Daily Archives: August 20, 2008
The Mets (70–57) defeated the Braves (56–71) by the score of 6 to 3 tonight in Shea Stadium.
For a recap, boxscore, stats, etc., go to SNY.tv.
I can’t believe I am actually writing this but Mike Pelfrey now leads the team with 12 wins following the first complete game of his career.
Big Pelf was solid and if 3 is your favorite number, take a look at his line: 3 hits, 3 runs, 3 walks and 3 strikeouts.
As far as the offense goes, what else can you say about Daniel Murphy who clearly meant business in the bottom of the 1st inning with a two out, two run single.
Later in the frame, the Mets tacked on three more runs with the help of a Chipper Jones throwing error, followed by a Pelfrey RBI single.
The Mets now have scored a MLB-leading 103 runs in the 1st inning and have scored first in 83 out of 127 games this season.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, David Wright took out a maple 9-iron and launched one over the fence for his 24th home run.
This was one of the more well-balanced games the Mets have played all season with outstanding pitching, timely hitting and solid defense – and it feels even better against the Braves!
And by the way, I finally get to write a “happy recap!”
Pedro Martinez (4-3, 4.96 ERA) and the Mets look to sweep the series tomorrow night when they welcome Mike Hampton (no, that is not a typo) back to New York, starting at 7pm.
The Game:
The first place Mets (69-57) continue their three game against the Braves (56-70) tonight at Shea Stadium, starting at 7:10 pm.
The Lineup:
- SS Jose Reyes
- 2B Argenis Reyes
- 3B David Wright
- 1B Carlos Delgado
- CF Carlos Beltran
- LF Daniel Murphy
- RF Fernando Tatis
- C Brian Schneider
- P Mike Pelfrey
The Pitchers:
RHP Mike Pelfrey (11-8, 3.91 ERA) starts for the Mets.
RHP Jair Jurrjens (11-8, 3.15 ERA) starts for the Braves.
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…
I didn’t see it, but, according to Ted Berg, Marlon Anderson is taking batting practice, and looks to still be slightly limping.
He is jogging well, though, for what it’s worth.
Also, I like that Omar Minaya, the executive, is wearing a full-blown, pinstriped suit during batting practice, while everyone else is in uniform.
Speaking of Minaya, he is scheduled to visit the booth and be on air during the third inning on SNY.
Mets manager Jerry Manuel recently made his weekly appearance on the WFAN.
In case you missed it, here is a quick recap of Manuel’s appearance:
- Manuel said Ryan Church may join the team this weekend if he continues to progress with his minor-league rehab.
- Luis Castillo will need to perform in order to play every day, as Manuel likes Damion Easley and Argenis Reyes at second base.
- He said he is concerned about Mike Pelfrey‘s innings pitched and will continue to watch him closely.
- Manuel stated there is no clear-cut choice for a closer and is hoping someone, like Aaron Heilman steps up and takes the roll.
- He is not considering moving a starting pitcher into the bullpen.
- Is expecting Carlos Beltran goes on one of his “big runs” down the stretch.
To listen to Manuel’s interview in it’s entirety, go to WFAN.com.
Tagged Mike Nichols, WFAN |
This is such a cool time of day, in the stadium.
The pitchers are out 
taking batting practice, dropping down bunts, hanging out around the cage, and in the case of Oliver Perez, slightly dancing to the music that is blaring from the stadium’s speakers.
It’s always interesting to watch these guys practice – not play, but practice – in the same way that it would be interesting to listen to Eric Clapton practice chords, or watch Ernest Hemingway work on his penmanship.
To me, the ability to hit a baseball is amazing – to these guys, it’s just what they do, even the pitchers.
By the way, Mike Pelfrey actually has a pretty good swing – and he seems proud of it.
Also, Perez just pulled a ball on to the warning track in right field, which is something you don’t see every day.
According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Mets have signed free-agent RHP Al Reyes.
The 38-year-old Reyes was the closer for the Rays last year, and had 26 saves.
Over 26 games this season, Reyes was 2-2 with a 4.37 ERA.
Tagged Regis Courtemanche |Mets 2B Luis Castillo continued his minor-league rehab assignment last night with the Mets Double-A Binghamton affiliate going 2-for-4 with an RBI while playing eight innings in the field.
Castillo is batting .250 in 12 at-bats during his four games with Binghamton.
As Metsblog noted on Monday, Castillo’s 20-day minor-league rehab clock expires today, meaning the Mets may be forced to active Castillo from the disabled list on Thursday.
This presents an interesting dilemma for a team that has seen Argenis Reyes and Damion Easley provide a consistent righty-lefty platoon at the plate and above average defense, while compiling a 28-14 record since Castillo was placed on the disabled list on July 3.
As Cerrone noted in the post above, Jerry Manuel has done a terrific job rewarding players who perform, but Manuel may be forced to play Castillo or risk the chance of having an unhappy, unproductive player in the clubhouse.
My hope is Manuel makes Castillo earn his starting job back through pinch hitting appearances and spot starts, as the two incumbents deserve the majority of the playing time unless Castillo proves otherwise.
The other dilemma the Mets face in activating Castillo is the corresponding roster move that needs to occur. Will the Mets finally relinquish their need to have a third catcher or will they demote the energetic Reyes? Let’s hope the former occurs.
I’ll be interested to see how this plays out as this, along with the bullpen, may effect how this team performs down the stretch.
Tagged Mike Nichols |
The Nationals called up RHP Marco Estrada from AAA. He’s shown great control in his minor league career, although that deteriorated somewhat this season. He takes Luis Ayala‘s spot.
Brett Myers fixed his biggest problem since returning to the Phillies rotation after the All-Star break. He’s allowed just two home runs in his last 32 2/3 innings after giving up 24 in his first 101 2/3 IP. The drop is good for a 2.48 ERA over those five starts.
With Mark Teixeira gone, Kelly Johnson is the Braves player with the most RBI against the Mets this season. He’s driven in 12 (same as Teixeira), collecting two doubles, a triple and two homers along the way. Chipper Jones, despite a .414 BA against the Mets, only drove in four runs.
Ricky Nolasco pitched the first complete game for the Marlins in 301 chances Tuesday night. It was also the first of his career and his first shutout.
For more real-time information, news, links and stats from around MLB, check out Baseball Musings.
To watch SNY.tv’s new web show, New York Baseball Today, which features a rotating panel of analysts and previews the night’s local baseball action, click play below:
You can email your questions to the show to baseball@sny.tv.
The following is my MetsBlog Minute, during which I talk about Jose Reyes, who isn’t immature, and who should be considered for the National League MVP:
