Daily Archives: September 2, 2008
The Mets (78–61) defeated the Brewers (80–58) by the score of 6 to 5 in 10 innings tonight.
For a recap, boxscore, stats, etc., go to SNY.tv.
Jon Niese let up a lead-off home run to start the game. He labored through much of the next few innings, looking like he was aiming the ball, during which he let five runs to score, while squandering an early 5–1 Mets lead. It was not the rock-star debut some people were hoping for. Fear not, though, the talent is clearly there.
The Mets used six pitchers in relief of Niese, none of which were charged with a run, including Brian Stokes who pitched two scoreless innings and continues to look strong.
Actually, my cell phone rang in the ninth inning. I thought it might be Jerry Manuel asking me to warm up, but it wasn’t.
Nick Evans made two more awkward catches in left field, one of which even he looked surprised to find in his glove.
David Wright made two sensational picks in the field, though he continues to look totally unsure of himself at the plate. He is batting .114 in his last seven games.
Carlos Beltran hit a three-run home run from the right-side of the plate, and is now batting .277 with 96 RBI.
In the 10th, with the game tied, Daniel Murphy led off the inning with a single up the middle, which was followed by a bunt from Jose Reyes, which, thanks to a throwing error, ended up pushing Murphy to third. Murphy later scored the go-ahead run on a sac-fly from Endy Chavez, who has 12 RBI on the season.
By the way, Manuel let Evans hit earlier in the game, in a spot that would have been perfect for Murphy, who was then able to pinch hit later in the game.
Luis Ayala, who did not look healthy on the mound, picked up his fifth save, as he is seemingly the team’s ‘closer.’
Ayala gave up a pinch-hit double with two outs in the ninth, which, for a moment, looked like it might end up a home run. Thankfully, it died on the line. Rickie Weeks ripped a ball down towards third base, but it slipped foul just inches before the bag – had it been fair, since Wright was not playing the line, it would have scored the tying run. Ayala, clearly in pain, then struck out Weeks to end the game.
The Mets conclude their three-game series with the Brewers tomorrow afternoon in Milwaukee, starting at 2 pm, with Oliver Perez (9-7, 3.90 ERA) taking on Dave Bush (9-9, 4.12 ERA).
The Game:
The first place Mets (77-61) continue their three-game series against the Wild Card leading Brewers (80-57) today at Miller Park in Milwaukee, starting at 8:05 pm.
The Lineup:
- SS Jose Reyes
- LF Nick Evans
- 3B David Wright
- CF Carlos Beltran
- 1B Carlos Delgado
- RF Fernando Tatis
- 2B Damion Easley
- C Robinson Cancel
- P Jon Niese
The Pitchers:
LHP Jon Niese (0-0, -.– ERA) make his Major League debut for the Mets. In 28 combined starts for Double-A Binghamton and Triple-A New Orleans, Niese was 11-8 with a 3.13 ERA. He has allowed only one homerun in 126 at-bats versus left-handed batters this season.
LHP Manny Parra (10-6, 4.00 ERA) starts for the Brewers. In his only career start versus the Mets on April 11, Parra took the loss allowing three runs on six hits and a walk, while striking out four. He is 6-2 with a 3.36 ERA in 15 home games, 14 starts, this season.
The Notes:
The Mets starters are 10-1 with a 3.03 ERA in their last 18 games.
Nick Evans is batting .317 (20-for-63) in his last 24 games. He is batting .351 in 57 at-bats versus left-handed pitchers this season.
Damion Easley is 6-for-14 (.429) with 1 HR, 1 3B and 2 RBI during the Mets current road trip.
The Brewers are 31-14 versus left-handed starters lead the National League with a .821 OPS against southpaws this season.
Prince Fielder is batting .188 (3-for-16) with 1 RBI versus the Mets this season. In 174 at-bats versus left-handed pitching this season, Fielder is batting .224 with 9 HR and 31 RBI.
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 |Carlos Beltran will be in tonight’s lineup, batting fourth.
Beltran, who tested his knee in a workout earlier today, told reporters he is ‘not 100 percent,’ but can tolerate the pain.
Although he didn’t do it this time, I love that Beltran puts a specific percentage on his health.
I’ll put the over-under at 83 percent.
Tagged Mike Nichols |
To watch Friday’s edition of 
New York Baseball Today, in which Alex Belth of Bronx Banter, Pete McCarthy of MLB.com and SNY’s Brian Custer discuss the return of Joba Chamberlain and whether Carlos Delgado is an MVP, click play below:
To submit a question for tomorrow’s New York Baseball Today, send an e-mail to baseball@sny.tv.
21–year-old Jon Niese will be tonight’s starting pitcher for the Mets.
Niese is wearing No. 49, the same number worn by Philip Humber during his start in September last season. Unfortunately, when I see 49, I think Armando Benitez. Hopefully, Niese will erase that image from my memory.
For other No. 49s, check out Mets by the Numbers.
Actually, I have pretty high hopes for Niese tonight.
Being that he’s left-handed, with such a strong curve ball, if he can remain poised, I expect him to be in control through much of the evening.
Lou Marson may be the most interesting call-up for the Phillies this month. His batting average and OBA climbed steadily as he rose through the minors. Jim Salisbury reports that Lou passed Jason Jaramillo as the Phillies top catching prospect.
The Nationals won’t bring up Jordan Zimmermann in September. In 187 minor league innings he’s struck out 205 and allowed just 12 home runs.
Dallas McPherson was once a top prospect for the Angels. He missed all of 2007 due to back surgery, but hit 42 home runs at AAA for the Marlins. He’s now on the big league team to show what he can do in September. He didn’t hit much in the majors, but his career isolated power of .214 means he does bang out a lot of extra-base hits.
Casey Kotchman returned to the Braves after his mother’s condition stabilized. My wishes for a continued recovery go out to Casey and his mother.
For more real-time information, news, links and stats from around MLB, check out Baseball Musings.
Mets OF Daniel Murphy, RHP Jason Vargas, RHP Tobi Stoner, C Josh Thole and 3B Shawn Bowman will play during this year’s Arizona Fall League, according to Baseball America.
In addition, it appears two yet-to-be-named pitchers from the Mets organization will also be included on the AFL roster.
…based on the rest of the roster, it appears that murphy will be the team’s second baseman, which is exciting…
By the way, for more on the team’s minor-league system, be sure to check out Mets Minor League Blog by Toby Hyde.
Highly touted outfield prospect Fernando Martinez will play winter ball in the Dominican Republic starting in October.
In an injury shortened season for double-A Binghamton, Martinez batted .287 with eight home runs and 43 RBI in 352 at bats.
We have received many e-mails asking why Martinez wasn’t called up on September 1st. For a couple of reasons, I am glad that he wasn’t.
If you haven’t noticed, the Mets have a surplus of outfielders right now since the return of Ryan Church. Daniel Murphy, Nick Evans, and Fernando Tatis have all been playing well, and defensive replacement Endy Chavez can flash the leather.
Second, because of this surplus, it would be more beneficial for Martinez to focus on improving his game over riding the pine in Queens. He was the one untouchable prospect that the Mets wouldn’t deal, so I agree with the idea of continuing his development so he can contribute on a full-time basis down the road.
Tagged Regis Courtemanche |
In an article for the Philadelphia Daily News, David Murphy notes that the Phillies could change their current pitching rotation to ensure that their ace Cole Hamels faces the Mets on Sunday.
Phillies pitching Coach Rich Dubee, as quoted by Murphy:
“We’ll think about it. It’s going to depend on how he does [tonight]. If he throws nine shutout innings and he’s feeling pretty good we’ll look at it. Again, we’ve got 5 days. We’ll see where he’s at and where we’re at.”
…it’s good to see that i’m not the only one who’s scoreboard watching…needless to say however, this weekend’s series is pretty huge for both teams…every game matters…
…and make sure to read the article, as there is a flowery picture of adam eaton…
Also, according to their Facebook group, a large contingent of Phillies fans are trying to “take over Shea Stadium” this Saturday. Good luck with all of that.
Tagged Phillies, Regis Courtemanche |
Mets Walk-Offs provides a listing of a surprising number of left-handed starters who have made their Major League debut for the Mets.
Over at Always Amazin’, Matthew Artis says this September will be different for the Mets because after last September, we’ve already seen the worst they can do.
Metstradamus looks at the continuing comparision of Daniel Murphy and Wade Boggs, and he believes Murphy needs to continue his ‘Boggsian’ effort if the Mets will be without Carlos Beltran for awhile.
…from the beginning when people were trying to find a comparison for Murphy’s batting stance, my first thought was boggs…i even mentioned this to MetsBlog’s own Regis Courtemanche at a recent game…glad to know others see it as well…
Meanwhile, over at the New York Post, Bart Hubbuch takes a look at Nelson Figueroa‘s return.
Tagged Mike Nichols, Nelson Figueroa | ← Older posts
