Daily Archives: August 18, 2008
Jorge Campillo, the Braves pitcher this afternoon is showing signs of following in the footsteps of Smoltz and Maddux. He posts good strike out numbers with great control. The only negative about him long term is that he just turned 30 last week.
Chico Harlan rounds up the progress of the Nationals signed draft picks. So far, sixth round pick Paul Demny, a right-handed pitcher, is off to the best start.
The Phillies are looking to bring Pedro Feliz off the disabled list on Wednesday. Phillies third basemen hit .188 with a .300 slugging percentage in his absence.
FishStripes notes a lack of hustle on the Marlins. Up north, Joe Maddon benched B.J. Upton for not running out a double play ball. Will Freddi Gonzalez take the same action against Hanley Ramirez?
Correction: Fixed names.
For more real-time information, news, links and stats from around MLB, check out Baseball Musings.
The Mets (68–57) lost to the Pirates (56–69) by the score of 5 to 2 in Pittsburgh today.
For a recap, boxscore, stats, etc., from today’s game, go to SNY.tv.
John Maine was lucky to be pitching against the Bucs this afternoon because he looked flat, hitting 90 mph on his fastball just twice in 96 pitches. However, Maine hurled five shutout innings, only allowing two hits, one of which was a pitchout that Jack Wilson hit for a single.
Jerry Manuel didn’t last very long after getting ejected in the third inning for arguing a call. Basically, Argenis Reyes slightly rounded first base after an errant throw from Jack Wilson, then was tagged out by Ryan Doumit. Always run into foul territory, kids.
The Mets scratched out a run in the first and fourth to go up 2-0. Brian Stokes then relieved Maine in the sixth and gave up a two-run, game-tying homer to Adam LaRoche.
With two out and none on in the eighth, Daniel Murphy pinch-hit for Nick Evans, and lined a base hit to center. David Wright, and Carlos Beltran then walked to load the bases, but Carlos Delgado popped up to end the inning.
Conversely, Duaner Sanchez loaded the bases in the bottom of the frame, but the Pirates capitalized and scored three runs to make it 5-2. Duaner failed to record an out.
Perhaps two sweeps in a row was asking too much, so I’ll take today’s loss with a grain of salt.
The Mets start a three game set against the Braves tomorrow at Shea Stadium at 7:10 pm. LHP Oliver Perez (9-7) faces off against LHP Jo-Jo Reyes (3-9).
Tagged Regis Courtemanche |
The Game:
The first place Mets (68-56) look to sweep their four game series against the Pirates (55-69) today at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, starting at 12:35 pm.
The Lineup:
- 2B Argenis Reyes
- LF Nick Evans
- 3B David Wright
- CF Carlos Beltran
- 1B Carlos Delgado
- RF Fernando Tatis
- SS Damion Easley
- C Ramon Castro
- P John Maine
The Pitchers:
RHP John Maine (10-7, 3.97 ERA) starts for the Mets.
LHP Paul Maholm (8-7, 3.69 ERA) starts for the Pirates.
How To Catch It:
Today’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 |
Luis Ayala is with the Mets and available to pitch today.
Manuel, on Ayala, speaking to reporters prior to today’s game against the Pirates:
“In talking with some of our scouts, they seem to think that the arm strength is back from the injury he had during the World games. And, they seem to think, that the angle of his arm may be a bit different, which might not cause the ball to sink as much. But, for the most part, where going to give him a chance to show us what he can and cannot do.”
Eddie Kunz has been optioned back to Triple-A.
According to the Daily News, “Months after a (Yankees fan) astronaut carried some dirt from Yankee Stadium into orbit, a Mets fan has upped the ante and will take a home plate from Shea into space this October.”
Speaking of stadiums, to check out images of Citi Field, click here and here.
For those who still think the Mets should acquire an outfielder, know that, according to the Baltimore Sun, OF Aubrey Huff has cleared revocable ‘trade’ waivers, meaning he can be traded to any team at any time.
Huff is hitting .300 with 25 HR in 117 games for the Orioles this season.
Huff will earn $8 million next season, after which he is eligible to be a free agent.
Please answer the following question, while considering the team’s ownership, current management, talent, minor-league system, new stadium, network, etc.:
[poll id="160"]
In case you missed it, on Sunday, the Mets acquired 30–year-old RHP Luis Ayala from the Nationals in exchange for 2B Anderson Hernandez.
According to multiple reports, RHP Eddie Kunz will likely be sent back to the minor leagues when Ayala joins the Mets later today.
Kunz joined the Mets on Monday, August 3, and has since pitched in just four games, during which he let up four runs and five hits in 2.2 innings.
…i am trying real hard not to judge kunz, because he is essentially getting an introduction to the Heath Bell Treatment…hopefully, the next time he is called upon to join the team’s bullpen, he is actually used…in short, these guys are pitchers, and need to pitch…to let a kid like kunz, or bell, just sit around, while hoping he can shine when used just once every five or six days, is not fair…that’s not how he or any relief pitcher is conditioned to perform…
In Ayala’s first three seasons, he was 24-22 with a 2.75 ERA in 232 innings.
However, in 2006, he injured his right elbow during the World Baseball Classic and missed the entire season. He returned last year to post a 3.19 ERA in 42 innings.
This season, though, Ayala is 1-8 with a 5.77 ERA.
Ryan Church and Trot Nixon will continue their rehab assignment with Triple-A New Orleans, so to avoid Tropical Storm Fay in Port St. Lucie.
Meanwhile, according to Adam Rubin, in the 
Daily News, “Luis Castillo‘s 20-day minor-league rehab clock is set to run out midweek, meaning the Mets may be forced to activate the second baseman on Thursday unless a legitimate injury issue remains.”
Castillo is batting .077 in 11 games during his rehab assignment.
…the Mets are a better team with Damion Easley and Argenis Reyes playing second base, then they were in the start of the season with Castillo, which is not to say he is the reason they win and lose…it’s just, things are going well as is, and i’d hate to see them mess with a good thing…
…Jerry Manuel seemingly rewards people who perform, so it’s hard to imagine how this scenario will play out, though it will be an interesting test to see what the organization values: putting its best team on the field, or justifying a poor contract…
Tagged Ryan Church, Trot Nixon |
Yesterday, Jerry Manuel gave a day off to David Wright, despite an 11–game hitting streak, during which Wright is hitting .367.
Manuel told reporters that, while Wright will be back in today’s lineup, Jose Reyes will get the day off today.
Wright, speaking to reporters prior to yesterday’s game, said:
“Jerry knows what he’s doing. He’s got a plan and I’m sure that rest will help me have the kind of stretch run that I want to have to finish strong.”
The Mets have not had an off day since Monday, August 4, and will not have another day off until Thursday, August 28.
