Daily Archives: May 12, 2008
The Mets (19–17) lost to the Nationals (16–23) by the score of 10 to 4 tonight in Shea Stadium.
For a full recap and box score, check out SNY.tv.
Is today September 24, 2007? If not, it sure feels like it.
Nelson Figueroa‘s night started out well with a clean first inning strike out tow, but it went down hill from their. Figgy’s wildness was his downfall tonight – walking five which contributed to six runs in his five innings pitched. He got out of jams in the second, third and fourth innings allowing one run in each, but it caught up with him in the fifth when he allowed three runs to cross the plate, two of which came on a RBI double from Lastings Milledge.
You could also see he was clearly annoyed by the Elijah Dukes‘ led little league cheers coming from the Nationals dugout in the third and fourth innings. And he should have been. I’m not sure what to make of it, but it’s clearly not something that belongs in a major league dugout.
You can sum up Jorge Sosa‘s night in one word: Yuck! Sosa allowed four runs on four hits and two walks. It’s the fourth time this season he has allowed four or more runs in an appearance that has lasted less than two innings. If the Mets decide to option Joe Smith to the minors rather than DFA Sosa it will be a mistake. Sosa deserves to be on this team as much as I deserve a fork in the eye.
Speaking of Smith, he struck out the side in impressive fashion in the top of the eighth. Smith deserves to be here, not Sosa.
Duaner Sanchez and Billy Wagner each threw a scoreless inning, as well.
Hey, Moises Alou, I love the hussle, but dude, you’re scaring me with the head first slides. Take it easy, buddy. Take. It. Easy.
I know it was a cold, damp, windy evening, hell even Mex looked as if he was ready to shovel his drive way, but wow, where was the crowd tonight?
Speaking of the crowd, I know Carlos Delgado struggled in the field and at the plate tonight going 0-for-5 with two strikeouts, but their was simply no reason for the Shea faithful to boo him tonight. Delgado has played well recently and came into the game with a nine-game hitting streak pushing his average from .198 to .236. Unreal and uncalled for.
On the bright side tonight, Alou, Jose Reyes, David Wright, Carlos Beltran and Damion Easley had good offensive nights, and they attempted a late game comeback loading the bases in the eighth, but it wasn’t to be as couldn’t come up with the big hit. However, it wasn’t the bats that let them down, it was the Mets pitching, namely Figueroa and Sosa.
Seriously, did we time warp to the last week in September?
Still waiting for this team to take off and reel off a decent size winning streak, perhaps one will start tomorrow.
Tagged Mike Nichols |
According to the Associated Press, Pedro 
Martinez will throw a simulated game against minor leaguers Wednesday, though he nor the team would speculate on a date for his return.
…i swear i have written that before…
…flat ground…bullpen session…simulated game…repeat…
…i really miss pedro…and want to see him back pitching for this team…not just for the wins, but for the entertainment…
Tagged Pedro Martinez |The Game:
Weather-permitting, the Mets (19-16) will begin their four-game series versus the Nationals (15-23) tonight at Shea Stadium, starting at 7:10 pm.
The Lineup:
- SS Jose Reyes
- RF Ryan Church
- 3B David Wright
- CF Carlos Beltran
- LF Moises Alou
- 1B Carlos Delgado
- 2B Damion Easley
- C Brian Schneider
- P Nelson Figueroa
The Pitchers:
RHP Nelson Figueroa (2-2, 4.81 ERA) toes the rubber for the Mets. In his last start on May 6, Figueroa earned a loss allowing five runs on eight hits while walking four and striking out three over 5.0 IP. Opponents are hitting .164 (9-for-55) in Figueroa’s first time through the lineup. In his last and only career start versus the Nationals on April 17, Figueroa allowed two runs on two hits and two walks and striking out six over 7.0 IP earning a no-decision.
LHP Odalis Perez (0-3, 3.43 ERA) takes the hill for the Nationals. Perez received a no-decision in his last start on May 7 versus the Astros allowing three tuns on five hits while walking two and striking out three over 5.0 IP. Perez has allowed three earned runs or less in seven of his eight starts this season. Perez is 4-6 with a 3.93 ERA in 17 career games, 10 starts, versus the Mets.
Notes:
Moises Alou is batting .368 (7-for-19) and his reached base in all six games since returning from the disabled list. He is batting .375 (6-for-16) with 1 2B and 1 RBI in his career versus Perez.
Carlos Beltran is batting .455 (5-for-11) with 2 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR and 8 RBI during the Mets current homestand.
The Mets are 12-7 (4-1 against the Nationals) versus the National League East this season.
Lastings Milledge is batting .154 with 2 2B in his last four games.
Wil Nieves is 11-for-31 (.419) in his last 12 games. He is batting .292 (7-for-24) versus right-handed pitching this season.
The Nationals are 4-14 when their opponent scores first, but 11-8 when hey score first.
How To Catch It:
Tonight’s game can be seen locally on SNY 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 |As the Daily News first suggested this morning, Mike Pelfrey recently told ESPN 1050 that he will start on Thursday, which means Johan Santana will start on Friday against the Yankees.
…as some pointed out to me today, this would mean santana will miss pitching the following week against the Braves, who, by the way, play in the NL East…however, as a reader points out in the comments section, that does not appear to be the case…santana’s normal rest should end up landing him on the final game against atlanta…
Luis Castillo had an MRI today and has been diagnosed with a strained left quadriceps muscle.
…the buzz from shea suggests there is a chance he ends up on the disabled list…in other words, maybe they hop luis on the dl, promote a starter for Wednesday, like Adam Bostick, then demote bostick in place of Matt Wise, thus playing with the extra pitcher…
At his blog for the Journal News, Kevin Devaney states tonight’s game is still on.
Devaney also notes, if the game is not postponed the Mets will likely call up LHP Adam Bostick to make the start on Wednesday.
Bostick is 2-1 with a 3.83 ERA with 26 K and 16 BB in nine games, eight starts, this season for Triple-A New Orleans.
Tagged Mike Nichols |
New Orleans (AAA): 6-5 loss to Sacramento
RHP Joselo Diaz got beaten up, allowing five runs on three hits and four walks in just four innings. RHP Tim McNab was terrific in relief, tossing four shutout innings. RHP Carlos Muniz allowed a run in the tenth, his second inning of work, to take the loss.
1B Val Pascucci was 1-for-5 with a homer and four RBI. OF Jesus Feliciano went 3-for-4 with a walk and two runs.
Binghamton (AA): 2-1 win over Connecticut
RHP Jose Sanchez bettered his record to 3-2 after tossing six innings of one run ball, allowing just one run on two hits and three walks while striking out three. RHP Eddie Kunz fired a scoreless ninth to earn his sixth save of the year.
OF Fernando Martinez was 1-for-3 with an HBP and a run scored. 3B Danny Murphy went 1-for-4 with a double, a run and an RBI and 1B Nick Evans was 1-for-4 with an RBI.
St. Lucie (A+): 7-5 loss to Ft. Myers
Tagged Minors |
RHP Toby Stoner should have had a win after allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits and a walk in six innings. He struck out five.
1B Lucas Duda was 2-for-5 with a double and two run scored. SS Ruben Tejada went 1-for-3 with a walk and an RBI. OF Ezequiel Carrera was 1-for-5.
Ken Davidoff of Newsday lists possible suitors for Freddy Garcia and ranks the Mets as the likely destination for the veteran right-handed pitcher.
According to Davidoff, the 32-year old Garcia would not be available to pitch until the All-Star break.
Garcia is 117-76 with a 4.07 ERA with a 1.30 WHIP in his nine year career. He appeared in 11 games for the Phillies last season going 1-5 with a 5.90 ERA with 50 strikeouts and 19 walks in 59 innings pitched.
…before his injury and his stint in philly aside, garcia proved he was a quality middle of the rotation type starter…so, if he can prove he is healthy, i see no reason why the Mets shouldn’t look into adding garcia to the mix, especially with the status of Orlando Hernandez in doubt and the questionable durability of Pedro Martinez…
Tagged Mike Nichols |
On May 1st, I attended the Tribeca Film Festival screening of The Zen of Bobby V, a film that documents a season in the life of former Mets manager, Bobby Valentine.
Three young directors from NYU followed Valentine around for all of last season, and were able to show how much of a baseball, and pop icon he has become. He is recognizable everywhere, and is often mobbed by fans. Between all of his many endorsements, he finds time to manage Benny Agbayani, and the Chiba Lotte Marines of Japan’s Pacific League.
The film also highlights Valentine’s determination to keep quality players in Japan since many are leaving for the potential riches of MLB. He likens Japanese baseball to the Negro leagues in regards to how they were once very popular, but eventually forced into extinction when the best players left for more money.
The few Q&A segments with Valentine give great insight to his perspective on life, and baseball, so I wish there were more of them, but overall it is a must-see for any Bobby V. fan.
The directors were in attendance and said the following about his popularity overseas:
“There is no one you can compare him to here in the states in terms of popularity…he is more popular there than any major league player, or manager is here by alot.”
The film will be aired tomorrow night at 9 pm on ESPN 2.
Tagged Regis Courtemanche |For those who know me, you know how shy I am.
So, I did not want to post this.
However, since it involves you, i.e., the Comments Section, as much as it 
involves me, I figured you would want to know.
During Saturday night’s game on SNY, Gary Cohen read an on-air promo for MetsBlog.com, after which he and Keith Hernandez had the following exchange:
Tagged SNY | ← Older postsHernandez: That is an excellent blog, I must say. Very informative. I always make sure I log on in the morning, and get the scoop.
Cohen: Did you ever read the Comments Section?
Hernandez: Sometimes…after I’ve had the coffee.
Cohen: Those people love you, you know.
Hernandez: Really?
Cohen: Oh, God, yeah.
Hernandez: Well, then I’ll have to start reading the Comments Section (laughing).
