A Look Back At the Year End Review

Welcome back!! It’s spring time and the World Baseball classic is in full swing.  Who would have thought that the Netherlands would be such a force?  At least we know that Jose Reyes (and the rest of the Dominican team) won’t wear themselves out! 
 
Time to look back at my year end review; wow I wasn’t even close!  No Lowe (in case you missed it he is with the Braves), No Hudson-instead we are going to stick with Luis Castillo!  Ollie’s back-but I was sorry to see Joe Smith go; however, I couldn’t be happier that Schoeneweis and Heilman are gone.  The Mets chucked Duaner Sanchez too.  So, what will the Mets look like in their new digs?  For the time being it’s named Citifield, but we’ll have to see how Obama digs that since the gov’t owns Citibank now…can you imagine-”Please welcome, the New York Mets brought to you by the United States of America!”  Wow-that gives new meaning to the words, “America’s team”. 
 
Infield..scarily familiar. Delgado, Castillo, Reyes and Wright. Who could have a problem with SS and 3rd? They’ll be there for another 10 years.  It was rumored that the Mets shopped Delgado, but no takers- one can only wonder, will he be as happy this year as he was when Willie was fired last year? And Castillo, losing 20lbs makes those achy knees feel a lot better, eh Luis? The way the Mets are praising this guy so far you’d think he was the second coming of Rogers Hornsby.  At least the B.S. of him hitting lead off is over, I guess that was Jerry’s way of keeping the press from talking about the end of last season. 
 
Outfield..Church, Beltran, Murphy/Tatis..right to left. No surprises here. Maybe the LF platoon but not really.
 
Catcher.. no news..Schnieder and Castro with Cancel in the wings. Snooze
 
Starters..Santana (who has already given us Mets fans a scare but will be ready to pitch opening day), Maine, Pelfrey (the calf injury doesn’t sound serious).  Perez (head case, but usually pitches well against the Yankees and Braves) and who knows who’ll take the ball on the fifth day; Tim Redding looked like Schoeneweis and Heilman together when he gave up those homeruns in that preseason game against the Marlin’s the other night, as it turns out he has a bum shoulder …no worries with Johan’s ability but of course we’ll all wonder about the elbow-and I can only imagine the calls to the Fan when he has his first bad outting; Maine says he’s pain free and messin’ with a curve to give hitters something else to think about, Pelfrey, please don’t let last year be a fluke, Ollie, please don’t be a flake and will the fifth starter please stand up? From among Jon Niese, Tony Armas Jr.,Elmer Dessens, Nelson Figueroa, Freddy Garcia and Livian Hernandez somebody HAS to grab the spot right? Please? Somebody?
 
Bullpen..K-Rod is the closer and J.J. has the 8th, this we know. Sean Green, Feliciano. That leaves one or two spots depending on if the Mets carry 11 or 12 pitchers. Carlos Muniz, Brandon Knight, Eddie Kunz, Bobby Parnell, Brian Stokes or somebody we don’t know yet will have a big spring to grab those slots.
 
Bench..Alex Cora seems to be the backup infielder so far. Nick Evans and Angel Pagan are back to battle for outfield spots. Evans plays first too so a plus for him. Marlon Anderson is in camp again. Really? Sheesh. But so is Jose Valentin, can he channel 2006 again? And isn’t it about time we stop hearing about what a great player Fernando Martinez is and start seeing it? Really, what is he like 45 now, feels like I’ve been waiting for him for 25 years already. Seriously, Martinez won’t be 21 till Oct. Just in time for the World Series, right? Let’s hope.
 
Post info: By Bernalda on March 15th, 2009
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End of Season Wrap Up

Well, it’s been awhile. I guess I’ve calmed down enough from Schoeneweis to finally write an ending to the season. My first thought is how could they possibly have done this again? Are you kidding me?  And of course, this was only worsened by the fact that the Phillies won the world series.  My Sports Illustrated arrived in the mail with them on the cover and I felt that sense of dread-can you imagine what it will be like when the Mets play the Phillies next season?  You would think that would be enough alone for the Mets to want to rise to the occasion next season, but then again, isn’t that what we said after the 2007 season?   

How is it that the 2008 season ended just like the 2007 season?  The Marlins spit in their eye two years in a row and laughed about it. The Mets?  Instead of fighting, instead of taking a cue from Johan Santana (who it turns out was pitching on a bum knee)-the Mets laid down and died.  This Mets’ team has no guts. How is it that nobody stood up and punched Hanley Ramirez in the mouth (figuratively speaking of course)? As much as I hate to say it, and I REALLY hate to say it, Shane Victorino (doesn’t he sound like a grade “B” gangster, Vic Torino, polyester suit and all) would not take this BS from anybody. And that’s basically what’s wrong with the Mets.

After Santana went out there on Saturday and pitched his guts out on one leg the Mets did almost nothing on Sunday. That’s why your leader can’t be a pitcher; he’s only out there every five days. The Mets need a fiery everyday player. The Mets need Keith Hernandez again. In the ’86 playoff against the Astros the Mets HAD to win game 6. There was no way they were winning a game 7 that year against Mike Scott. He was in their heads. So when the Mets had the lead in the ninth and Orosco on the mound, the story goes Keith went to Orosco on the mound and told him” If you throw any fastballs, anything but a slider, I’m going to kick your ass right here on the mound”. Is this true? Who knows? No one would admit it now. Not pc enough for the Pollyanna’s in the game today (of which Keith makes mention of almost every game…”It’s become such a gentlemen’s game” said with much disdain.) But this is exactly what they need, a kick ass, ask for names later leader.  Where to get one? I don’t know. And it’s hard to admit that. I don’t know who they need or what they need to give up to get this mystery leader.  

I can tell you that Scott Schoeneweis..GONE. Aaron Heilman…GONE, he can go pout about being a starter somewhere else. Can’t you just hear him? (whiney voice..”But I want to be a starter…”)  Luis Castillo…Gone Baby Gone!  Duaner Sanchez-Gone, go get arroz con pollo at 2am with someone else.  Moises Alou…can still hit, older than Ty Cobb…Gone. Marlon Anderson…gone pleeeese. Pedro Martinez..thanks for the memories (of Takin’ the money, not for big wins. By the way Pedro’s 32 wins as a Mets cost $1,611,424.00 each. Nice work if you can get it. ).  Ollie…probably gone with Boras as his agent.  We all know that we won’t see Billy Wagner as a Met again.

I waited to deal with the so-called “Core” players: Jose Reyes, David Wright, Carlos Beltran and Carlos Delgado. There is a lot of talk here in NY of breaking up them up. I don’t think Reyes, Wright or Beltran are goin’ anywhere.  Carlos Delgado is a different story.  The Mets picked up his $12 million option. It would have cost $4 million to buy him out, so an outlay of $8 million.  There has been rumblings that they would move him if they could create a package with Delgado and assorted other pieces. Remember he didn’t want to come here anyway. He signed with the Marlins. 

Now the others:

Joe Smith-can be useful. Stays.  Pedro Feliciano…gotta get a couple a’ righty’s out once in awhile there Pedro. Stays.  Luis Ayala…looked good at times. Don’t think he can be full time closer but valuable. Stays  Ramon Castro…useful back-up-then again, he has to stay health-the past two years he’s missed significant playing time, he stays.  Nick Evans…young OF. Stays-Omar has said they think he can hit for power-I guess we’ll have to wait and see.  Ryan Church… him before concussions. Stays.  Brian Schneider…ok, can we upgrade?  Stays- But, rumor has been that Pudge is an idea for the upgrade-NO THANKS!  Daniel Murphy, you can hit, can you play second? Stays.  Argenis Reyes…like him. Hit .283 in AAA, how about here? Stays.  Fernando Tatis…came back to MLB to build church in hometown. Now that it’s built, will God still be smiling on him?  Stays.  Endy Chavez…was he still on the team after Manuel took over? Stays.  Damion Easley…like him, wants to be a gamer, hurt too much, old.  Probably stays if healthy.  Mike Pelfry…Duh!  Johan Santana …Like there is a question about this.  John Maine…Serious John though, can you put a guy away after getting two strikes and not let him foul off 30 pitches? Stays.  

So, where does that leave the Mets?  The Mets are in need of a left fielder, a second baseman, a starter and a closer. I think Derek Lowe is a gamer and Orlando Hudson would be a welcome addition at second. Can Evans and Murphy split left?  Did you see some of those fielding adventures they had out there?  Can you say Arizona Instructional League?  Will the Mets try to make Maine the closer?  He has the stuff. Can he pitch multiple days in a week?  He seems to get frustrated easily; can he handle the mental aspects of closing?  Uh…I guess there are a few questions the Mets need to answer right now. 

Here is my best guess:

Starting Rotation: Santana, Pelfry, Lowe, Maine and Niese.  Relievers: Smith, Feliciano, Kunz, Stokes, Ayala, and…your guess is as good as mine.  Infield: C Schneider and Castro, 1B Delgado, 2B Hudson, SS Reyes, 3B Wright Outfield: LF Evans /Murphy, CF Beltran, RF Church 

Mets Blog

Post info: By Bernalda on November 8th, 2008
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The Mets “Stink” Further out of Contention

I wonder what the Mets will be thinking about when they pack up their lockers this weekend?  The closing weekend of Shea Stadium and these losers couldn’t win a game.  What a joke!  The little snot nosed brats who play for the Marlins have all kinds of stuff to say about the Mets and how much they would love to be the ones to again, for a second straight year knock them out of the playoffs, and that junk still isn’t enough to get the Mets fired up.  I don’t get it.
 
The ability of the Mets to get big hits in big spots was putrid, not just last night, but the entire season-we have a team full of inflated statistics, but the numbers that really count aren’t there.  Yeah, Mike Pelfrey stunk in the first inning, but he limited the damage and kept the Mets in the game.  The Mets, don’t forget had the opportunity to get on the board in the first inning, and the second inning, and the third inning… and it goes on from there.  The left a ton of guys on base, they grounded into three double plays, they clearly didn’t want to be there.  Maybe they were melting in the rain.  What is it with this club that no one seems to be able to get the big hit?  So what that David Wright has 124 RBI, when was the last time he won a game for the Mets? 
 
There are so many fingers to point.  Just one question though, how do you give Omar Minaya a contract extension?  Really.  This guy has been the mastermind of two giant flops, and you’re still going to let him make baseball decisions?  Not only should Omar be on the hot seat, they might want rethink the position of Omar’s little trouble making puppet Tony Bernazard too while they’re at it.  There are questions as to whether or not Jerry Manual would be back and of course the talk is the Mets have to win in order for him to become more that just the interim manager.  Sorry, if Jerry’s job hinges on the Mets ability to win, why doesn’t Omar’s?  He must be a smooth talker, or maybe the Wilpons are just so stupid that they believe the bull he feeds them. 
 
One last thing, I have been hard on Johan Santana, but this guy has has been “amazin” down the stretch here in the second half of the season, he has become a leader, and today he has demanded to take the ball-too bad his tenacity hasn’t rubbed off on some of his team mates.
 
Post info: By Bernalda on September 27th, 2008
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Met Bats Let Them Down, Lose 9-6 in 10

I know what you’re thinkin’. The Mets lose 9-6 and this clown says it’s the bats that lost the game. What a moron! Well, did you watch the game smart guy? While, yes the pitching was putrid, the Mets could NOT get a runner in from third, with NO outs, on multiple occasions. 7th inning, 8th inning, 9th inning. It went on and on.  

Mets got off to a 5-1 lead thanks to a Carlos Delgado grand slam in the 3rd. Big Game Ollie could not get out of the 5th (good luck on that big contract, Ollie) and the Cubs tied it up. Brian Stokes gave up a run in the 7th to give the Cubs a 6-5 lead and then the fun began. First and third with no out for the Mets in the 7th. No runs. They loaded the bases in the 8th and were able to manage one measly run when Ramon Martinez (who the hell is THIS guy) was too scared to swing and luckily, Samardzjia walked him.  Daniel Murphy triples to lead off the 9th in a tie game.  David Wright STRIKES OUT!! Can’t even make contact. They walked the Carloses to pitch to Ryan Church ( who left a bazillion guys on base lately). He grounds meekly to second for a force at the plate. Lastly, Castro STRIKES OUT! No runs. You knew they were losing this game at that point.  Luis Ayala gave up 3 runs in the 10th and it was a done deal.  

The Phillies got blown out by the Braves. They were due so no biggie. The Brewers beat the pirates again. 11 in a row and counting. Way to go, Pitt!! Sabathia pitched again. I think he pitches every game for Milwaukee now. They think he’s “Old Hoss” Radbourn. Who’s that you may ask? “Hoss’ pitched for providence in the 1880’s. He was 60-12 one year, pitching 23 out of 24 games down the stretch. And today, we’re worried about pitch counts. 

Mets Blog

 

Post info: By Bernalda on September 25th, 2008
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Daniel Murphy’s Double Helps Mets Take Back NL East

The Mets got two strong innings out of Brian Stokes to close out the game in their 9-5 win over Atlanta on Friday night.  New York was 0-6 in Atlanta this season and really needed to get this win considering that both the Brewers and the Phillies lost their games. 

This bullpen is going to be the story every night.  It strikes me as interesting that when Dan Warthen came to the Mets the starting pitching took off, but why is it that the bullpen seems to have gotten worse?  Look-they were no great shakes to start the season, but no one has made any improvements and pretty much no matter who comes in, it seems that they can’t get an out.  It took four relievers in the bottom of the seventh to get three outs.  And how far have Duaner Sanchez and Aaron Heilman fallen that Nelson Figueroa and Ricardo Rincon come in to pitch before either one of them?  As it turns out though, Aaron Heilman got a huge out for the Mets and so did Pedro Feliciano.  

The Mets defense was atrocious, David Wright made another throwing error in the second inning that allowed two runs to score.  Then in the bottom of the seventh inning; both Jose Reyes and Ryan Church made errors which helped the Braves tie the game.  At that point it looked as if the Mets were going to pack it in for the night, but their offense had other things in mind.  Lucky for the Mets that the Braves made two errors in the top of the eighth.  Boy, Kelly Johnson is a terrible fielder!

 Jose Reyes lead off the game with a homerun for a second consecutive night.  He was 3-4 for the night, scored three runs and drove in a pair.  Although David Wright has really been in a slump at the plate he did have 2 RBI and seemed to be hitting the ball better.  But David needs to get his head in the game.  As I mentioned before, he had a throwing error for a second consecutive night.  These games are important and these guys can’t play sloppy like this.  The only starter in the lineup to not get a hit was Ryan Church who looked totally lost at the plate. 

The rookies were in the mix as well.  Nick Evans started the game in left and hit his second homer of the season.  I don’t remember the last time Evans actually started a game, but with the injury to Fernando Tatis he got the start in left.  Daniel Murphy is a hitter.  Wow-he came through with a huge pinch RBI double that gave the Mets a 7-5 lead.  I know the Mets would like to have him play some second base during the winter, but this is a guy that can really be valuable for the Mets down the stretch.  Jerry Manual said that because the Mets will face righties in the next six games (or so) Murphy will be getting the start in left.
 
Also, Brett Meyers is a jerk.  Apparently he has a little problem with Jose Reyes.  It seems Meyers and his buddy Jimmy Rollins like to do this little jive where Meyers mocks Reyes-I guess I can see how the Phillies might see Reyes as a hotdog.  But really?  There isn’t enough mustard for Jimmy Rollins, and seriously it gets old to see Ryan Howard strike his homerun pose when he hits a homer in the freaking joke of a ballpark they play in.  But then again, it is all a matter of perception.
 
By the way, just an FYI-all you Morons who stand outside the SNY studios and do all that stupid stuff for the camera-you ALL look like JERKS! 
 
Game two is scheduled for 7 p.m.  Pedro Martinez will be on the mound for the Mets. 

Post info: By Bernalda on September 20th, 2008
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Mets Finally Win, Down Nats 9-7

I guess one thing you can say about the Mets bullpen is that they are historical-like as in they are the worst bullpen in the history of baseball.  Seriously, seven relievers to close out a game?  While the bull pen  was awful last night, the Mets got enough offense to finally win a game a stop their losing streak.  It was a good thing they won as both the Phillies and the Brewers won last night. 

Jose Reyes hit a lead off homer.  Reyes admitted that he was glad that the Mets would be facing some right handed pitching as he has really struggled against the lefties here in September.  Obviously something clicked for him as he was 2-4 with 2 RBI; he also walked once and scored twice.  Carlos Delgado hit his 36th homer of the season; he also scored twice and drove in a pair as well.  Carlos Beltran was the real story last night.  He hit two homers and was 2-3 with 3 RBI and two runs scored.  Is there another outfielder in the National league who has both scored and driven in over 100 runs? 

Unfortunately David Wright is choking.  He was 0-5 last night, he struck out two times and stranded four guys on base.  It also looked as if his ninth inning error might just blown the game for the Mets.  I like David a lot.  I think he plays hard and I think he is just an all around good guy.  He is being groomed as ”the guy” of this team for the long haul.  But, if you look at what Ryan Howard is doing for his team right now and you compare that to where David is right now, it looks like he is choking big time.  Listen, I hope tonight that Wright comes out of this funk and totally just makes a fool out of me for writing this.  If the Mets are going to go anywhere and not fall out of this, they need the big four Wright, Reyes and the Carloses to carry them there. 

It appears that we will be oh so lucky to continue to see Luis Castillo.  Damion Easley is probably not going to be able to contribute much after tearing his quad over the weekend.  Also, while Fernando Tatis is holding off on having surgery for  his grade 3 shoulder separation, he will not be back for the Mets this season, even if they do make the play offs. 

The Mets will have Johan Santana on the mound tonight.  Game time is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. 

Mets Blog 

Post info: By Bernalda on September 18th, 2008
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Mets Lead Just 1/2 Game As Nat’s Win 7-2

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. 
 
Post info: By Bernalda on September 16th, 2008
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Mets Bullpen Blows 27th Save of the Season, Braves win 7-4

 

The Mets bullpen just imploded blowing their 27th save of the season-that’s right their 27th save of the season.  Luis Ayala blew his second save in nine tries.  He gave up three runs with out even ever retiring a batter.  Not to be out done, Pedro Feliciano allowed two more runs for good measure.  The Braves scored a total of five runs in the top of the ninth and won the game 7-4. 
 
I really can’t even think of what else to say about this “pigpen” (The bullpens nickname here in the NY papers).  I can write about the pigpen until my finger tips are bloody and in fact last week when I gave them a thumbs up, I said we knew we were a meltdown waiting to happen.  I guess it just took getting the Braves to town to bring that meltdown about. 
 
What are you going to do when not one guy in your bullpen can step it up and do their job?  Night after night we watch starters go deep into games because the thought of turning the game over to the bullpen strikes fear in the heart of anyone involved with the Mets.  It is outrageous that the Mets bullpen has been as putrid as they have been this year.  There isn’t anyone in the bullpen you can trust.  The Mets have blown 27 saves this season and you can “shouldda, couldda, wouldda” all you want, but if the Mets win even half those game-we wouldn’t even be worried about what the Phillies are doing.
 
David Wright hit two homers in the game and had four hits total.  His 31 homeruns is the most that he has ever hit in a season.  However, the Mets offense isn’t blameless in this loss, they still aren’t tacking on runs, they didn’t always get the big hit.  Again today they failed to get runners home, and were hitless in 11 at bats with runners in scoring position.  They left a ton of guys on base.   And although they are scoring early in the game their bats are dead in the later innings.  They have to figure out how to add on runs.  They kill everybody early in the game and score all their runs the, but can’t seem to get anything going with the bats in later innings.  If the Mets are going to overcome the pigpen troubles, then maybe one way to do that is to get some big hits in the later innings.   
 
The Mets had a two run lead and needed only to get three outs and their bullpen couldn’t even get that done.  The fact is this is the team we have.  The roster has been expanded.  We now know the truth about what has been going on with Billy Wagner and know we can’t count on him to come back.  You would think that someone would be able to step it up.  They are professionals after all.  I am really unhappy about the Mets bullpen, but you just have to shake your head.  
 
I must say that one bullpen guy did do his job today.  Joe Smith pitched a big inning for the Mets.  There again he was in to clean up someone else’s mess.  But that is what you do when you are a member of a team-you pick the other guy up. 
 
Also, wow-what a great job by the Brewers to play their best ball against the Phillies.  The Mets hold a slim lead in the NL East and the Phillies are tied for the wild card.  Which means that as the Phillies and the Mets continue to duke it out, instead of the wildcard coming out of the central, maybe it comes out of the NL East. 
 
The Mets travel to Washington and will have Pedro Martinez on the mound.  Game time is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. 
 
Post info: By Bernalda on September 15th, 2008
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Game 2: Mets 5 Braves 0

 

Jon Niese was awesome in his second start.  He pitched eight shut out innings, allowing only six hits.  Niese walked two and struck out seven.  It was a great outing for him, especially considering that his last outing didn’t go so well.  It was a shot in the arm for the Mets and (hopefully) a look at the future. 
 
The Mets offense was much better in the second game.  Carlos Beltran, David Wright and Jose Reyes all hit homeruns.  (Reyes was 3-5 in the second game)  Carlos Beltran has been red hot, he has an eleven game hitting streak, and is 18 for his last 42, meaning that during this hot streak he is hitting .429.  This is perfect time for him to get hot!  Luis Ayala closed out the game, he allowed two hits but no runs and stuck out one.  
 
The second game was what the Mets needed.  Because of how the schedule has worked out and because the Mets lost game one of the double header to the Braves, the Phillies picked up a half game in the standings.  Geez-could the Brewers show up at all?  The Brewers have lost the first two games of the series and now the two teams will play a double header this afternoon.  The Phillies are all po’d though because they asked the Brewers to stay in town and play Monday instead of playing the double header today and the Brewers declined, and it is basically so that they can save Sabathia for when the Brewers meet the Cubs on Tuesday.  Basically the Brewers have decided that their fight is more important than the Phillies.  I don’t blame them.  The Brewers are still fighting to get themselves into the playoffs.  Although, how great would it be to watching Sabathia just mow down that Phillies offense?
 
Headed into play today, the Mets have 15 games left.  On Monday they begin a four game series with the Nationals, then they travel to Atlanta for three.  They come home on Sept. 22 to play four with the Cubs and then finish the season with three against the Marlins.  In that time frame, the Phillies will have an off day on Monday, then will travel to Atlanta for a three game series  and then they’ll play three in Florida.  They return home to play three with Atlanta, and then after an off day on September 25th, they Phillies will complete their season with a three game set against the Nationals.  Every game has meaning-I love this time of year!  
 
The Mets will wrap up their last series ever at Shea Stadium with the Atlanta Braves this afternoon.  Chipper Jones has not played in this series because of a sore back but he did bring his four year old son, Shea to New York this trip.  Of course Shea Jones thinks that Shea Stadium was named after him!  Jorge Campillo will take the mound for the Braves and the Mets will throw Oliver Perez.  Game time is scheduled for 1:10 p.m. 
 
 
Post info: By Bernalda on September 14th, 2008
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Mets 13-Nationals 10

The Mets had a huge inning against Odalis Perez scoring six runs in the bottom of the third.  It looked as if they would cruise to the finish, but the Nationals would not go down with out a fight.  New York blew a six run lead but, they seem to have found some offense at the right time and are playing like winners.  After the game was tied at seven, the Mets scored six more runs to win 13-10.  This is a hard time right now, the Mets have a three and half game (four in the loss column) lead with just 17 games left to play.  This is right where the Mets were last year when they blew the seven game lead.  But, this year is different, these Mets are different.  

Mike Pelfrey pitched just five innings, allowed five runs on eight hits walked two did not record a strike out.  Pelfrey had some trouble early on, his pitches were up in the zone and they were hitting him hard.  It again raises the question if Pelfrey is going to (or has he already) hit a wall given that he has never pitched this many innings in one season before.  But as Jerry Manual said, and I agree-the Mets are I in a pennant race and they need everyone to get them there. 
 
The bullpen was not great last night, but I guess when you see that the other team has scored 10 runs it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realize that the pitching stunk.  Ah–where is Matt Wise when you need him?  Aaron Heilman is a nightmare.  I really don’t want to see this guy again unless the Mets are winning by 14 or losing by the same number.  The Mets need to chuck him and just be done with that head case.  Also, if you aren’t on the DL I really don’t care where you have tendonitis.  If you are playing, then you are not injured.  I hate when someone stinks and they all the sudden it is like, Oh…we’ll he has been hurt-who cares?  Is he playing?  If the answer is yes, then shut up.  Anyway, the Mets had a two run lead and Heilman gave up a two run homer to Christian Guzman.  Brian Stokes, who had been really good as of late wasn’t so great last night.  He gave up a three run homer to who–uh, Christian Guzman.  But, Joe Smith had another great outing and Luis Ayala closed out the game for his seventh save of the season for the Mets. 
 
The offense, after not getting it done in the first two games against the Philles over the weekend has done an all out turn around.  The Mets scored 29 runs in their past three games.  Interestingly, it wasn’t Carlos Delgado who carried the team last night, although he did have an RBI in the game.  Carlos Beltran had three big hit; he scored two and drove in two.  The Mets also got RBI from Fernando Tatis (2) and Brian Schneider (2) and Damion Easley (1).  David Wright had a great night; he was 4-4, scored four runs and drove in three.  Wright said after the game that this is the best he has felt at the plate in a long time, and boy is that good to hear because the Mets need all their big hitters to get them through these next few weeks. 
 
Wow-two ESPN “Top Ten” plays for the Mets last night.  Fernando Tatis took the wrong route to a ball in left field and made an outstanding leaping catch to record the out it was great.  Then David Wright, who at times has not been good with the glove, made a beautiful barehanded play on a slow hopper to third to throw the runner out at first.  It was great!  The Mets have played great fundamental baseball after having kind of a tough weekend in the field.  Right now, this team is in a groove and they are playing some good baseball. 
 
Elijah Dukes is a head case, this is a guy who needs a round the clock “minder” (is that another word for babysitter?) because he can’t keep himself out of trouble.  Is it really worth it to have that guy on your team?  I mean, his reaction to the “inside pitch” was a little extreme.  Yes, Dukes hit a homer off Pelfrey in his first at bat-but the pitch wasn’t even close.  They guy reacted as if Pelfrey threw at his head.  Meanwhile, like two innings later Pelfrey trying to go inside hit Dukes and this time he just took his base.  Whatever.   
 
Jose Reyes stole his 282nd and 283rd bases in the bottom of the third inning and now is the Mets all time leader in stolen bases.  It took Jose just six season to break the record that it took Mookie Wilson ten seasons to set.  Just glad that Reyes is getting on base and that his slump against the Phillies didn’t carry over. 
 
The Mets have an off day and then the Braves will be in town over the weekend.  The Phillies will start a four game set with the Brewers tonight.  Go Brew Crew!  The Mets need to take care of business against the Braves.  I must say though, it is kind of sad that in Shea Stadium’s last season the Braves come to town and not be anywhere near the race.  I think they should as Chipper Jones to take down #10. 
 
Friday’s starters: Johan Santana v. Mike Hampton, game time is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. 
 
Post info: By Bernalda on September 11th, 2008
Comments: 1 Comment »
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