Daily Archives: May 21, 2008
The Mets (22-22) lost to the Braves (25-21) by a score of 11 to 4 tonight at Turner Field.
For a complete recap and box score, check out SNY.tv.
Well, that was painful to watch. Keith Hernandez said it best during tonight’s broadcast, the Mets have hit rock bottom and have nowhere to go but up.
Mike Pelfrey had excellent stuff tonight, but he just couldn’t locate any of his pitches, which allowed the Braves hitters to sit on pitches in hitters counts. Pelfrey also got a bit unlucky in the third inning when a two out grounder was poorly played by Luis Castillo that allowed the Braves to score three runs in the inning.
The thing is, I’m not even sure it mattered much that Castillo bobbled the ball as Pelfrey couldn’t locate and it was going to catch up with him sooner or later. And, in the fifth it did, when another three Braves runs crossed the plate.
The bullpen wasn’t much better as the three reliever that followed, Pedro Feliciano, Joe Smith and Scott Schoeneweis proceeded to give up five runs over two innings.
Billy Wagner continued his streak of 18.0 innings not allowing an earned run as he got himself out of a no out base loaded jam in the bottom of the eighth.
Moises Alou left the game in the bottom half of the third inning with a cramp in his left calf. Unreal. Bunions, boots, staph infections and now cramps. What other strange injuries will occur to the Mets this season?
Hate to say this, but I think Chipper Jones might just make a run a hitting .400 this year. I know it’s still May, but he misses just enough games due to injury that he may hit .400 and still qualify with enough at-bats.
Oh, Endy Chavez, where have you gone? Your failing up at the plate and you allowed your first fielding error in three years. You haven’t been the same since your hamstring injury last June.
The Mets can’t get out of their own way and it’s not fun watching this team lately. Once the Braves took the lead in the third I knew it was over and this team wasn’t making a coming back. That’s a shame, I’ve always been pretty optimistic even in their down years, but lately it’s been hard to have that optimistic attitude that I desperately want to have.
On the bright side I can add a new Keithism to my vocabulary. “Stinkowski,” which was used by Keith when describing how the Giants and Padres played in the mid-80′s. However, just as Cerrone said in last night’s postGame, the SNY broadcast crew cannot continue to be the most entertaining part of the game.
The Mets look to avoid the sweep as Johan Santana faces off against Tim Hudson tomorrow night in at Atlanta at 7:10 pm.
Tagged Mike Nichols |
Moises Alou let tonight’s game during the third inning with a cramp in his let calf muscle.
During tonight’s Pre Game Show on 
, Kevin Burkhardt talked with Willie Randolph for roughly eight minutes while speaking from the team’s dugout prior to the game.
Burkhardt and Randolph talked about the manager’s image, his comments about race, his relationship with the fans and how is portrayed on television.
To watch the entire clip, click play below:
I am scheduled to be a guest tonight at 10 pm on The Scott Ferrall Show, which airs on Sirius Satellite Radio.
…i’m guessing i will be on to talk about, yep, you guessed it, Willie Randolph…
…by the way, yes, thanks to willie, i was bumped from tonight’s Pre Game Show, though i hope to be on tomorrow night instead…
The Game:
The Mets (22-21) continue their four-game series versus the Braves (24-21) tonight at Turner Field in Atlanta, starting at 7:00pm EST.
The Lineup:
- SS Jose Reyes
- RF Endy Chavez
- 3B David Wright
- CF Carlos Beltran
- LF Moises Alou
- 1B Carlos Delgado
- C Brian Schneider
- 2B Luis Castillo
- P Mike Pelfrey
The Pitchers:
RHP Mike Pelfrey (2-4, 4.17 ERA) takes the hill for the Mets. Pelfrey was stellar in his last start on May 15, no-hitting the Nationals for the first six innings, however he earned the loss allowing one run on three hits and three walks while striking out four through 7.2 IP. In his last start against the Braves on April 25, Pelfrey earned a loss allowing five runs on nine hits ad four walks over 5.1 IP. He is 1-2 with 5.40 ERA in four career games, three starts versus the Braves.
RHP Jair Jurrjens (4-3, 2.82 ERA) starts for the Braves. In his last start on May 16 versus the A’s, Jurrjens earned a no-decision surrendering two runs, zero earned, on eights hits and three walks with three strikeouts over 5.0 IP. Jurrjens is holding opponents to a .193 batting average over his last seven starts. In his only career start versus the Mets on April 25, Jurrjens was victorious allowing three runs on two hits while striking out four and walking four over 6.0 IP.
The Notes:
David Wright is 16-for-50 (.320) with 3 2B, 2 HR and 8 RBI in his last 12 games. He is batting .259 with 9 HR ad 17 RBI in 139 career at-bats at Turner Field.
The Mets are 13-12, including 2-5 versus the Braves, against the National League East this season.
Moises Alou is batting .372 in his last 43 at-bats. He is batting .303 (10-for-33) versus right-handed pitching this season.The Braves bullpen has allowed only two runs over their last 22.0 IP.
Brian McCann is 5-for-9 (.556) with 3 2B in his career versus Pelfrey.
For insight on the Braves, check out Blogger Beat.
How To Catch It:
Today’s game can be seen locally on
The Bleachers:
For a live chat, head over to The Hot Foot Bleachers.
…enjoy, and as always, Let’s Go Mets…
Tagged Mike Nichols |
During his interview a few moments ago on WFAN, Willie Randolph told the show’s host that many of his comments from the infamous Bergen Record article by Ian O’Conner were intended to be off the record, adding, “But, that’s my fault..,I thought I was just blowing off steam.”
…for what it’s worth, willie waited for a good two or three seconds before answering the question…
Randolph continued on by saying:
“I just want to get a few things off my chest. I want to apologize to Mets ownership…to SNY, and to my team for the distraction over the past couple of days. I shouldn’t have said the things that I said. It was a mistake, simple as that. I take full ownership of the things that I said. I said it out of frustration, I just hope that we can put a close to this matter and start winning baseball games. When you win, you make everyone happy, and that’s what we’re here to do. I didn’t mean for it to come out the way it did. I was frustrated.”
According to Randolph, he is frustrated with how his team is playing, and understands the fan reaction – especially after what occured at the end of last season.
Randolph said he does not believe racism is involved with the fan’s perception of him.
Also, regarding the Record, he never meant to suggest that Mets fans are fair-weather fans.
Instead, he says, the fans have every right to express their opinion, adding, “Mets fans are the best in the world.”
Regarding his comments about SNY, and how the fans may percieve him, Randolph said:
“The only problem I have is perception sometimes. You hear people talk about me, but they don’t know me. I don’t mind being criticized, but be factual and be fair. The people that are on the shows are paid to be opinionated, but make sure that if you’re going to be that, know what you’re talking about…Everyone wants to be liked, but that’s not a burning desire for me. I just try to do my job. I’m no different than everyone else, I’m a human being. Everyone has feelings. But I’m here to win a championship…
“This is me, this is how I lead. I don’t concern myself with what people think of how I do my business.”
In regards to Jon Heyman’s report in SI.com that Jeff Wilpon met with him and Omar Minaya, Randolph said:
“Jeff’s very passionate about winning, just like I am. Jeff and Fred are very supportive, and they’re always asking me how they can help us get better. When the game starts, that’s when I feel my best. I love when the game starts because that’s when you can go out there and try to kick someone’s butt.”
Lastly, according to Randolph, the team is not focused on all of this stuff, from SNY to the fans to ownership, etc, they are focused on trying to win as many games as possible, and he and his players believe that when every one sees them be the team they are capable of being, all of this will go away.
…thanks to SNY.tv’s Ted Berg for transcribing parts of this interview, and for helping me get it up on MetsBlog so quickly…
…also, i tend to be very critical of Mike and the Maddog, but they did a fantastic job with this interview…they asked all the necessary and intriguing questions, and did so in a respectful way…great job, guys…
To listen to Randolpoh’s entire 27–minute interview, keep checking WFAN.com.
…Update…5:35 pm…
SNY’s Kevin Burkhardt will be sitting down with Randolph in a few minutes, for a one-on-one interview that will appear on tonight’s Pre Game Show.
Tagged Willie Randolph |Prior to tonight’s game, Ryan Church told reporters that he never had a concussion, he is fine and expects to be back in the lineup during tomorrow’s finale against the Braves.
For more on Church’s status, check out the blogs for Newsday and the New York Post.
Tagged Ryan Church |ESPN Classic will honor Mike Piazza, who retired from baseball yesterday, with a five-hour tribute on Friday, starting at 2 pm.
The Mike Piazza Tribute consists of three of his 
most-memorable games, including July 8, 2000, against the Yankees; Oct. 22, 2000, against the Yankees; and Sept. 21, 2001, against the Braves.
…some one asked me today what piazza’s greatest moment was while playing with the Mets, and while a few spring to mind, clearly it was the home run after Sept. 11 against the Braves, because it transcended sports and demonstrated just how wonderful and significant the game of baseball can be…
Tagged Mike Piazza |The Mets will host “Mets at the Movies” tonight at 7:00 p.m., at the following three Clearview Cinema locations:
- Chelsea Cinemas (Manhattan)
- Parsippany Cinemas (New Jersey)
- Port Washington Cinemas (Long Island)
For more info on buying tickets, click here.
Also, will be hosting a Viewing Party in Staten Island tomorrow, Thursday, May 22, at Jody’s Club Forest located at 372 Forest Ave. For more info on the Viewing Party, click here.
SNY’s Kevin Burkhardt is currently doing a one-on-one interview with Willie Randolph, which will hopefully air during the five o’clock hour on SNY.
Randolph will also appear in his regular spot on WFAN’s Mike and the Maddog, which typically airs just after 5 pm.
…let the spin cycle begin, willie…good luck…
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