Mike Nichols

preGame: Mets at Nationals (Game One)
By Mike Nichols - Apr 23, 2008 5:30 pm

The Game:

The Mets (10-9) begin a two-game series against the Nationals (6-15) tonight at Nationals Park in Washington D.C., starting at 7:10 pm EST.

The Lineup:

The Pitchers:

LHP Johan Santana (2-2, 3.25 ERA) starts for the Mets. Santana earned a win in his last versus the Phillies on April 18, allowing three runs on four hits while striking out 10. Batters are 5-for-52 (.096) versus Santana when facing two strikes. He is 1-1 with a 2.40 ERA in two career starts versus the Nationals.

RHP Tim Redding (3-1, 3.27 ERA) takes the hill for the Nationals. Redding allowed four runs through six innings pitched in a win versus the Marlins on April 18, surrendering three hits and a walk while striking out 10. In six games, five starts, versus the Mets in his career, Redding is 1-0 with a 4.00 ERA.

The Notes:

Luis Castillo is batting .290 (9-for-31) with a double and three stolen bases in his last eight games.

The Mets are 9-2 this season when they score first.

Ronnie Belliard is 4-for-21 (.190) versus Santana in his career.

The Nationals are 3-for-8 (38%) in save opportunities 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

686 Responses to “preGame: Mets at Nationals (Game One)”

  1. stellar says:

    Church in front of Delgado???

    THANK YOU WILLIE!!!

    • zer09 says:

      Did I call this lineup or what?!?! Let’s see if this works out for Beltran…

      • ifti99 says:

        the lineup is moving in the right direction, but maybe willie should swap delgado for santana…..

        • Mr.MET says:

          no…not at all…he needs to swap pagan and castillo and let schneider hit 7th

        • Mr.MET says:

          also, he needs to let santana bat 8th and castillo 9th

        • christian warrior says:

          Why?

          Santana stands a better chance of getting on base than Castillo does.

        • zer09 says:

          This game just reassured me that Delgado is the root of all problems in this lineup, not Castillo. Today, in spots where Delgado would pop out or strikeout and kill the rally, Church came through. Castillo is going to be fine in the 2 hole as long as there are 2 players behind Wright who can drive in runs. Let’s see if this can work for two days straight….

    • thingshappen says:

      Delgado batting 7th at this time would be even better.

  2. Ceetar says:

    Over/Under and crybaby comments complaining about Castillo batting second?

  3. erik says:

    I don’t understand the loyalty to Castillo batting second. Although, with Church behind Beltran and Delgado moved down, I may be able to overlook that. I would have preferred Pagan 2, Schnieder 7, Castillo 8. Oh well, I’ll take what I can get.

    • erik says:

      PS- I’m not complaining about Castillo in the 2 hole. I’m just curious to the thinking behind it with the way he’s slumping. Especially now that you see Delgado moved down because of his slump.

  4. Frank Taveras says:

    Normally I would complain, but putting him at #2 allowed The Suck to bat #6. The only other option would be to move Pagan up to #2 or #5 and he is about as cold as The Suck is.

  5. reyesnwright says:

    I know a lot of people are down on Castillo, but I still think he can be a very good number 2 hitter for this team if he puts up the numbers he has every year he’s played (.290 AVG, .370 OBP 20 Steals). It’s still early and I beleive he will be able to do this.
    Delgado on the other hand I don’t think will ever be a number 5 hitter again and I’m glad Willie has him hitting 6th today and hoping that he will have him hitting 7th when Alou gets back. If we can get about .260 20HR 80 RBI (which may even be pushing it), that would not be bad for a 6 or 7 hitter.

    • almar1965 says:

      I disagree. he seems to still be affected by his knee surgery in the off season, as evident by his request to Willie to rest him every 3-4 games.

      Problem with your numebrs is that in all liklihood it would be a very weak .290/.370

      I would rather have a doubles hitter batting 2nd, instead of a players whose game is sacrificing himself to get the runner over. This offense is not built to give up outs like that on purpose at the top of the lineup. Let him do it from the 8 hole.

    • thingshappen says:

      How about when they hit good then put them in a better position in the order.

      Because the hitters who are doing good should do it when others got on base before them.

      Otherwise they stop the rallies.

      And you do not change the order everyday, you do it when time has shown that a player is not hitting up to par.

  6. Slippery Pete says:

    sf

  7. mex84 says:

    What we really need is a win tonight for Johan with Castillo and Delgado providing alot of offense!

    • erik says:

      I’d be happy if the just made contact with the ball and it got past the infield.

      • mex84 says:

        No, thats what they have been doing sporadically so fay this year. We need them to quiet us complainers!

    • thingshappen says:

      With Johan it is either a win or go home crying.

      If the ace can not do it with the Nats it would be time to ponder.

  8. HoJoWright says:

    The line up actually looks good. now lets go mets

  9. smc says:

    Now Alou comes back and bats 5th or 6th and knocks Delgado down to 7th. That should work!

  10. guierllNO MOta says:

    I can hit Tim Redding so I dont care who is in the lineup as all 8 of them sucked in the 2 games vs CHC.

    BTW…anyone else notice pitchers pitch worse and our offense does worse in every game Casanova plays? He is just awful (yes) or is the Schneid that important

    • AlreadyMissShea says:

      Didn’t Redding completely shut them down in one of his starts against the Mets last season? I’m not trying to be a wiseass, I actually think he did but don’t remember.

      Oh well, that was then. This is now.

      I’ve complained enough for one lifetime. This is the lineup. Our ace is on the mound. It’s the Nationals. It’s not exactly a must win game, but it’s really not one you will feel at all good about if they lose.

      LET’S GO METS!

    • KinersKornerman says:

      I heard you only had warning track power against Tim Redding.

  11. darkstar73 says:

    2 things i can’t understand, why people think Alou can play 1st well enough? And why people want to put Church at first? Church is a very good outfielder, if anyone would need to learn first, its Pagan, but obviously expecting him to do that would be a bit much. Even so, Church is way better in the field then Pagan.

    • thingshappen says:

      How about when they hit good then put them in a better place in the order.

      Over/Under and crybaby comments complaining about Castillo batting second?

      For the hitters who hit should do it when others got on base before them.

    • MudvilleNine says:

      Thing is, so far as I’ve seen, you can turn an infielder into an outfielder, but it is very, very rare, that you can turn an outfielder into an infielder. A lefty that had played first in high school or college and had been playing outfield his whole professional career, might be able to do it, but a righthander who was signed as an outfielder, and has only played there his career, would have no infield experience to speak of. He probably played the outfield all through high school and college due to his speed or shyness in fielding groundballs. So the way I see it, we shouldn’t entertain the idea of turning one of our outfielders into a firstbaseman, unless of course we’re looking for more problems.

  12. mex84 says:

    I like the idea of Delgado batting 7th when Alou comes back. Imagine if we had this staff in ‘06 with that offense! Well, i guess you cant have it all.

  13. almar1965 says:

    I think Castillo and Willie are having an affair.

    Yeah,…that explains it.

  14. Koko says:

    What is Willie thinking???

    The order he has to go with or he deserves to get fired:

    1. Church
    2. Wright
    3. Reyes
    4. Church
    5. Wright
    6. Reyes
    7. Church
    8. Wright
    9. Pagan

  15. MetfanMD says:

    I just heard the smartest thing I have ever heard on the wfan….fire willie….and bring Hernandez out of the booth…willie has not been able to do anything with this team for almost 5 months now going back to next yr….the players arent playing to their capabilities…and willie has no handle on this team anymore….he sat pagan while he was hot….he took church out of the 2 whole which lead to a nice losing streak….he puts down the young players…..he is changing the style of the mets to mimic the yankees…..taking pitches…which has taken away from their aggressiveness….im just tired of willie and I think he needs to go….while we are at it….Ron Darling as pitching coach!

  16. ChrisGmetsfan says:

    trade delgado to the pirates for NADY! pay whatever it takes for them to take him…..thank you willie for batting church infront of delgado

    • mrose says:

      maybe we can pay matt morris’ salary as welll as get nady, lol

      i can dream right?

    • Frank Taveras says:

      Yes, I’m sure the Pirates are dying to get a declining overpriced 1B and give up a young good-hitting OF who is one of their few bright spots.

      • mrose says:

        you do well with sarcasm :)

        In all honesty, not for Delgado, but yes, the Pirates would give up Nady for the right price. They do have some of/1b prospect blocked right now.

      • blains2000 says:

        Not that they will but they are the Pirates and they have done things that were at least as dumb.

  17. Phantaroth says:

    I like this line up better than the alternative one (with Church 2nd, Delgado 5th, Castillo 8th)

  18. signupcall says:

    WHERE DID THE POST ABOUT ROLLINS HAVING A BROKEN ANKLE GO???

    • K-Hern says:

      yea Matt…. what happened…. what higher-ups called and ordered it taken off?

    • ToastyJoe says:

      Was wondering that myself.

    • Koko says:

      Maybe no reliable source. A reader probably emailed the site and said. “Guess what? I heard on WIP that Rollins’ ankle is broken.”

      No link no real confirmation and the reader probably lives in LA and doesn’t get WIP. ::D:

      I’m glad he took it down. Unless it is confirmed on WIP’s website (which it isn’t) or it’s not worth believing.

      • huge_mets_fan11 says:

        It actually still might be true, go to rotoworld, they have a link to a place that is reporting it.

  19. erik says:

    Not to get off the topic too much, but since we’re talking about managing and coaching, I have this question: When do you think (if ever) Daryl Straw will get picked up by a team as a hitting coach?

  20. ChrisGmetsfan says:

    the pirates would def trade nady or whoever..because it’s the pirates…just do something that involves delgado not wearing a mets jersey anymore

  21. metsfan119 says:

    Still wish Willie would move Church back to the 2 spot, but I like Delgado at 6th. At least Willie’s showing that he’s not completely in the looney bin.

  22. miker94 says:

    bottom line is that we are on a 3 game losing streak and our ace is up, against the worst team in the NL. If we can’t snap a 3 game skid against this team with our ace, watch out. it will be a very, very long season. i know it would be completely ridiculous to even hint at saying anything about a “must win” game this early on, but…a loss tonight would speak volumes about the heart of this team. not to mention willies lack of motivation. if castillo hits the ball past the mound tonight it would be a success for him. and if beltran can get the bat off his shoulder it would be a success for him. go mets!

  23. khmustache says:

    does anyone else hate loud mouths as much as i do?

  24. signupcall says:

    i think it’s a little bit sad how pessimistic this fan base has become… delgado is absolutely positively done, and they will eventually bench him, but other than that, give the boys their time, including willie… this team has the talent to go very far this year, and playing .500 ball this early in the season isn’t reason for concern, no matter what your eyes are telling you… if they’re still playing like this come june, it’s a problem, until then, let them be

    • gipper91375 says:

      Ugh. We’ve given Willie several seasons. His in game decision making has yet to improve, his IQ remains competitive with your average plumber and “his guys” still seem “bored”.

      Also, it isn’t the .500 play this seasn, it is also the sub .500 play dating back to last May.

      Finally, it is the lack of any accountability for the Collapse.

      • AlreadyMissShea says:

        Exactly.

        But I stopped caring about Willie. He’s going to finish the season no matter what they do. If he’s back next year, that will only mean my team had a nice bounce back year. Can’t seeing him being here next year otherwise. And if he’s gone, good riddance.

        • gipper91375 says:

          True enough…the time to make the change was the day after the end of the Collapse. Again, where was the accountability?!? In-season managerial moves rarely work. Plus, Omar needs his fallguy.

  25. gipper91375 says:

    Ugh….stuck with the Washington TV feed on Extra innings. These guys are the worst booth in baseball. They actively root for the Nats, call their players by their nicknames, and add no analysis to the game whatsoever. They are cheerleaders, plain and simple. Very unprofessional.

    • AlreadyMissShea says:

      You know, that made me remember something kind of on-topic there.

      I caught Ron Darling doing a few Nats games back in 2005.

      Thought he was absolutely terrible.
      And now I think he’s one of the best in the game.

      I guess part of that is his familiarity with the Mets product, but he’s also really come a long way as a broadcaster.

      • gipper91375 says:

        Yes…Ronnie is first to admit he was bad when he started. He worked really hard at it. Still, I doubt Ronnie was shouting “get up! get outta here!!!” on Nats long fly balls when he was a DC announcer….unlike their current guys.

        • AlreadyMissShea says:

          LOL!

          I spent a year outside of NY and had the Extra Innings package. You have my sympathies.

          The worst for me were the Nationals (without Darling who didn’t do every game, they were WORSE), and the Braves. The Braves announcers openly blew kisses to their players during every game.

        • khmustache says:

          is chip caray still doing their games? that guy would get so drunk he’d be unintelligible by the 8th

        • gipper91375 says:

          So far, the worst I have encountered are the Nats and Fish announcers. Milwaukee isn’t horrible. I actually felt bad for the Reds announcers last year.

          The Cubs guys were serviceable.

          The only good booths are SNY and Vin Scully doing Dodgers games by himself (simulcast on radio, mind you) at his very advanced age. Scully confuses a name here or there (often calls Pedro “Ramon Martinez”) due to his age…but still paints a great word picture and while you know he bleeds Dodger blue, he isn’t a cheerleader.

        • christian warrior says:

          I assume you are only taking TV booths into consideration here, but the Cubs have what could be the WORST radio booth I have ever heard. Ron Santo should be pumping gas somewhere. He should be nowhere near a microphone.

        • gipper91375 says:

          Yup, CW, just TV booths. I don’t pay $170 for Extra Innings to listen to opposing radio broadcasts! I have heard horror stories about Santo, though.

    • huge_mets_fan11 says:

      Totally agree, just this inning every pitch the Mets didn’t swing at they said: “Good fastball, good changeup, OH…Great slider!”

      • gipper91375 says:

        Oh, and “the Mets struglled at home in a three game weekend series against the Cubs.” Huh? Do your homework much? Not like they all get press packets of info on the opposing team. Oh wait, they do.

    • christian warrior says:

      They are bad, but they are not worse than the Cubs’ radio booth.

      Ron Santo is the sorriest excuse for a color guy I have ever heard anywhere.

    • miker94 says:

      i agree, i have to listen to these morons too. i hate when they call guys, “hammer” or “nick” like they are buddies or something. drives me nuts

      • gipper91375 says:

        I guess there are no sports media critic columnists in DC or Miami like there are in NYC ….though the booths for those team prove that there ought to be.

        I often resort to listening to the WFAN feed on mlb.audio on my computer whil watching the game….but getting th timing to synch takes some effort with my DVR! Also, sadly, while Howie is great. Wayne Hagin is not much of an improvement!!

  26. jose--jose-jose-jose says:

    The high camera angle is driving me crazy. I thought ESPN was just being weird when they had it like this on opening day, but turns out its a stadium thing. uugh, it makes me dizzy.

  27. khmustache says:

    i like those blue mets shirts. they’ve kinda become our trademark (the fans i mean)

  28. cousinrk says:

    You’ve got to be kidding me with this camera angle. 9 games a year are going to be unwatchable. Everytime they hit it we get the high up cam angle. That’s insane. Its like a video game angle

  29. KinersKornerman says:

    Hey, where’s that guy who said he could hit Tim Redding? Need him in this lineup.

  30. metz1 says:

    We need another big hitter!!!!!!!!!!1

  31. metz1 says:

    I wish there was some way to aquire another big bat!

  32. huge_mets_fan11 says:

    Damn…thought there was good possiblity for a no hitter today.

  33. KinersKornerman says:

    Nick Johnson with a GREAT Carlos Delgado impression.

  34. huge_mets_fan11 says:

    These announcers make me hate the Nats.

    • gipper91375 says:

      In 2006, at the end of the season, the Nats guys had an email the booth game against the Mets. I emailed them saying how unprofessional it is to be such homers and cited instances from that game and the whole series.

      They refused to read my email on air, but referenced it, saying “One guy, a mets fan, emailed us to criticize us…we won’t read your email, but you know who you are….hey, if you can’t have fun at the ballpark, when can you? We like to have fun. Objectivity is dull and, frankly overrated.”

      Sheesh.

  35. Met_Zombie says:

    RBI for delgroundout @!

  36. backinbusiness says:

    The Nats announcers just said there is “talk” of Alou to LF, Pagan to RF, Church to 1B.

    Is this “talk” coming from “MetsBlog commenters” or a real source?

    • khmustache says:

      we can find out…mention trading wright for zimmerman and see if they reference it

  37. Nightlife says:

    Man, Santana is such a great fielder.

  38. christian warrior says:

    Sounds like Thomas is headed back to Oakland…

  39. cousinrk says:

    Hey this Santana guy is pretty good

  40. gipper91375 says:

    Is this camera angle taken from an NSA satellite that is monitoring DC area for counterterrorism efforts?

  41. christian warrior says:

    What do you think it would take to pry Dmitri Young away from the Nats? (When he is off the DL, obviously) They have little use for him with Nick Johnson.

    There’s the big hitter we want.

    All 300 lbs. of him.

    • khmustache says:

      not much…he’s been hurt a lot the past 2 years and he’s considered an attitude problem

      • christian warrior says:

        I could have sworn that all last season all anyone heard about this guy was how great of a teammate he was.

        No?

        • khmustache says:

          he’s got a bunch of off the field problems that sometimes translate onto the field…it’s why the tigers released him

    • KinersKornerman says:

      You probably need one of those big magnets like they have at junkyards.

  42. Nightlife says:

    Other than that Zimmerman fly out, lots of weak contact by the Nats.

  43. khmustache says:

    every guy in the procede program commercial has a super weird face

    • AlreadyMissShea says:

      FIRST… It’s the only product I’ve seen work for thinning hair… JUST BY WATCHING THE COMMERCIAL!

      I don’t own the hair on my head. I don’t own anything about it. I just watched the commercial 2000 times, and a bunch of hair started showing up again.

      Guiseppe ran his fingers through my hair, and he said it really worked. That made me very uncomfortable. But at least he didn’t hug me. He saves that for Gary Busey.

  44. rockets212 says:

    the nationals announcers thought of a good idea
    1)once alou comes back move pagan to right
    2)then move church to 1st base and i know church can make the adjustment no problem
    It gets rid of our delgao problem and keeps pagan in the lineup

    • therealsince86 says:

      Take a gold golve RF out of position to put a below average fielder in RF. Thus you would have a below average LF, RF, and 1B instead. Interesting idea. Or you could just platoon Delgado with Abreu and trade Chavez.

      Why do you guys think it is so easy to switch positions? Do you want to send Church down to AAA to work on it?

      • rockets212 says:

        im not sayin to do it im sayin its an interesting idea
        Church can probably play equal defense at 1st base as delgado after some adjustment period and pagan isnt that bad a fielder

        • therealsince86 says:

          Have you seen Pagan lately?, he is a quicker Shawn Green but takes bad routes to the ball.
          Church could learn to play 1B and prob. be better than Delgado but now is not the time to learn again unless you want him to go to AAA to learn.

        • rockets212 says:

          do you think the small decrease in defense will be more pronounce than the gain of offense?

        • therealsince86 says:

          You really think that adding Pagan over Delgado in the 7 spot is worth that? What if learning the new position bothers Church’s offense? Also, let’s let Pagan hit until the all-star break before we announce him a great hitter. When Alou comes back Delgado should bat 7th and be platooned with Abreu.

        • therealsince86 says:

          Besides you have no idea how bid of a decrease it would be on defense. Pagan has looked lost sometimes in the field and Church HAS NEVER PLAYED 1B. Watch as half of Wright’s throws go into the dug out.
          If Delgado can’t play 1B in a platoon with Abreu then release him and let Abreu and Carp play.

        • rockets212 says:

          he wont be hittin until the all star break he will be bench after this series of this weekend. i trust pagan a young talented hitter over on old has been who is late on anything with heat and shaky defense

        • rockets212 says:

          well we agree something needs to be done about delgado

        • therealsince86 says:

          And that is why Church plays RF.

  45. flmetsfan says:

    Why is Miledge wearing 42? Everybody else on hs team is wearing normal numbers with ther names.

  46. rockets212 says:

    what a shot santana should play 1st when hes not pitchin

  47. slachs says:

    Aaaaaaaaaaaaaand here come all the comments about moving Santana up in the order! Ahahahahahahhaha, too true!

  48. khmustache says:

    wow…shoulda been a triple…milledge in the wrong postition again

    • rockets212 says:

      no hes not its the pitcher you always play way in against the pitcher

      • khmustache says:

        teams don’t normally play santana that shallow. a handful of pitchers can hit (dontrelle, zambrano to name a few) and teams don’t typically play them the same way.

        • rockets212 says:

          they dont play them straight up though

        • khmustache says:

          good point…i’m just quick to pass judgement on lmizz…still don’t think he’s a great outfielder but i will say i was wrong on that one

        • rockets212 says:

          hes not a good outfielder and he should have been playin deeper but not straight up

  49. gipper91375 says:

    Can Johan play first base???

  50. huge_mets_fan11 says:

    Lol, Santana with a double and should of went for 3.

  51. Nightlife says:

    I love this man.

  52. cousinrk says:

    Is the grueling first 12 games of season to much for Keith? Is he ever coming back from Vacation?

  53. Philnym31 says:

    By the way, Dan Johnson has just been designated for assignment again. The Rays ended up getting him not too long after the A’s had done the same to him; but, they needed to make room for Gabe Gross, who they recently acquired, and Johnson was the man to go. It would seem to me like good opportunity for us to get a fairly adequate first baseman into the system at least.

    • therealsince86 says:

      A fairly adquate 1B that got released by the A’s and the Rays, how is that possible?

      • KinersKornerman says:

        You guys want to pick up a 1B that’s been released by both the A’s and the Rays within the past week? Man, how low do we go?

        • Philnym31 says:

          Listen, I’m not saying to start him. If he can be brought in on a minor league contract, it wouldn’t be exactly the worst idea. The more options, the better.

        • therealsince86 says:

          Where does he play? Abreu is a better option at this point and needs the AB’s. Heck even Tatis is a better option right now.

  54. gipper91375 says:

    Castillo up, man on second….time to go to the fridge.

  55. therealsince86 says:

    Everyone gets on Castillo all the time but Reyes has to do more than this. Reyes makes a productive out here and then Castillo’s productive out scores a run. Reyes pops the damn ball up to LF.

    • KFS says:

      Except he’s got as much RBIs as Beltran and Delcrapo.

      • therealsince86 says:

        Only because the bottom of the lineup has actually been getting on base. RBI is a horrible stat to use.

        • KFS says:

          What should I use, runs, slugging, OBP, BAvg, HRs?

          I’m not saying Reyes isn’t underperforming. It’s just that he’s probably the last of your problems.

        • KFS says:

          and how would castillo’s out score a run?

        • therealsince86 says:

          Actually he is the 1st of our problems. His OBP is the lowest on the team other than Delgado. He really needs to get going.

        • KFS says:

          And since when is a K a productive out?

        • therealsince86 says:

          He struck out for the 5th time this season on a really low pitch. And he still has the least amount of SO for the team.

        • KFS says:

          I’m still waiting for an answer to how Catillo’s “productive out” would score Santana if Reyes made a productive out.

          If you want to blast someone, do it with good supporting facts. It’s not that hard with Reyes actually.

        • therealsince86 says:

          I missed the amount of out’s there. That’s my bad. Point still remains that Reyes getting going is much more important than Castillo.

        • KFS says:

          I agree to a point. The thing is, it doesn’t help Reyes when Castillo is batting behind him. If Willie put someone like Pagan/Church in the 2 spot or Castillo picks it up, Reyes might see better pitches.

        • therealsince86 says:

          Reyes has been able to hit with anyone from Loduca to Valentin to Easley to Gotay to whatever other bad 2nd hitter behind him. He is just still in a slump, especially with getting on base.

  56. Nightlife says:

    Well, Castillo is up, inning over.

  57. KinersKornerman says:

    Put Santana in the 2-hole. Do it Willie!!!

  58. rockets212 says:

    did he swing or was that a low strike

  59. slachs says:

    That was ridiculously low. Ugh.

  60. huge_mets_fan11 says:

    These announcers think every pitch Redding throws is a “Good pitch”

  61. Prismo says:

    Does anyone else hate how these MASN broadcasters take pot-shots at the Mets at every chance they get?

    Redding strikes out Castillo with a ball to end the inning, and it’s a “good pitch”. Santana strikes out the next batter in the game looking, and the strike zone has become “more liberal”.

  62. huge_mets_fan11 says:

    What the heck is with the Nats? Guzman kills Santana, was it Bellard the one that kills Maine?

  63. therealsince86 says:

    Again I don’t get the constant comments on Castillo. Reyes’ OBP is .313 and Castillo’s is .338.
    You can blame where Castillo bat’s all you want, until Reyes starts being consistant then our offense will never be consistant.

    • rockets212 says:

      completely agree they both need to start hittin better

    • therealsince86 says:

      Castillo also has the least amount of SO of any Mets regular.

    • Koko says:

      Yes. Reyes OBP is bad for a leadoff hitter. Worse then bad. it reminds me of 2005 (2004 too). Just isn’t patient.

      I thought he turned the corner when he raised his OBP to .354 and it would continue to go up, but nope. Hopefully .354 OBP isn’t the best of his career.

      • Koko says:

        And yes I realize he is 24 so there is room to grow, but he is taking a step back, not growing right now.

    • gipper91375 says:

      One does not justify bad behavior by pointing to other bad behavior.

      Reyes has been bad. So has Castillo.

  64. Dirtysanchez says:

    man i wish i had the SNY broadcast………………..

  65. metz1 says:

    we need albert pujhols!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

    • rockets212 says:

      no we need someone who can hit that wont cost us 100000000000000 dollars. We got a good lineup delgado is just a weakness that can be replaced by a lot cheaper players than albert

  66. Dirtysanchez says:

    lol great sell schnieder

  67. huge_mets_fan11 says:

    I really think that the Nats TV network just took 2 guys out of the stands that were big Nats fans and gave them the jobs.

  68. mettzie says:

    hey, has anyone noticed that L:astings Milledge is wearing #42 2nite?

    why?

  69. Dirtysanchez says:

    damn that was a nasty curve

  70. mettzie says:

    jackie nite was last week , i thought? nobody else is wearing it

    • AlreadyMissShea says:

      The other two players are Willie Harris and Ray King, so we haven’t seen them yet.

      • AlreadyMissShea says:

        They were on the road. I don’t know what kind of ceremonies they did tonight, but it’s nice that they are doing it.

  71. mettzie says:

    OHHHHHHHH thanks :)
    that explains it

  72. Dirtysanchez says:

    another walk………………….

  73. metz1 says:

    we need another big hitter and willie to hold a closed door meeting with this team!

    • rockets212 says:

      or a players only meeting

    • therealsince86 says:

      Willie has a closed door meeting with the team every day. Why would they make that public? Wouldn’t that be an open door meeting?

      • AlreadyMissShea says:

        They should have an open door meeting once a week. They can incorporate it into the Loud Mouths show on SNY, and Chris Carlin can moderate it.

        I can hear it now:

        “OK HEILMAN, WILLIE SAYS HE TRUSTS YOU! BOOM OR BUST? I SAY BUST! YOU SUCK! WHO WANTS PIE???”

  74. Dirtysanchez says:

    ok lets go delgado…………………………

  75. huge_mets_fan11 says:

    Lol “What a night, you know what would make it better? A double play.”

  76. rockets212 says:

    delgado needs to bunt down the 3rd base side a few times to get that shift off then i think he might be able to hit .220

  77. Dirtysanchez says:

    right into the shift……………..
    so 2 innings str8 a man in scoring position and the usual suspects dont get it done

  78. huge_mets_fan11 says:

    Lol “Brillant advanced scouting by the Nationals.” Yeah its not like no one else put a shift on for Delgado. This guys are soannoying but they do crack me up.

  79. Dirtysanchez says:

    CHURCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  80. slachs says:

    Enough already with the finger amputation lady commercial.

    I just ate and I feel sick.

    I much preferred the old “I learned it by watching you Dad” propoganda ads.

    • khmustache says:

      she needs a gary busey cameo…that would make the commercial awesome

    • AlreadyMissShea says:

      LOL!

      That was classic.

      WHERE DID YOU LEARN ABOUT THIS???

      FROM YOU DAD! I LEARNED IT FROM WATCHING YOU!

      Anyone old enough to remember the PSA from WAY back with the kid and his grandfather on the fishing trip?

      “Grandpa, yesterday Jimmy said I was prejudiced. What’s that?”

    • KinersKornerman says:

      Who’s got TIME for all those fingertips?

  81. khmustache says:

    that would have been 40 rows back in cbp

  82. gipper91375 says:

    Nice play Church!!

  83. huge_mets_fan11 says:

    Thats why Church should go to 1st base.

  84. playmaker3128 says:

    Nats hitters seem like there guessing a bit. Swinging at that first pitch fastball. Santana throwing alot of first pitch fastballs, gotta switch it up a bit.

  85. NY Cuban says:

    This team cant score more than 1 run on the Nats. This is pathetic.

    • Dirtysanchez says:

      its still early………….dont worry santana will hit a HR cause nobody else is doing anything

  86. Dirtysanchez says:

    will nieves…………………..

  87. AlreadyMissShea says:

    I am becoming a Ryan Church fan a little bit more each day.

  88. khmustache says:

    wow…shawn green never makes that grab…not in one million years

  89. KinersKornerman says:

    Damn, Ryan Church..what was that barehanded pick?

    Also, did anybody notice Johan had Won’t Nieves struck out, doesn’t get the call…here’s comes a disaster.

  90. Koko says:

    Starting pitchers pitch counts are going to be the death of the Mets as the season progress. Can any starter realistically get to the 7th, let alone the 8th right now?

  91. jose--jose-jose-jose says:

    wtf….

  92. gipper91375 says:

    Are you effing kidding me?

  93. NY Cuban says:

    amazing…i’m speechless. You let bad teams hang around and you make them believe.

  94. khmustache says:

    damn

  95. huge_mets_fan11 says:

    SOB!!

  96. Dirtysanchez says:

    lmao…… the pitchers got a 2 out 2 rbi single………..

  97. gipper91375 says:

    This guy is the ace/savior? Really? Can’t get a FB past the opposig no-name pitcher?

  98. metsfan119 says:

    One run deficits seem like five with this team. Hopefully they can scratch something together

  99. huge_mets_fan11 says:

    What the heck, Santana, you are supposed to be mowing these guys down.

  100. therealsince86 says:

    Well that’s great, now the Mets will not score and the bullpen will start letting the runs pile on. Oh wait that was last night, or was it the night before?

    • blains2000 says:

      It’e been every other night since August 2007.

      • therealsince86 says:

        At least then it was one or the other. Starters do good, offense does ok and bullpen comes unglued. Starters do poor, bullpen does good, offense stays home. Right now it’s pretty much nothing during this losing streak.

    • KFS says:

      Different opponent, same ol Mets. Can we just fast-forward to the end already?

      • khmustache says:

        5th- nothing happens
        6th- nothing happens
        7th-nothing happens
        8th-nats score 7
        9th-nothing happens

  101. blains2000 says:

    Are you f-ing kidding me?

    Can Redding play 1B?

  102. AlreadyMissShea says:

    Well Santana MIGHT get an opportunity coming up to drive in two runs of his own.

    That would be fun. :)

  103. Dirtysanchez says:

    lol ok that commercial was funny

  104. playmaker3128 says:

    hhahaah i love it, our 5-6 hitters next year. Santana and Redding!

  105. Dirtysanchez says:

    ok this guy is kinda tired lets get at em

  106. Met_Zombie says:

    these nats announcers are horrible mistaking beltran for santana

  107. HITorDIE25 says:

    broken bat single and bloop single…just our luck last inning. Santana is doing fine…Our hitters are still being below average as usual.

  108. Dirtysanchez says:

    ok pagan seem to have cooled down……i guess just in time for alou to come back

  109. Frank Taveras says:

    You’d think that after having two days off, the Mets wouldn’t look so dead.

  110. Dirtysanchez says:

    YES 2RUN HR COMING UP LETS GO SANTANA

  111. therealsince86 says:

    Santana HR.

  112. huge_mets_fan11 says:

    Let Santana swing away

  113. therealsince86 says:

    I don’t think you have Santana bunt here. Let him hit the dang ball.

  114. KFS says:

    Damn Willie, call off the bunt!

  115. khmustache says:

    off topic a little: is there a professional sports team without a number 23 on the roster? has anybody ever had as much influence as michael jordan in sports?

  116. Dirtysanchez says:

    ok hitters count 2-1

  117. therealsince86 says:

    Let him swing, come on. He’s not a great bunter, yet.

  118. Dirtysanchez says:

    3-1!!!

  119. gipper91375 says:

    Pitching around Johan to get to Reyes.

  120. CitizenSnips says:

    These camera angles are horrendous.

  121. therealsince86 says:

    At this point I would take the next 2 pitches before I bunted.

  122. Dirtysanchez says:

    lol good steal schnieder

  123. playmaker3128 says:

    Would love to see reyes shorten up here and get a base hit

  124. KFS says:

    You can tell Santana wants to hit!

  125. khmustache says:

    best slide of the year

  126. Dirtysanchez says:

    ok jose lets come away with a few runs here please!!

  127. metsfan119 says:

    Can we get a big hit here? Is it possible? You virtually have a pitcher up next…

  128. therealsince86 says:

    Come on Reyes. You want to be the happy fun Reyes then do something to be happy about.

  129. KFS says:

    Don’t swing at this first pitch Jose, DON’T swing!

  130. gipper91375 says:

    Two straight walks, and Jose swings at the first pitch?!?

  131. WrightsRight says:

    jeez, reyes….is anyone on this team besides Santana capable of driving the ball?

  132. KFS says:

    What did I just say!? Damn you Jose!

  133. playmaker3128 says:

    Jesus luis swing the bat!

  134. Dirtysanchez says:

    WHAT THE HELL!!!!!
    CAN THIS GUY TAKE A PITCH!!!!
    great……………..inning over

  135. therealsince86 says:

    Unbelievable. The guy walks the 8 9 hitter and he swings into an almost DP. This guy has to get going.

  136. huge_mets_fan11 says:

    Finally a good comment from the announcer, “Why is Reyes swinging at the first pitch” Totally agree

  137. gipper91375 says:

    C’mon slappy - get lucky.

  138. KFS says:

    Castillo should swing at the first pitch here, have to.

  139. blains2000 says:

    BTW…just got my Reyes bobblehead from MLB 2k8. Even he looks sad.

  140. metz1 says:

    wouldnt make sense to have manager that lights a fire under their butts? willie needs to see the unemployment line!

    • therealsince86 says:

      Pete Rose said that if a player can’t get motivated to play big league baseball then he needs to get the hell off his team.

      • gipper91375 says:

        Sadly, can’t get charlie Hustle to replace Willie these days.

        • therealsince86 says:

          Point is after reading his Autobiography it reaffirms my notion that managers mean very little in baseball. He says it himself and said that today’s managers over manage because they are being looked at so much by the media.

        • gipper91375 says:

          I know what your point was…just tweaking your nose a bit.

          But, would Charlie Hustle have put up with Delgado’s “bored” comment or his recent play?

          Of course, Pete might put up with it if he had money on the Phils to win the division…..

        • therealsince86 says:

          That bored comment was taken way out of context. He was saying that all along they knew they were the best team and were just waiting for the playoffs. Then when they started losing they could not get out of their own way to stop the slide.

          As for his recent play, Charlie would prob. move him down in the order.

        • gipper91375 says:

          Okay, so he was more arrogant than truly bored. The attitude is still inexusable.

      • khmustache says:

        then he said “gimmee $50 on the cardinals”

        • therealsince86 says:

          Fair enough but I respect him tremendously. In a day where everything is dirty what he did was nothing.

  141. giuseppe franco says:

    This offense is pathetic.

    • Dirtysanchez says:

      lol this offense is pathetic and i know nothing about the product lol great name bro

  142. Dirtysanchez says:

    yes please draw a walk and let wright up.

  143. jimyager says:

    WTF!!!! If our “ACE” cant beat a last place team like the Nats, then we are done, stick a fork in us. As I said before with Santana on the mound you need a 3 or 4 run lead because he WILL give up the runs and add our pen to that and without at least 5 runs we cant win. What is wrong with our Bats? WE SUCK!!

    • Nightlife says:

      First of all, chill out. Santana has pitched fine tonight, I’ll take 7-8 innings and 2 or 3 ER EVERY time out. He is not going to throw complete game shut outs every start. Santana just has not gotten great run support so far this season. The teams problem has been the offense. The starters have been good, the bull pen has kind of stunk but the team needs to start scoring more runs to take the load off them, which they have yet to do all season.

  144. metsfan119 says:

    WOW, the ONLY way Castillo could get a hit. What a miracle!

  145. khmustache says:

    holy crap!

  146. gipper91375 says:

    Yay! Slappy got lucky!!! Just as requested!

  147. KFS says:

    Can I pitch to Castillo?

  148. Dirtysanchez says:

    FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!
    SOME LUCK DAMMIT

  149. huge_mets_fan11 says:

    Yeah, Castillo finally got an RBI

  150. therealsince86 says:

    Not bad for a guy with no legs.

  151. Nate W. says:

    Didnt anyone else thing that 2-2 pitch to Nieves was strike three? It looked like it had 2 inches of the plate…

    He then singled, the pitcher doubled and the two runs shouldnt have happened.

    nice chopper Luis, beat out those IF grounders is about the only way he is going to get on base lately.

    • blains2000 says:

      That is at least the 2nd or 3rd time that has happend to Santana already.

    • KinersKornerman says:

      Nate, I had my crystall ball working.
      see this comment:

      Comment by KinersKornerman
      2008-04-23 20:23:55
      Damn, Ryan Church..what was that barehanded pick?

      Also, did anybody notice Johan had Won’t Nieves struck out, doesn’t get the call…here’s comes a disaster.

  152. KFS says:

    Luck is indeed better than good.

  153. Dirtysanchez says:

    KMON WRIGHT

  154. blains2000 says:

    Slappy! I think that’s the hardest he can hit a ball.

  155. HITorDIE25 says:

    castillo is a dick face still

  156. Nightlife says:

    Vintage Castillo.

  157. Dirtysanchez says:

    this guys got a weird strike zone

  158. Dirtysanchez says:

    welp………………..on the bright side we tied the game………….

  159. huge_mets_fan11 says:

    What is with Wright? After being on fire, he now hasn’t had a hit in 13 at-bats.

  160. gipper91375 says:

    So, games against craptastic teams like the Nats are squeakers…and games against good teams are blowouts in which the Mets are on the short end? This does not bode well.

    • therealsince86 says:

      Smoltz pitched against the Nats last night and the Braves lost 6-0.

      • gipper91375 says:

        Sure, that was one game, the braves took it to the nats before that. The Mets have already played squeakers with the Nats, including a long extra-inning affair. And, we get crushed by the one good team we’ve played this year.

        Is this predictive? No. Is it troubling? A bit.

        Look, they aren’t hitting and the pen is already overworked and very hittable. This is not good, and frankly, I don’t see an easy solution.

        • therealsince86 says:

          I can’t remember, who has a better record right now? How did we get crushed by the one good team, I guess the Phillies, and Braves are not any good? We should win the division easily.
          All 3 “good” teams in our division are struggling right now and have problems to answer.

        • gipper91375 says:

          The Phils and Braves are not that good…they’re .500-ish teams just like us. The good NL teams this year are the Cubbies, D’Backs, possibly the brewers and Rox.

        • therealsince86 says:

          Rockies are below .500 and the Brewers have just about the same record as us.

  161. metsforever says:

    It looks like pitching isn’t enough. There are too many automatic outs in this lineup to survive a season. You have to hope that Beltran and Reyes can get it together, because Castillo, Delgado, the catcher and the the pitcher spot (usually) offer very little help. I don’t think there is much hope for Delgado. I am waiting for his real birth certificate to appear and find out he is 44

  162. playmaker3128 says:

    Anyone remember last year one of the first games castillo played with us. Rbi situation vs the braves, he came up and singled, driving in two.

    If he would swing the bat in hitters counts i would be happy. But allowing the pitcher to throw it right down the middle on 0-0, and 3-1 is inexcusable, those are good pitches to hit. You can’t always draw a walk.

    • Dirtysanchez says:

      yes exactly. You have a 3-1 count and wright is behind you with 2 outs. YOU KNOW HES NOT GOING TO PITCH AROUND YOU TO GET TO WRIGHT. That was def a pitch to kill on 3-2. but when you suck i guess you will pray for a walk

    • therealsince86 says:

      But that is his game and is fine for a #2 hitter as long as you get on base at the clip he does.

  163. playmaker3128 says:

    Good job by santana right there. Guzman, like alot of the other nats hitters. Are sitting on the fastball and waiting till they get it. Santana made the adjustment and threw 2 straight changes. Might be the first time all night to start an AB.

  164. Darryl Strawberry says:

    The 7 8 9 hitters are 5-6 with two outs against Santana. The Mets cannot get the big hit to save their lives. Sending Schneider on a 3-2 count with one out and the pitcher up was just plain stupid by WIllie. That could have and most times is a strike em out throw em out double play. Disgusting as usual.

  165. huge_mets_fan11 says:

    Come on, Santana, get through this batter, quick inning, did he just throw that fastball 96?

  166. Dirtysanchez says:

    good 1-2-3 inning….carlos is up at the top….lets see what happens….should be interesting….

  167. playmaker3128 says:

    Dam santana looked pissed that inning. Throwing 95 and 97 at one point.

    My point on castillo is, he’s good at working the count, but in hitters counts he should be taken as hard of a hack as he can. Then he can go to protecting when theres 2 strikes. When your ahead in the count let it rip.

    • therealsince86 says:

      If Castillo hits it as hard as he can then it is a flyout. He trust himself with 2 strikes to be able to get the same hit that he could have got 3-1. Castillo’s job is to get on base, not drive in runs.

  168. khmustache says:

    nice poke

  169. Dirtysanchez says:

    guess having church behind him is helping….to bad church is struggling because of it

  170. huge_mets_fan11 says:

    I love when a hitter gets a hit or two and the announcer all of sudden think the hitter is on fire.

  171. Dirtysanchez says:

    hm……………… kinda early to pull him………….guess he took some notes from willie when he was with the mets. bad acta

  172. therealsince86 says:

    Isn’t it a little early to say that Church is struggling because he is in the 5 spot? He was hitting well in the 6 spot with very little behind him before.

  173. khmustache says:

    alright! go prince!

  174. Nate W. says:

    tough luck night for all the starters in the Mets system.

    Santana gets jobbed on a probable strike three call, ruining his likely shutout.

    Jake Ruckle pitched 5 good innings (6k, 1 BB) turning it over to newly aquired Eudo Brito who promptly blew the lead.

    Eric Niesen tried to end St. Lucie’s 8 game losing streak, but he got no run support. 5 IP, 2 runs on 6 hits and 2 walks.

    Angel Calero had the best night, going 6 1/3 allowing just 2 hits and 1 BB, but left trailing 3-1 due to errors behind him.

  175. Dirtysanchez says:

    OMG BELTRAN HAS A PULSE!!!!!!!

  176. khmustache says:

    yeeeeeeeeeeesssssss

  177. ryankobayashi says:

    It scares me how this team is scoring runs right now.

  178. gipper91375 says:

    Thank you Zimmerman!!!

    Horrible announcing and even worse cameawork/directing by MASN!!! They missed most of the action!

  179. MainStMets says:

    ok so we yell and scream at reyes, detest castillo, absolutely hate delgado but when wright goes 3 games without sniffing a hit and looks lost at the plate, we let him slide?

    guys its a long year, this tam will compete for the division, if not win it, like wright said on letterman, such a “what have you done for me lately” fan base

    oh no beltran has a good night, hes the savior FOR NOW

    • therealsince86 says:

      Wright gets a pass because he is leading the team in OBP, OPS, HR, RBI?

    • gipper91375 says:

      Ummmm…if we were a what have you done for me lately fanbase, wouldn’t we be crushing Wright?!?

      No, we get that David has been doing it all and nobody can be expected to do that all year.

      This fanbase is one of the most loyal “we’ll get em next year / ya gotta believe” types there has ever been.

      But, not after the Collapse and not after the team holding nobody accountable for the Collapse. that was a bridge too far.

      It’s been 22 years since 1986……..yet the team draws extremely well and has a highly rated cable network, etc…..hardly a what have you done for me lately fanbase.

      People expect a team with this much talent and this kind of payroll to play better, crisper ball. David expects it as well (see the recent posts of David calling the team out).

      • therealsince86 says:

        To be great all the time? Come on, he’s not going to hit .400 with 50 HR. He has to have some help around him.

        And Gipp, I like you but do you have to say the same thing over and over again? We know you wanted and want Willie fired. He was not, move on.

        • gipper91375 says:

          I only say it over and over again to guys like MainStMets who don’t seem to get it. Frankly, it’s cathartic.

          You are criticising the same guy re David…as did I.

          Dear LORD, Jose swinging first pitch again! Time to give him a day or two off again.

        • therealsince86 says:

          Do you remember if I like Willie or not?

        • gipper91375 says:

          As I recall, you could have gone either way as far as his being canned in the offseason, and now knda wish he had been just to turn the page for the fans, but generally don’t think it would make much of a difference. Again, my beef was with MainSt, not you.

          Even if you called me an old man last night! ;-)

        • therealsince86 says:

          Your screen name is the gipper, and wow you have a great memory.

        • gipper91375 says:

          Ah.. okay, though the greates president of the 20th century was pretty young when he played the Gip.

          And thanks re memory. Sadly, the real Gipper lost his towards the end.

  180. huge_mets_fan11 says:

    Wow, Utley another HR

  181. ryankobayashi says:

    by the way, nats announcers TERRIBLE!

  182. Dirtysanchez says:

    kmon pagan please hit at least a sac fly

  183. khmustache says:

    nice hit delgado

  184. blains2000 says:

    I would have bet my house that Delgado would get that run in.

    -sarcasm off-

  185. JDuelz (Athens, GA) says:

    Yeah, ummm… What happened to Rollins? That’s real suspect.

  186. therealsince86 says:

    Delgado should have hit 7th tonight and until he is gone or starts hitting again.

  187. Nightlife says:

    Man, if that was Wright making that play they would be bringing up the Gold Glove, errors, fielding percentage.

    • ryankobayashi says:

      Actually, that ball had some weird spin on it. He probably should’ve just eaten it.

  188. Met_Zombie says:

    nice slide by beltran

  189. EdysFanatic says:

    Yet another 2 hits and an RBI for Carp tonite in Binghamton. *sigh*

  190. Dirtysanchez says:

    lmaoooooo wow…………

  191. MainStMets says:

    oh and for a guy whos barely got any speed, castillo looked pretty good beatin out the infield hit

  192. Dirtysanchez says:

    keeping those judges busy today

  193. Nate W. says:

    geeze, this team needs the opponent to pull a bad news bears inning to get a 4-2 lead. how sad…

  194. KinersKornerman says:

    What kind of idiot manager pitches to Pagan there?

  195. therealsince86 says:

    Strange inning here.

  196. Dirtysanchez says:

    wowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

  197. Dirtysanchez says:

    YOOOOOOOOOOOOO PAGAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

  198. WrightsRight says:

    serious small ball

  199. huge_mets_fan11 says:

    Great job Pagan

  200. Jay says:

    Pagan!!!!!!

  201. khmustache says:

    i’m angel flapping right now

  202. Dirtysanchez says:

    aite schnieder we CANNOT let that go to waste kmon!!!

  203. Nightlife says:

    Some ballzzzzz there Pagan.

  204. Dirtysanchez says:

    MAN THIS IS A WEIRD INNING?!!

  205. Nate W. says:

    thats like the third weird IF hit of the inning. oddness

  206. huge_mets_fan11 says:

    Lol, the only ball that got out of the infield was a lead off hit to Beltran.

  207. khmustache says:

    small ball? smallest ball

  208. MainStMets says:

    pair o doubles!!!

  209. khmustache says:

    2 doubles!!!

  210. Dirtysanchez says:

    lmao! I FRIGGIN LOVE THIS GUY LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  211. WrightsRight says:

    incredibly bizarre inning….

    santana should start teaching delgado how to hit

  212. slachs says:

    Santana can pinch hit on off nights…

    I ain’t kidding around.

  213. gipper91375 says:

    Wow.

    Bad news Bears routine sparks Mets’ “rally”.

    Nice aggressiveness by Pagan there, though.

    Perhaps Johan can give Delgado, Castillo, and Jose some batting pointers??

  214. altru426 says:

    how about when santana isn’t pitching he pick up a first baseman’s mitt? any takers? haha

  215. huge_mets_fan11 says:

    WOW Santana, 0-2 against a lefty and you hit a double.

  216. Jay says:

    Wierdest… game…. ever….

  217. dykstraw says:

    johan is the answer to 1B woes

  218. blains2000 says:

    Can Santana play first?

  219. Nightlife says:

    Santana is soooo awesome.

    Now come on Jose at least have a good AB.

  220. Dirtysanchez says:

    lmao what a inning

  221. ryankobayashi says:

    maybe they should hit delgado or castilo 9th

  222. Met_Zombie says:

    Johans batting average is better then delgatos!

  223. playmaker3128 says:

    Thats a hell of a luxury to have, especially if we go into extra inning games and have no hitters left on the bench. A pitcher that can hit a little bit as well.

  224. bootlegga24 says:

    LOL maybe Santana should play first base!!! LMAO

  225. khmustache says:

    1st pitch…go figure…he’s seen 3 tonight

  226. Dirtysanchez says:

    man can i have santana on my fantasy team lol
    reyes…………….what da hell man. TAKE A PITCH!!!!

  227. therealsince86 says:

    Someone move Reyes to the 2 spot and tell him he has to take pitches. This is not even funny anymore.

  228. Nightlife says:

    Someone tell Reyes to look at A pitch.

  229. therealsince86 says:

    Who was it earlier that said that Reyes was doing poorly because Castillo is hitting behind him and he does not see any good pitches. Hell take a pitch and see if it’s good or not. Looks like every pitch that Reyes gets right now is a strike.

  230. Dirtysanchez says:

    whats santanas pitch count?

  231. MudvilleNine says:

    Need a nice quick inning right now to get back up with the bats.

  232. Dirtysanchez says:

    good inning santana…

  233. metsfan119 says:

    Ughhh, the Cowboys got Pacman Jones. GOD I hate Dallas.

    • ryankobayashi says:

      how long do you think that will last? i say he’s arrested during camp.

    • huge_mets_fan11 says:

      Romo’s a Homo, I read someone though that Pac Man probably won’t get reinstated this year.

      • metsfan119 says:

        Yes he will. Jerry Jones has a lot of influence in the NFL and he wouldn’t have pull the trigger on the deal if he didn’t know ahead of time that he was.

  234. huge_mets_fan11 says:

    Exactly what he needed

  235. Nightlife says:

    Oh man, if anyone is also kind of watching the Yankees and the White Sox play on ESPN Joe Morgan was just talking about how “no one knows who Hanley Ramirez is” acting as if he, Joe Morgan, is the only one who knows this “undiscovered talent in Florida”.

    • Wright88 says:

      You mean Joe Morgan didn’t discover Hanley?

    • khmustache says:

      does hanley remind him of hank aaron? could he play on the big red machine? are you sure he said hanley ramirez? he might have said henry rainbreeze

    • Dirtysanchez says:

      joe morgan said the other day hanley is the closest thing to arod there is

    • huge_mets_fan11 says:

      Is Joe Morgan hot for Hanley Ramirez? Every inning of every game he can’t stop talking about Hanley Ramirez.

    • slachs says:

      In the era of prolific fantasy sports play, the notion of great play going unnoticed is simply moot.

      But I doubt Mr. Morgan and his buddy Bel-TRON even know what that is.

    • Wright88 says:

      I personally loved when he said Castillo isn’t used to playing in the NL.

  236. playmaker3128 says:

    Santana really is amazing. last start he didnt’ have his good change so he went to the slider in philly and shut them down. Now he doesen’t really seem like he’s got a good slider tonight and he’s shutting another team down. Plus it looks like despite some early struggles he’s still gonna go at least 7, maybe even 8.

    Early season he doesnt even have his best stuff and he’s still dominant. When he gets in mid season form its gonna be scary.

    Ok castillo just made an out there, but i like what he just did. Swing the dam bat. Wait until you have two strikes on you to protect the plate.

  237. Steal Home Jose! says:

    Too bad Milledge was practically playing shortstop against Castillo.

  238. Met_Zombie says:

    dwright is due

  239. Dirtysanchez says:

    wright……………what happened

  240. playmaker3128 says:

    Cowboys fan here. Wow were gonna be good next year. Every starter is pretty much set, and we didn’t even get to the draft yet in which the cowboys have 3 picks in the 1st two rounds.

    Don’t be suprised to see a guy like a Boldin or Roy Williams (det) on the team at the end of the draft.

    Back to baseball, anyone think santana can go 8. He’s up to about 90 pitches right now. I guess if he has a quick 7th. If not i’m guessing we see sanchez in the 8th.

  241. Dirtysanchez says:

    lets see how long wille leave santana out there

  242. metz1 says:

    dont worry about the bullpen !Omar is trying to convince charlie hough into making a comeback!

  243. Dirtysanchez says:

    93 pitches yea according to willie this is gonna be his last inning

    • therealsince86 says:

      Just depends on how well he gets through this and who is up next inning. Walk on a 3-2 count does not help.

    • Nate W. says:

      on M&MD Willie said he probably wouldnt go past 8 with Santana. Maybe he’ll let him have at least the 8th tonight.

      Santana is breezing through the later parts of this game and could easily finish it off if he is allowed to.

  244. playmaker3128 says:

    Relax, i’m assuming half of you are giants fans anyway. You guys won the super bowl. Although if you are there are rumors shockey won’t be a giant next year, i don’t think they need him anyway.

    that was close, thought boone went, but what do i know.

    • khmustache says:

      actually i’m a broncos fan…i know they suck…i just grew up hating the cowboys…can’t really explain it, i just can’t stand em

  245. huge_mets_fan11 says:

    Lol at this camera work too, the ball is popped up behind the plate and the camera is pointed to Pagan.

    Damn, I think Santana is done after this inning.

  246. Dirtysanchez says:

    DP BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

  247. Metdamage says:

    The Nationals are basically daring the Mets to hit the ball to right-center field but the only batter to hit it there is Johan Santana

  248. slachs says:

    WILLIE PLEASE LET SANTANA PITCH THE 8TH FOR CHRIST”S SAKE!

  249. huge_mets_fan11 says:

    YES!!

  250. playmaker3128 says:

    Ok desicion time. Santana for the 8th, i say unless his spot comes up you sent him out there for one more. although sanchez didn’t pithch yesterday. The ideal situation is to not throw anyone that threw yesterday.

    • Nate W. says:

      yup, Sanchez if Santana runs into trouble in the 8th, and Wagner if Santana runs into trouble in the 9th.

      at least thats what I would do…

    • cafuq says:

      first, i would let santana hit, i mean he is the only one that is
      second, willie will almost certanly put out someone who pitched yesterday. that is what willie does

    • Koko says:

      You remember what happened in Philly? Lots of people wanted him out there for the extra inning. He went out there an didn’t do so well and then Heilman gave up a HR.

      Let’s not be greedy.

  251. CitizenSnips says:

    I have a feeling with Willie we won’t have any complete games since he doesn’t seem to trust his starters and trusts his bullpen way too much.

  252. Nightlife says:

    I can’t believe there were some posters dogging on Santana earlier in the game.

  253. Dirtysanchez says:

    eh if he leaves him in that would be great
    but knowing willie hes done
    i wouldnt mind seeing sanchez in the 8th thought against the heart of the line up.

  254. huge_mets_fan11 says:

    His pitch count is 97, I think it is all about how Santana feels and not how Willie feels.

  255. gipper91375 says:

    Gotta like that Willie left Santana in to finish off the 7th.

    ugh….I just said something positive about Willie.

    Must shower now.

  256. HITorDIE25 says:

    I think willie should bring in Heilmen to be a dumb idiot and blow the lead

  257. AlreadyMissShea says:

    Hi, I’m Kevin Burkhardt. Welcome to the exclusive President’s Club! It’s so exclusive I’m the only one here!

    Seemed like a good idea at the time though.

  258. Innis_2_winnis says:

    Joel Hammerhands!!! Show us those fielding skills again, big fella…

  259. khmustache says:

    I KNEW IT!!! A GREY GOATEE!!!

  260. Dirtysanchez says:

    Delgado gets a hit……………..Zimmerman looks confused

  261. huge_mets_fan11 says:

    Wow Delgado, infield hit, didn’t know you had it in you.

  262. huge_mets_fan11 says:

    LOL, these announcer just said the funniest thing: “You know Zimmerman slid so well, that he over slid it.”

  263. Metdamage says:

    Let Sanchez pitch the 8th

  264. therealsince86 says:

    Santana should stay in considering who is up for the Nats. Then you can bring in Sanchez if you need to.

    If I hear great breaking ball one more time from these announcers. I think we should trade for this guy, he has to be great.

  265. Dirtysanchez says:

    man what a shot. lol hitting for santana knew it

  266. CitizenSnips says:

    lol milledge

  267. Dirtysanchez says:

    soo milledge defense and church defense……….
    whats the verdict tonight

  268. playmaker3128 says:

    Guess santana’s done. Its the right move though. Although he does have two hits. Still 97 pitches, then he has to bat and then likely run a little bit, could gas himself. I wanna see sanchez vs the middle of the nats order.

  269. therealsince86 says:

    Man am I glad that Milledge is not in RF for us. He is just not ready defensively. Horrible routes and goofy fundamentals.

  270. Nate W. says:

    fricken circumstances…

    Too bad Delgado finally gets a hit and the pitchers spot comes up. Just had to happen that way.

    and Marlon Anderson is a few more failed PH’s from being DFA worthy…

    • Dirtysanchez says:

      lollllll we should have let santana in to bat at least lol

    • therealsince86 says:

      I am hoping that he gets a start or two first to see if he can get out of it before that happens but he is not looking good.

  271. Dirtysanchez says:

    kmon sanchez in the 8th. Perfect test for him.

  272. therealsince86 says:

    It was the right call because of his spot coming up. I know he has been hitting but come on, it’s still the text book move.

  273. Koko says:

    I long for the days of Julio Franco

  274. slachs says:

    Regardless of the outcome of the 8th inning, Santana should have pitched it.

    • Nate W. says:

      seconded!

      • therealsince86 says:

        I just don’t think so with a runner on 3rd and his slot up. If we lost by a run then people would be questioning leaving the runner there. (Even though we did either way.)

        • Nate W. says:

          But Santana was dealing the last three innings. You dont need more runs when you have a lead and your starter is pitching like that. They only need the runs if they are going to let the pen get involved…

        • therealsince86 says:

          Then Santana would have ran into trouble in the 8th and would have been pulled. Sanchez would have given up a couple of runs and people would have said how could Willie have left that runner on 3rd. I think it’s a text book decision with a man on 3rd and your pitcher up in the 8th inning (who has thrown near 100 pitches) to PH for him.

        • gipper91375 says:

          I agree with therealsince86 here.

          And, as it turned out, it was a nice chance to get Dirty more 8th inning work to ready him for his role as the 8th inning guy.

        • therealsince86 says:

          Wow, I am shocked. I really must be already asleep or something ;)

        • Nate W. says:

          I understand its conventional to PH there…

          the way Santana was pitching late it would have been 6 up and 6 down no questions about it.

  275. huge_mets_fan11 says:

    I know I asked why Santana couldn’t mow through this Nats lineup but the way he finished is the reason he is so good. You could tell he did not have his best stuff and still was pretty darn good. The stat line for him might not show it, but he was pretty dominate those last 3 innings.

  276. DaWrightStuff says:

    oh guys get your tums ready

  277. Nate W. says:

    …come on SNY who is pitching?

  278. playmaker3128 says:

    Sanchez 92 two times in a row right on the black, good sign.

  279. ccmetfan says:

    let the heilman-sanchez-wagner setup recommmence!!

  280. cafuq says:

    hey its the 8th, wasnt the other team supposed to take the lead?

  281. khmustache says:

    god…chase utlley has 10 homeruns this year…i really hate the phillies

    • huge_mets_fan11 says:

      Burrell now has 8 HRs, gosh the Phils were down 3-0 and just like that it 4-3. Without Rollins and Victorino they still have some lineup. But yeah I hate them too

    • D-Day says:

      utley is just batting out of his mind right now! scarey that they can do this kinda damage and rollins isnt even in there! i really REALLY hate these guys!!! COMMON PRINCE FIELDER!!!!!

  282. playmaker3128 says:

    Man another clean inning for sanchez, i think its pretty clear who should be the 8th inning guy. Like i said in the past, sanchez has that 8th inning mentality ,heilman does not. Heilman is a good middle reliver and will serve well in the 6th 7th innings.

    sanchez throwing his fastball consistantly at 92-93. You gotta assume he’s gonna get even stronger. Couple years ago he was around 94-95. Extremely good signs.

  283. Dirtysanchez says:

    not bad sanchy………….THAT LADIES AND GENTLEMAN IS HOW THE 8TH IS SUPPOSED TO GO AGAINST THE HEART OF THE LINEUP!

  284. therealsince86 says:

    Trade Heilman and Sosa for Kendry Morales, please. Then trade Endy for a BP arm, please.

  285. ryankobayashi says:

    yes, that’s great. i’m sure tomorrow it will be heilman in the 8th. that makes me so excited, as i’ll be at the game!

    • therealsince86 says:

      Sanchez has pitched back to back since his return, he did not pitch much that inning so he should be available tomorrow. Heilman should not pitch unless we need a 6th inning guy.

    • cafuq says:

      make sure to be in the outfield stands, you could catch a homerun ball

  286. therealsince86 says:

    Will this Nats stop talking about great spin and great break on every dang play?

  287. khmustache says:

    festivus is upon us! the feat of strength!!!!

  288. Dirtysanchez says:

    wow who would have thought this
    reyes 0-5
    slappy 2-5

  289. therealsince86 says:

    Move Castillo to lead off ;)

  290. MudvilleNine says:

    WOW! A real swing from Castillo.

  291. khmustache says:

    i miss david wright

  292. ryankobayashi says:

    it’s funny. you think heilman would be better with more work, since sinkerballers keep it low when they pitch more. but he keeps it too low and then musters up that fastball up.

    though honestly, the nats are so horrible that sosa and heilman probably could work thru the order.

  293. Dirtysanchez says:

    safe!!!!

    • blains2000 says:

      Sllappy reminds me of Mickey Rivers. Watching the guy walk you would think he had a broken leg or something. But then he would 1st to 3rd or steal a base or something.

  294. Church says:

    chase utley has as many hr’s as the mets

  295. Dirtysanchez says:

    kmon wright lets go…..

  296. therealsince86 says:

    One, again this guy’s legs are fine.
    Two, how is it even when they Mets get a hit or a steal it’s a great pitch or a great throw. It must suck to be a Nationals fan.

    • gipper91375 says:

      These announcers really do take the joy out of watching a game.

      • AlreadyMissShea says:

        What about the option of turning the sound down and listening to some music while you watch the game?

        I managed to avoid some really bad announcers that way over the years.

        Even if something does happen that would make you want to hear from the announcers, those guys are going to miss it anyway.

        • gipper91375 says:

          Good point….but hard to type on Metsblog, or cook (I am on West coast, games like tonight run into dinnertime) and tell what’s going on without sound. i may go back to game on TV on mute and radio feed on laptop.

  297. huge_mets_fan11 says:

    If Nieves threw the ball into the stands they still would of said “What a throw by Nieves”

  298. Koko says:

    Time to put Castillo at the leadoff spot. Do it Willie or you deserve to be fired.

    • therealsince86 says:

      I agree, his OBP is 50 points higher. LOL Reyes and Castillo will both be fine in the 1-2 spot.

  299. playmaker3128 says:

    Castillo’s last two ab’s he’s ripped the ball. If the opposing team is gonna throw the ball right down the middle take a nice hack at it when your ahead in the count instead of taking the 3-1 pitch right down the middle. Castillo is what a career 300 hitter he didn’t do that by just hitting infield singles. Then he can do what he usually does with 2 strikes, slap the ball.

    • therealsince86 says:

      It just depends on if they are up enough to be caught, if he is slapping singles to the OF that’s fine. If he swings for the fences that is as far as it will possibly get.

  300. Dirtysanchez says:

    arite beltran we are ahead hit your meaningless hr. WOW I ALMOST CALLED IT LOL

  301. Metdamage says:

    I get the feeling that as the season goes along that Santana, Maine, and Perez will be able to go 7 innings per start. That will go a long way to limiting the bullpen’s effect on games.

    Anyone beyond Smith-Heilman-Sanchez-Wagner is not a good look.