Monthly Archives: May 2008
The Mets (27–27) defeated the Dodgers (27–28) by the score of 3 to 2 today in Shea Stadium.
For a recap. boxscore, stats, etc., to go SNY.tv, but, in case you missed it, know that:
Mike Pelfrey still isn’t throwing his fastball enough, though he did not just enough to wiggle out of a few tricky situations, helped in part by visits from every one and their brother, from position players to the manager to the pitching coach, multiple times per inning; Jose Reyes flipped snazzy double play, off a tipped ball from Pelfrey; Tim McCarver is sort of right when he says, ‘nothing good can come of a lead-off walk,’; the Mets look good when they wear their old-school pinstripes; Southern Tier’s Yeti Imperial Stout is a great beer on tap; the Mets stranded a lot of runs between yesterday and today, but Carlos Beltran tied the game in the eighth with a two-run home run, which was followed by a game-breaking RBI from, you guessed it, Fernando Tatis; Billy Wagner, who struck out the side for a save, is nasty; and, lastly, this is a big win, considering that you and I were probably worried last night, thinking the goodwill of the previous three days may have come to end…instead, the good times roll.
The Mets finish their four-game series with the Dodgers tomorrow on ESPN at 8 pm, with Johan Santana facing Hiroki Kuroda.
According to FOX’s Joe Buck during today’s broadcast of the Mets-Dodgers game, Mike Piazza has ‘hinted’ that he hopes to wear a Mets hat if inducted in to the Hall of Fame.
Tagged Mike Piazza |
The Game:
The Mets (26-27) continue their four-game series versus Dodgers (27-27) today at Shea Stadium, starting at 3:55 pm EST.
The Lineup:
- SS Jose Reyes
- RF Endy Chavez
- 3B David Wright
- CF Carlos Beltran
- 1B Carlos Delgado
- 2B Damion Easley
- C Brian Schneider
- LF Fernando Tatis
- P Mike Pelfrey
The Pitchers:
RHP Mike Pelfrey (2-6, 5.33 ERA) takes the hill for the Mets.
RHP Chad Billingsley (4-6, 3.68 ERA) starts for the Dodgers.
How To Catch It:
Today’s game can be seen locally on FOX 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 |The Mets officially announced yesterday that Pedro Martinez will remain in New York, travel with the team and start for the 
Mets in San Francisco on Tuesday against the Giants.
Martinez talked with reporters prior to yesterday’s game, and said:
“We’re due to win. We owe something to the fans, to the people in New York. I hope we can all pull it off together…I think we’re due to do something great here, and I hope we do it soon. I hope all the adversity that we have to face is already gone.”
Martinez also told reporters that he hopes Willie Randolph remains the team’s manager, and that the two will end the season in an October parade through New York City.
Tagged Pedro Martinez |
Following up to yesterday’s comments by Jon Heyman on WFAN, in which he stated that the Mets do not view Aaron Heilman as a starter because “… he’s a two-pitch pitcher” and also because they think his “high elbow” throwing mechanics are conducive to injury. Heyman also added “…there is the fact that he does not have a great breaking pitch.”
I have several issues with these statements, and not sure whether to direct them to Mets officials or to Heyman. But here goes.
First, Heilman’s best two pitches are his sinking fastball and changeup. However, he also throws a forkball and a slider. That’s four pitches by my count.
Second, it’s true that Heilman’s mechanics are unusual, and they do look similar to the ever-injured Mark Prior’s. However, Heilman’s throwing motion also compares to those of Don Drysdale, who pitched for 14 seasons in MLB. (Yes, Drysdale did have shoulder issues, but he also threw 270 innings or more 9 times in his career. So was it the motion, or overuse?)
Finally, Heilman may not have a “great” breaking pitch, but he has a decent one — the aforementioned slider. It’s not a John Smoltz slider, but it’s certainly more reliable than Mike Pelfrey‘s.
Which brings me to another point. If the Mets truly think Heilman can’t be a starter because he is a “two-pitch pitcher”, then I want to know the thought process behind forcing Mike Pelfrey into the starting rotation. Last I checked, Pelfrey is also a “two-pitch pitcher”, and his second pitch — the slider — is not “great”. Pelfrey also does not have an offspeed pitch, while Heilman throws two (changeup and forkball).
Maybe Heilman and Pelfrey should swap roles.
Tagged Mike Pelfrey |
Luis Castillo left last night’s game with what the team called a ‘strained left hip flexor,’ although Castillo later told reporters that he hurt his left quadricep.
Castillo will be examined today, with a trip to the disabled list remaining a strong possibility.
Meanwhile, Ramon Castro was hit by a pitch on his left elbow in the ninth inning and underwent X-rays after the game.
The Mets (26-27) lost to the Dodgers (27-27) by a score of 9 to 5 tonight at Shea Stadium.
For a complete recap and box score, check out SNY.tv.
- Jay Horwitz can now take off the orange jacket. For the most part, this game was like a see-saw in terms of lead changes. 20-year-old Clayton Kershaw showed glimpses of why he is so highly touted but just wasn’t throwing strikes and wound up going only 4.2 innings. John Maine had similar issues, but after dealing 34 pitches and giving up three runs in the first, he settled in and only gave up one more over 6 innings.
- In the first inning, Luis Castillo hit his second home run in three days and hell then froze over. Later, a left hip flexor strain forced him out of the game…ugh.
- I was excited when Chan Ho Park came into the game with the bases loaded in the fourth, but despite losing his hat, Park pitched effectively through the seventh.
- The bases were loaded with Mets on three occasions but they managed to squeeze out just one run each time.
- The recently reliable Aaron Heilman threw batting practice and gave up the lead for good in the eighth while the boos rained down once again. Scott Schoeneweis helped the Dodgers tack on a couple runs as well. I hope this was just a fluke.
- Pedro Martinez was in the building and will get the start on June 3rd, Jose Reyes set a new Mets record for leadoff hitters by reaching base in 30 straight games, and tomorrow is ‘Cap Day’ but it’s harder for me to see silver linings when the Mets lose.
The Mets play the third of four games against the Dodgers tomorrow at 3:55 pm.
Tagged Regis Courtemanche |The Game:
The Mets (26-26) continue their four-game series versus Dodgers (26-27) tonight at Shea Stadium, starting at 7:10 pm EST.
The Lineup:
- SS Jose Reyes
- 2B Luis Castillo
- 3B David Wright
- CF Carlos Beltran
- RF Fernando Tatis
- C Ramon Castro
- 1B Carlos Delgado
- LF Nick Evans
- P John Maine
The Pitchers:
RHP John Maine (5-4, 3.41 ERA) takes the hill for the Mets. Maine took the loss in his last start on May 25 versus the Braves allowing four runs, three earned, on three hits and four walks while striking out eight over 6.0 IP. Maine is 1-3 with a 3.70 ERA in four career starts versus the Dodgers.
LHP Clayton Kershaw (0-0, 3.00 ERA) makes his second career start for the Dodgers. In his first big league start for the Dodgers on May 25 versus the Cardinals, Kershaw surrendered two runs on five hits and one walk while striking out seven through 6.0. This is his first career starts versus the Mets.
How To Catch It:
Tonight’s game can be seen locally on
and heard locally on WFAN.
The Bleachers:
For a live chat, head over to The Hot Foot Bleachers.
…enjoy, and as always, Let’s Go Mets…
Tagged Mike Nichols |
In a report for Newsday, David Lennon asks, “Should the Mets apply the Joba Rules to Aaron Heilman,” and make Heilman a starting pitcher.
On the idea that Heilman struggled earlier this season because he is sulking over not being a starter, Lennon quotes him as saying:
“It’s the most insane logic I’ve ever heard…It doesn’t make sense. I realized a while ago that my role on this team is as a reliever. That’s my job. That’s my responsibility. That’s how they feel I’m best suited to help this team. I don’t think my mind-set has ever changed on that.”
Yesterday on WFAN, SI.com’s Jon Heyman said of Heilman:
“There are other teams that see him as a starter. T he Mets do not see him as a starter. He’s a two-pitch pitcher, plus with his mechanics he has what they call a high back elbow. He moves his elbow way back and it’s not real conducive to a breaking pitch. They think with that form, if he throws more than a 100 innings, he will put himself in jeopardy for an injury.
They site Mark Prior, who is a guy with a similar style. He threw over a 100 innings and was injured right away. So, they are being safe. They want to keep him as a relief pitcher. Also, there is the fact that he does not have a great breaking pitch.”
To listen to Heyman’s entire interview, go to WFAN.com.
Heilman has not allowed a run in his last four appearances, during which he has struck out seven batters in four innings.
…the difference, as i see it, is he’s finally throwing his fastball more, and so his change-up has become more effective…
This weekend on SNY’s Mets Weekly, Brian Schneider talks with Kevin Burkhardt from a Steakhouse in Colorado, during which Schneider orders the Rattlesnake.
Also, the show takes a closer look at The Zen of Bobby V; they talk with the fans behind SaveTheApple.com; Ron Darling shows how to throw a changeup; and Nick Evans is profiled.
…by the way, MetsBlog’s Jordan Zakarin will appear in the segment about evans, talking about the team’s minor league system…good for you, jordan…
