Seems Omar Minaya has been a busy boy there in Las Vegas. Amazingly, he has actually done some good things.  Obviously the most important of the Mets transactions was the free agent signing of Francisco Rodriquez.  This is a great signing for the Mets as they essentially paid half price for the hottest free agent closer on the market. It was thought initially that K-Rod would end up signing a contract that would equal about 75 million dollars-but as time wore on there was a realization that there were no other big market teams other than the Mets who were looking for a closer.  Never in my wildest dreams did I think the Mets would sign K-Rod!  Obviously, this is a big deal for the Mets-hopefully, we will finally see a end to the circus that had become the ninth inning.

Rodriquez is a three time all star setting the single season record for saves when he recorded 62 saves for the Angels last season; his violent throwing motion that has been a source of speculation as some fear that he will injure himself at some point.  K-Rod has youth on his side as he will turn 27 in January.  Although Rodriquez has had a slight drop in his velocity he has developed a devastating change up to go along with his other pitches.

So, not only did the Mets sign K-Rod but they finally sent Aaron Heilman a packin’! So long, farewell Au revoir, Auf Weidersehen (ok, so when was the last time you read a Sound of Music reference in a sports blog? ) Sincerely, I hope Aaron Heilman is very happy in Seattle, actually, I don’t really care if he is happy I’m just glad he is gone-and couldn’t they have sent him any further away from New York?  The sad thing about this transaction is that with the departure of Heilman also comes the departure of Joe Smith-I liked Joe and was looking forward to seeing what he would do with the Mets this year.  However, in my book Joe Smith is a small price to pay to be rid of Heilman-I wonder if Scott Schoeneweis would fit in his suitcase? So, the Mets send off Heilman, Joe Smith, and Endy Chavez and a various other minor leaguers and return home with J.J. Putz reliever Sean Green and outfielder Jeremey Reed.

Putz who is a closer at heart has agreed to be the set up man-I just hope the Mets don’t end up in a situation where we have someone whining because they want to be a closer-but I guess we’ll visit that issue when it arises.

With the addition of K-Rod and Putz the Mets have basically said that they are out of the race for Derrick Lowe-who I guess will end up a Yankee along with pretty much the rest of the free agent pitching market. The Mets still have interest in trying to resign Oliver Perez, which I would be on board with.  The Mets have also stated that they might have interest in the return of Pedro Martinez, to which I respond-ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!

On a side note, this is just kind of one of those things that makes you shake your head-do the Nationals actually believe that Mark Teixeira would sign there?  I mean, they would probably have to double their offer to get him to even consider going there–

Mets Blog

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

Last night, the Mets blew a seven run lead, they also helped Jimmy Rollins into the record books as he became just the 4th player in 50 years to have five hits three stolen bases and three RBI in one game, and our team managed just four hits after the fourth inning.  Amazing.  How do you blow a seven run lead?  Well… 

When you can’t trust the bullpen you’re in trouble every night.  And that is the case.  Pedro struggled to finish the fourth, but knowing what the bullpen is like night after night, Pedro pitched the fifth.  Bad idea.  In the fifth, Pedro gave up a lead off double to the pitcher, and then Jimmy Rollins came in and hit a two run homer, he then walked Chase Utley, struck out Pat Burrell but Ryan Howard came through with a two run homer.  In five innings of work, Pedro allowed five runs on seven hits, he walked two and struck out eight.  Ok, so the score was 7-5, the Mets still held on to the lead.  Did they score any more runs?  NOPE.  After the fourth inning the Mets had just four hits.  I just don’t get how the Mets can score like crazy in the first three innings and then can’t do a thing there after.  They scored late against the Astros on Monday night, but I think it is one of a few times we’ve seen them tack on runs.  That is why they have so few come from behind wins.   

The Phllies cut into the Mets lead again adding one more off Duaner Sanchez.  Sanchez allowed a single, he was then replaced by Pedro Feliciano who gave up a single allowing the inherited runner to score.  In the ninth inning, with the Mets barely holding on, Luis Ayala who hasn’t allowed anything since joining the Mets, showed us why the Nationals let him go.  The Mets were two strikes away from getting the win when Ayala gave up a RBI double to pinch hitter Eric Bruntlett.  The Mets have now blown 22 saves.  Can you imagine if the Mets had just half of those games back, today they could have a ten game lead or better.  Aaron Heilman gets a lot of credit, he worked three innings of scoreless relief.  Scott Schoeneweis, who has been pretty much worthless since he signed with the Mets gave up the winning run in the bottom of the 13th.   

All in all this is just a putrid performance by the Mets.  I think I’ve used that term before, and you think it can’t get worse, but some how having another game like this against the Phillies makes it all that much more upsetting.  The Mets had this game right there, they put themselves in good position early on, and then just failed to do what had to be done.  Yes, you can blame the bullpen, they are part of the problem, but last night it was a collective effort, how do you score seven runs early and then give it back, or how do you score seven runs early and only then get four more hits the rest of the way-the Mets are loafing when they get a lead, I wish out team had a little more of the heart that the Phillies have.  

Damion Easley had a great night, he had four hits.  Both Jose Reyes and David Wright had ftwo hits.  David became the first player in Mets history to put together four consecutive years with 100 plus RBI.  What sticks out though is that neither Carlos Beltran nor Carlos Delgado did anything.  Delgado was the hero the night before, and in his last 55 games he has 55 RIB-just didn’t have any last night.  And while Beltran is like ninth in the league in RBI he is just shy of 90, he hasn’t really done anything for the Mets this season.  Can you name the last time Beltran was in the middle of it big time.  When did he last get a game winning hit?  Yes, in this past week he had a multihomer game, but really, when was the last time he won the game for the Mets?  I know you get  a lot out of him as far as defense goes and he did steal a base last night, but it was only his 18th this season.   

I think today I am nearly speechless.  Lucky for me that last night I actually went to bed before the wheels came off.  I was tired from being out late at the game the night before.  I went to bed the Mets were winning 7-1, and when they scored that run I told my husband, if the Phillies score here, they are very likely to come back and win this game.  I knew that it could happen because how many times have we’ve seen it.  They play in a band box-and yes the Mets were hitting in that park too-and got the cheap homers by  Fernando Tatis and Easley earlier in the game, we all know that no lead in that park is safe, the Phillies are fighting for first-just like the Mets are supposed to be.  I decide to go to bed because I knew if things went south, I’d be too mad to sleep.   

So while last night doesn’t fall squarely on the shoulders of the pitching staff it is hard not to focus that it was the pitching staff that blew a seven run lead, because really, when you have a seven run lead, you should win the game.  However, hopefully last night the Mets learned a lesson, that you can’t just stop playing because you have a lead.  Even down 7-0 the Phillies never thought they weren’t going to win that game.  That is the difference between the Mets and the Phillies the Mets kept playing as if they had already won the game. 

The Mets will hope that Johan Santan can pitch as well as he did in his last outing.  Game time is scheduled for 7:10 p.m.

Mets Blog 

The Mets beat the Braves last night 7-3.  Going into the eighth inning, it looked as if the Mets would drop yet another game to the Braves, but lucky for the Mets, because for one night, the bullpen that blew the game was wearing red and blue, not orange and blue.   

The Mets scored two in the first inning off Braves’ starter Jo-Jo Reyes on a David Wright sac fly and a double by Fernando Tatis.  However, the offense stopped there and for six straight innings the Mets did not get another hit.  However, in the bottom of the eighth, down 3-2 the Mets got a little help from the Braves bullpen.  Jeff Bennett retired Jose Reyes on a ground out, but then he issued back to back walks to Nick Evans and David Wright and Carlos Beltran got aboard to load the bases on a little blooper that Chipper Jonescould not make a plan on. The Mets, who have just been awful with the bases loaded, now had Carlos Delgado at the plate, Delgado who has cooled off since that amazing run in July had a terrible game at the plate on Monday against the Pirates.  For whatever reason, Bobby Cox elected to bring in the lefty-now I know that is by the book, but Delgado has smoked lefty pitching, Delgado hit a double off the fence in left center that was only a few inches from leaving the yard, two runs scored to put the Mets on top 4-3.  Easley hit a single to center that scored both Carloses, and then Ramon Castro drove home a run with a double to left.  In all, the Mets scored five in the inning and won the game 7-3.  The Mets finally got someone to hit with runners in scoring position.  It’s about time.  It was really unexpected also because after the first inning, the offense looked like it wasn’t going to do anything.  And for one night, the bullpen didn’t blow it.   

Oliver Perez struggled last night, he walked five stuck out three and allowed three runs on seven hits.  Luis Ayala jumped right into the fire, as he entered the game in relief for Perez with two on, Ayala got both batters he faced to pop up, ending the threat there.  Aaron Heilman worked the eighth inning, he allowed one hit and walked one but did not give up any runs.  Scott Schoeneweis worked the ninth inning to close the game out.  And, after it was all said and done, Schoneweis basically said to the press that it was nice that the other team’s bullpen was the story on the night.  

This series against the Braves is one of those must wins.  The Braves are terrible on the road, and again lat night lost a game in which they had a one run lead.  Combine that with the fact that the Phillies are playing the Nationals, and the Nationals have lost 11 straight, the Mets are going to have to do their part to not lose any ground in the standings.  

So, the Mets got bad news on Billy Wagner.  And then Billy Wagner has to turn around and tell us how we can’t understand how hard it is to go out there and do what they do day after day-being picked on in the press-well Billy, boo-hoo.  If you don’t like, don’t play in New York.  I mean, you played in Philly, you had to have some idea of what you were getting yourself into.  If you want fans who don’t care, go play for the Marlins, who even though they are winning can’t get anyone in the stands.  Shut up-before you end up with an inflamed jaw. 

And on a funnier note, there was a conference call set to take place yesterday between the umpires, major league baseball and whoever else.  Turns out, the Umps missed the call again; see, they are boycotting the usage of instant replay.  While I still haven’t figured out what my position is on this matter, I can tell you one thing-if they’d gotten the myriad of calls right over the season, then this would be a non-issue.  But the fact that they go out there night after night and continue to screw up calls has brought baseball to this point.  I have harped on this over and over, if there is anyone out there reading this on a steady basis, you know that I’ve been killing the officiating of these games all season. 

The Mets and Braves play the second of three tonight.  The Mets will send Mike Pelfrey to the mound, he is 11-8 with a 3.91 era.  The Braves will counter with their “ace” Jair Jurrjens who is also 11-8 but with a much lower era of 3.15.  Game time is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. 

Mets Blog 

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           

Is it really unreasonable to believe that your relievers should do their job and get some outs-without giving up a four run lead.  I have heard time and time again that the Mets bullpen isn’t terrible, it is just that guys have not performed as they are capable of performing.  Well, Monday’s loss marked the ninth time this season that the Mets lost a game in which they were leading in the eighth inning or later.  Imagine where the Mets would be if they’d even won five of those games. 

This bullpen is a disaster and I am getting so sick of discussing them and the way that they continue to go out there and blow leads or fail to keep the Mets in games.  The Mets made no moves at the trade deadline-and I agree they should not trade the future for a rental, but I’d really like to know what their game plan is.  Step number one should be to get rid of Aaron Heilman.  While I realize it was not just Heilman’s fault that the Mets lost today, I am sick of watching this guy and believe that a change of venue would do both Heilman and the Mets fans a world of good.  The sulky underachiever needs to go, he can’t pitch here-he is a total head case and the fans hate him, they start to boo when he warms up.  I am serious when I say that I think he is done here in New York.  I think his ego is too fragile he is the crowd’s favorite whipping boy-when John Maine comes back to the rotation it is Heilman who should go. 

I know that the problem is not just Heilman, no one in that bullpen has been able to step up.  Joe Smith allowed two runs on one hit-failing to record and out in the inning, Pedro Feliciano entered the game and allowed two inherited runners to score, he allowed one run on one hit and one walk.  Duaner Sanchez worked an inning and a third with out giving anything up.  But it is Heilman who has had five save opportunities and has blown three of them.  He allowed three runs on two hits and one walk in just one third of an inning.  Two of Heilman’s runs actually crossed the plate with Scott Schoeneweis on the mound.  Schoeneweis  allowed a two run single before recording the last out of the inning. 

The bullpen disaster wiped out the fact that Pedro Matinez had a really good start.  For the first time in like forever, Pedro did not allow a run in the first inning.  In fact, Pedro hardly allowed anything.  He left the game throwing just under 100 pitches.  In six innings of work he allowed just one run on three hits, he walked four and stuck out three.  It was a much better job by Pedro and it was just what the Mets needed.  Only the bullpen did not get the memo.  I know that when you are part of team you have to forgive and forget because one day you might just be the reason your team loses, but I can’t imagine any Met pitcher wants to hand the ball over to the bullpen.  What is amazing too, is the only guy who gets grief for not going deep into the game is Johan Santana. 

The offense got on Zach Duke early.  At one point the Mets were leading the game 4-0.  And really, when you are leading a game by four runs, you should win the game.  David Wright got the Mets on the board with a three run homer in the bottom of the first.  Against the Pirates Monday, Wright was 2-5 with a homer and three RBI; in his last six games, Wright is 12-27 hitting .444 with three homers and nine RBI.  Robinson Cancel made the start in place of Ramon Castro, Cancel was 2-4 on the day hitting his first career homerun.  It seems too, that Castro is wearing thin on Jerry Manual.  This conversation has been rehashed many times over, Castro is lazy -that is why he is a back up and not an every day catcher, he doesn’t want to work that hard.  Manual was annoyed that Castro did not play, and called him out in his remarks to the press.  He basically said that Castro has the OK of the medical staff to play, but it is up to the player to tolerate the pain and play through it. 

This loss it the kind of thing that makes you shake your head.  It actually makes me insanely angry, and I really feel that the Mets are in trouble.  I am sick of guys not gutting it out.  It almost seems like it did earlier this season.  My beef then was with the offense and the lackadaisical play in the field, now it is with the relief pitiching.  These guys have one job to do, and they have been ineffective nearly the whole season.  And, not it is not just one guy-the whole bullpen stinks.  Billy Wagner is supposed to come off the DL one week from today.  I’m not sure though if we are supposed to be excited by that or not, but I do know he won’t be worse than Heilman has been. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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.

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