Daily Archives: April 11, 2008
Jose Reyes left tonight’s night’s game in the sixth inning with a tight left hamstring.
…Update…10:01 pm…
Following the game, Willie Randolph told reporters that Reyes’s hamstring had been feeling tight of late, he doesn’t think this is any thing series, and it was probably brought on more by the damp whether, saying, “Any time your catalyst gets a little sore, you want to be cautious with it, so I thought I’d get him out of there.”
“He did not seem concerned by it,” Randolph said, adding that most players feel tight this time of year.
…i don’t know, man…if you watched SNY’s Post Game Show, he looked pretty concerned to me…
Reyes told reporters that he does not expect to play tomorrow.
…frankly, it’s a good excuse to get the kid some rest…sit down…take a breather…and be safe…
The Mets (5–4) beat the Brewers (6–4) by the score of 4 to 2 in a Shea Stadium tonight.
For a recap and boxscore, go to SNY.
…how happy is Nelson Figueroa right now…i can’t even imagine…in his long-awaited, first start for the Mets, he allowed two runs and two hits while striking out six in six innings…he even beat out a bunt for a base hit…when the game ended, the smile on his face said it all…be proud, he’s one of us…
…by the way, i love that he always pitches from the stretch…
…Rual Casanova drove in a run, and Shea Stadium did not blast Oh Casanova by Klymaxx…i’m so disappointed…
…in five appearances so far this season, Joe Smith has allowed just one run to score…
…phew, Aaron Heilman, who, one night after blowing a lead to the Phillies, rebounded to set all three batters down in the eighth inning…again, phew…
…i would like to have seen the Mets tack on a few more runs in the fourth, despite scoring the three that they did…with the bases loaded, and the chance to put the game away, Jose Reyes grounded out to end the inning…
…in the seventh, once again, Angel Pagan delivered with an RBI single extending the team’s lead by two runs…the guy just keeps on ticking…he plays alert and aggressive, and i like it…
…Carlos Beltran ran down a deep, deep pop up in the right-center field gap, softly catching the ball with a basket catch, to end a small rally in the sixth…nice grab…
…well, Nelson Figueroa retired the first 14 batters of the game, and i was getting a bit excited…for what it’s worth, i’m thinking no-hitter from the first pitch of every game…which, for all i know, is why the team has never thrown a no-no…of course, that would mean it is some one else’s fault for this first 20 years or so of the organization’s history…
…nevertheless, i started dreaming of the story, with brooklyn’s figueroa, the Mets fan, snapping the streak…then, rip down the line, base hit…ugh…
…so close…still, though, he’s looking good so far…
Tagged Nelson Figueroa |
The Game:
The Mets (4-4) continue their homestand with a three- game series against the Brewers (6-3) this evening at Shea Stadium, game at 7:10 pm EST.
The Lineup:
- SS Jose Reyes
- LF Angel Pagan
- 3B David Wright
- CF Carlos Beltran
- 1B Carlos Delgado
- 2B Damion Easley
- RF Ryan Church
- C Raul Casanova
- P Nelson Figeroua
The Pitchers:
RHP Nelson Figueroa (0-0, 9.00 ERA) makes his first career start for the Mets. In his last appearance for the Mets, Figueroa received a no-decision, allowing two runs on two hits in 1.0 IP. In five career appearances, two starts, against the Brewers, Figueroa is 1-1 with a 4.76 ERA with 14 strikeouts in 17.0 IP. Figueroa is seeking his first win since August 15, 2003.
LHP Manny Parra (1-0, 3.38 ERA) takes the hill for the Brewers. In his season debut, Parra allowed two runs on three hits, while struke out seven and walked two over 5.1 IP. In his only appearance against the Mets, Parra pitched 6.1 innings, allowing one run on four hits, while striking out eight.
The Notes:
After 50 HRs last season, Brewers 1B Prince Fielder has yet to hit a homerun this season in first 33 at-bats.
Angel Pagan is batting .333 with 2 2B, 3 RBI and 3 runs in his last 11 at-bats.
Carlos Beltran is batting .545 with 6 2B in 11 at-bats versus left-handed pitching this season.
How To Catch It:
Tonight’s game can be seen locally on
and heard locally on WFAN.
The Bleachers:
For a live chat, head over to The Hot Foot Bleachers.
…enjoy, and as always, Let’s Go Mets…
Tagged Mike Nichols |
New Orleans (AAA): 7-6 win over Memphis
RHP Ruddy Lugo was hit hard, allowing five earned runs on six hits, including three homers, in six innings. LHP Willie Collazo tossed two scoreless innings.
2B Argenis Reyes continued his hot hitting, going 2-for-5 with two runs scored. SS Anderson Hernandez, back in the lineup, was also 2-for-5, scoring a run of his own. 1B Michel Abreu launched his first homerun of the year was part of a 3-for-5, 3 RBI night, and OF Caleb Stewart broke out, going 2-for-5 with a triple, 2 RBI and a run scored.
Binghamton (AA): 10-7 loss to Erie
RHP Bobby Parnell struggled with his command, walking six, surrendering three hits and four runs in 4.2 innings pitched. Catcher turned knuckleballing RHP Joe Hietpas allowed one run on two hits and a walk in 1.2 innings.
OF Fernando Martinez had two more hits, going 2-for-5 with a run scored. 3B Danny Murphy kept his average above .400 on the season with a 3-for-5 game, driving a triple and collecting three RBI. Nick Evans, back at first base, was 3-for-4
with his first homer of the season, driving in three runs on the night.
St. Lucie (A+): 7-0 loss to Brevard County
RHP Dillon Gee was bombed, allowing seven runs, six earned, on seven hits and two walks in just three innings.
SS Ruben Tejada was 2-for-4, OF Ezequiel Carrera had a 1-for-4 night, and 2B
Hector Pellot had a hit in three at bats.
Savannah (A-): 7-4 loss to Charleston
Tagged Minors |RHP Josh Stinson struggled, allowing five runs oneight hits and two walks in four innings.
SS Matthew Bouchard led off and had a 1-for-4 night, with a double, walk and two runs scored, while 2B Greg Veloz was 1-for-3 with a double, walk, run scored and a stolen base. 3B Richie Lucas, a 2007 draftee, finished 2-for-5 with an RBI double.
Braves:
David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports, after giving up six runs on five hits over three innings of work, LHP Chuck James was optioned to Triple-A Richmond on Thursday.
At his blog, Talking Chop, Martin Gandy questions why James was given the start after pitching only two innings this spring, adding, “Does it scare anyone that this mix-n-match starter game we’ve already been playing is the same one we’ve played for the last two years?”
…you’re not alone, martin…Mets fans feel the same way about their fourth and fifth starters as well…
Quick Stat: The Braves bullpen is 0-4 with a 6.00 ERA in 33.0 IP and has allowed a National League leading 6 HRs this season.
Marlins:
RHP Ricky Nolasco will be making making his first start of season tonight after returning from elbow soreness. According to Juan C. Rodriguez of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Nolasco’s rehab including working on his change up, which the right-hander plans to use more this season.
Over at FishStripes, Craig is happy Nolasco “got the memo” regarding his use of the change up.
Quick Stat: The Marlins are last in the National League in ERA (5.49) and Quality Starts (2).
Nationals:
According to Ben Goessling of the Washington Times, RHP Chad Cordero should be activated from the disabled list this weekend. Cordero should help the struggling Nationals bullpen, which has blown three of the team’s four save opportunities.
…i know we as Mets fans tend to overreact about the team’s pitching staff, but as evident by the Braves and Nationals bullpens, no team is perfect…
At his blog, Oleanders and Morning Glories, Harper Gordek wonders if the Nationals are better off than they were one year ago.
Quick Stat: The Nationals 3-4-5 hitters are 6-for-43 (.140) with 1 RBI in their last four games.
Phillies:
Marcus Hayes of the Philadelphia Daily News isn’t convinced, after watching the Phillies three-game series against the Mets, if this budding rivalry lived up the off-season hype.
…within the first sentence of hayes’ piece he states the series produced “very little good baseball” and he is right, for the most part…i thought both teams showed a lot of intensity last night, which proved to me the hype of this rivalry has not been overstated…
Jason Weitzel of Beerleaguer recaps the Phillies-Mets series, or as he calls it, the “Eric Bruntlett Series.”
…the eric bruntlett series…well played, jason…on a side note, i thought Jose Reyes was out at the plate as well, but hey, i’ll take it…
Quick Stat: The Phillies are batting .217 with runners in scoring position, 32 points below the National League average of .249.
Tagged Mike Nichols |In a post to the Daily News, Filip Bondy believes that this current 
Mets-Phillies rivalry is starting to look like the Mets old rivalry with the Braves.
At NYYStadiumInsider, they feature a video clip that may get David Cone in a bit of trouble for comments he made during a recent YES broadcast.
To watch Fran Healy give his opinion of the Mets, go here, and to watch a three-year-old Mets fan sing Meet the Mets, click here.
Lastly, as you can see at Observations of an American Living in NYC, if you go to a game at Shea, be sure to stay awake.
…thanks to brian d for that last link, which is hilarious…
This week on SNY’s Mets Weekly, Pedro Feliciano will teach Jocelyn Peirce 
how to salsa; while Carlos Beltran and Marlon Anderson, among others, talk about their memories of Shea Stadium.
…Joe Janish from Mets Today, Ted Berg from SNY.tv, Anthony De Rosa from Hot Foot, Coop from My Summer Family and i will also feature part of our blogger’s roundtable during the show’s Say Goodbye to Shea, Hello to Citifield segment…i will also appear in a seperate segment with comments about Fernando Martinez…
Mets Weekly will air at 12 pm on Saturday, and will re-run at various times through the week
Tagged SNY |
…fresh off taking two out of three from the Phillies, the Mets take on the 
Brewers this weekend…with that in mind, i did a quick Q & A with Jeff Sackmann, who writes about the Brewers for Brew Crew Ball…
D.J. Short:
First, a question about Yovani Gallardo, who may return from the DL this weekend. I know he was recently rehabbing for a knee injury. Any long-term concerns there, or was he just not quite ready to start the season with the big club?
Jeff Sackmann:
Just not quite ready. He struck out more than a batter per inning in two rehab starts, so I think he’ll be fine.
D.J. Short:
How long do you expect Eric Gagne to hang on to the closer role? Will his contract give him a longer leash or does the team seem willing to give David Riske a shot?
Jeff Sackmann:
I think Gagne will have a very long leash. Riske seems to be the rally killer guy, which might well be the best use for him. It’s certainly possible that Riske is the best reliever in the bullpen right now, and if the bullpen shapes up like the Indians ‘pen last year–mediocre “closer” in the 9th, better relievers for higher leverage innings earlier in the game–I’d be thrilled.
D.J. Short:
How’s Ryan Braun looking in left field thus far?
Jeff Sackmann:
He’s not going to win any gold gloves. He’s passable, and he’s certainly got the arm, and the biggest benefit is simply getting him off of third base, where Bill Hall has brought big-league defense back to Milwaukee.
D.J. Short:
What are your thoughts about Prince Fielder’s comments this spring in regards to his contact? Are the Brewers prepared to lose him? What would that do to the franchise?
Jeff Sackmann:
As for his comments, I don’t take that sort of thing as a big deal. He let off steam one day when a reporter was listening. Not the smartest move, but it’s easy to forget we’re analyzing the every utterance of a 24-year-old. I think Brewers fans realize that Scott Boras represents Fielder, so while the effort will be made to sign him long-term, it’s far from a lock. Fielder has certainly emerged as a leader, so it would be great to keep him around, but he’s hardly the only young stud on this team.
D.J. Short:
Lastly, a question on Sabermetrics relating to the Mets. Last year when we chatted, you mentioned that you thought John Maine was pitching over his head. Has your opinion changed on that, or did his second half meet your expectations?
Jeff Sackmann:
The big difference in his first and second half is the BABIP — it jumped from .253 before the break to .318 after the break. The resulting 5.53 in the second half seems a little harsh, but it does suggest he might be more of a 4.50 guy than a 3.50 guy. That, I think, was a reasonable expectation back when the Mets traded for him, and it still gives him plenty of value, particularly if he gives you another 32 starts this year.
…thanks again, Jeff…be sure to check out his contributions to the Sabermetrics blog Beyond the Boxscore, as well…
…by the way, i did ask him about Claudio Vargas…he didn’t have much to say, however, he did point me to an answer he gave Joe Janish from MetsToday, which you can check out here…
Nelson Figueroa will start for the Mets tonight, making his first major-league start since 2004.
Figueroa was born in Brooklyn and drafted by the Mets in 1995. He was then traded to the D’Backs in 2000, after which he pitched for the Pirates and Brewers.
Ted Berg:
When you’re making all those stops – Taiwan, Mexico, the Caribbean Series – what keeps you going? What makes you make that next stop?
Opening Day in Shea Stadium. I got drafted by the Mets in 1995, so my dream was always to be a Met. My first uniform when I got to extended Spring Training, I had Howard Johnson’s pants and Dwight Gooden’s jersey. So for a kid that grew up in New York, it was just — right there was everything I wanted. I could have gone home and been happy just for to put on that uniform. Now, I get to see HoJo every day, I get to see Darryl Strawberry, I get to see all these guys I grew up absolutely idolizing. Willie, same thing – he played for the Mets for a little bit. This is the dream that we all dream of. I came back from my surgery and I busted my butt to get back and prove I was healthy. I went all over the world to prove one thing: that I could pitch at a very high level.
…Howard Megdal of the New York Observer, whose article is linked below, then pointed out that figueroa and A.J. Burnett are the only players from the team’s 1995 draft who are in the major-leagues…
That’s crazy, just me and him, huh?
That just goes to show you – I was a 30th round pick and I know he was a lot higher.
Ted Berg:
Who was the first-rounder that year? Ryan Jaroncyk?
Oh, Jaroncyk – the shortstop.
Ted Berg:
He ended up out of baseball in a few years.
Again, and see how much of a lottery it is, it’s just a crapshoot. You think this guy’s a first-rounder, you think you know his background, then all of a sudden he doesn’t want to play baseball – two years after they gave the guy a million dollars. I got my 2500 bucks and, for me, I was going to be a Met and have my foot in the door to just play.
When you look at it, my name is on the clubhouse walls with Darryl Strawberry and Dwight Gooden for the Minor League stops I’ve made and the numbers I’ve put up there. That alone – I can go in that clubhouse at the minor league stop in PSL, and my names with Jefferies, then I look down that list and, hey, there’s Nelson Figueroa…That’s one of the neatest things…hopefully one day, hopefully this season, we get to the World Series and win a World Series and then I get my name with those guys again. That’s the icing on the cake.”
…added to by Matthew Cerrone…
…first of all, outstanding interview by Ted Berg…second, wow, figueroa is as big of a Mets fan as any one…seriously…i mean, he mentioned Gregg Jefferies for pete’s sake…i’m stunned, and want this guy to do well, not only for the team, but because i feel like he’s one of us at this point…amazing…
For more on Figueroa, check out Berg’s full column for SNY.tv, in which they continue their discussion and talk about 2008, going from ‘not wanted’ to ‘adored,’ how he ended up at Brandeis, and Nelson’s nickname, ‘Figoolow.’
Also, in the New York Observer, Megdal writes a profile on Figueroa, as does the Journal News and the Daily News.
Tagged Nelson Figueroa, SNY | ← Older posts
