Daily Archives: August 2, 2007
Steve Popper in The Record quotes Ramon Castro on getting Oliver Perez to settle down during games
Popper describes the tendency Perez has for getting overexcited at times, and goes from being a shutdown pitcher to someone who self destructs and loses his head at times.
…i don’t want him to settle down too much, cause i think his adrenaline is part of what makes him such a great pitcher, he just needs to focus and take a breath in those times where he gets a little carried away…it’s not a huge issue but like we saw in pittsburgh, it could be if he’s not able to settle himself back in…
Tonight, the Mets Single-A affiliate Savannah Sand Gnats are hosting “Lindsay
Lohan Drunk Driving Awareness Night.”
The Sand Gnats will encourage the fans in attendance to learn from the
redheaded actress’ mistakes and plan for safe transportation home from the
game.
Hook Towing will have a wrecked car from a drunk driving accident
on display on the plaza in front of the main gate. Savannah Highway Enforcement
of Aggressive Traffic (HEAT) will also be at the game with its blood alcohol
testing van.
…brilliant…i can’t think of a better poster child for discouraging people from getting in a car and driving drunk…gotta love minor league promotions…
On Mets Geek, Alex Nelson has put together an extensive month in review of the Mets in July.
Among the statistics Alex shares with us, he points out that the Mets have improved their batting average with runners in scoring postion from .236 in June to .283 in July. The Mets are just four games off their pace from last year.
Looking forward, this month the Mets will face the Brewers and Cubs before a big series at home against the Braves followed by the Marlins, Pirates, Nationals, Padres and Dodgers. The Mets close out the month in Philadelphia before another big series in Atlanta as we head toward September.
On today’s edition of The MetsBlog Podcast, I talked with Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com for roughly 15 minutes about Tuesday’s non-
waiver trade deadline, the value of Mets prospects, what the team does now going forward, and the job being done by Willie Randolph.
Yesterday, Anthony and I talked with Tim Marchman from the New York Sun in a round-table discussion about what the Mets did, and didn’t do, at the deadline.
To listen to these interviews, and past editions of The MetsBlog Podcast, use the audio player in the right-hand sidebar at MetsBlog.com.
Also, to subscribe to The MetsBlog Podcast, and receive new and old editions directly to your iPod, use this url, or simply search MetsBlog on iTunes and click subscribe.
On Monday night, Guillermo Mota allowed a hit for a blown save. Last night, he tossed two scoreless, hitless innings with two strike outs.
Willie Randolph, on why he used Mota, while talking to reporters after last night’s win…
“Every once in a while you’ll make a bad pitch, and you’ve got to get back on that horse and get out there again. So, I wanted to go back to him, and he threw the ball great tonight. Outside of the one pitch last night, he threw the ball well. Mota’s throwing the ball well, but guys give up a hit here and there and every one wants to throw in the towel, but he’s got good stuff, as good as anybody’s stuff in our bullpen, I believe that, he believes that, but it’s just a matter of making pitches. He did a great job for us tonight, and I’m gonna go to him again.”
…we’d like to think it’s the lack of steroids, or simply that he doesn’t have it any more, but, the fact is, when he keeps the ball down and changes speeds he is still very good…last season, he made very few mistakes…this season, not so much…last night, he did what he needs to do…the question, however, is can he do this on back-to-back days, and get some sort of rhythm going, because he is very, very needed out there…
Last night, Oliver Perez allowed five runs on five hits and three walks through six innings, while striking out 11.
…he allowed three runs in the first, two in the second, 
got a bit rattled, but settled down and battled through, which was good to see…
However, as Steve Popper still puts it in the Bergen Record, “There is the good Oliver Perez and the bad Oliver Perez.”
Willie Randolph, on Perez, while talking to reporters after last night’s win…
“He settled in, and did seem to get stronger as the game went on, but his sixth-inning pitch count was a bit high so I didn’t want to stretch him out too much.”
…i could only keep thinking of Tom Glavine, who, while working for his 300th win, pitched a gem the night before, during which his team only scored two runs for him…then, tonight, perez is a mess to start, gets it together, sticks around, the Mets score eight and he gets a win…such is baseball…
Lastings Milledge entered Monday’s game batting .424 with two HR in his previous nine games. However, he went hitless in six at-bats on Monday.
As such, Willie Randolph started Marlon Anderson in center field, in place of Milledge.
Anderson has been hitless in previous six at-bats, yet, last 
night he was 2–for-4 with two runs scored, a home run and four RBI.
…i’m not sure why this type of behavior from willie continues to confuse some fans…it is what it is…don’t you remember Jose Offerman during willie’s first summer…i mean, it was pretty clear right from the get-go that this is who willie is, and how he’ll be, for better or worse…i used to get worked up over it, but that stopped quickly…now, i just accept it and enjoy the show, because, honestly, he’s earned it because so many of these decisions pan out…
Randolph, on why he chose Anderson, when talking to reporters after last night’s win…
“I have a good feel for my players, to be honest, you know, and Marlon was ready to play tonight – all of my guys are, every day we talk, and communicate with each other – and I had a feeling, that’s all. Marlon came through as usual.”
For additional quotes from Randolph, check out John Delcos in the Journal News, who got the manager alone for a few questions after the game.
…added to by Anthony De Rosa…
…SNY’s Lee Mazzilli made a great point last night in the pre-game…often times the manager is privy to information none of us know, and will not make public…this isn’t to say that he somehow knew marlon was due for a big game last night but i wouldn’t be surprised if maybe milledge wasn’t completely ready to play but not serious enough to make a big deal about…sometimes there are things that happen behind the scenes only a manager and his players are privy to…
…or as willie said, he just had a feeling…
Triple-A RHP Brian Lawrence will start for the Mets tonight against the Brewers.
He was 8-2 with a 3.87 ERA in 12 starts for New Orleans.
…from what i can gather, as teams started to look for a veteran arm, lawrence’s name kept coming up, and since he has a verbal agreement with the team that he can walk should a major-league contract come his way, this promotion makes total sense…plus, he’s said o be showing great command and control, so i’m interested to see what he brings to the table tonight…
As such, RHP Jorge Sosa will shift to the bullpen. However, prior to last night’s game, Willie Randolph told reporters that the move for Sosa may only be for the ‘short-term,’ adding, ‘we’ll see what happens.’
…there’s your bullpen acquisition, i guess…
Sosa was 6–1 with a 2.64 ERA in his first seven starts.
In his last eight starts, though, he is 1–5 with a 7.41 ERA.
On Tuesday, Jose Reyes stole a base, making him the first player with three consecutive seasons of 50 or more stolen bases for the Mets.
…fifty, heh, rickey had fifty at the all-star break…
Mets RHP Jon Adkins and C Sandy Alomar Jr. each cleared waivers and will report to Triple-A New Orleans.
