July 9, 2008 at 11:18 pm
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74 comments
by Matthew Cerrone
According to SNY, Moises Alou left his rehab game for Double-A Binghamton tonight with cramps in his left hamstring.
…seriously, this guy is totally incapable of not hurting himself…i have really never seen anything like this…i mean, he may as well be my grandfather out there right now…
He will re-evaluated tomorrow, and told reporters after the game he will likely have an MRI.
Following last night’s game, Alou told the Norwich Bulletin that he would be able to return to the Mets by this weekend.
However, prior to today’s game, Jerry Manuel told reporters it might make more sense for Alou to simply wait on his return until after the All-Star Break.
…or, until he stumbles upon the fountain of youth…hell, he spends enough time in florida these days, he may actually find it…
July 9, 2008 at 10:53 pm
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48 comments
by Matthew Cerrone
Tonight’s game was interrupted after the fifth inning due to a 40–minute rain delay.
Johan Santana did not return after the delay, despite throwing just 77 pitches and having not allowed a run.
…my first reaction was, ‘Oh, no, he must be hurt.’…
Following the game, Jerry Manuel told reporters that once Santana’s pitch count approached 80 pitches, coupled with the near-60 minute delay, he didn’t feel the need to send his starting pitcher back out on the field.
Manuel made no mention of an injury, and told reporters it was his decision based solely on the factors listed above.
…Update…11:08 pm…
Santana told reporters after the game that he could ‘definitely’ have pitched if asked following the rain delay, adding:
“I was ready…I felt good, but he told me that I had enough and that I might go on Sunday, which is fine, whatever I can do to help the team…I’ll be ready.”
According to Santana, Manuel and Dan Warthen said he could be used in relief of Mike Pelfrey on Sunday.
July 9, 2008 at 10:47 pm
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67 comments
by Matthew Cerrone
The Mets (47–44) defeated the Giants (39–52) by the score of 5 to 0 in Shea Stadium.
The Mets have won five games in a row, which is their longest winning streak of the year.
For a recap, boxscore, stats, etc., go to SNY.tv.
Johan Santana continued to pitch outstanding baseball, as he has done in his last seven starts. However, tonight, he got a win, while allowing no runs and just three hits in just five innings of work. Oddly, he didn’t return to the game after a 40–minutes rain delayed which followed the fifth inning, despite throwing only 77 pitches. Nevertheless, he was in total control in the time he was on the mound. Vintage Santana.- In the fourth inning, with runners on first and second, Jose Reyes made a grab with some fancy footwork up the middle which saved a run and ended the inning.
- In the bottom of the fourth, with two outs, Carlos Delgado reached base on a double, which was followed by a walk to Fernando Tatis and a three-run, two-run home run by Ramon Castro.
- In the eighth, Argenis Reyes ripped a two-out RBI double, which was followed by a two-out RBI single from Jose Reyes. I love it, Reyes driving in Reyes.
- By the way, Argenis Reyes is 3 for 8 with two runs scored during his limited time with the Mets.
- Hello, bullpen. Nice job, gentlemen. Aaron Heilman took over for Santana, and pitched two scoreless innings, which was followed by Duaner Sanchez and Joe Smith, who made the Giants look like amateurs, setting them down all six batters they faced.
The Mets were in total command all night. This may be one of the most fundamentally sound, clean, and easy game they have played all season long.
The Mets end their three-game series with the Giants tomorrow at Shea Stadium, starting at 1:10 pm, with John Maine (8-6, 3.91 ERA) taking on Barry Zito (4-12, 5.73 ERA).
The Game:
The Mets (46-44) play the middle game of their three-game series against the Giants (39-51) tonight at Shea Stadium, starting at 7:10 pm.
The Lineup:
The Pitchers:
LHP Johan Santana (7-7, 2.96 ERA) starts for the Mets.
LHP Jonathan Sanchez (8-4, 3.87 ERA) starts for the Giants.
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…
The Mets have placed Tony Armas Jr. on the 15-day disabled list due to a pulled adominal muscle.
Carlos Muniz has been recalled to take Armas’ spot on the 25-man roster.
…jeez, muniz is racking up the frequent flyer miles on the Heath Bell Express…
According to MLB.com, as of the recent 3 p.m. update, David Wright continues to trail Brewers OF Corey Hart in fan voting for the final spot on the National League All Star Team.
To vote for Wright, click here, or follow the link in the side bar.
Voting ends at 5 p.m. EDT on Thursday.
…by the way, the brewers are going to great lengths to get hart elected to the all star game, even campaigning for him with a logo in the dirt behind home plate…
…photo via Uni Watch…
July 9, 2008 at 3:08 pm
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21 comments
by Matthew Cerrone
Mets pitching coach Dan Warthen was a guest on WFAN’s Mike and the Maddog earlier today, and said he would like Pedro Martinez to attack the strike zone more, and to stop being picky about painting the corners of the plate.
Warthen says Johan Santana has been pitching well, his last start was his best of the season, but he has been the victim of some very bad luck.
To listen to Warthen’s entire interview, go to WFAN.com.
…thanks to Adam T. Intern for the link and info…
July 9, 2008 at 2:42 pm
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88 comments
by Matthew Cerrone
Johan Santana is just 7–7, but with a 2.98 ERA, in 18 starts this season, during which 
the Mets are 9–9.
In his last six starts, the Mets are 0-6 and have averaged just two runs per game, while he has a 2.45 ERA.
Santana is tied for the fifth-best ERA in the National League, while he is sixth in the league in strike outs.
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July 9, 2008 at 1:45 pm
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49 comments
by Matthew Cerrone
SNY and Sovereign Bank are giving you the chance to tour Shea Stadium, attend batting practice and join Ron Darling in the broadcast booth as he prepares for the game.
For more information on how to enter the sweepstakes, which ends Friday, click here.
July 9, 2008 at 12:42 pm
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16 comments
by Matthew Cerrone
The following video is of SNY.tv’s Ted Berg making his first-ever appearance during Nissan Post Game Extra:
…well done, ted…that is hilarious, though totally accidental…
Mike Pelfrey allowed just three hits, while striking out five over seven scoreless innings in last night’s win versus the Giants.
He didn’t walk a batter for the first time in his 34 career starts.
Manuel, on what may have clicked for Pelfrey in his last few starts…
“I think what did it for Mike was having some success breeding confidence. To come to the major leagues, there is always a question or a doubt on whether or not you can do this or accomplish this. And, there was a period where he struggled and I think that was a bigger factor in terms of what he brought to the mound as far as he stuff goes. Then all of sudden, when he had some success, you could see the man became a bit bigger than what he was before that. So, i think the success has had more to do with him than anything because it breeded a level of confidence that he feels good even if he gets in trouble in that he’s one pitch away from getting in to trouble.”
Manuel told reporters that he did not consider sending Pelfrey out to pitch the eighth inning last night because he had already thrown 110 pitches. In fact, Manuel added, “We’re probably gonna be careful in his last outing on Sunday and keep him real, real close to 100 pitches.”
Pelfrey, on when things started to click…
“I think in the Dodger game…I found out that location is a lot more important than velocity. That proved to me that, hey, I can go out and if I execute pitches and hit my spots I don’t need to throw 95.”
Pelfrey, who has allowed two runs or less in six of his last eight starts, is 5–0 with a 3.44 ERA during that span, during which the Mets are 7–1.
He is 7–6 on the year, with a 3.93 ERA.
…in the past two years pelfrey has taken a lot of criticism from fans and the media for not developing as quickly as other pitching prospects around the league, especially with the Mets being in their current “win now” state, but it’s important to remember that pelfrey has only made 62 starts in his professional career since being drafted by the Mets in 2005…
…however, over his last eight starts we are beginning to see pelfrey’s potential coming to fruition as he has learned how to pitch at the major league level, which has given him confidence that he can complete at this level…
…also, i’m beginning to think Rick Peterson was more of a hindrance than help in pelfrey’s development…i’ve folllowed pelfrey’s professional career since he was drafted and i never understood why he was told to abandon his curve ball, which was one of the reasons he had so much success at the college level…with Dan Warthen allowing pelfrey to throw his curve ball, it will give pelfrey another weapon to get hitters off balance when he throws his fastball..
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July 9, 2008 at 11:53 am
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7 comments
by David Pinto
Carlos Ruiz ground into his second bases loaded double play of the season Tuesday night for the Phillies. In 70 plate appearances with a man on first and less than two out, Ruiz hit into eleven GDPs this season, 15.7%.
Today’s Marlins starter, Scott Olsen, is one of a trio of Florida starters with road ERAs over 5.00. Mark Hendrickson sports a 6.18 ERA away from Dolphin Stadium, Olsen comes in at 5.66, and Andrew Miller sits at 5.13.
Tom Glavine threw without pain Tuesday, but still doesn’t know if he can avoid surgery.
Dr. Benjamin Shaffer discusses Chad Cordero’s surgery. The pitcher will be in a sling for three weeks then start rehabilitation, with the goal of being ready for spring training in 2009.
For more real-time information, news, links and stats from around MLB, check out Baseball Musings.
