Daily Archives: April 27, 2008
…before people start going wild about Carlos Delgado’s decision 
to not grant the fan’s request for a curtain call during today’s game, note the following…
According to the Associated Press, Delgado, who has hit 432 career home runs, has only accepted two curtain calls during his 16-year career – once following his four-home run game in 2003, and again in 2006 following his 400th career home run.
Delgado, regarding the curtain call, as quoted in the report:
“The way I look at is I hit a solo home run in the seventh inning…I’ve got a great deal of respect for the game. I don’t think that’s a place for a curtain call.”
…on one hand, it’s his right to accept or decline, and i actually sort of admire his respect for the game and his reasoning…at the same time, he and the fans have a rough relationship going right now, and it would have been nice to see every one shake hands and smile for a moment…
The Mets (13–11) defeated the Braves (12–13) by the score of 6 to 3 in Shea Stadium today.
For a recap and boxscore, go to SNY.
…Raul Casanova ripped a two-run home run to right-center…his teammates looked very, very happy for him…by the way, Shea Stadium played Oh Casanova when he stepped to the plate in his second at bat, which is awesome…it’s about time…
…nice job of base running in the first inning by Jose Reyes, who took third from second on a ground ball to third – despite initially being looked back…he then scored on a pass ball…
…by the way, as SNY pointed out, opponents are hitting .094 against Nelson Figueroa during his first time through the lineup, which is a good sign should he ever need to move to the bullpen…figgy looked quite good today, especially early on…
…give a game ball to Carlos Delgado, who hit an opposite-field home run…he smiled, did a dance with Jose Reyes and looked very relieved…Don’t Stop Believin’ played as he rounded the bases, which is exactly what he was probably thinking as the fans cheered and jumped to their feet…later, in the seventh, he hit another long home run off the scoreboard…
…two home runs…in one day…not too shabby…
…the fans called for a curtain call from delgado following his second home run…he refused to come out, and the fans booed…it looked a) like he had no interest in coming back out, and b) it also looked like his teammates understood…nevertheless, delgado kept smiling…according to darling, in this city, any time the fans want a curtain call you give it to them…i’m sure this will be a story tomorrow…personally, i could care less…but, it is bad public relations on delgado’s part – assuming he cares…
…Ron Darling pronounces John Smoltz’s last name as ShhMoltz, which cracks me up…also, hat’s off to ronnie for asking Kevin Burkhardt if he has a pair of Vidal Sasson jeans to match the leather blazer he was rocking during a sideline report…
…speaking of SNY, i dig the new camera out in the bullpen, especially when the shot of the relief pitcher (from the back) jogging from the bullpen in to the game through the outfield…slick…
…David Wright clearly does not like facing shmoltz…i mean, smoltz…great, now i’m doing it…
…i am still uncomfortable seeing Ruben Gotay in a Braves hat…
…Luis Castillo looks locked in, comfortable and happy…
…figueroa and Joe Smith allowed three runs in the sixth, but the Mets came right back scoring one run in the sixth and seventh to expand their lead…
…fantastic catch by Ryan Church in the seventh, skipping over a sliding Carlos Beltran on the warning track…it first appeared to be beltran’s ball, but beltran wisely sensed he would not make the catch, saw church charging, so beltran hit the deck, church jumped over him and pulled it in…according to Gary Cohen, it was the play of the year so far…
…Billy Wagner is a machine right now…lock and load…
…in case you didn’t realize, the Mets are 13–11, they have won six of their last 10, and just took a series from the Braves…
The Mets will begin a three-day series against the Pirates at home tomorrow at 7 pm.
Binghamton (AA): 12-1 loss to Portland
RHP Bobby Parnell was lit up, allowing seven runs (six earned), on seven hits and five walks in just 4.1 innings pitched. New signee RHP Eude Brito didn’t fare much better, allowing five runs (four earned) on eight hits in just 2.2 innings.
The B-Mets were shut down by top Red Sox prospect RHP Michael Bowden, who struck out eleven over six scoreless innings. Nick Evans, starting in left field, was 1-for-4 with a ninth inning solo homer to break the shutout. He did, however, make two errors in the outfield. 3B Danny Murphy was 1-for-4.
St. Lucie (A+): 9-2 win over Palm Beach
RHP Dillon Gee pitched a strong six innings, allowing just one run on four hits and a walk while striking out five.
1B Lucas Duda was 2-for-4 with a walk, a double, two runs and two RBI. OF DJ Wabick finished 3-for-5 with two doubles, a run and two RBI, and C Jason Jacobs went 3-for-4 with a run and an RBI.
Savannah (A-): 7-2 loss to Rome
Tagged Minors |RHP Scott Moviel was shelled again, allowing six runs on seven hits and two walks in four innings.
2B Greg Veloz went 2-for-5 out of the leadoff spot, raising his average to an even .200. C Francisco Pena was 1-for-4 with a double, while OF Darren Clark was 1-for-4 with a two run homer.
Prior to today’s game, Omar Minaya told reporters that Moises Alou will head to New York to have his swollen ankle examined by doctors, which may be fractured.
He had a CAT scan on Friday, and could go for an MRI following his examine in New York City.
…in other news, Mets fans are not at all surprised…
…i guess the rumors from earlier in the week that he’d be in new york were right, too bad it’s because of an injury…
Tagged Moises Alou |
The Game:
The Mets (12-11) look to take the rubber-game of their three-game series against the Braves (12-12) today at Shea Stadium, starting at 1:10 pm EST.
The Lineup:
- SS Jose Reyes
- 2B Luis Castillo
- 3B David Wright
- CF Carlos Beltran
- RF Ryan Church
- 1B Carlos Delgado
- C Raul Casanova
- LF Endy Chavez
- RH Nelson Figueroa
The Pitchers:
RHP Nelson Figueroa (1-1, 4.05 ERA) toes the rubber for the Mets. Figueroa earned a loss in his last start on April 22 versus the Cubs, allowing three runs on hits and five walks while striking out two over five innings pitched. In seven games, two starts versus the Braves in his career, Figueroa is 1-0 with a 3.65 ERA. During Figueroa’s first 45 pitches of the game opponents are 4-for-48 (.083).
RHP John Smoltz (3-1, 0.78 ERA) starts for the Braves. Smoltz’s first loss of the season in his last start on April 22 versus the Nationals, surrendering one run on five hits, while striking out 10 over seven innings pitched. He also struck out his 3,000th career batter in his start versus the Nationals. In 61 career appearances, 41 starts, he is 18-14 with a 3.37 ERA versus the Mets.
The Notes:
Chipper Jones (back spasms) & Yunel Escobar (cracked fingernail) are out of the Braves lineup today.
Carlos Delgado is 12-for-42 (.286) with 4 HR and 12 RBI in his career versus Smoltz.
The Braves are second in the National League with a .283 batting average.
Mark Teixeira is batting .333 (10-for-30) with 1 HR and 7 RBI in his last seven games.
Duaner Sanchez has allowed two in hits over 6.2 IP in his seven appearances since returning to the team on April 15.
For more insight on the Braves, check out Blogger Beat.
How To Catch It:
Today’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.
…enjoy, and as always, Let’s Go Mets…
Tagged Mike Nichols |
In an interview with Wayne Coffey of the Daily News, former Mets manager and 
current U.S. Olympic team skipper Davey Johnson discusses, amongst other things, his team’s chances in Beijing, his playing days, and the 1986 Mets.
…Johnson, on the 1986 World Series…
“Everyone talks about the (Bill) Buckner deal, but the biggest play was the wild pitch (by Bob Stanley) that let the tying run score right before that. The game was over from that point on. It didn’t matter whether it was the next at-bat. Coming back from two outs and two strikes down, we weren’t going to lose. The mentality of that club was you don’t take anything for granted. Nothing. They called us names, they hated us all around the league, called us arrogant. How can we be arrogant when we haven’t won anything?”
…on if his team would win the gold medal…
“I’d trade one of my World Series rings right now for a gold medal and I think anybody would feel that way. It’s one thing when it says Mets or Orioles across your chest, and it’s another when it says U.S.A.”
…davey was the perfect leader for that ’86 team, fiery,confident, and he held their respect which must have been hard to do with a team full of egos…it’s great to see he’s still enjoying a life in baseball…personally, i wouldn’t trade that ’86 championship for anything other than world peace, but that’s just me…
