Daily Archives: September 18, 2008
The Mets (85–67) defeated the Nationals (58–95) by the score of 7 to 2 in Washington, D.C., tonight.
For a recap, boxscore and stats from tonight’s game, click here.
Lastings Milledge misjudged a hit by Daniel Murphy in the first inning, which allowed Jose Reyes to score the game’s first run. Actually, Milledge barely hustled after the ball, as it rolled to the warning track behind him. Now, I’m not saying Milledge intentionally laid up on the ball, but, man, it certainly looked like it. If so, thanks L’Millz.
The Mets are 31–9 when Reyes scores in the first inning.
Brian Schneider hit two home runs. Two. He also threw out a runner trying to steal second.
In the third, a poor read by Elijah Dukes turned in to a two-out RBI double off the center-field wall from Carlos Beltran, which was followed by a two-out RBI from Ryan Church. I dig the pedal-to-the-metal offense. I hope this continues.
Ryan Zimmerman robbed David Wright of two hits with two sensational defensive plays – and, for some reason, I’m pretty sure I wrote those exact words before. Or, it’s just deja-vu.
It has to be said, Wright looks awful at the plate. I mean, just down-right lost. He has a huge, ugly upper cut going, and, as Keith Hernandez put it, ‘he is flailing at pitches.’ I have no idea what the problem is, but hopefully a change of scenery and a new set of pitchers will help.
Johan Santana, who had a single, a double, and who scored a run, looked outstanding on the mound through most of the game, letting up just one run, while walking two and striking out eight, despite giving up eight hits.
By the way, Santana has not lost a game in the second half, during which the Mets are 9–3. His second-half ERA is 2.39.
I was not comfortable seeing the bullpen inherit just a six-run lead, and though Joe Smith allowed a run in one inning of work, Scott Schoeneweis and Pedro Feliciano looked strong to protect the win.
The Brewers lost tonight, meaning the Mets now lead the Wild Card by two losses. However, the Phillies won their seventh game in a row, and continue to lead the NL East by one win, though the Mets and Phillies remain tied in the loss column.
The Mets begin a three-game series with the Braves in Atlanta tomorrow night, starting at 7 pm, with Oliver Perez (10-7, 4.09 ERA) taking on Jo Jo Reyes (3-11, 5.50 ERA), while the Phillies head to Miami to take on the Marlins.
Al Reyes, who never threw a single pitch, was released by the Mets prior to tonight’s game.
Reyes was 2-2 with a 4.37 ERA in 26 games with the Rays this season.
It was clear that Jerry Manuel wasn’t planning on using Reyes, so this is the best thing for everyone. I guess the three Reyes’s won’t be able to play at the same time, which would probably have been some type of record.
The team also let Gustavo Molina go back to Venezuela so he could prepare for winter ball.
Tagged Regis Courtemanche |
The Game:
The Mets (84-67) conclude their four-game series against the Nationals (58-94) tonight at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., starting at 7:10 pm.
The Lineup:
- SS Jose Reyes
- LF Daniel Murphy
- 3B David Wright
- 1B Carlos Delgado
- CF Carlos Beltran
- RF Ryan Church
- 2B Argenis Reyes
- C Brian Schneider
- P Johan Santana
The Pitchers:
LHP Johan Santana (13-7, 2.70 ERA) starts for the Mets. He is 2-0 with a 3.21 ERA in two starts versus the Nationals this season. Santana has allowed three runs or less in his last 12 starts. Santana is 6-4 with a 3.11 ERA on the road this season.
RHP Tim Redding (10-9, 4.54 ERA) starts for the Nationals. In six of his eight career starts versus the Mets, Redding has allowed two runs or less. Redding earned a win in his last start versus the Mets on May 14, allowing one run on two hits while walking two and striking out four over 6.0 IP.He is 6-5 with a 4.85 ERA in 16 home starts this season.
The Notes:
The Mets are 65-30 when they score first this season.
Carlos Beltran has scored 23 runs, hit 9 HR and driven in 23 runs over his last 21 games. He is 4-for-8 with 1 HR and 3 RBI in his career versus Redding.
Cristian Guzman is batting .600 (6-for-10) in his career versus Santana. He leads the team with .327 average with runners in scoring position.
The Nationals are 21-27 in series finales this season.
How To Catch It:
Tonight’s game can be seen 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…YA GOTTA BELIEVE!
In a post to his blog for the Daily News, Adam Rubin gives details on John Maine, who threw 10 pitches from a mound today DC.
According to Rubin, ‘Maine said it’s realistic to pitch in relief next week, after he faces batters in a simulated setting.’
Awesome. That’s all I have to say. I have this image of Maine, trotting out from the bullpen in a big spot, Willis Reed style. Super-Maine, so to speak. Good luck, John.
In case you are curious, the Mets have started to send e-mails to a select group of registered fans letting them know when and how to begin purchasing potential playoff tickets.
No, I am not one of them.
If you are, though, good luck.
Hanley Ramirez injured his shoulder Wednesday night diving for a grounder. He doesn’t think he’ll miss a game, but because this was the shoulder that underwent surgery in the past, the Marlins will be careful.
Phillies Nation speculates on what the Philadelphia rotation will look like in 2009 and notes the team sports plenty of starter-ready talent. While his walks are on the high side, Happ allows few hits and few extra-base hits.
The Braves hold a 2-12 record against the Phillies. They’ve been outscored 89-62, nearly two runs a game. Atlanta has yet to defeat Philadelphia at home.
The Nationals shut down four players for the rest of the season. They feel there’s no reason to try to rush them back for the remainder of the season and risk from injury.
For more real-time information, news, links and stats from around MLB, check out Baseball Musings.
To watch today’s episode of SNY.tv’s New York Baseball Today, featuring Cerrone on the phone with John Delcos of the NY Mets Report, click play below:
As always, e-mail your questions for the show to baseball@sny.tv.
In his return to the starting lineup last night, Daniel Murphy had two hits, including a triple, one RBI and a run scored.
I mean no disrespect to Fernando Tatis, but, his absence will allow Murphy to start in left and bat second against a right-handed pitcher.
Murphy is a fundamentally-sound, patient, smart hitter who works well when hitting between Jose Reyes and David Wright. In some situations, I prefer Tatis batting sixth, but, given the way the offense had been operating prior to last night, Murphy’s discipline is helpful.
By the way, for what it’s worth, the Mets are 16–7 when Murphy is in the starting lineup.
…thanks to Bo, Bo, Bo, Bo H for the information…
Prior to yesterday’s game, Jerry Manuel told reporters that Damion Easley is still at least a week away from being able to, at minimum, serve as a pinch hitter.
Easley said he still feels pain in his quad when he walks, sits and gets up from sitting.
“Until I can get past that stage,” Easley told the New York Post, “It’s useless me trying to do anything.”
I believe the Mets can win the NL East. This is not to say that they are guaranteed to win, just because you and I believe – that, of course, is up to the team on the field.
However, I do believe the Mets have the talent and ability to outplay and outlast the Phillies for the division crown.
The question is: Will that talent be realized, rise to the challenge and succeed.
Yesterday, I wrote how I hope to see this team walk calmly, clear eyed and smart towards the pressure in this pennant race, and not cower and hide like they have done during season’s past.
If the Mets give 100 percent, rise to the challenge, play their best and fail, I will be disappointed, but I’ll also be proud of their effort.
Hopefully, last night was the start of such an effort, which I believe can push this team to October.
← Older posts
