Daily Archives: July 22, 2008
The Mets (53-47) lost to the Phillies (54-46) by the score of 8 to 6 in Shea Stadium tonight.
With the loss the Mets are now one game behind the first place Phillies.
For a recap, boxscore, stats, etc., go to SNY.tv.
- With the Mets up 5 to 2 in the ninth inning and Billy Wagner unavailable to pitch, Duaner Sanchez, Joe Smith and Pedro Feliciano combined to allow six runs. Unreal. In the preGame, due to their struggles versus the Phillies, I noted how the Mets bullpen was the key to the series. I hate that I was right. However, it should have never been left in the bullpen’s hands.
- Johan Santana was very effective in his eight innings of work, allowing two runs on eight hit. It’s mind boggling why after 105 pitches Santana was not allowed the chance to finish off the Phillies. That’s the second time in three weeks Santana was not allowed to complete a game in which his pitch count was low enough to do so. No excuses needed this time, Johan, this one is on your manager.
- Carlos Delgado continues his resurgences, going 2-for-4 with a 2-run HR.
- Luis Aguayo was on a mission tonight to have Endy Chavez thrown out at home and he accomplished it, twice. Although, the first time it was on a perfect relay by the Phillies.
- Ramon Castro homered for a second straight game, going 2-for-4.
- Nothing worse than watching the Phillies celebrate.
This was a devastating loss, but tomorrow is another day. The Mets need to put this behind them and not let a loss like this stop the momentum they’ve built over the last three weeks.
The Mets continue their series against the Phillies at Shea Stadium tomorrow night with John Maine facing Brett Myers.
Tagged Mike Nichols |
Earlier today, the D’Backs announced that they have acquired RHP Jon Rauch from the Nationals in exchange for 2B Emilio Bonifacio.
Rauch, 29, was 4-2 with a 2.98 ERA with 17 saves in 48 chances for the Nationals this season.
His 6.29 strikeout-to-walk ratio is the fourth best in baseball.
Bonifacio was ranked as Arizona’s sixth-best prospect prior to the season, according to Baseball America.
Meanwhile, the Astros acquired LHP Randy Wolf from the Padres for minor league RHP Chad Reineke.
The Game:
The Mets (53-46) begin a three-game series against the Phillies (53-46) tonight at Shea Stadium, starting at 7:10 pm.
The Lineup:
- SS Jose Reyes
- RF Endy Chavez
- 3B David Wright
- CF Carlos Beltran
- 1B Carlos Delgado
- 2B Damion Easley
- LF Marlon Anderson
- C Ramon Castro
- P Johan Santana
…marlon in left field makes no sense…he is terrible defensively and blanton is better versus lefties than righties…although, anderson has two hits in three career at-bats versus blanton…
The Pitchers:
LHP Johan Santana (8-7, 3.10 ERA) starts for the Mets. In three career starts against the Phillies, Santana is 1-0 with a 2.75 ERA.
RHP Joe Blanton (5-12, 4.96 ERA) starts for the Phillies. Blanton is 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA in two career starts (15.0 IP) versus the Mets.
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.
…without question this is the biggest start of santana’s short tenure with the Mets…santana has pitched well, and has been no better or no worse than i expected, but like many Mets fans, i’m still waiting for that signature performance from him, let’s hope tonight starts a string of those performances…
…just as santana needs to step up, the bullpen needs to do the same…the Phillies have dominated the Mets pen since this rivalry began to take shape in 2006…in my opinion, the Mets bullpen is the key to this series…
…enjoy, and as always, Let’s Go Mets…
Tagged Mike Nichols |
Dan Graziano at The Star-Ledger is reporting that the Mets have entered the Huston Street talks, envisioning him as a set-up man or a left-right closer tandem with Billy Wagner.
Also, according to Graziano, the Mets were scouting Texas last night, possibly looking at Marlon Byrd and some of their bullpen arms.
Meanwhile, SI.com‘s Jon Heyman suggests that either Casey Blake or Raul Ibanez can cure the Mets outfield problems.
At MLBTradeRumors.com, Tim Dierkes does a nice job breaking down the left fielder market, which the Mets should be tracking with some interest.
Charlie Morton starts for Atlanta tonight in Miami. His home and road ERAs are anagrams. At Turner Field his ERA stands at 8.36, on the road, 3.86. He gives up fewer hits away, and all three of his home runs allowed came at home.
Rick VandenHurk returns from the minors to start against the Braves. He posted a 4.22 ERA at Carolina.
Ryan Howard continues to be the Phillies hottest hitter in July. He’s a bit hit or miss, however, as he’s picked up 22 hits but struck out 18 times.
Nationals starter Jason Bergman is getting hammered by lefties this season, allowing a batting average 100 points higher than against righties. There are only four potential lefty hitters the Giants can bat tonight, however.
For more real-time information, news, links and stats from around MLB, check out Baseball Musings.
In case you haven’t heard yet, the Mets and Phillies are tied for 1st place in the NL East heading into a heavily anticipated three game series at Shea. 
And with the Marlins only one game back, the division crown is up for grabs with roughly 62 games to go for all three teams.
At ESPN.com, Jayson Stark debates “Who is going to win the NL East?”
Stark’s case for the Phillies:
“They just traded for Joe Blanton, who should be a massive upgrade on Adam Eaton. And they’re getting Brett Myers back … So if those two moves stabilize their rotation, the numbers would indicate the Phillies ought to win this division…”
Stark’s case for the Marlins:
“The Marlins are deep enough into the season that they are what their record says they are–namely, one very dangerous team. They lead the major leagues in homers (140). They have nine walkoff wins and 27 comeback wins. And their starting pitching is looking better all the time…”
Stark’s case for the Mets:
“So while there’s still a debate about which of these teams is better, there’s no doubt who’s hotter. Since Jerry Manuel became their manager, the Mets are 19-12. They’ve averaged more than six runs a game. And they have a much more positive vibe, on and off the field.”
Stark’s verdict … Drum roll please …. Here comes a shocker … He picked the Phillies to win the division over the Mets since they have “have outscored them, outpitched them and outfielded them.”
As this guy is reporting over at SNY.tv, an MRI on Billy Wagner‘s shoulder showed no structural damage. The pitcher was diagnosed with a muscle spasm around his shoulder and is considered day-to-day.
No word yet on his availability for tonight’s game or the remainder of the series vs. Philadelphia.
…phew… it’s always a little scary when you hear “shoulder,” “MRI,’” and “hospital for special surgery” being bandied about…
Tagged Billy Wagner, Ted Berg |
According to the New York Post, Billy Wagner will have a cautionary MRI exam this morning.
The Post notes that Wagner saw a doctor yesterday in Manhattan, who diagnosed inflammation in the shoulder, and is uncertain for the upcoming series against the Phillies.
The article also discusses the likelihood of Omar making a move before the deadline, and Carlos Delgado‘s recent offensive success.
…injuries are never good, but this was a bad time for wagner to go down…
In an article for the New York Post, Mike Vaccarro notes that the Mets are in the fortunate position of being in control of their own fate as they open a series against the Phillies.
Vaccaro writes:
“They need Johan Santana to go out and grab it for them tonight. They need Santana to give them the kind of performance for which they all but handed over the deed to the franchise last winter, during Super Bowl week, when the Mets for a few hours turned the Giants into the junior-varsity story.”
Also at the Post, Brian Costello forwards a quote from Billy Wagner, who said; “I hope our fans wear them out.”
For more on the upcoming series, check out the Star-Ledger, the Journal News, and Philly.com.
…let’s get ready to rumble…such an important series, who else feels like this is going to be a dogfight all season long…
Tagged Phillies, Regis Courtemanche |Click play below to watch ESPN’s Baseball Tonight crew preview the Mets/Phillies series, which begins tonight at Shea Stadium.
