Daily Archives: July 4, 2008
The Mets (42–44) lost to the Phillies (48–39) by the score of 3 to 2 in Philadelphia tonight.
For a recap, boxscore, stats, etc., go to SNY.tv.
However, in case you missed it, know that Johan Santana looked great, but, for some bizarre reason, was removed by Jerry Manuel after the eighth inning, despite having thrown just 95 pitches while letting up just two runs and six base runners. Naturally, though he struck out Ryan Howard and Pat Burrell, Duaner Sanchez let up a double to Pedro Feliz and then a walk-off single to Shane Victorino to end the game.
What’s worse, the Phillies were freakishly pumped up following the win, leaving me quite worried right now.
In the fifth, the Mets sent up eight batters, but managed to only score two runs, leaving the bases loaded on a strike out by Carlos Beltran. In the first, Jose Reyes was able to reach third base with just one out, but David Wright and Beltran both popped out. In the ninth, Brad Lidge needed just five pitches to retire Damion Easley, Ryan Church and Marlon Anderson.
Santana has a 2.48 ERA in his last six starts, during which the Mets are 0–6 while averaging just two runs per game.
Honestly, I’m totally confused why Santana was pulled from the game. The only thing I can think of is that Santana struggled against Howard, Burrel and Feliz in their previous time up. But, still, given his pitch count and rhythm, and the fact that he’s ‘the ace,’ he should have remained in the game. That said, the offense should have blown this game wide open in the fifth, and they didn’t, and so they are equally to blame for this loss.
Eventually, Phillies or no Phillies, the Mets will have to win and get over .500 and, again, the clock is ticking.
The Mets continue their four-game series with the Phillies tomorrow in Philadelphia at 7:05 pm, with John Maine (8-6, 3.86 ERA) facing Jamie Moyer (7-6, 4.13 ERA).
The Game:
Weather permitting, the Mets (42-43) begin a four-game series against the first-place Phillies (47-39) tonight at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, starting at 7:05 pm.
The Lineup:
For tonight’s lineup, head on over to
.
The Pitchers:
LHP Johan Santana (7-7, 3.01 ERA) starts for the Mets. In nine road starts this season, Santana is 4-4 with a 3.12 ERA. He is 1-0 with a 3.09 ERA in two career starts versus the Phillies. Santana made is last start again the Phillies on April 18, earning a win, allowing three runs on four hits while striking out 10. The Mets are 9-8 this season when Santana starts.
RHP J.A. Happ (0-0, 0.00 ERA) makes his first start of the season for the Phillies. In his only career start versus the Mets on June 30, 2007, Happ allowed five runs on seven hits over 4.0 IP. In 77.0 IP for Triple-A Lehigh Valley this season, Happ compiled a 3-5 with a 3.86 ERA, striking out 9.47 per nine innings pitched.
The Notes:
Carlos Delgado is batting .400 (5-for-12) with 2 2B, 1 HR & 4 RBI during the Mets current road trip. In 117 career at-bats at Citizens Bank Park, Delgado is batting .342 with 7 HR and 26 RBI.
Duaner Sanchez has not allowed a run in his last nine games (10.0 IP). Left-handed batters are hitting .150 against Sanchez this season.
The Mets are 15-15 versus the National League East this season, including 4-2 versus the Phillies.
Ryan Howard is batting .177 with 6 HR and 20 RBI in 130 at-bats versus left-handed pitchers this season.
Pat Burrell is batting .251 with 41 HR and 102 RBI in 140 career games versus the Mets. He has one hit in four career at-bats versus Santana.
The Phillies bullpen leads the National League with a 2.66 ERA and has accounted for 36% of the teams wins (17).
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 |
Marlins 1B-3B Jorge Cantu was out of the Marlins starting lineup for a second straight day on Sunday, after getting hit with a pitch on Friday.
Meanwhile, according to the Rocky Mountain News, the Marlins have expressed interest in Rockies C Yorvit Torrealba.
Phillies RHP Tom Gordon will be put on the 15–day disabled list with right elbow inflammation, reports MLB.com.
Lastly, after demoting his to Double-A three days ago, the Braves have recalled OF Jeff Francoeur.
For more real-time information, news, links and stats from around MLB, check out Baseball Musings.
Instead of traveling to Binghamton to play tonight for the Double-A B’Mets, Moises Alou will workout this weekend in New York, after which the team will re-evaluate him upon returning to Shea Stadium on Monday, said Jerry Manuel to reporters prior to yesterday’s game.
Initial reports suggested that Alou would play for Binghamton tonight, then return to the Mets on Monday.
Speaking of outfielders, Manuel also told reporters that Angel Pagan will not have season-ending surgery, as he has shown improvements of late in his recovery from a dislocated shoulder.
Tagged Moises Alou |
In an ‘exclusive’ report for the New York Post, Bart Hubbuch details a recent ‘confrontation’ between Keith Hernandez and Jose Reyes while in St. Louis.
According to Hubbuch, citing ‘one player,’ Reyes and Hernandez were close to exchanging punches on the team charter until others stepped in.
…well, you know what, i’m proud of keith for speaking his mind on air, and i’m glad to see reyes sticking up for himself…
…they had a heated argument, or ‘confrontation,’ or whatever they want to call it, they did not come to blows, and so they argued it out like men and now let’s move on…
…i understand this is a sensationalistic, exciting story for people to talk about in print, on blogs and on radio, but, the fact is, this isn’t a tea party…none of these people are required to be friends…they’re only requirement is to do their job, be it on air or on the field…so, it’s hard for me to 
really care about this topic…
…i mean, two jocks got in to an argument because one called the other a name…wow…imagine that…what a shocker…
…that said, i am so sick and tired of wasting time writing about who should be fired, who shouldn’t, front-office deception, fights between players and broadcasters, possible clubhouse division, eighth-inning sing-a-longs, home run apples, and every other off-field soap opera that has been forced upon me through the text-media this season…it’s ridiculous…
In case you are interested, there is a real-live baseball game being played tonight in Philadelphia between the third-place Mets and the first-place Phillies at 7:05 pm.
…you remember baseball, right, it’s the game with the white ball, the bats and gloves…i hear it’s a whole lot of fun…
