Daily Archives: August 17, 2007
The Mets (68–53) defeated the Nationals (55–67) tonight by the score of 6 to 2 in D.C.
For a recap and boxscore, go to Yahoo! Sports.
…i forgot how surprising the pop is in Damion Easley’s bat, as he hit a home run for the game’s first run…
…later, Jose Reyes walked, stole second, moved to third on the over throw, then scored on a single by David Wright…beautiful…
…speaking of wright, first off, he was safe stealing second, even though the umpire called him out…second, i think it’s time he stopped trying to steal off a left-handed pitcher, because it’s clear they are not fooled by him in the least…lastly, it was nice to see willie come out an argue…though it was funny to see him try to get all hot, while protecting his shoulder, which is clearly still in a bit of pain…
…speaking of umpires, the league has got to crack down on these guys anticipating calls before they happen…that’s twice it has happened in the last week, just to the Mets…
…Tom Glavine was just what the doctor ordered…he was mixing in his curve ball a bit tonight, as well, which is good to see…things got shaky for tommy in one inning, but he battled through, pitched smart, got a nice defensive play, and he escaped…after that he was gold…also, i can only assume Rick Peterson and Willie Randolph asked glavine, after having thrown 102 pitches at the end of the sixth, to give them one more inning, and he did, which was huge, because with the way the bullpen has pitched of late who knows what could have happened instead…nice job, man…
…i love the way Moises Alou thumps around the bases, like he’s out running a long-distance marathon…i expect to see the shortstop reach out to him with a small cup of water, only to have him swat it away…
…Pedro Feliciano looked okay, serving as the team’s closer for the night…
…is it me, or did this game feel like an American League snoozer…jeez, pick it up, guys…
…nice win, especially coming off of last night’s disaster…
The Mets (67–53) take on the Nationals (55–66) tonight in DC for the first of a three-game series.
The Lineup…
Jose Reyes leads off, followed in order by Luis Castillo, David Wright, Carlos Beltran, Moises Alou, Shawn Green in right field, Damion Easley at first base, Mike DiFelice and Tom Glavine.
Prior to the game, Willie Randolph told reporters that although they are not in the lienup, Carlos Delgado (knee), Ramon Castro (back) and Lastings Milledge (flu) could all pinch hit if need be.
For other on-field pre-game notes, check out John Delcos’s blog for the Journal News.
The Pitchers…
Tom Glavine (10–6, 4.25 ERA) starts for the Mets. Glavine is 3-1 with a 2.27 ERA in five starts at RFK Stadium. Earlier this season, he held the Nationals to one run and three hits in six innings.
Matt Chico (5-6, 4.85) will start for the Nationals. The Nationals are 10-3 when he pitches at RFK Stadium. Chico has walked at least three batters in six straight starts, and has not pitched more than five innings in any of his last four starts.
The Notes…
The Mets are 17-5 in RFK Stadium since the Nationals began playing there in 2005.
The Bleachers:
To chat during the game, head over to The Hot Foot Bleachers. If you are IRC savvy, log on to irc.echo34.com and enter channel #metsblog.
…enjoy…and as always, let’s go mets…
Earlier today, Mets GM Omar Minaya appeared as a guest on WFAN and had the following to say when asked if he hopes to add a pitcher via the waiver wire prior to September 1…
“Well, we’re gonna try…I will tell, looking at the list today, as far as who has cleared, the pickings are not too good…There are some things that would peak my interest, but I think what you’re looking at, you’ll have to be creative…they’ll almost be change-of-scenery guys…
“I just don’t think any of the guys we’re looking at is a guarantee-lock kind of guy…
“I think we’re gonna have to think within, also…some of our Triple-A starters could slide in to the bullpen, if that’s what it means. I don’t think there is gonna be a proven guy available…
“We’re gonna try an be aggressive…Just so you know, just today we claimed three relievers who were all claimed by other clubs. We’re
trying to address our needs, but the bottom line is that those guys are not available.”
…you heard him, Mike Pelfrey…get ready, buddy…
In 10 games this season for the Mets, opponents are batting .264 against Pelfrey during his first 30 pitches, but .367 during his next 30 pitches.
At NY Sports Space, the NY Sports Guy updates a graphic recently shown on SNY displaying how Beltran, Wright, Reyes and Lo Duca have hit with runners in scoring position this season compared to last.
At his blog for Newsday, David Lennon notes that Pedro Martinez will now pitch in Port St. Lucie on Tuesday, not Monday as originally planned.
…update…
Lennon has since corrected his post, to note that Martinez will in fact pitch Monday.
…oops…
This season in sweep opportunities, not counting two-game series, the Mets are 3-6. Last year at this time, they were 5-4.
This season in the rubber game of a three-game set, the Mets are 8-9. Last year, they were 13-6.
…i guess this plays right in to what Willie Randolph was complaining about last night…
Randolph, on neck-stepping, while talking to reporters after last night’s loss to the Pirates…
“Obviously, you have to stay focused and get over that hump…It’s a matter of when you get your foot on their neck you have to press it down a little harder and finish it up. We had a chance to sweep (against the Pirates), and we didn’t get it done.”
…so, like martin used to say, get to steppin…
…thanks to bryan f for the information…
Since July 21, only four times in 24 games has a Mets starting pitcher lasted longer than seven innings in a start.
Only one starting pitcher has done so in 14 games in August.
…you know, when you think of it from an odds point of view, knowing that no one relief pitcher will be perfect every single time he throws, the 
more times he must come in to pitch, the better the chance of seeing him blow up…i mean, if the relief picthers are expected to be perfect for three to four innings every single night, at some point, someone, if not all of them, will go off track…basically, i’m starting to realize that i expect too much of these guys on a nightly basis, which may be why i have been so disappointed in them of late…to expect the likes of Guillermo Mota, Aaron Heilman and Pedro Feliciano to pitch great every single night is nuts…
…thanks to steven j for the information…
This week on SNY’s Mets Weekly, among other segments, watch a great feature on local prospect Kevin Mulvey, as well as recations by fans, players and reporters on last weekend’s series against the Braves.
Mets Weekly will air at 12:30, Saturday, August 18, and will re-run at various times through the following week.
…given the current state of the Mets bullpen, i have been sent a lot of e-mail today asking about Duaner Sanchez and Ambiorix Burgos…
Earlier this week, Mets Ass’t GM Tony Bernazard told reporters that Sanchez had begun throwing from flat ground while rehabbing in Port St. Lucie.
…the thing is, the buzz from st. lucie continues to be that sanchez will be lucky to actually pitch for the Mets this season…i mean, it was more than a year ago since he pitched in a major-league game, and he has far more work to do than he realizes…in other words, don’t get your hopes up for duaner…
In three minor-league rehab appearances since July 27, Burgos has not allowed a run, while striking out one and walking none, in four innings for the Low-A GCL Mets.
…i suspect he will re-join the Mets in september when rosters expand…he could actually end up being a good addition…
This season, at the beginning of each series, MetsBlog
will attempt to get the perspective of the opposition and their fans.
From this, we hope to be better educated on the opposition going into a
series. It also gives us a fine opportunity to highlight some of our
favorite team blogs.
As the Mets travel to our nation’s capital, we chat with a blogger from Nats 320. Nats 320 is a blog written by a passionate, loyal collective of Nationals season ticket holders in section 320 at RFK Stadium.
Mets fans were about to have a coronary after the last series between these two clubs, but the Nationals have been playing everybody tough. In fact, they are one of the best teams in baseball since July 4th. What gives?
You cannot underestimate how close this team is. From the get-go Manny Acta has remained positive. His motto all season long is “Preach & Teach.” Amazingly, most all seem to have bought into his way. Never does Acta publicly berate his players. And never does the team seem down, or unhappy. Quite remarkable, actually, for a last place team. It also helped that each and every player was given an honest chance to make the roster out of Spring Training. No one had an “All Comers” meet like the Nationals held in February & March.
When players know their opportunity depends on their work, and not just what others may think of them, it’s a whole new ballgame.
John Lannan, who will pitch Saturday, has impressed me with his guts and guile since his call-up. Are Nats fans taking to him?
Lannan has skyrocketed through their farm system in one season. I recently wrote how such a seemingly talented youngster could surprise every single person with the Nationals organization. The team seemed to have no clue how good he was in March. Never has he seemed nervous–always in control.
Yeah, you bet Nats fans have taken to him. Especially after so many Philllies fans wanted to hang him for breaking Chase Utley‘s hand on an errant pitch in his very first major league appearance. The one thing that’s always been good about Washington fans is their appreciation of young talent giving their all. We’ve seen a lot of those type of guys in the past three years.
Are you glad Jim Bowden didn’t break up this bullpen?
From the start, the bullpen has been terrific. Well stocked, interchangeable and downright scary for the opposition. Saul Rivera and Chris Schroeder are probably not even known by most fans from other teams. Luis Ayala, Jon Rauch and Chad Cordero are a very impressive 7th, 8th & 9th inning trio. The relief corp. has been this team’s strong point from its very first days in Washington, DC.
Washington would be downright awful without their bullpen. I would venture to say we would suck. You better believe I am glad “Jimbo” kept things together.
Do you think Manny Acta deserves to be Manager of the Year?
Hands downs the finest job in the major leagues this year. Sure, I am partial. But, every single person, so-called experts, all proclaimed he was inheriting “The Worst Team In History.” But, Manny has never given up, never has been negative. Look how much better Washington is than expected. Mostly, with talent many others did not want. What an effort! And, it doesn’t hurt, what I am sure Mets fans are familar with — his personality. Manny Acta is the most charasmatic man — always smiling. The most fan friendly manager I have ever met. Always has the time for you. In a short period of time, flat out beloved, in our nation’s capital. A fabulous hire by this team.
Do you plan to be a season ticket holder in the new stadium? Do you like the design?
I may well be the only person that has attended virtually every single home game in the nearly three years of Nationals baseball at RFK. My wife has been to all but 10. Yeah, we are season ticket holders. And, we are moving to the new park, hopefully along with all our seatmates from Section 320 at RFK Stadium. I grew up with the Washington Senators (now Texas Rangers). I always vowed if Washington ever got a team again, I would support them. We have, big time!
Three times now, I have visited the new stadium. It’s going to be different. Extremely open venue; one gigantic HDTV screen in right field. Far different than RFK Stadium’s circular–enclosed setup. It’s compact and all the seats, even in the upper levels will peer out over the field. Like most new stadiums, it’s geared to be a cash cow. The prices reflect that, but I have no doubt, they will have no problem selling seats. From the upper decks you can see the Capitol. From others, The Washington Monument. Pretty unique and rather cool. As much as I love RFK Stadium; I grew up there as a child, I greatly look forward to the new Nationals Park.
It’s fascinating to actually be a part of something new being built from scratch, whether it’s the team, it’s players or it’s new stadium. Watching the Nationals is like watching your child grow up, right before your eyes. They frustrate you at times, but you enjoy all the pitfalls, because in the long run, it’s just fun watching them mature.
You’ve had a chance to watch the teams in the NL East pretty closely. Who is the most complete team? Which one has the most question marks?
Sometimes I wonder how the Mets have stayed ahead so long. Their starting pitching is questionable. They need Pedro Martinez back and strong. But, they have some terrific players. Jose Reyes and David Wright are impressive. Reyes is about the only guy in the game that you know when he reaches first base is most likely directly moving to second base on a steal. And, I love Willie Randolph as a manager. Great all-around guy and solid in strategy. In a head to head with Bobby Cox in Atlanta–I give the nod to Willie.
The Braves are again solid again with starting pitching. Smoltz and Hudson are great pitchers. Their bullpen is much improved from previous years. The problem I have with the Braves is that they have appeared to jettison their entire future in an effort to win everything now. The Mark Teixeira deal was perplexing to me. For Mark and Octavio Dotel (from Kansas City), Atlanta basically gave up 8 young players (D.J.’s Note: They actually gave up five). Honestly, I don’t think he’s enough to takeover The Mets. And Andruw Jones is having a terrible year. Chipper
Jones is too fragile.
For some time now, I have stated there are no great teams in the National League. The Mets and Braves are probably the best, though. The Phillies just have too many holes in their lineup. Their bullpen is terrible. They have no third baseman and Pat Burrell is a disaster in the outfield. Not a contender in my book.
Outside the east, the Arizona Diamondbacks are an interesting pick. Young and talented. A team that, like Washington, is tight and plays together. Something I don’t see from many other ball clubs. Arizona is the dark horse this season, in my humble opinion.
…a big thanks to this nats’ blogger, who posts under the handle Screech’s Best Friend, by the way…i’m really pysched to see some die-hard nats’ fans out there and on top of that, fans who appreciate what Manny Acta is doing…
…as far as his comment about Willie Randolph, i’m sure he’d be happy to thank us for Tom Glavine batting in the ninth inning a few weeks ago…i’d like to think the Mets won’t have to do something like that again…
