Daily Archives: June 2, 2008
In his 100th career win last night, Johan Santana gave up 
just one run on six hits, none of which were home runs, while walking three and striking out six in 7.2 innings.
He is 7–3 in 12 starts this season, with a 3.20 ERA in 81.2 innings pitched.
Santana is 11th in the National League in ERA, sixth in strike outs and tied with nine other pitchers for second in wins.
The Mets are 9–3 in games that Santana has started.
Santana, talking to reporters after the game, said:
“There was a lot of stuff going on last week and I knew coming into the home stand I would have two starts and I wanted to give my best and try to help out as much as I could. We needed to take advantage of it and we did. Now we just have to go on the road and just gotta keep it going.”
In his two starts on the home stand, Santana won both games and allowed four runs in 14.2 innings.
Last week at his blog for ESPN.com, citing ‘sources and scouts,’ Buster Olney wrote that Santana’s velocity is down 3-4 miles per hour from a couple of years ago, which could be attributed to wear and tear on his shoulder.
…so what…seriously…what i saw last night was a guy who does not need to throw 96 mph, because he has a multi-speed change up that most likely makes his fastball look like 100 mph…he’s a fascinating pitcher to watch…there are times when he sets up for a strike out and there are times when he pitches to contact, and back and forth he goes…he has a plan…and i’d rather a pitcher like santana, with a plan, who may have lost a step or two on his fastball, than a guy who is all arm and no brains…
Carlos Beltran hit his second home run in two days last night in a win against the Dodgers.
To watch Beltran’s home run from last night’s game, courtesy of ESPN and 
, click here.
According to the Brooklyn Met Fan, “It was vintage Beltran. You know how he’ll un-spool one of those effortless swings and the pitch just jumps off his bat like a tennis ball? Yeah, well it was one of those.”
…my favorite part of beltran’s swing is the hop he does while wrapping his bat around his back…it’s very unique…it happens so quickly, i am not even sure what he’s doing…but, it’s so definitive that i like it…
Beltran is .333 in his last 18 at bats with two home runs, five RBI, one double, five walks and just one strike out.
…stay hot, carlos…because with you hitting, Ryan Church hitting, and Jose Reyes getting on base as he has, the lineup has a totally different look than it did two weeks ago…
In his return to the starting lineup last night, Ryan Church was 3 for 4 with a single, double, a home run and two RBI in a win against the Dodgers, raising his average from .309 to .320 in one night.
…he looked a little glassy-eyed after running the bases on the home run…the thing is, what’s the difference…he’s been a hitting machine of late, whether hurt, not hurt, dizzy, not dizzy…no matter…
To read about the impact that a concussion can have on a baseball player, specifically Church, check out Peter Gammons’s recent post to his blog for ESPN.com.
To watch Church’s home run from last night’s game, courtesy of ESPN and , click here.
Willie Randolph, talking to reporters about Church, after last night’s win, said:
“He’s playing well. He’s hitting the ball well. He started out as probably our best hitter consistently all year. Any time you get one of your big boys back in
there it just makes the whole lineup better.”
…nice, church is a big boy…instead of a big C for captain, willie should make patches that read, ‘Big Boy,’ for such players, this way we know exactly who ranks where…
Church, on Church, told reporters after the game:
“I couldn’t ask for anything better in my first day back. It was just good to get the uniform back on and be out there with these guys. It was frustrating sitting on the bench not being able to do anything. I’m just glad I was able to contribute and we got a W.”
For more on Church, check out the New York Post, Newsday, the Daily News, and Metstradamus.
Tagged Ryan Church |The Mets (28–27) defeated the Dodgers (27–29) by the score of 6 to 1 in Shea Stadium.
The Mets won three of four from the Dodgers, and two of three from the Marlins during the seven-game home stand.
For a recap, boxscore, stats, etc., go to SNY.tv.
This was a big win, in that the Mets are clearly on a roll, playing well, beating good teams, and looking like they believe in themselves again.
However, in case you missed it, know that…
Jose Reyes is alive and well, and playing like an All Star on offense and defense; Carlos BelTRON hit a home run, not Beltran, but BelTRON, according to ESPN’s Jon Miller; Ryan Church hits, he hits with a concussion, without a concussion, he just hits; 22 years later, Howard Johnson is still rocking the two-finger hi-five; ESPN’s on-field and in-dugout camera work looks amazing on HD television, and makes you feel like you’re right on the field; Johan Santana looked outstanding, and left to a strong standing ovation; and Scott Schoeneweis continues to get the job done.
The Mets travel to San Francisco today to start a three-game series with the Giants, game time 10 pm, with Oliver Perez taking on Jonathan Sanchez.
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