Daily Archives: April 18, 2008
The first-place Mets (9–6) defeated the Phillies (8–9) by the score of 6 to 4 in Citizen’s Bank Park.
For a recap and boxscore, go to SNY.tv.
…it’s funny, because after Thursday’s night 14–inning game, i remember thinking, ‘Man, after that, Johan Santana is going to have to throw at least seven or eight innings on Friday,’ and sure enough, he pitched seven innings, allowed three runs, four hits, no walks and struck out 10…actually, he looked far more dominant than that line suggests…Aaron Heilman let up a home run, not santana, but the runs were charged to johan…
…ugh, heilman…he’s just so streaky…it’s like he goes through these phases, during which his change up is weak, he looks dejected, and lets up home run after home run…then, i’ll blink, and he’ll be untouchable and i’ll think, ‘Wow, this guy could be the next closer,’ and before i can finish that thought, he lets up another home run…which is ok, i guess, but it’s not ok in the bullpen, where stability is so important…
…aaron, again, must thank Pedro Feliciano and Billy Wagner for cleaning up his mess…
…David Wright looks like an MVP…in every way, shape and form…tonight, he was 4 for 4 with a double, triple and two RBI, while looking like he was in a playoff game…intense…
…did Phillies fans actually boo Jose Reyes, after he banged his head on Eric Bruntlett during a slide in to second, and had been down and out for a few minutes…unreal…savages…
…hat’s off to Ryan Church, who i feared may have develop a complex from fans and reporters who did so much worrying and talking about him in the spring…however, he looks totally comfortable and in control…defensively and offensively…
…best part of the game to me, beside santana’s 10 strike outs, and Cole Hamels looking like he wanted to cry, was how the team piled on insurance runs in the eighth – this is what i was most concerned about earlier in the season, and in the last few days the team seems to have it’s foot pressed hard on the gas pedal…all game long…and it’s about time…
The Mets face the Phillies on Saturday, as Oliver Perez takes on Jamie Moyer, starting at 4 pm.
The Game:
The Mets (8-6) begin their seven-game road trip with a three-game series against the Phillies (8-8) this evening at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, starting at 7:o5 pm EST.
The Lineup:
- SS Jose Reyes
- LF Ryan Church
- 3B David Wright
- CF Carlos Beltran
- 1B Carlos Delgado
- LF Angel Pagan
- C Brian Schneider
- 2B Luis Castillo
- P Johan Santana
The Pitchers:
LHP Johan Santana (1-2, 3.05 ERA) starts for the Mets. He is coming off a loss versus the Brewers where he allowed five runs, on six hits (3 HR), while walking two and striking out seven. Santana is 1-1 with a 1.19 ERA on the road this season. In his only career start against the Phillies, Santana earned a no-decision allowing one run on two hits while walking six and striking out five over 4.2 IP.
LHP Cole Hamels (2-1, 0.82 ERA) takes the hill for the Phillies. In his last start, Hamels tossed seven shutout innings, allowing one hit, two walks and striking out five in a win versus the Nationals. In four career starts versus the Mets, Hamels is 1-1 with a 2.77 ERA.
..this is a bit of a statement game for santana as he needs to rebound off a poor outing in his last start and put up a bunch of zeros on the board against the rival Phillies…no easy task, especially at citizens bank park, but in my opinion this type of game is one of the reasons why the Mets went out and got johan…
The Notes:
The Mets bullpen is tied for the National League lead with a 3.00 ERA and has not allowed a run in its last 13.2 IP.
Jose Reyes is 44-for-133 (.331) with 7 HR and 11 RBI in his career at Citizens Bank Park.
Pat Burrell is batting .350 (7-for-20) with 3 HR and 8 RBI in his last six games.
Carlos Beltran is batting .333 with 2 HR in 12 career at-bats versus Hamels.
The Mets starters have pitched more than 6.0 IP in their last three starts for the first time since June 24, 2007.
For more insight on the Phillies, check out Blogger Beat.
How To Catch It:
Tonight’s game can be seen locally on CW11 and heard locally on WFAN.
The Bleachers:
For a live chat, head over to The Hot Foot Bleachers.
…i’ve been waiting for the Mets return to philly since last september and what a way to start it off with a santana/hamels matchup…let’s hope this turns out to be an UltiMets Classic…
…yes, that was corny, but i couldn’t resist…
…enjoy, and as always, Let’s Go Mets…
Tagged Mike Nichols |In a report for CBS, Jon Friedman profiles Ron Darling, Gary Cohen and Keith Hernandez, who “loyal fans and many critics say [are] the best announcers in baseball.”
…speaking of broadcasters, i’m not sure what to make of Wayne Hagin, who took over as the play-by-play man for WFAN…i’m starting to think i’d rather listen to just Howie Rose…on his own…ala Vin Scully…i prefer howie’s play by play, and i prefer howie’s commentary…what’s more, hagin is almost too polished…he has a lot of gravitas and a traditional cadence, and i miss the genuine excitement that the broadcast used to have…sorry, wayne…
New Orleans (AAA): 5-1 win over Iowa
RHP Brian Stokes lowered his ERA to 1.50 by allowing just one run on five hits and two walks in seven innings, striking out five. LHP Willie Collazo and RHP Carlos Muniz each tossed a scoreless inning.
SS Anderson Hernandez was 2-for-4 with a run, 1B Michel Abreu was 1-for-3 with a walk and two runs, OF Caleb Stewart 1-for-3 with a double and a walk, and 3B Fernando Tatis was 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run.
Binghamton (AA): 5-4 loss to Portland
RHP Eric Brown was in line for the win after tossing six innings and allowing three runs on five hits and two walks, with no strikeouts. RHP Eddie Camacho blew the lead in the eighth, giving up a run after putting up a scoreless seventh. RHP Joe Hietpas took the loss by allowing a run in the top of the ninth.
1B Mike Carp was 2-for-3 with a walk and his fifth homerun of the season, as he raised his average to .463. He was pinch run for late in the game; Nick Evans, who went a rare 0-for-4, got a start at 3B, then took over at first base. OF Fernando Martinez got back in gear, going 2-for-5 with an RBI. Danny Murphy, DH’ing with Evans at third, was also 0-for-4.
St. Lucie (A+): 8-6 loss to Brevard County
RHP Nick Carr continues his up and down season, getting tagged for four runs on seven hits and three walks in 4.2 innings. LHP Matias Carillo took the loss after giving up four runs on four hits and a walk in two innings.
1B Lucas Duda was 4-for-5 with 4 RBI, while SS Ruben Tejada was 1-for-3 with two walks, two runs, one batted in and a stolen base. C Josh Thole chipped in with his first homer of the season, part of a 2-for-3 with a walk night.
Savannah (A-): 6-4 win over Charleston
Tagged Minors |RHP Elvin Ramirez was roughed up for four runs on seven hits in 4.2 innings. RHP Josh Stinson pitched terrific in relief, tossing 4.1 scoreless innings while allowing six hits and striking out four.
2B Greg Veloz was 2-for-3 with a walk and three runs scored, OF Darren Clark was 3-for-4 with two doubles, a run and three batted in, and 3B Richie Lucas was 1-for-2 with a run and two walks.
…in preparation for this weekend’s much anticipated series with the Phillies, I did a quick Q & A with Tom Goyne, who blogs about the Phils for Balls, Sticks & Stuff…
D.J. Short:
How have the injuries to Victorino and Rollins thrown a wrench into the composition of this ballclub? Do you feel it makes you look for the three-run homer a little bit more?
Tom Goyne:
When the Phillies offense is really clicking, Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino are getting on base and creating havoc with the running game. Between the two of them, they had a 78/10 SB/CS ratio last year, and it set up a few more fastballs to swing at for Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, and your favorite Phillie Pat Burrell. So far this year, with the two of them out, the offense has certainly been more station to station. We are hoping to get Rollins back on Saturday and Victorino should be back as soon as he is eligible to return from the 15-day DL.
D.J. Short:
On a similar vein, do you feel the club will eventually regret dealing Michael Bourn over the winter?
Tom Goyne:
I don’t think so. That’s not because I don’t think Bourn will play well, it’s just that you have to give something to get something and Brad Lidge was something the Phillies needed so they could return Brett Myers to the starting rotation where he is more valuable. Remember, even though the Phillies got a reliever in the deal, it was really about improving the starting rotation. Myers and Cole Hamels is a pretty darn good 1-2 combo in the rotation.
D.J. Short:
Tell me one element of the ballclub that has surprised you thus far.
Tom Goyne:
I’ll give you two. The infield defense has been horrific, and that was a strength last year. The other would be the performance of the bullpen. The pen has been pretty solid, which we saw in September last year, but I’m not sure any of us expected it to carry over into this season.
D.J. Short:
Do you ever worry about Ryan Howard’s annual April struggles, or do you feel the flyballs that stay in the yard in April will leave the park in June?
Tom Goyne:
You are reading my mind, D.J. Howard hits a lot of high fly balls and for most of the summer, any fly ball that is a borderline home run gets carried a couple of rows back. But in April, the wind comes from a different direction and batted balls with that same high trajectory, particularly to left field, end up getting caught short of the warning track.
D.J. Short:
For this last one, be honest: In the extra-inning game, do you think Jose Reyes was safe at the plate or not?
Tom Goyne:
Out! But just to prove I’m not a complete homer, I think Geoff Jenkins was actually out at home plate in Tuesday’s dramatic ninth inning win over the Astros.
…thanks, Tom…
1) There is a Print This Post feature at the end 
of every post, which allows you to print each post.
2) Player names are now hyperlinked to their stats page on SNY.tv, as will be other keywords in time.
3) The Standings have been added to the sidebar and a) adhere to losses back, and b) will be updated every morning.
…why losses back…because you can always win more games, but you cannot get less losses…
In an article for the New York Times, Joshua Robinson documents the family of Nelson Figueroa, who have been in attendance for each of his starts.
Robinson writes:
“For both of Figueroa’s starts, Billy Wagner has offered his private suite for use by Figueroa’s friends and family. On Thursday night, there were about 60 more friends and family scattered throughout the stadium, including a group behind home plate that danced and roared with every out.”
“Nobody wanted to give him a chance,” Nelson Sr. said. “But I told him, ‘Have arm, will travel.’ ”
…it’s a great story, and it reminds me a bit of tennis player james blake’s entourage at the u.s. open, although not quite as vocal…the question is, how long will this ride last…i suppose that answer lies within the health of pedro and el duque, which is always a mystery…
…thanks to ross m. for the link…
Tagged Nelson Figueroa, Regis Courtemanche |As noted yesterday, during his appearance on WFAN, SI.com’s Jon 
Heyman expressed concern with the way several people on the Mets treat Manny Acta around the batting cage before playing the Nationals.
According to Heyman, many players and people from the front-office – not Jeff Wilpon – spend two to three hours treating Acta like ‘some sort of returning hero,’ and he feels it is very disrespectful to Willie Randolph.
In today’s Newsday, David Lennon investigates the relationship between the Mets, Acta and Randolph, who tells Lennon:
“How does that happen? How does that become normal? I don’t know. It’s just foreign to me, that’s all. I’m fine with, ‘Hey, how you doing?’ That stuff. I wish that we could enforce it more, really. They talk about it, but I don’t really see anyone policing it. You can’t force people not to talk to someone.”
According to Lennon, Major League Baseball prohibits fraternization with Rule 3.09.
David Wright, as quoted by Lennon, said:
“I’ll keep it down to a quick hello and that’s it. I’ll be the first one to be friendly with other players before we come to the park or after leaving the park. But as far as that time when I have my uniform on and they have their uniform on, I want to go out there and kick their butt…I think it’s important that they know that I’m serious about winning and I expect the same from them.”
…first of all, outstanding job by lennon, with what is a must-read report…second, i think the spirit of Rule 3.09 is essentially dated, considering how fluid free agency has become…i mean, so many of these players and coaches are friends, because so many of them have played together on previous teams, in other countries, in the minors, etc., that they may as well talk around the cage…as a fan, i prefer willie’s and wright’s approach, but i think it’s too late to go back unfortunately…
Tagged Willie Randolph |In the Daily News, Adam Rubin explains how the Mets contacted MLB last season to investigate the Phillies for what was perceived to be stealing signs and relaying them to hitters.
…i’m betting this has everything to do with the Philly Phanatic, who looks guilty of every crime known to man…jerk…
Rubin writes, “Randolph confirmed the Mets would be on guard during this weekend’s three-game series in Philly, but surmised that last year’s attention probably has resulted in an end to any questionable tactics.”
Speaking of the Phillies, according to MLB.com, Jimmy Rollins will not play tonight against the Mets while he attends his uncle’s funeral.
Tagged Phillies |According to Hollyscoop, Mets RHP John 
Maine has a crush on Jennifer Aniston, saying:
“I just love her soft and natural, girl-next-door looks and the way she carries herself, her whole demeanor…Oh, yes, the hair. The hair is unbelievable! I think she just gets better looking as she gets older.”
…oh, johnny…don’t ever change, buddy…i mean, did he really say, “Oh, yes, the hair.”…dear god, i hope not…nevertheless, i totally understand the crush…who doesn’t…
On what he would do if he meets her, Maine says:
“”I’d probably be so nervous, I would trip over my feet. I guess I would take some pictures with her and give her a hug. Maybe she’ll contact me somehow and it will actually happen. Wow, how cool would that be?”
…thanks to maura for the link…i think…
← Older posts
