Mike Nichols

preGame: Mets vs. Nationals (Game Three)
By Mike Nichols - Apr 17, 2008 6:06 pm

The Game:

The Mets (7-6) look to sweep their three-game series against the Nationals (4-11) this evening at Shea Stadium, starting at 7:10 pm EST.

The Lineup:

…as mentioned earlier on MetsBlog, Carlos Beltran is out of the lineup due to a stiff neck…

…interesting clark starts instead of Endy Chavez…my guess is Willie Randolph didn’t want to flood the lineup with lefties…i also like casanova catching tonight as he and figueroa seemed to work well together in figgy’s last start…

The Pitchers:

RHP Nelson Figueroa (1-0, 4.50 ERA) makes his second start of the season for the Mets. In his last start versus the Brewers on April 10th, he allowed two runs on two hits and two walks, while striking out six over six innings pitched. This is Figueroa’s first career start versus the Nationals. In four career starts versus the Expos, Figueroa is 1-1 with a 2.81 ERA.

LHP John Lannan (0-2, 6.75 ERA) takes the hill for the Nationals. Lannan earned a loss in his last outing versus the Braves on April 12th, allowing six runs on nine hits, while walking four and striking out two. In his only career start versus the Mets on August 18, a loss, Lannan allowed five runs and eight hits over 5.2 IP.

The Notes:

Nationals starters are 2-10 with a 5.16 ERA in 82.0 IP so far this season.

Ryan Church is batting .310 with a homerun, 4 RBI and & 7 runs in 29 at-bats during the homestand.

For more insight on the Nationals, check out Blogger Beat.

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

434 Responses to “preGame: Mets vs. Nationals (Game Three)”

  1. metsmets17 says:

    Beltran off today??? Come on Willie. You could’ve given Delgado off. You had to give Beltran off after his good day yesterday.

    No killer instinct at all. Yes Im pissed.

    • metsmets17 says:

      i just noticed stiff neck……..ugh

    • m00kie says:

      how do you know there isn’t a reason beltran is off? Oh, that’s right, you don’t.

      Carlos Beltran is out with a sore neck/shoulder. Brian Schneider is just taking a day off.

      says john delcos. This whole “willie has no killer instinct” is an irritating narrative, don’t perpetuate it without even knowing what is going on. Why after 15 games, should Willie risk an injury to Beltran if he’s sore or stiff? He shouldn’t is the answer there.

    • Nightlife says:

      Can we ban the the following words/phrases from this blog; “heart”, “killer instinct”?

  2. I hate to say this but, EWWWW , Clark in CF??? not lookin good..maybe its just the bold print..I do like Casanova thought, gives B Schneid a chance to keep workin on his glove…LETS GO FIGGY , LETS GO METS!!

    • yagottabelieve says:

      I might have preferred Pagan in CF and Clark in left.

      Then again I don’t see them in defensive drills…

  3. Ryan Church , finally a MET that hits good in Shea!!

  4. Steal Home Jose! says:

    Is it really worth quoting his stats vs. the Expos?

  5. Bill Buckner says:

    We better hope for a lot of production from 1-4 tonight, because there most likely won’t be much punch 5-9. Here’s to another huge game from Wright/Reyes.

  6. Midtown says:

    YUCK!

    • gipper91375 says:

      That’s a pretty brutal lineup….but the 29 Yankees couldn’t beat the Nats today - what with the Pope being at their home stadium and all. Too much good karma for the Nats on this day, to confuse religious metaphors.

  7. gometzies_18 says:

    Yeah….I don’t really care about too many lefties, I want to see Endy Chavez in there as the fourth OF no matter what at least until Alou comes back

    • m00kie says:

      it does seem like Endy should be in there in center..Willie must be “trying to get Clark going”. We shall see!

    • jws366 says:

      Heres to Omar for bringing in that right handed power bat off the bench. Oh, wait…

  8. metsfan704 says:

    ******XM RADIO LISTENERS*******

    Does anyone know why XM doesn’t broadcast mets pregame shows or postgame but will play every other teams’?

  9. gipper91375 says:

    Figgy with the Slim Shady music.

  10. the_other_matt says:

    Too bad the Nats don’t have a catcher named McCartney. Would have made a nice battery: Lannan / McCartney

  11. CaseStreet says:

    Clark did well enough in ST to take the trip up North. He did have a hit on Sunday, even though he misplayed the base running. I think they’ll do fine.

  12. Mookie 1986 says:

    Figgy with the personal catcher!

    Sweet.

    Looks like Endy is really gonna get the shaft this season. Doesn’t help that he’s a lefty off the bench in a line-up flooded with lefties.

  13. backinbusiness says:

    Did they only make 4 of those Figgy t-shirts for his family? I want one!

  14. gipper91375 says:

    Jose is back.

    Bienvenido!

  15. jose--jose-jose-jose says:

    I’ve missed this José. Great to have him back!

    ps. Someone really needs to get Beltran a Tempur-pedic pillow or something, lol.

  16. gipper91375 says:

    Oh god…now he’s limping

  17. the_other_matt says:

    someone please update …

  18. Gasface77 says:

    So is Jose hurt? Did they say anything? …and also, Delgado is done.

  19. the_other_matt says:

    thanks gipper

  20. Steal Home Jose! says:

    Could it be? Do the Mets have TOO MUCH starting pitching??

  21. the_other_matt says:

    What are the Figgy Shirts someone mentioned above? My idea would be “Getting Figgy with it”

    • backinbusiness says:

      ha–its just the normal name and number jersey-type tshirt. his family is wearing it in the box. but “getting figgy with it” would go nicely with my “go big pelf”

  22. jose--jose-jose-jose says:

    Wow, he has been great. Keep at it, Figgy.

    …and why is nobody here?

    • CaseStreet says:

      Probably because they’re watching the game.

    • Steal Home Jose! says:

      Here as in Shea Stadium, or here as in the Message board?

      Try the Hot Foot Bleachers (link at bottom of original post)

      • gipper91375 says:

        Not many st Shea either. The critics of the reduced capacity at Citi should take note of games like tonight with the seas of empty seats, even as low as the loge level, nevermind the mezz and UD.

        • c.1970 says:

          Dead wrong. The Yankees vs. Boston game is on in the Bronx. That reduces casual attendence at Shea. At Citifield, there may be 40,000 seats (the 45,000 is full capacity that includes restaurants, standing room, suites, brokerage house—just kidding—etc.) Some 35,000 seats will be eaten by corporations and season-ticket holders. So you and 40,000 other fans on a nice spring night can pay through the nose on eBay, StubHub, Mets.com, or your friendly neighborhood scalper.

        • gipper91375 says:

          Eh - I don’t want casual fans that are actually more interested in the Skankees games anyway.

          Frankly, I wouldn’t have minded more like 50,000 capacity….but I’m not going to complain about the reduction.

          As for costs…I am on the West Coast now and have to pay through my nose on StubHub (and for planes, hotels, etc) to watch the mets now either on the road out west or back in NYC at Shea/Citi.

        • gipper91375 says:

          Frankly, you have always had to pay stubhub/broker/scalper prices to get any decent seats at Shea as all good seats (Metropolitan Club Field Box, Inner Field Box, Loge boxes) are already all season tix/corporate.

          I’ll take the nicer, more modern facilities, wide concourses, better sight lines, and just deal with still having to pay StubHub type prices.

          PS: The bad seats at Citi (and far cheaper than premium seats on StubeHub type places) will still be pretty darn good seats and better than their quivalents at Shea (closer to field, lower elevation, better sight lines, better legroom, angled to home), etc.

  23. gipper91375 says:

    Figgylicious!

    Impossible not to like this kid and his family. Even if he cools off and is just a so-so fill-in fifth starter…its still a great story for a good local guy and his family.

  24. gipper91375 says:

    that was a grapefruit

  25. WrightsRight says:

    Cy Lannan

  26. CaseStreet says:

    This guy’s going to end up with over 10K’s

  27. backinbusiness says:

    that catch was HOT.

  28. CaseStreet says:

    Is Figgy a sinker ball pitcher?

  29. Nightlife says:

    Missed most of this game thus far due to getting caught up on some MLB 08 on PS3. Who the hell is this Lannan guy? Figueroa looks pretty sharp as well.

  30. Nightlife says:

    And is it just me, or are the Nationals one of the ugliest looking teams in the majors?

  31. therealsince86 says:

    There again is why i would rather have someone else in the 2nd spot. Church is too aggressive. I like the fact that he can drive the ball but you have to give Reyes a chance to steal there.

  32. backinbusiness says:

    what was that, on church? gary and keith dont know either. anyone?

    • backinbusiness says:

      ah–interesting. unintentional backswing interference. always something new to learn in baseball!

  33. CaseStreet says:

    Talk about a pitching dual.

  34. BBmetsfreak36 says:

    im not trying to be pessimistic b/c sure i like to win but i wouldnt get too exited about figgy. i like him. he’s got great movement and hits his spots. i think hitter will eventually figure him out. he’s good short term but doesnt seem to “decieving” so i think smart hitters will figure him out. he seems alittle like kyle lohse. can be great at times. wen all circumstances are good but seems like the type of pitcher that once in a blue moon will get hit hard. always throw stikes…..but too many of them. and get hit hard

    • therealsince86 says:

      It’s not like Kyle Loshe is the worst 5th starter in the league either. If Figgy can give us those innings and be a little better than Loshe, that’s great for me.

      • backinbusiness says:

        Exactly right. If Pelf keeps it up, I think the organization would go with Pelf over Figgy when Pedro returns. If Figgy can do well enough until then and pick up the spot starts, that is a huge success.

        I wonder if and for what Vargas and Sosa could be traded for, should it come to that.

        • therealsince86 says:

          Vargas has no trade value. Sosa because he has proved he can relieve has a little value. I would keep Vargas in AAA just in case another pitcher goes down.

  35. CaseStreet says:

    Update plz. Gamecast is super slow.

  36. CaseStreet says:

    Was Saul Rivera on the Mets? His name sounds familiar from MLB 2K7.

  37. therealsince86 says:

    Pinch hit Beltran here and let Easley play 2nd.

  38. Don Logan says:

    How can you bat Casanova in that spot???

    • ryno says:

      Willie refuses to ever use his backup catcher.

      Castillo will be fun to watch for the next four years.

      Top of the lineup will get ‘em next inning though.

      • metsmets17 says:

        if willie pinch hits and the second catcher gets hurt who on this team catches……….no one i know of

        • Don Logan says:

          I’m willing to risk the odds on that one. We’re here to win ballgames. Not to show confidence in our eventual third string catcher. Easley and Clark could catch if they had to. And I’m sure their arms are no worse than Posada’s. And heck, Delgado came up a catcher.

  39. metsmets17 says:

    meow

  40. therealsince86 says:

    Clark nor Castillo should have hit this inning.

    • therealsince86 says:

      As a sunshiner, Willie messed up that inning. You have to have your best hitters hitting with the winning run on 1 B and your weakest hitters up in the home 7th inning. If Beltran is injured, fine. Why not use Chavez and Anderson? That gives you two LHH against Rivera.

      • metsmets17 says:

        one sunshine to another………what a mismanaged inning

        im still saying bad things

        • therealsince86 says:

          What is he saving Anderson and Easley for? And if Beltran comes up in the 9th with no one on I will blow my top.
          And at this point we need to trade Chavez if he is never going to be used.

        • gipper91375 says:

          That inning was a real headscratcher.

          And, the Willie approval rating poll still absent ….

        • therealsince86 says:

          Come on you know that poll was pointless it was just a popularity contest based on if we won or lost the series. It went from 70% to 40 in 3 games.

  41. gipper91375 says:

    Luis Castillo.

    Four years.

    Enough said.

  42. WrightsRight says:

    90 lb weakling

    • TheHammer says:

      Willie Gump strikes again, leaving Cassanova in to bat with goldilocks on the bench with his hurt little neck.

      • therealsince86 says:

        Lay off Beltran, he won the game for us last night. We have no idea if he is injured or not. However, if he comes out in the 9th with no one on, then I will have finally made up my mind on Willie.
        As for Cassanova, i don’t have a problem with him hitting. Schnieder was not going to come in there and leave us with nothing. But how do you let Castillo hit in an RBI situation? Anderson should have been up then instead of now with the bases empty.

  43. The Glider says:

    I can’t believe we’re blowing this great pitching performance from Fig-ar-o.

    • Dafatone80 says:

      Not pinch-hitting isn’t the wrong move if you want to use Clark to bunt and save the backup catcher. I can respect that.

      There’s NO excuse for not pinch running endy for delgado. Late in the game, that’s the tying run. You do what it takes to get the tying run home.

      Endy moves to 3rd on pagan’s single, and then you can do what you like with Clark. Squeeze, pinch hit, whatever.

      • Dafatone80 says:

        Pinch hit Marlon for Clark, then Endy can play CF and Marlon can play 1B. Done.

        • therealsince86 says:

          Let Endy run for Delgado, Clark bunt, Cass hit and then Anderson for Castillo. If Anderson hits then Easley hits for the pitcher. Anderson goes to 1B, Easley to 2nd and Endy for Clark. Done.

        • Dafatone80 says:

          I’ll take that as well.

  44. metsmets17 says:

    keep it close heilman…..no hrs please

  45. CaseStreet says:

    Fudge!

  46. Don Logan says:

    People blaming that 7th inning on Castillo really don’t grasp baseball all that well. You can never expect 2-out hits. You have to do what you can control. A productive out scores a run that innings with 1 out. So again, it goes to the fact that a back-up catcher with a handfull of at-bats all season in batting in the most crucial spot in the game to that point. Once again Willie shows no sense of baseball strategy.

    • Dafatone80 says:

      Willie refuses to use his 2nd catcher except in an emergency. This isn’t necessarily a stance I agree with, but it’s one I can respect. If you want to blame Willie, blame him for not pinch-running for Delgado.

    • therealsince86 says:

      I don’t expect 2 out hits, however I do no that Anderson has a better chance of driving in a run than Castillo does. That is coming from a Castillo supporter.

    • atrain311 says:

      I grasp baseball very well and I agree that Casanova’s out was pathetic, but my comment was regarding slappy mcslapster and his inability to hit the ball beyond the pitcher’s mound. I feel confident that my 2 year old daughter could accomplish that. I just have no faith in him anymore.

  47. CaseStreet says:

    Why not pinch hit Casanova with Schneider? Was he not available. I don’t think Casanova is a lefty is he?

    • therealsince86 says:

      Willie tends to do like most managers and save his backup catcher. That is common strategy.

      • Don Logan says:

        so you’re happy casanova batted in that spot? I’m not on here to debate the percentage of manager that would or wouldn’t. Someone with a good sense of strategy and uses their gut in certain spots, would never bat him there.
        I also agree on pinch running for Delgado but it became a moot point. In a perfect world chavez would’ve tagged up on a flyball hit by whoever batted for Casanova.

        • therealsince86 says:

          Look since day one Willie has not shown the tendency to use his backup catcher in that situation. Right or wrong it is debateable and could go either way. Schnieder had the day off, what if the game went in to extra innings and he had to play the entire time or if he was injured. I am not even saying that I would not have ph but I can see why he did not. That does not make him an idiot that just means that he had a different strategy than you and neither of you are dead on correct.

        • Don Logan says:

          thank you captain obvious. gee, i didn’t know he had a different strategy than me. and yes, obviously willie always leaves the catcher in. he has for four years. it’s all part of the reason this team will never go all the way w/ willie at the helm.

        • therealsince86 says:

          So the reason we won’t go all the way is that Willie won’t use his bup catcher to pinch hit. That’s great, do you know, if I had the time to look, how many managers have won the WS and did not use their catcher as a PH?\
          It’s just not clear cut, you could be right, you could be wrong. It’s like the closer in the 9th during a tie game debate. There is no clear answer.

        • Don Logan says:

          surely you get my point on willie- he’s a weak in-game strategist and will likely get outmanaged in big games. larussa had no trouble outmanaging him in the playoffs and cox outmanages him every series. sorry to rant, but you can tell how passionately i am against willie’s refusal to pinch hit for the catcher. there’s going to come times this season when schneider is mired in a deep slump that this issue will resurface for sure.

          haha, don’t even get me going on the closer in the 9th during a time game thing. way too managers are doing that like it’s some unwrittten rule so as to avoid criticism. you have to consider who you have batting in the bottom of the 9th for that to be an effective strategy. way too many managers do it with the bottom of their order coming up in the bottom of the inning, only to lose the next inning when a lesser reliever is facing the heart of the other team’s order.

        • therealsince86 says:

          Again, I may or may not have pinch hit for by bup catcher in the 7th inning. I think we both can agree that Castillo should have been pinch hit for with 2 outs and runners in scoring position. That most managers would have done.

        • Don Logan says:

          see you lose all credibility there. There’s not one manager in baseball that would have pinch hit for castillo in that spot. you would pinch-hit for a guy who hits around .300 for his career so you can risk diminishing your defense at 2nd in a tight game like this and get slower so there’s no chance of stealing a base like he was able to do in the 9th.
          castillo is not someone who gets pinch hit for. get used to him not being pinch hit for.

        • therealsince86 says:

          I disagree. Castillo is a horrible RBI man where Anderson is the best PH in the NL> Besides if he had listened to me it would have never have made it to the 9th and we would not have even been talking ;)

    • metsmets17 says:

      see somewhere above

  48. metsmets17 says:

    thank u ronnie……..i dont hate u for now

  49. metz1 says:

    We need another big hitter.

  50. metsmets17 says:

    nice ab my wright………come carlos earn your $$$

  51. therealsince86 says:

    Being that clutch does not exist, lets see if Beltran exist.

    • therealsince86 says:

      Meant to say Delgado obviously, so used to it being
      Beltran there.
      Great job Delgado, got the fastball. What a stupid pitch.

  52. atrain311 says:

    Woooooooo!

  53. metsmets17 says:

    OH MY……..THANK YOU CARLOS

  54. gipper91375 says:

    Nice job Delgado.

    Blind chicks…grain, etc.

  55. jose--jose-jose-jose says:

    Delgado is so un-clutch… jeez. lol

  56. metsfan108 says:

    Delgado got a clutch hit! It’s ARMAGEDDON!

  57. metsmets17 says:

    come on get this one 4 figgy

  58. khmustache says:

    lets keep it going boys

  59. backinbusiness says:

    I know that it is wrong, but I am positively shocked. Hearing Keith use the term “nothing left” and Delgado within a sentence is bad in any context. Even though he had actually been doing well, I really lack confidence in Delgado. I hope he is settling into his new identity as a smaller hitter.

    Let’s Go Mets!

  60. metsmets17 says:

    nasty curve………..not liking the angel wave

  61. therealsince86 says:

    KKKKKKKKKKKKK

  62. khmustache says:

    they go from the angel flap to booing him in 3 pitches…

  63. khmustache says:

    did billy copy mo with the enter sandman thing, or did mo copy billy…or did it just kinda happen at the same time?

    • metsmets17 says:

      not sure……..i know mo didnt pick his song. they picked it 4 him

    • metsfan108 says:

      Billy technically had it first.

      • khmustache says:

        reason number 688 on why i hate the yankees…

        • backinbusiness says:

          Tue, 04-04-06

          Here’s new Mets closer, Billy Wagner, talking to the Star Ledger on the whole “Enter-Sandman-belongs-to-Mariano-Rivera” debate:

          “I know, I know, Mariano’s got it too, and Lord forbid, the Earth should crumble, two guys have the same song,” Wagner said, rolling his eyes. “But it’s all right. I play for the Mets. He plays for the Yankees. I never have to face him. I think it’ll be all right.”

        • khmustache says:

          thanks…i still hate the yankees

        • metsfan108 says:

          I remember when Mike and the Mad Dog spent like a whole day trashing Wagner because of it

  64. metsfan108 says:

    I don’t like Wagner in these spots

    • Koko says:

      Why?

      It makes sense. Heart of the lineup up. There is no save situation in a tied game after the 8th at home. Use Billy when you have to and I’d like him to face, supposedly, the top three hitters in the Nationals lineup.

      No reason to save Billy for a save.

      • metsfan108 says:

        I’m saying anytime Wagner comes into a game tied he’s not as effective, although this time it worked out

  65. cousinrk says:

    What was that sound? Yes that was thousands of glass half empty Mets fans cursing Delgado because they were all ready to rip him a new one. Damn you Carlos, Damn you from denying them their hatred

    • therealsince86 says:

      As long as they are not here, lets not bring them up. They will be here soon enough.

    • metsfan108 says:

      Do you blame them? Delgado hasn’t exactly been Mr. Clutch over the past year

      • therealsince86 says:

        I think his point is that you don’t see them when he does well. And they do seem to get something from the constant bashing.

  66. Steal Home Jose! says:

    Did they announce the results of the poll asking about Reyes’ dancing and handshakes?

    Sny.tv is still stuck on 97% Yes.

    • backinbusiness says:

      on tv they said the 97%

      • Steal Home Jose! says:

        I think the poll was messed up. the website had it at 97% the entire time. I think the chance of it staying at same percentage the time is 100% minus Beltran’s current health divided by 4.

    • metsfan108 says:

      The other 3% spend their whole day on their front porch yelling at the damn whippersnapper kids to get off their lawn

  67. pedro4545 says:

    I’m usually a pretty optimistic Mets fan but if I said I expected Delgado to get a hit there I would be lying…..Lets go Billy lock it down

  68. cousinrk says:

    Billy just like last year is starting the year with filthy stuff. Let’s hope is lasts longer

  69. khmustache says:

    nice…glad to see that after the first to third a couple of innings ago

  70. pedro4545 says:

    Hey Milledge….KNOW YOUR PLACE B#%@!

  71. khmustache says:

    holy crap! i thought endy was dead!

  72. metsfan108 says:

    Beltran’s neck better be better by tomorrow

  73. backinbusiness says:

    It makes me sad that Endy was willing to sign a two year contract to be a bench player for the Mets and now he has been out-Paganed and even out-Clarked. His (presumably) team-first attitude is what makes everyone love him. True, when he has pinch hit he has been miserable. But you gotta think the guy could have been a regular player somewhere in the league.

    If he is going to be the 6th–or really, even 5th–OF, it makes sense to trade him.

    • therealsince86 says:

      I would trade him but to be fair it was a LHP tonight. If it were a RHP you would have seen Chavez.

      • backinbusiness says:

        My feeling is that last year he was always the 4th OF, regardless of pitcher. That may be a faulty memory. Regardless, I just feel for the guy, even though I also love Pagan and know Clark’s days are limited.

        • therealsince86 says:

          He was not in terms of starting. Plus his injury last season did not help things. Once he came back, I don’t think he was every the one against LHP. That was Gomez, Milledge and even Easley.

        • backinbusiness says:

          thanks for the reality check. i just love endy :)
          and gomez.

  74. pedro4545 says:

    i’m not liking this casanova guy

  75. metsfan108 says:

    Well, that was ball 4…

  76. Steal Home Jose! says:

    He put his weight into that one!

  77. pedro4545 says:

    Sweeping this series would make me even more pumped for the Santana/Hamels matchup tomorrow

  78. metsmets17 says:

    castillo has turned into kaz matsui

    • metsfan108 says:

      Can you imagine Castillo by year 4 of his contract? Teams will be using 6 infielders

  79. backinbusiness says:

    Slappy McBlooperton?

    • Steal Home Jose! says:

      only if he hustles it to second.

      • backinbusiness says:

        Stealy McRunnerson?

        • khmustache says:

          overpayed mcsignedtoolongerson

        • therealsince86 says:

          Take out the 1st name. His dollars per year is actually respectable.

        • backinbusiness says:

          santana’s mcbuddyson

        • khmustache says:

          nowheely mcsignedtoolongerson

        • backinbusiness says:

          dude, he stole a base in this inning! the guy has zero power and often hits a crappy grounder right to a guy or into a DP. those are his weaknesses. i dont know what the deal is with this wheels nonsense.

        • therealsince86 says:

          Nowheely stole a base to get in scoring position as was even intelligent enough not to do it until Beltran had a couple of strikes against him so they would not walk Beltran.
          Nowheely led the league in infield hits last season and had 10 steals in 50 games for the Mets.

          He is just not himself yet. I think it was the lack of ab’s in ST. I hope.

        • khmustache says:

          ummm…maybe the 2 bad knees and the hammy that gets hurt every 3 weeks…

        • therealsince86 says:

          He played in plenty of games last year with those same problems and still did just fine.

        • khmustache says:

          agree to disagree…lets make fun of milledge

  80. metsmets17 says:

    come on send us home

    wait i am home

  81. khmustache says:

    cohen is trying to think of a way to jinx beltran…

  82. therealsince86 says:

    I guess in the longrun this is why Willie did not use Beltran earlier. Better chance to win the game.

    • metsfan108 says:

      Foresight would require managerial skill

      • therealsince86 says:

        Come on, Willie makes some bad decisions but he is an average manager. There are a lot of moves in baseball that could go either way. None are right or wrong. They are only right if the work and wrong if they don’t.

  83. therealsince86 says:

    Bad wheels, bad wheels.

  84. metsfan108 says:

    Don’t pitch to Zimmerman

  85. backinbusiness says:

    Beltran gets 10 points for swinging.

  86. therealsince86 says:

    Couldn’t see the curveball coming there could we?

  87. JDuelz (Athens, GA) says:

    At least he swung, I guess…

  88. atrain311 says:

    Beltran has a real tough time with the overhand curveballs, huh?

    • backinbusiness says:

      an overhand curve from that guy (6′11″) is more like a…bomb? something scary, anyway.

    • therealsince86 says:

      Funny thing is someone posted it last year, I don’t even know how they found this stuff, but only with 2 strikes. The rest of the time he hits curveball’s pretty well.

      • backinbusiness says:

        maybe bad memories psych him out somehow. would hope not, but that’s a weird fluke.

        • atrain311 says:

          I certainly think it is in his head. He seems to be that kind of guy. Doesn’t make him bad, just human.

        • therealsince86 says:

          I am not sure it is even that. I think it is that he is not able to recognize the spin on pitches that well. When there is less than 2 strikes if he does not get a good read on it he can let it go. With 2 strikes he has to swing.

  89. metsfan108 says:

    If Sanchez works out, the Mets bullpen doesn’t look half bad

  90. khmustache says:

    isn’t this the 4th extra innings game for the mets this year? they need to stop…

    • Steal Home Jose! says:

      I dunno. As long as they keep winning them. Remember 2006? Tons of extra inning wins, awesome year.

    • therealsince86 says:

      It’s kinda like what my 82 year old gma says about getting older, it’s better than the alternative.

  91. pedro4545 says:

    I like Church in the 2 hole….Come on DW

  92. therealsince86 says:

    Great job by Church.

  93. backinbusiness says:

    I liked Milledge, but I am really not missing him in the field one bit.

  94. pedro4545 says:

    Head up Church…way to know that milledge isnt payign attention…..if Delgado comes through again my head will explode.

    • therealsince86 says:

      He came through with the walk :)
      I guess they did not want to see your head explode this early in the year.

  95. khmustache says:

    my high school coach used to tell me to stop chasing butterflies when i’d do something stupid in the outfiels…lmizz has been chasing them for 4 years now

  96. Steal Home Jose! says:

    Please Please make Milledge think about that play all night.

  97. pedro4545 says:

    Walk Delgado to bring up Pagan with a chance to win the game? Fine with me….

  98. CitizenSnips says:

    Wow Milledge is really not a good outfielder. Why did some of you want him again?

  99. gipper91375 says:

    Not liking a second inning for Dirty here.

  100. metsfan108 says:

    I like it Sanchez, knock that jackass down

  101. khmustache says:

    i like that though…dirty taking it to fat ronnie

  102. metsfan108 says:

    I HATE facing Zimmerman in these situations

  103. therealsince86 says:

    Smith will and should come in to face Zimmerman.

  104. metsfan108 says:

    Cohen, can you please shut up with the stats

  105. pedro4545 says:

    Nice catch Raul….be careful with Zimmerman, I always get flashbacks of that 500 ft hr he hit off Billy Wagner in April 2006.

  106. pedro4545 says:

    Dirty Sanchez is backk

  107. The Glider says:

    Duaner isn’t throwing all that hard, is he? Not that I’m quarreling with the results. I’m just concerned about his arm.

  108. khmustache says:

    why is derek jeter on every sny commercial?!!! god i hate the yankees…

  109. pedro4545 says:

    Break a leg Nick….

  110. khmustache says:

    nice outing feliciano…at least he kept his pitch count down…we might need him to walk somebody in the 12th tomorrow night

    • metsfan108 says:

      One of my biggest pet peeves of Willie is that he burns through relievers so quickly

  111. atrain311 says:

    Now this just isn’t right. You know Milledge will beat hte Mets here, because that’s just the way it has to go down. Arrrggggg!

  112. The Glider says:

    C’mon Smitty!!!!!

  113. metsfan108 says:

    I’m sensing infield single here

  114. therealsince86 says:

    Before anyone jumps on Willie for pulling Pedro. Milledge is hitting .421 with a .476 OBP against LHP this season.

  115. atrain311 says:

    There is a god and he doesn’t hate me.

  116. el_giacomo says:

    ::exhale::

  117. dwrightisgod says:

    n d!

  118. khmustache says:

    nice!!!!

  119. playmaker3128 says:

    Just a quick comment on sanchez. I think its a very encouraging sign he’s able to go two innings in a game. He’s sitting around 89-91, occationally topping out at 92 with his fastball. Its not what he used to as he could get the ball up to 94-95. However the guy hasn’t played baseball in two years, eventually i would think he’ll pick up a couple more mph on his fastball as he pitches more and gains arm strength. Sanchez even said so himself the other night.

    His breaking stuff is still nasty though. So even throwing in the low 90’s he can dominate a game.

    Great start by chavez.

  120. pedro4545 says:

    Nice Endy here we go now…

  121. therealsince86 says:

    Who said trade Endy? I would never trade Endy? ;)

  122. khmustache says:

    i really don’t like this casanova jerk

  123. pedro4545 says:

    Casanova looks lost at the plate…why was he waiting so long to set up to bunt the ball there? Not trying to surprise anybody

  124. khmustache says:

    damn

  125. el_giacomo says:

    ugh

  126. pedro4545 says:

    Well that sucked

  127. atrain311 says:

    Man, our offense needs a bit of help. I know the pen is Washington’s strength, but it is still Washington.

  128. therealsince86 says:

    Come on guys, I gotta go to bed.

  129. metsfan108 says:

    good see that from a mile away

  130. khmustache says:

    crapola…

  131. khmustache says:

    i love pickles!!!

  132. metsfanatic says:

    2-6-3-4-6

  133. dwrightisgod says:

    joe!

  134. metsfanatic says:

    Please no more procede commercials!

  135. backinbusiness says:

    joe smith, i think i love you. (just don’t tease me like last year again.)

  136. khmustache says:

    guiseppe franco looks like ben stiller had sex with a monkey…i hate this commercial…why does he say “i’m guiseppe franco” like we’re suppossed to know or care! man i’m tired

  137. khmustache says:

    holy crap! a pregnant man is pitching!

  138. dwrightisgod says:

    how is a pregnant lady supposed to make that play

  139. khmustache says:

    nice fielding hot dog neck!!!

  140. Woodside20 says:

    It ain’t easy bein sleazly…

  141. dwrightisgod says:

    doesn’t the ump want to go to bed, wtf

  142. khmustache says:

    terrible terrible call…i hope he goes into labor tonight

  143. metsfanatic says:

    Bad call!

  144. WrightsRight says:

    terrible call

  145. cousinrk says:

    Is LoDuca not playing because Ray King ate him? That dude is huge. How does he even get the arm around his body to throw the pitch?

  146. Steal Home Jose! says:

    It wasn’t that bad. Closer than I originally thought.

  147. WrightsRight says:

    hope that umpire is happy

  148. metsfanatic says:

    David Wright - What is with you 2-nite

  149. cousinrk says:

    Ugh! Terrible at bat David. Patience, Patience

    • backinbusiness says:

      David wants to be the hero. He has to realize he already is, and doesn’t have to try so hard.

  150. ccmetfan says:

    when will he learn to be patient with against new pitchers

  151. Dafatone80 says:

    Lame.

    Is it just me, or have the mets gotten hurt by bad calls more over the past 2 years than the 10 before that?

    The number of times Reyes has been incorrectly called out stealing 2nd alone is absurd.

  152. metsfan108 says:

    Mets have gotten monumentally screwed by the umps this year (except for the home plate call in Philly)

  153. metsfan108 says:

    David Wright would make AROD proud tonight

  154. therealsince86 says:

    Well that inning was all I could take. I will just wake up to the Delgado walk off homer highlights in the morning.

  155. metsfanatic says:

    If David gets a hit we aren’t talking about this

  156. Steal Home Jose! says:

    Last Mets pitcher of the night?

  157. metsfan108 says:

    Schoeneweis is waiting in the bullpen like the grim reaper

  158. metsfan108 says:

    Come on Sosa, get this one out

  159. khmustache says:

    at least fat ronnie is winded now

  160. dwrightisgod says:

    ugh

  161. khmustache says:

    who didn’t see that one coming?

  162. metsfan108 says:

    This isn’t looking good

  163. therealsince86 says:

    Would you bring Show in here and hope you can win it next inning. Double switch Schnieder in?

  164. metsfan108 says:

    This is a nightmare, Milledge is gonna win this for the Nats

    • therealsince86 says:

      it would suck just as much if it were Ray King that got the hit. Does not matter to we.

  165. dwrightisgod says:

    come on sosa

  166. dwrightisgod says:

    good job

  167. atrain311 says:

    ::heart in my throat::

  168. atrain311 says:

    I know I’ve said this probably too much already, but I can’t help but worry because this is Washington. We should be wearing them out.

  169. stickguy says:

    I just do not like to see Sosa come in anymore. Right now, he is the weak link in the pen.

    Although getting Johnson out was a nice thing.

    Now just need to stop getting the winning run on with no outs and not scoring, but Ronnie really thought that the guy was save at third last inning on the bunt.

    Maybe Delgado will hit the game winning HR?

  170. ccmetfan says:

    lets go Delgado!!!!!!!!!

  171. khmustache says:

    that’s always a good idea…walking the relief pitcher

  172. ccmetfan says:

    sosa walks,come on mets start hitting!!

  173. Innis_2_winnis says:

    c’mon, Endy

  174. Innis_2_winnis says:

    Cassanova…..the dance of love

  175. ccmetfan says:

    endy walks, come on supanova!!

  176. atrain311 says:

    0-5 huh?

  177. khmustache says:

    sweet…nobody goes 0-6…

  178. guiseppe franco says:

    When is this inning going to be over so I can tell you ppl about this great hair product I put my name on!

    • khmustache says:

      holy crap that was hilarious…

      by the way…what does you hair product actually do?

      • guiseppe franco says:

        You’ll score some nice hair pie like me, guiseppe franco

      • pedro4545 says:

        Ho doesn’t own the product, and he doesn’t he even know anything abou it…So I dont think he can answer that one.

        • metsfan108 says:

          Clearly you want the hair product endorsed by a guy who looks like he was just electrocuted.

        • Deadpanwalking says:

          Am I the only one who thinks he could be an older, harder worn Derrick Zoolander? The resemblance is uncanny.

  179. atrain311 says:

    Hey it’s slappy up again.

  180. khmustache says:

    golden sombrero…maybe the most unclutch at bat of all time

  181. reyesnwright says:

    second pitch to casanova looked high and the third one wasn’t even close

  182. metsfan108 says:

    uuuuuuuhhhh, not this clown. Come on, bloop it in the outfield

  183. pedro4545 says:

    Ok Casanova sucks where the hell is Ramon?

  184. metsfan108 says:

    REFUSE TO WIN!

  185. ccmetfan says:

    they’ve had so many chances to score

  186. metsfan108 says:

    I hope Beltran’s neck is getting sufficient rest

  187. pedro4545 says:

    Damn we can’t catch a break were lucky the Nationals suck

  188. reyesnwright says:

    The Phillies must be loving this…they’ve been done for over 7 hours and were already home.

  189. metsfan108 says:

    Casanova is making Schneider look like Mike Piazza tonight

    • khmustache says:

      jorge sosa has been on base more than crapanova…move over schowenweiss…i have a new least favorite met

      • Innis_2_winnis says:

        supernova must be a defensive catcher

      • jose--jose-jose-jose says:

        Dude, he’s like our 3rd string catcher who will probably play like 10 total games this season. Easy on him, he’s not like suppose to be good or anything.

        • Innis_2_winnis says:

          yeah, Jose…you’ve got a point….in fairness, Raul’s called a pretty good game today.

        • khmustache says:

          0-6 with 4 k’s is terrible for any major leaguer…

          btw…supernova is a great nickname

        • darkstar73 says:

          guess what, he’s not a major leaguer, he’s a 3rd string catcher who shouldn’t in the majors. If our 3rd string catcher could hit and field, he wouldn’t be a 3rd string catcher.

  190. atrain311 says:

    Where’s Blastings Thrilledge when you need him :)

  191. NY Cuban says:

    Will we see Schoe tonight?

  192. NY Cuban says:

    Thank god the Nats suck!

  193. atrain311 says:

    Now please, please end this. Come on now.

  194. cousinrk says:

    If they get to the 16th inning will they play all three nominated 8th inning songs?

    I’m getting a bad flashback to the Tim Spehr, Rey Ordonez, Manny Alexander days with these two teams.

  195. reyesnwright says:

    Who do you send down when Wise comes back? It’s gotta be between Smith and Sosa. Before today I would have said Sosa for sure (and I still think it should probably be him), but he’s really the only one who can go 4 or so innings in a long game like this.

  196. khmustache says:

    watching that woman do the macarena was very horrible

  197. NY Cuban says:

    The Macarena will inspire the team.

  198. metsfan108 says:

    The Mets bullpen has been kicking some serious ass tonight

  199. metsfan108 says:

    STOP BUNTING!!!!!!!

  200. khmustache says:

    aaaarrrrrrgggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhh

  201. pedro4545 says:

    I like the idea but bad execution right there

  202. pedro4545 says:

    theres a lucky break

  203. khmustache says:

    nieves is a pretty good catcher…lo duca wouldn’t have been that close for sure

  204. metsfan108 says:

    1 for 13 RISP wow…..pathetic

  205. dwrightisgod says:

    come on church do this

  206. atrain311 says:

    Deep fly ball, deep fly ball…

  207. ccmetfan says:

    LETS GO METSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!

  208. khmustache says:

    i love this hammerhan guy!!!

  209. pedro4545 says:

    COME ONNN

  210. atrain311 says:

    OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  211. Innis_2_winnis says:

    Nats are trying to give us this game…..c’mon, DWright

  212. pedro4545 says:

    Wrights got this

  213. khmustache says:

    17 strikeouts

    that is ridiculous

    KKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK

  214. reyesnwright says:

    Gary and Keith are right…How do they not walk both Wright and Delgado here?

  215. metsfan108 says:

    The Mets situational hitting is a serious problem that goes way beyond this game

  216. ccmetfan says:

    Come on Delgado!!!!!

  217. atrain311 says:

    This is one crazy a$$ game

  218. ccmetfan says:

    Lets go SOSA!!

  219. NY Cuban says:

    We are going to win with a walk-off walk to Sosa.

  220. metsfan108 says:

    ooooo jeez, the Mets better score here

  221. reyesnwright says:

    I’m calling a walk off walk

  222. khmustache says:

    the nationals are a stupid stupid team

  223. ccmetfan says:

    LETS GO Schneider!!!!!!

  224. pedro4545 says:

    Wow I dont know about this…schneider please get a hit so we dont have to see shoenweiss

  225. NY Cuban says:

    WOW…the NATS SUCK!

  226. atrain311 says:

    Holy chirst!

  227. ccmetfan says:

    METS win!!!!!

  228. cousinrk says:

    OMG, that was ridiculous. 2 WP’s and an error gets him home

  229. reyesnwright says:

    Well, I’ll take it. I hope they sent Santana home early.

  230. khmustache says:

    i love hamarhan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  231. pedro4545 says:

    I’LL TAKE IT!!!!

  232. ccmetfan says:

    Ollie looks cool wearing the inside out rally cap

  233. Jay says:

    SWEEP SON!

  234. playmaker3128 says:

    Yeahh!!!!! Now get on the bus, get some rest, and lets get ready for philly. JOHAN!

  235. khmustache says:

    nice sweep fellas…g’night everybody

  236. WrightsRight says:

    Jeez…i guess the Mets CAN score with RISP….

  237. atrain311 says:

    I thought the same thing about Ollie! I loe the young enthusiasm. Man, we couldn’t win that game…they had to give it to us.

  238. Innis_2_winnis says:

    I’ll take the gift….lotta Bad News Bears in the 14th…ugly, but they all count the same in the W column. Great job by the bullpen tonight, and gotta love Figgy’s quality start.

  239. playmaker3128 says:

    I know the mets couldn’t get the big hit, but you know what. They had their fair share of chances taken away from them, from the bad call at 3rd, to the two line drives they hit right at people.

    Plus big hit for delgado. Great work by the pen.

  240. Slob says:

    All I can say to this is… LOL WUT?

  241. stickguy says:

    Weird game, but hey, a win is a win. You don’t get extra points for style!

    Now hopefully tomorrow the hitting shows up (especialliy with Hamels on the mound) but most importantly, Santana needs to have a big game, and go deep. WOuld be a nice day for 8 innings.

  242. atrain311 says:

    Come on Johan, please give us at least 7 great innings tomorrow.

  243. darkstar73 says:

    in a game like this, its easy for some fans to point out the negatives, but c’mon, there’s a lot of positives too, none more important then the W. Great win really. You need some wins like this, gut it out wins, whoever can outlast the other guy, and its for the sweep, which makes it pretty sweet. Better team won, wasn’t pretty, but a W is a W at the end of the season, and we all know from last year how important each and every one of those is.

  244. Woodside20 says:

    Wooo, sloppy but good win. These kind of games remind me why I love baseball. I’ll take a win in any fashion.

  245. Andrew says:

    And, all of a sudden, your 2008 New York Mets find themselves in first place (by percentage points over the Marlins).

  246. ccmetfan says:

    lets hope Santana and the offense don’t stop our winning streak again,

  247. ccmetfan says:

    santana needs a win to keep his spirits up and be happy about joining the mets

  248. cousinrk says:

    Santana’s spirits will be fine as long as the dopes who booed him last week don’t show up in Phily

  249. Nightlife says:

    Well, a win is a win. I’ll take it.

    Santana will have a great start tomorrow, I can feel it. Hamels is due to have his first bad start of the season as well.

  250. dykstraw belgado says:

    this is one of those games you’re happy to skip the comments section all game. a win is a win is a win.

  251. metsfanmurph says:

    On Sunday it was the end of the world and now we end with a 6-3 homestand. If we continue with 6-3 homestands its gonna be a pretty good season.

    If Duaner keeps pitching like this then we will have a pretty solid bullpen. On a bad night the starter goes 5, Schoenweiss and Joe Smith match up for the 6th, Heilman and Feliciano match up for the 7th, Duaner in the 8th, enter sandman, and its a happy recap.

  252. pedro4545 says:

    I’m pretty sure it was the playing of “The Macarena” during the 14th inning stretch that completely messed with the Nationals pitcher’s head and won the game for us tongiht. Long Live the Macarena! Viva la Macarena!