Daily Archives: August 5, 2008
The Mets (59–53) defeated the Padres (43–70) by the score of 6 to 5 in Shea Stadium tonight.
For a recap, stats, boxscores, etc., from tonight’s game, go to SNY.tv.
Mike Pelfrey let 10 men reach base in 6.2 innings, but surrendered just two runs, both solo home runs, while striking out three. In the seventh, with the Mets up by two, he put the first two runners on base, but after a meeting on the mound, including Jerry Manuel and every other player from the infield, Pelfrey got a ground ball turned for a double play. Outstanding.
Fernando Tatis hit two home runs, the first of which was a solo blast, the second of which was a three-run shot pulled down the left-field line. Sign of the Cross, Sign of the Cross, Wide Clap, Point to the Sky with Two Fingers.
During the broadcast, SNY’s Gary Cohen mentioned how well Tatis is doing in two-strike situations. In fact, according to MetsBlog’s Mike Nichols, 34 of his 54 hits have come with two strikes, including seven of his eight HR and 19 of his 33 RBI.
Carlos Beltran was 2 for 4 with two runs scored, though he also struck out twice and left four men on base.
I really like Dan Murphy. I mentioned the other day that he reminded me a bit of Don Mattingly, but having had more time to watch him, I think the player I am actually thinking of is Robin Ventura. Murphy is just so disciplined at the plate, and as SNY’s Ron Darling said, he is up at the plate with a plan. He looks like the ideal number two hitter, as well.
In his first spot as the team’s closer in the absence of Billy Wagner, Aaron Heilman let up a three-run home run to Jody Gerut – made possible in part by a botched pop-up grab from Argenis Reyes, who later made a fantastic bobble-and-catch against the first base foul line. Heilman was then removed in favor of Joe Smith, followed by Scott Schoeneweis, who got the game’s final out for a well-earned save.
The Mets continue their three-game series with the Padres tomorrow at 7:10 pm EDT in Shea Stadium, with Cha Seung Baek (3-5, 5.12 ERA) taking on Pedro Martinez (3-2, 6.16 ERA).
The Game:
The Mets (58-53) begin a three-game series against the Padres (43-69) tonight at Shea Stadium, starting at 7:10 pm.
The Lineup:
- SS Jose Reyes
- LF Dan Murphy
- 3B David Wright
- 1B Carlos Delgado
- CF Carlos Beltran
- RF Fernando Tatis
- 2B Damion Easley
- C Brian Schneider
- P Mike Pelfrey
The Pitchers:
RHP Mike Pelfrey (9-7, 3.91 ERA) starts for the Mets.
RHP Chris Young (4-4, 4.12 ERA) starts for the Padres.
How To Catch It:
Tonight’s game can be seen locally on SNY and heard 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 |Mets Walk-Offs remembers the other game that ended in a Bill Buckner error and the eerie similarities of Game Six of the 1986 World Series.
Joe Janish of Mets Today breaks down moves and non-moves of the trade deadline.
Over at Bugs & Cranks, Brad Bortone wants Omar Minaya to roll the dice with the team’s prospects.
Ken Davidoff of Newsday says this week is ‘gut-check’ time for both the Mets and the Yankees.
The silver lining to going 1–5 on their recent road trip, writes Mets Fever, “is that the Mets are in a better position to make waiver claims as it goes by records.”
Tagged Mike Nichols |Prior to tonight’s game, Jerry Manuel told reporters that Oliver Perez will start on Friday.
…which would suggest Jon Niese may be the most likely pitcher to start Saturday, in place of John Maine…
Tagged Oliver Perez |
Tonight at 9:05 pm EDT, I will be a guest on the commercial-free Sports Talk radio show on 90.3 FM WHPC.
Will Carroll from Baseball Prospectus will be on as a guest at 10 pm EDT.
Both my segment and Carroll’s segment will be available here, once the interview is complete.
The Mets have put Billy Wagner on the disabled list with a stiff forearm, and will call up Ruddy Lugo from Triple-A.
…well, at this point, as crazy as it may seem, i believe the Mets should trust the rookie, Eddie Kunz, to be the team’s closer – assuming Jerry Manuel still believes in assigned roles in the bullpen…mostly because, technically, of all the people out there, kunz is the one person who is most familiar with the psychology of the job…
…otherwise, the starters may need to pitch more innings, reducing the need for the bullpen, who could go match-up by match-up in a bullpen-by-committee type situation as a temporary solution…
…Update…4:40 pm…
Prior to tonight’s game, Jerry Manuel told reporters that he will essentially use a bullpen-by-committee, with Aaron Heilman getting most work because he is capable of getting out both right-handed and left-handed hitters.
Steve Popper of the Bergen Record examines the possible fate of Carlos Delgado‘s tenure with the Mets, as he awaits the team’s looming decision on whether to exercise his $12 million option for the 2009 season.
Popper believes, not only has Delgado’s offensive resurgence helped his cause, but also his presence in the clubhouse will be a factor in the Mets decision, writing:
“The math isn’t all about the numbers at the plate either. The 36-year-old has begun to run his numbers up, with 23 home runs, 70 RBI and a batting average that has elevated to .268 with 51 games remaining. But in his worst moments this year, he remained a force in the clubhouse. And there is some sort of math, some figure beyond the reach of the bean counters and statisticians, that Delgado figures might tilt in his favor.”
In addtion to his column, Popper also provides additional notes on the vesting options of Delgado’s contract at his blog for the Bergen Record.
Since June 18, the day Willie Randolph was fired as the Mets manager, Delgado is hitting .316 (49-for-155) with 14 HR, 38 RBI and a 1.213 OPS.
…i’ll be interested to see how the Mets handle delgado’s option…on one hand, i want the Mets to get younger and perhaps promote from within due to the limited options at first base, other than Mark Teixeira, in the free agent market this offseason…however, if he keeps playing at his current level, i see no reason for the Mets not to bring him back for their first season in Citi Field…
…the question is, can he keep it up…i think he can, but not at his current level…i believe delgado will continue to hit for power, but expect his average to dip a bit, which is gravy, if he continues to slug for a high percentage…
Tagged Mike Nichols |
The Marlins visit the Phillies for the start of a three game series. Jamie Moyer, tonight’s pitcher, made 10 starts in his career against Florida, all with the Phillies. He’s 10-0 with a 3.03 ERA. His strongest stat against them is 14 walks in 65 1/3 innings, a rate of 1.9 BB per 9 innings.
Josh Johnson takes the mound for Florida. Against the Phillies, his weakness is the walks. He’s issued 12 free passes in 21 1/3 innings against Philadelphia.
Manny Acta indicated Monday night that Ryan Zimmerman will start Tuesday’s game. The Nationals are going for a season high five wins in a row.
Tom Glavine pitched well in his rehab assignment and probably will come off the disabled list for his next start.
For more real-time information, news, links and stats from around MLB, check out Baseball Musings.
According to Buster Olney at ESPN.com, the Twins expect to know today whether Livan Hernandez will clear waivers.
If he clears, Olney believes several teams will be interested in signing Hernandez, including the Mets and Rockies.
In a quick post to Baseball Prospectus, Will Carroll says he expects Hernandez to sign with the Mets by mid-week.
Hernandez had been 10–8 in 23 starts for the Twins this season before being designated for assignment last week.
In the hours before the Trade Deadline, at 
his blog for SI.com, Jon Heyman wrote that the Mets had discussed whether it was possible to acquire RHP Ian Snell from the Pirates, so to use him as a relief pitcher.
According to the Denver Post, when the Rockies asked about acquiring Snell, the Pirates asked for LHP Franklin Morales, Esmil Rogers and Chris Nelson in return.
Morales is not only Colorado’s top-rated pitching prospect, but also the third-best starting pitching prospect in all of baseball, according to Baseball America, who also ranked Nelson as the organization’s fourth-best position prospect.
…so, for the Mets, i’m thinking Jon Niese, Mike Carp and a Single-A starting pitcher, though the package asked of the Rockies would certainly be considered more significant…
…in other words, wow…
…if this is indicative of the asking prices around the deadline, i understand why so few players were moved…
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