can hope for here is a split.  Which means they would leave St. Luis two games under .500 and in relatively the same place they are now 4.5 games (or so) back. 

The earliest Moise Alou would be back is Monday in Philly but his return is more likely to happen Tuesday when the Mets return to Shea to take on the Giants.  Because of rain in Florida, Alou has not had the opportunity to get in his rehab starts.  The Mets have moved him to Binghamton hoping he will get some play up there before bringing him back to the team. 

First pitch is scheduled for 8:15 p.m.  Mike Plefrey will pitch for the Mets and the Cardinals will counter with Mitchell Boggs. 

Mets Blog

The New York Mets got rocked on Monday night as the San Francisco Giants beat up on them by the score of 10-2.  The Giants came out and put up six quick runs in the first inning that put the Mets in a big hole that they were unable to get out of.  Talk about a knock out punch right away in the game.

Oliver Perez had a terrible outing as he gave up six runs on five hits while only record one out in the first inning.  Perez gave up two home runs and walked two batters.  That is exactly what you don’t want your starting pitcher to do.

So the bullpen was called on early in the game and Claudio Vargas came in and pitched 4 2/3 innings of scoreless baseball.  Vargas did a ver good job for the Mets.  Carlos Muniz then came into the game and gave up four runs on six hits over 1 2/3 innings.  Once Muniz gave up the four runs, it was all but over for the Mets.

The Mets offense was only able to record six hits in the game.  Usually Giants pitchers give up quite a few hits, but the Mets offense was so bad last night they were lucky to get six.  Jose Reyes and Luis Castillo both had rbi’s for the the Mets.  Reyes had a rbi double in the second inning and Castillo had a rbi single in the fourth inning.

The Mets will try to get back on track as they play the Giants once again on Tuesday.  The Mets are needed to pick up a win as they are back at .500 with a 28-28 record.

Mets Blog

The New York Mets made the Philadelphia Phillies pay for their four errors as they scored six unearned runs on their way to a 8-2 victory.  The Mets did exactly what any team should do when the other team struggles to play defense.  Make them pay, and make them pay by scoring a lot of runs.

Mike Pelfrey picked up his first win of 2008 in the game.  Pelfrey lasted five innings and gave up five hits and two earned runs.  Jorge Sosa, Pedro Feliciano, and Carlos Muniz all pitched out of the bullen and pitched very good.

Angel Pagan led the Mets at the plate with two RBI’s.  Jose Reyes, David Wright, and Damion Easley all finished the game with one RBI each.

Mets Blog

The New York Mets trimmed up their spring training roster today as they sent down three players.

Michel Abreu was sent down to minor league camp while Willie Collazo and Carlos Muniz to Triple-A New Orleans.

Abreu didn’t have the spring that he was hoping for as he struck out five times while only going 2 for 14.  Muniz is a guy that the Mets really like, and could see some action in the bullpen for the big league club at some point this season.

Mets Blog