Daily Archives: September 23, 2007
Omar Minaya on Carlos Beltran, as quoted by John Delcos of the Journal News:
“I’ve been in this game a long time and what we’ve seen from Beltran in the last two games…that’s toughness.”
“He saved the game yesterday and inspired us and saved the game today.”
Beltran, speaking about his knee, as quoted by Delcos:
“I told the guys the only way I wouldn’t be there tomorrow is if they cut it.”
When suggested that it might take a miracle for him to play Monday vs. the Nationals, Beltran told reporters, “I believe in miracles.”
…Beltran may never be the voice of this team, but the example he sets, much like Paul Lo Duca or Luis Castillo, is to keep pushing, keep persevering, no matter the pain…because this is what they play for…
Tagged Willie Randolph |The Mets (87-68) defeated the Marlins (66-90) by the score of 7 to 6 in 11 innings this afternoon at Dolphin Stadium.
For a recap and boxscore, go to Yahoo! Sports.
…nothing comes easy this time of year, now does it…
…i tried to keep notes during this game to use for my recap…big, big mistake…i can’t even read them…
…here’s the deal…Scott Schoeneweis was credited with the most important save of the 2007 season…and that’s just one of the oddities of this afternoon’s game…a day after the Yankees needed 10 pitchers to defeat the Blue Jays, the Mets used nine to defeat the fish…
…the importance of the eighth inning cannot be understated…almost immediately as the Nationals secured the third out to knock off the Phillies, the Mets strided to bat for a four-run inning…first, Moises Alou punched a blooper into shallow right-center to not only tie the game, but establish the longest hitting streak in Mets history as well as in the majors this season…next, Carlos Delgado, who has taken a lot of flack this season, blasted a three-run home run to give the Mets a 6-3 cushion…of course, the lead wouldn’t last long…
…you know, with the 6-3 lead the was bullpen lined up exactly as you would want; Aaron Heilman followed by Billy Wagner…well, they coughed it up, and it could have been a lot worse…at this point, Willie might as well have the faces of the Mets bullpen on a dartboard and whoever he pegs goes into the game…it makes no difference anymore, really…
…you gotta give a lot of credit to Carlos Beltran, who went face-first into the wall to rob Alejandro De Aza of extra bases in the bottom of the sixth…it was a crucial out which kept the game at 3 to 2…
…David Wright showed you why he should be a favorite for MVP during this series, at the plate, anyway (he was 9-for-18)…he finished off his day with the big hit at the right time…that’s what MVPs do…by the way, he has a 10-game hit streak going…i’m convinced…
…Paul Lo Duca, who homered today, is symbolic of this team in a lot of ways…he’s showing a lot of fight, but is obviously limping his way into the playoffs…
…knock that magic number down to five…remember, the Phillies are off tomorrow, so a win would not only give the Mets a three-game lead in the division, but bring the magic number down to four…hey look, yet another huge game…get used to it…
The Game
The first-place Mets (86–68) look to take three out of four from the Marlins (66-89) this afternoon at Dolphin Stadium, starting at 1:05 pm EDT.
The Lineup
- SS Jose Reyes
- 2B Luis Castillo
- 3B David Wright
- CF Carlos Beltran
- LF Moises Alou
- 1B Carlos Delgado
- C Paul Lo Duca
- RF Carlos Gomez
- SP John Maine
The Pitchers
John Maine (14-10, 4.04 ERA) starts for the Mets. He was rocked in his last start vs. the Nats, allowing eight runs on 11 hits over 4.1 IP. In 13 starts since the All-Star break, Maine is 4-6 with a 6.16 ERA. In two starts vs. the Marlins this season, Maine is 2-0 with a 2.77 ERA, but he hasn’t faced them since May.
Chris Seddon (0-1, 8.44 ERA) gets the call for the Marlins. He has five appearances this season — two of them starts — all this month. He was shaky in his last start vs. the Braves, allowing four runs, three earned, on nine hits over 4.2 IP. Righties are hitting .415 vs. the 23 year-old southpaw this season.
The Notes
The Mets are 7-1 at Dolphin Stadium this season.
Moises Alou carries a 26-game hitting streak into this afternoon’s game. He has tied the mark for the longest hitting streak in the majors this season (Casey Blake of the Indians).
Shawn Green is two hits away from 2000 for his career.
Miguel Cabrera has 137 HRs in his career – the most by any active player under the age of 25. David Wright is 2nd with 97.
The Bleachers
For a live chat, head over to The Hot Foot Bleachers.
…enjoy…and remember, “ya gotta believe”…
At his blog for the Journal News, John Delcos reports that RHP Philip Humber will make his first major league start on Wednesday vs. the Nationals.
…you asked for it…you got it…
As such, the rotation is projected to shake out as follows:
Monday: Mike Pelfrey vs. the Nationals
Tuesday: Tom Glavine vs. the Nationals
Wednesday: Philip Humber vs. the Nationals
Thursday: Pedro Martinez vs. the Cardinals
Friday: Oliver Perez vs. the Marlins
Saturday: John Maine vs. the Marlins
Sunday: Mike Pelfrey or Tom Glavine vs. the Marlins
…of course, who starts next Sunday will depend upon the magnitude of the game…if Glavine isn’t needed, he is in line to start Game One of a potential playoff series…
Tagged Philip Humber |In a spot-on column about the fickleness of bullpens, Murray Chass of the New York Times points out that since August 10th (through Thursday), the Mets bullpen has a 5.53 ERA.
…yikes…
Tagged murray chass |
