Daily Archives: June 4, 2008
To watch my two-minute segment from tonight’s Pre Game Show on SNY, during which Matt Yalloff and I discuss the All-Star Game, the trade deadline, Pedro Martinez, and Mike Pelfrey and Claudio Vargas, click play below…
The Mets (30-28) defeated the Giants (25-35) in San Francisco today by the score of 5 to 3.
For a recap, boxscore, stats, etc., go to SNY.tv.
This was a nice, always in-control type of win, which is great to see these days.
However, in case you missed it, know that John Maine looked focus and in command through most of his six innings, during which he allowed just one earned run; Jose Reyes let a ball go right through his legs, which would have ended the inning, but instead eventually let a run score; of course he redeemed himself later by hitting a two-run home run; Aaron Rowand was an inch short of making a great catch on a ball hit deep in the gap by Carlos Beltran, but it went to the wall and two runs were able to score; and, lastly, Billy Wagner continued his dominance.
The Mets travel to San Diego tomorrow to start a four-game series with the Padres, with Mike Pelfrey facing John Banks.
The Game:
The Mets (29-28) look to take the rubber-game of their three-games series versus the Giants (25-34) today at AT&T Park in San Francisco, starting at 3:45 pm EST.
The Lineup:
- SS Jose Reyes
- 2B Luis Castillo
- 3B David Wright
- CF Carlos Beltran
- 1B Carlos Delgado
- LF Fernando Tatis
- RF Endy Chavez
- C Brian Schneider
- P John Maine
The Pitchers:
RHP John Maine (5-4, 3.65 ERA) starts for the Mets. Maine struggled early in his last start on May 30 versus the Dodgers, but settled down to allow four runs on five hits and a walk with six strikeouts over 6.0 IP, earning a no-decision. Maine is fifth in the National League averaging 18.0 pitches per inning. He is 0-0 with a 4.50 ERA in one career start versus the Giants.
RHP Matt Cain (2-3, 4.38 ERA) takes the hill for the Giants. Cain earned a no-decision in his last start on May 30 versus the Padres, allowing three runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out six over 7.0 IP. Cain is 11th in the National League with a 7.91 K/9. Cain is 2-2 with a 4.50 ERA in four career starts versus the Mets.
The Notes:
The Mets are 6-2 in rubber-games of series this season.
Carlos Beltran is batting .308 (32-104) with 22 RBI in his last 25 games. He has two hits in five career at-bats versus Cain.The Mets bullpen have stranded 69% of their inherited runners this season.
Carlos Delgado is hitless in 14 career at-bats versus Cain.
The Giants are third in the National League with 53 stolen bases.
Aaron Rowand is batting .345 with 26 RBI with RISP. He is hitless in nine career at-bats versus Maine.
How To Catch It:
Today’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 |According to Associated Press, Braves RHP John Smoltz will 
have season-ending shoulder surgery, “but he hopes to return in 2009.”
Smoltz later told 790 The Zone, “I’m having surgery with the hopes of pitching beyond this year. We’re only kidding ourselves if we try to mess around any longer.”
Chipper Jones, on the news, as quoted by the AP:
“Not having him at all for the rest of the season is devastating, flat out devastating. Going into this season, I said there’s one guy on this club we cannot do without. That’s John Smoltz.”
…oh, well, then by all means, chipper, feel free to not play the rest of the season as well…i won’t mind…
[Poll=111]
Tagged Poll |Prior to last night’s game, SNY’s Kevin Burkhardt traveled to Keith Hernandez’s childhood home, and Little League and high school fields, located a few towns over from San Francisco.
To watch the four-minute video, click play below.
According, to David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Braves RHP John Smoltz will have season-ending shoulder surgery.
…added to by Matthew Cerrone…
According to Mark Bowman at MLB.com, the Braves have scheduled an 11:30 am press conference at Turner Field, where they are expected to discuss the future of Smoltz.
…i wonder if he’s going to announce his retirement…i mean, it’s a little weird to have a press conference to just announce surgery…
Smoltz returned from the disabled list on Monday, June 2, pitching from the bullpen instead of the rotation to help limit the stress on his shoulder, but allowed two runs on three hits in a blown save.
[Poll=110]
In a win last night against the Giants, Pedro Martinez tossed 109 pitches and allowed three runs on seven hits, while walking three and striking out three, in six innings pitched.
Martinez also had two hits and and an RBI at the plate.
Following the game, Damion Easley described Martinez as ‘masterful,’ while talking to SNY’s Kevin Burkhardt after the game.
Willie Randolph, on Martinez, talking to reporters after the game:
“He started out, probably didn’t have his best command early, but he has a way of putting people away when needs to. You saw it at the end of the game, he had a couple of men on base, but he wasn’t gonna be denied…It’s good to have him back, it’s a good sign for the club.”
…he really is fascinating to watch…he was throwing mostly so-so fastballs in the first inning and was a bit wild…later, he started hitting 92 mph and, out of nowhere, discovered a wicked slider…in his final inning, he let the first two batters get on base, then rallied to retire the next three…vintage…
According to Martinez, in a mid-game interview with SNY’s Kevin Burkhardt, he told Randolph after the fifth inning that he felt strong and wanted to keep pitching, knowing the bullpen was worked hard during the previous night’s game.
…if he can be this sort of pitcher and not get hurt, when teamed up with John Maine and Johan Santana, the Mets will be in good shape…it will be much easier to stop any sort of losing streak knowing one of those three will eventually step to the hill…
Tagged Pedro Martinez |Damion Easley started at second base last night, and went 3 for 4 with three RBI and a walk.
Easley entered the game with just three hits in his previous 17 at bats.
He talked with SNY’s Kevin Burkhardt following last night’s win, and said:
“I’m not in there very often, but when I am I want to contribute. I want to help out.”
…he looks good against left-handed pitching, during which he is batting .280…meanwhile, he’s batting .180 against right-handed pitching…unfortunately, Carlos Delgado is hitting below .230 against both lefties and righties…that said, it may make sense to start using easley at first at least against lefties…
…similarly, Brian Schneider is batting just .227 against lefties, while Ramon Castro is batting .364…
…in other words, the Mets should be using an easley-castro lineup against lefties, like last night…
Tagged Ramon Castro |
