Monthly Archives: April 2004
The News
Jae Seo pitched 6 1/3 innings and allowed only one run, Karim Garcia hit a two-run homer and Mike Cameron added a solo shot as the Mets defeated the Dodgers in Los Angeles last night by a score of 6-1.
Having taken two of three from the Dodgers to begin the road trip, the Mets now move to 9-13, and are 6 games back of the NL East leading Florida Marlins.
The Mets starting pitching has the lowest ERA in all of baseball.
Adam Rubin of the Daily News points out: Veteran righthander James Baldwin held Triple-A Durham to one earned run and six hits in 6-2/3 innings last night, lowering his ERA to 3.42 as a Tide. Baldwin can opt out of his contract today if he isn’t promoted to the majors, and with Seo looking sharp last night, the Mets might not have room.
Note: Braden Looper has yet to allow an earned run in his ten appearances this season. However, for the season, he is on pace to have only 30 saves in a mere 30 opportunities.
The Mets ER
Jose Reyes left his rehab game yesterday for Class A St. Lucie in the fourth inning after feeling a twinge in his injured hamstring while running out a groundball. He removed himself from the game as a precaution and will be re-evaluated on Friday. Mets GM Jim Duquette said latest setback was minor, telling MSGNetwork that Reyes’ initial injury was more severe than originally thought. “He didn’t aggravate, but he wasn’t feeling 100 percent,” Duquette said. “When he was running down the line he felt it.”
Cliff Floyd’s will not be rejoining the Mets in San Diego as well. Reports indicate that his injured quadricep has not healed enough to allow him to even play in a rehab game.
According to the Daily News, Ty Wigginton, who was hospitalized for an ulcer last week, will travel to Florida today and should rejoin the Mets on Thursday.
Reports indicate that Joe McEwing sprained his left ankle taking ground balls before Wednesday’s game, and Shane Spencer has soreness in his right hamstring. The Daily News writes: [Spencer] said Mets doctors believe the injury stems from right-hip trouble, which caused his left leg to be an inch and a half longer than his right leg.
Things to Know For Tonight’s Game
Tyler Yates makes his fourth start for the Mets tonight as the club takes on the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Yates 1-0 with a 0.77 ERA in two starts against the Expos, but 0-2 with a 9.52 ERA against the Braves and Cubs.
The Mets have scored a total of just one run in Yates’ two defeats this season.
In 390 match-ups lifetime between the Mets and Padres, each has won 195. Weird.
The Padres have won 10 of their last 13.
Padres OF Ryan Klesko is currently on a seven game hitting streak.
Metsblog.com’s Take
On Yates
The News
Dave Roberts and Adrian Beltre each hit a home run; Milton Bradley robbed Mike Cameron of one leading off the sixth inning; and two balls skimmed off the pitcher to keep the tying run from scoring in the Mets 3-2 loss to the Dodgers Wednesday night.
The Mets were 3-for-17 with runners on base and 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position last night.
According to the Daily News, Scott Erickson experienced discomfort in his left hamstring after only 19 pitches in a rehab start for the St. Lucie Mets. In the same game, Jose Reyes started and went 1-for-5 with a double.
GM Jim Duquette told the Daily News it’s possible Floyd could rejoin the team in San Diego on Saturday.
Adam Rubin of the Daily News suggests that the Mets, who pick third in the June draft, will likely select RHP Justin Verlander of Old Dominion or RHP Jeff Niemann of Rice. Verlander has 91 strikeouts in 85 2/3 innings pitched for ODU. Opponents are batting .223 against him, though low run support has contributed to his 4-5 record. According to SignOnSanDiego.com, Niemann is an intimidating figure on the mound for Rice, and following a 17-0 record and a 1.70 ERA in 2003, CollegeBaseballInsider.com predicted he would be College Pitcher of the Year in 2004. Niemann is 5-2, has struck out 63 batters, while walking 18, in 55 innings with a 2.59 ERA in 2004 for the Rice Owls.
- Baseball America provides a tremendous article about Mets 3B Prospect David Wright that is bound to make most Mets offer to drive the kid to Shea Stadium themselves. The article quotes Wright’s Binghamton manager Ken Oberkfell as saying, “I don’t have one negative thing to say about him; he’s just been great…He hits the ball to all fields, with power. He hits it well to right-center field, and he’s shown he can turn on a good fastball. He’s got at least 20-homer power, and maybe 25 or 30; he’s got that kind of ability…He looks very good at third base; he’s got good range, an above-average arm and good hands. All he really needs is playing time and experience. I think his development is right on schedule.”
If you would like to receive an email when Metsblog is updated, click here: Update
After reading today’s post, on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being most confident, how confident are you that the Mets will play “meaningful games” in September of 2004?
As a boat sinks into the ocean, there is a definitive point when a person must leap for freedom. In a Major League Baseball season, when is that time?
Since the Mets fell to the Cubs on Sunday afternoon, fans and sports writers have been asking the same question.
“We’re at the two-and-a-quarter mile in a marathon,” pitching coach Rick Peterson told the New York Post. “Who won the two-and-a-quarter mile in the New York Marathon last year?”
This is New York, however, not Oakland, and poise and logic don’t apply. At the 19 game mark, rumblings and discussions as to Art Howe’s future in a Mets uniform have already begun.
In all likelihood, the Howe-backlash stems from boredom and frustration. At this point, based on the direction of the team, most fans would gladly accept “meaningful games” in May, let alone September.
The fan’s tone is reaching a boiling point. “[Howe] makes Joe Torre look like an “active” manager, and I’m not totally convinced Joe Torre is actually alive, but rather a Weekend At Bernie’s type gimmick,” an anonymous writer contributed to a recent Metsblog poll.
Another contributor, going by the name Michaelspo, asks, “Do you think if we had [Lou] Pinella or [Dusty] Baker we would be this bad? I doubt it. Maybe the Mets would not be a first place team, but the players would play better ball under those guys.
Mets fill-in 1B and 3B Todd Zeile spoke about Howe’s managerial style to the New York Times, saying, “People are critical of Art because they say that he has a very quiet nature, but he has showed us some emotion
In an attempt to gauge the psyche of the New York Mets fan, we ask the following: On a scale of 1-10 (10 being “completely responsible” and 1 being “not at all responsible”), how responsible is Art Howe for the Mets struggles this season?
Post your comments below:
The News
Karim Garcia’s homer ended Matt Clement’s no-hit bid in the sixth inning, but couldn’t keep the Mets from losing for the eighth time in 10 games. The Mets are now 7-12, and 5.5 games behind the division leading Marlins.
“We’re going to take the day off to think about what the hell we did here,” Karim Garcia told the AP. Here’s some help Karim: The Mets went 2-for-29 with runners on base, struck out 37 times, walked on six occasions, and scored less runs than they had losses during their recent series with the Cubs.
GM Jim Duquette told the NY Post that he intended to get things turned around saying, “You don’t want to get too far behind the 8-ball.”
This season, the Mets have scored one run or less nine times, including seven of their past nine games.
Jason Phillips now has the worst batting average, .130, among all major-league qualifiers. He is hitless in his last 25 at-bats. In an attempt to change his luck, Phillips has shaved his infamous goatee.
Asked what the mood of the Mets was, Mike Piazza told the Star-Ledger, “Pretty bad…I feel like we went from bad team offense to worse…I don’t think anyone is exempt from it. We’re not putting any pressure on the opposition at all.”
On Saturday, a person familiar with the Mets’ thinking told the Star-Ledger that the team is “willing to give [(batting coach) Denny] Walling and the rest of the coaches a chance to break out of” the slump. If the offensive struggles continue, however, Mets management will have to make a move.
Adam Rubin of the Daily News reports that Duquette has looked into trade options to help improve the Mets’ lineup, but says that no teams are interested in making deals so early in the season. Rubin also adds that the Mets have stopped making projections as to when SS Jose Reyes will rejoin the club.
According to the Bergen Record, the Mets have looked into two Cuban defectors, pitchers Alay Soler and Roberto Sotolongo. The two have worked out for teams three times in the past month, with the Mets attending each workout. Soler, a starter who is said to be 24-years-old, “is someone who can help someone right now,” his agent, Joe Cubas, said of the righty who throws in the 92-94 mph range. Sotolongo is an 18-year-old closer.
The Mets resume play in Los Angeles on Tuesday, the same day Cliff Floyd is expected to return to action.
Metsblog.com’s Take
The big picture is looking bleak. Metsblog still believes that with a healthy Cliff Floyd, Jose Reyes and Ty Wigginton back in the lineup, the Mets are capable of scoring enough runs a game to win
The News
- From the Associated Press: Mets third baseman Ty Wigginton was hospitalized after fainting at home and feeling dizzy at the ballpark. He is expected to miss New York’s road trip to Chicago, Los Angeles and San Diego, and it’s likely that he will be placed on the 15-day disabled list. “He looked pale and weak when he came to the ballpark and then he had dizzy spells during the game,” manager Art Howe said.
- In AAA International League action, Mets SP Aaron Heilman allowed eleven hits, but no walks, in six innings while giving up four earned runs in a loss. At the AA level, 3B David Wright continues to hit, going 2-4 with a homer, two RBI a walk and a stolen base. Wright is hitting .360 with 3 HR on the short season. Lastly, in A Ball, SP Scott Kazmir threw five shutout innings while striking out 4 in a no-decision.
Metsblog.com’s Take
Hmmm…I wonder if David Wright spiked Wigginton’s Gatorade. Just kidding.
Seriously, ranging from dehydration to a shift in diet to an internal disorder, anything could be effecting Wiggy. Metsblog wishes him a safe and quick recovery.
Media sources believe the Mets will simply go with Todd Zeile on a regular basis at 3B, allowing the club to promote Ricky Bottalico to the bullpen.
If you would like to receive an email when Metsblog is updated, click here: Update
After reading today’s post, on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being most confident, how confident are you that the Mets will play “meaningful games” in September of 2004?
The News
Tom Glavine tossed seven innings and allowed one earned run, lowering his ERA to 1.29. Awful base running and clumsy fielding by his teammates, and suspect decisions in the third base coaching box, however, wasted the effort, leading the Mets to another 2-1 loss to the Expos and dropping the team to 6-9 on the season.
Art Howe called his first team meeting of the season before Wednesday’s game to address the tension that has developed over the club’s series of frustrating losses over the last week. “They’re in such close games and everybody is trying to hit it out of the ballpark, to either get us back in it when we’re one down or trying to break it open,” Howe told MLB.com. “We’re going to take what they’re going to give us…Several of the guys are struggling and [breaking out of a slump is] easier said than done. We’ve got to keep working at it.” The meeting was eight minutes long according to Fox Sports.
The Mets are 1-5 in one-run games.
Kaz Matsui‘s batting averaged has dipped below .300 for the first time all season. He has only 1 hit in last 12 at-bats and has not walked during that span. “They’re throwing me all the pitches to the outside corner, and, obviously, I’m not adjusting to it,” Matsui told the NY Post, adding he might try standing closer to the plate.
In games when Matsui gets at least two hits, the Mets are 4-1 – when he has less than two hits, they are 2-7. Matsui and Mike Cameron are batting a combined .154 in their last 24 at-bats.
Though it appears that Cliff Floyd will return to the club next Tuesday in Los Angeles, Jose Reyes‘ return now seems to be further off. According to Adam Rubin of the Daily News, Reyes wasn’t willing to run “full throttle” during an extended spring training game Tuesday, and as such, his minor league stint has been delayed.
Tom Glavine, Steve Trachsel, Al Leiter and Tyler Yates have an ERA of 2.51. The bullpen’s ERA is 6.14.
Mike Piazza has not hit a home run in 46 at-bats, and has only one RBI during the same span.
Things To Know For Today’s Game
Discounting Steve Trachsel’s first start of the season against Atlanta, his ERA is 1.92. Over the last two seasons, Trachsel’s ERA against the Expos is 2.75.
The Expos will start John Patterson today. Patterson allowed five runs and five hits, including three homers, over just four innings, walking one and striking out two during his last start against the Phillies. Patterson is 1-0 with a 6.10 ERA in two career starts against the Mets.
Montreal has seven wins in its last eight games at Shea Stadium.
Metsblog.com’s Take
The News
3B David Wright was 2-for-4 with a home run, two RBI and two runs scored in the Binghamton Mets win over New Britain last night in the AA Eastern League. Wright is now batting .348 on the early season. Jose Diaz continued to shine as well, tossing four hitless innings to lower his ERA for the season to .71. Diaz has 13 strikeouts in 12.1 innings pitched.
For more minor league information, sign up for Kevin Goldstein’s Baseball America Prospect Report at BaseballAmerica.com.
Metsblog.com’s Take
Ty WiggintonThe News
Jose Vidro‘s leadoff home run against reliever David Weathers in the eighth inning broke a 1-1 tie, and pushed the Expos to a 2-1 victory over the Mets last night, their fourth loss in five games. The loss drops the Mets back to two games under .500, 6-8 on the season. Al Leiter allowed one run and five hits in seven innings, striking out four. He had a 29 1/3 inning scoreless streak when Montreal scored in the sixth.
Jason Phillips didn’t start for the third time in four games. “It took 11 games for me to lose the job,” Phillips told the NY Post. Phillips is batting .191 on the season, .100 over the last two weeks. Manager Art Howe insists Phillips has not lost his job, but is simply playing the hotter hand in Todd Zeile. After going 1-for-4 last night, Zeile is hitting .320. in 25 at-bats.
Things To Know For Tonight’s Game
Livan Hernandez starts for the Expos tonight. Hernandez lost to the Mets 4-1 a week and a half ago. He is 6-8 with a 4.59 ERA in 19 career starts against the Mets.
Tom Glavine starts for the Mets. Glavine has allowed just 2 earned runs and ten hits in 20 innings pitched this season.
Jason Phillips has five hits in 11 at-bats, a home run and three RBI against Livan Hernandez last season. He was 0-3 against Hernandez in their meeting earlier this season.
Metsblog.com’s Take
On Jason Phillips’ batting slump…
The Mets have only played games this season against the Braves, Expos and Pirates. Against the Braves, Phillips was 7-23, with four doubles and five walks. Against the Expos and Pirates, he is hitless.
On the season, Phillips is batting just .143 after an 0-1 count. Last season, he hit .275 in the same situation. A slump, and not a lack of overall talent, is often confirmed by this stat, when compared to a history of success, as it shows the batter’s ability to adjust and remain poised.
Metsblog contends that Phillips is out of rhythm, which is the same reason for Alex Rodriguez‘s horrible start with the Yankees. A-Rod hit .253 after a 0-1 count last season
The News
Mike Pizza got his first extra-base hit in nearly two weeks, the bullpen looked great, Karim Garcia and Ty Wigginton hit homers and Tyler Yates threw 5.2 innings, struck out one, walked three and allowed five hits, on route to the Mets 4-1 victory over Montreal. “It was great having a youngster out on the mound stop a losing streak,” Mets manager Art Howe told the AP. Yates is now 1-1, with a 3.86 ERA in his rookie season.
The Mets are hitting just .248 with runners in scoring position this season. Only eight other teams are hitting worse. The flip-side stat may be of more relevance, as the team is built on “pitching and defense” and not necessarily on offense: While the Mets pitching staff has allowed 33 hits with runners in scoring position, eighth worst in baseball, the Marlins, who are 8-4, and in first place in the NL East, have allowed only 12.
Adam Rubin of the Daily News reports that Jose Reyes and Cliff Floyd will likely return to the Mets a week from today in Los Angeles.
The Star-Ledger reports the Mets “worked out” free agent right-hander John Steitz in the bullpen yesterday. Steitz was the Brewers No. 3 pick in the 2001 draft. If signed, the Mets will send him to Class-A St. Lucie. If not, the Star-Ledger reports he will go to Yale Law School. Nice back-up plan!
Things To Know For Tonight’s Game
Al Leiter hasn’t allowed a run in 24 1/3 innings.
Zach Day, a ground-ball specialist, starts for the Expos tonight. Day is 3-0, with a 1.82 ERA lifetime against the Mets. As MLB.com notes: The Mets are 6-for-42 (.143) collectively against Day. Mike Piazza has two of those hits.
The Expos have lost eight games in a row and have the single worst statistical offense in baseball.
Metsblog.com’s Take
Yates drew praise from the team at ESPN’s Baseball Tonight. They noted his ability to move the ball across the plate, thus expanding the strike zone to a point that had Expos hitters swinging at his slider, which at times was a good foot off the plate.
The Mets desperately need a young, durable, hard-throwing starting pitcher. Yates is young and learning. It is understandable that he will bounce between great starts and mediocre starts. The key is that he rebound from those poor performances and show that he is learning from his mistakes. It, of course, helps when that follow-up outing is against the Expos.
Yates’ next start will be against the Cubs at Wrigley Field in Chicago. The Cubs are hitting .321 and have averaged six runs per game at home this season.
If you would like to receive an email when Metsblog is updated, click here: Update
After reading today’s post, on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being most confident, how confident are you that the Mets will play “meaningful games” in September of 2004?
