Daily Archives: August 6, 2008
The Mets (59–54) lost to the Padres (44–70) by the score of 4 to 2 in Shea Stadium tonight.
For a recap, stats, boxscores, etc., go to SNY.tv.
Other than the two solo homeruns in the first inning, Pedro Martinez was effective in his 6.1 innings of work tonight. Martinez loaded the bases in the fifth, but worked his way through the inning to keep the Padres from scoring. However, in the seventh, Martinez allowed a lead off double to the light-hitting, Luis Rodriguez, who eventually came around to score the go-ahead run on a David Wright error.
Overall, I was pretty impressed with Martinez’s performance tonight and will not be disappointing in this type of outing from him every time out
With a quick turnaround tomorrow, I wouldn’t be shocked to see Wright get the day off. In addition to the critical error he made in the seventh, Wright, who seemed to forget how many outs there were, was double-off in the fifth inning on a fly ball to right field. He also made a baserunning mistake in yesterday’s game as well.
Daniel Murphy continues to impress, going 3-for-5 with an RBI. I’ll be interested to see how he adjusts once the scouting report gets out to the rest of the league.
Carlos Beltran was 0-for-4, leaving five men on base. The criticism of Beltran has been on the rise, but I don’t think he’s been as bad as his numbers suggest. The thing is, he’s been a bit unlucky. I mean, he continues to hit hard line drives, but they always seem to be right at the fielder.
On a side note, I don’t think there is anyone better than Ron Darling, when it comes to describing the nuances of pitching. Outstanding stuff, Ronnie.
The Mets continue their three-game series with the Padres tomorrow at 12:10 pm EDT in Shea Stadium, with Johan Santana taking on Josh Banks.
Tagged Mike Nichols |The Game:
The Mets (59-53) continue their three-game series against the Padres (43-70) 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 Pedro Martinez
The Pitchers:
RHP Pedro Martinez (3-2, 6.16 ERA) starts for the Mets.
RHP Cha Seung Baek (3-6, 5.22 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 manager Jerry Manuel recently made his weekly appearance on the WFAN’s Mike and the Mad Dog show.
In case you missed it, here is a quick recap of Manuel’s appearance:
- Manuel said the team played ‘OK’ during their 1-5 road trip, but played very poor offensively and is addressing the team’s poor situational hitting. He believes the team get ‘anxious’ with runners in scoring position.
- He will go with a platoon of Dan Murphy and Nick Evans in left field. Murphy will bat second again tonight, as Manuel believes Murphy has the ability to be a good number two hitter.
- Eddie Kunz will be given the chance to be the team’s closer.
- Manuel said Saturday’s starter has yet to be determine, but if Jon Neise is chosen, he is not concerned with the lefty facing a right-handed dominant Marlins lineup.
- John Maine will be ready to make his next start on August 13 versus the Nationals.
- Manuel admitted to scoreboard watching.
- Ryan Church will be re-evaluated tomorrow and if all goes well he will proceed to the next step.
To listen to Manuel’s interview in it’s entirety, go to WFAN.com.
Tagged Mike Nichols, WFAN |
I am standing on the field at Shea Stadium watching Ryan Church take batting practice, and he looks strong, confident and health. In fact, he just hit a ball in to the Budweiser section of the scoreboard.
I can’t help but sit here and think of what a difference he will make for this team’s lineup when he is healthy enough to return.
I am sitting in my car in the parking lot of Shea Stadium, typing this post on a PDA, waiting for Ted Berg and our video producer, Jeff, to get off the train.
Last week on MetsBlog, I wrote up a post about having seen the infamous Guisseppe Franco in front of his Beverly Hills salon, while on vacation in California the previous week.
Late last week, Franco e-mailed me saying he had seen my post, he was flattered and so we struck up a phone call.
Turns out, he is in New York City this week. Also, he is a very nice guy, who is also a Mets fan.
He is scheduled to take batting practice tonight at Shea, and so Ted and I intend to connect with him for an interview.
I would not be surprised to see Franco end up on one of SNY’s afternoon programs, so stay tuned to that as well.
Wish us luck, since there is chance one of us ends up with a mohawk.
Mets RHP Ambiorix Burgos pitched to nine 
batters and allowed three hits and two runs while striking out four in two innings during his first minor-league rehab game for the GCL Mets in St. Lucie.
The Mets acquired Burgos in a trade with the Royals during 2006 for Brian Bannister, who is 7–10 with a 5.37 ERA this season.
In 17 appearances for the Mets in 2007, Burgos was 1–0 with a 3.42 ERA, during which he struck out 19 batters in 23 innings while batters hit just .200 against him.
According to MLB.com, citing a ‘source,’ the 
Mets are interested in acquiring veteran infielder Rich Aurilia from the Giants.
Earlier this week, according to the San Jose Mercury, “A Mets official is following the Giants and has submitted a recommendation to acquire Aurilia.”
In 96 games for the Giants this season, the Brooklyn-born Aurilia, 36, is batting .281 with eight HR and 37 RBI.
Aurilia has played every position on the infield, but never the outfield, during his 11–year career.
To watch the following video of SNY.tv’s Ted Berg talking with Harold Reynolds about the Mets, click play below:
Since being called up from the minors on August 
2, 23–year-old Mets OF Dan Murphy has two hits, one double, one RBI, he has scored one run and has walked three times in nine plate appearances for the Mets.
On average, he is seeing just over five pitches per at bat.
For more on Murphy, read David Lennon’s report in Newsday, and Samantha Newman’s report for MLB.com.
Manuel, regarding Murphy, while talking to reporters following last night’s win against the Padres:
“He has shown some tremendous patience at the plate, he’s put together some excellent at bats, seeing a lot of pitches, and he’s going to be another guy who adds to us…with him, I don’t see us going backwards. I see him as a great addition to our lineup, with what he brings.”
…finally, it hit me last night, he reminds of a young Robin Ventura…aside from the visual, he seemingly plays hard, while mostly playing smart and with discipline, which i like…i’m excited about this kid, more than i thought i would be…
Manuel told reporters that Murphy will not play on the infield, but will instead spend his time in left field.
Prior to yesterday’s game, Jerry Manuel told reporters that Oliver Perez will start on Friday.
…this would at least keep Jon Niese on schedule should the team decide he is the best option for Saturday’s start in place of the injured John Maine, who, by the way, threw a bullpen session yesterday and seems ready to return from the disabled list on time…
However, according to the Daily News, citing a ‘team official,’ Saturday’s start is more likely to go to Claudio Vargas, Brian Stokes or Nelson Figueroa.
…well, if niese will not be called upon, as he hope he will be, then i’m all for the return of figueroa, who, frankly, the team could probably use in the bullpen right now, as well…
In six starts for the Mets this season, Figueroa was 2–3 with a 5.13 ERA. Meanwhile, he gave up three runs and seven hits during five innings from the bullpen.
… added to by Joe Janish
Perhaps stating the obvious here, but I imagine the Mets don’t want the lefthanded Niese to make his big league debut against a predominantly righthanded-hitting lineup (particularly with two lefthanded pitchers already slated to start in the series). However, if that’s the Mets’ excuse, it doesn’t hold water, as the Marlins are hitting only .235 this year vs. lefthanded pitching.
Tagged Nelson Figueroa | ← Older posts
