Daily Archives: September 22, 2008
The Mets (86–70) lost to the Cubs (95-60) by the score of 9 to 5 at Shea tonight.
For a recap, boxscore, and stats, click here.
Jason Marquis had 5 RBI, ’nuff said.
In the second, Carlos Delgado scored on a wild pitch by Marquis. Then, in the third, Daniel “D-Rex” Murphy drove in Jose Reyes on a well hit ball to left to make it 2-1, but that was the last time the Mets had the lead.
Jon Niese lasted just 3 innings. He had a hard time locating his pitches tonight, and unfortunately the Cubs did not. In the fourth, Reed Johnson, who looks like a skinny version of Paul LoDuca, had his second RBI off of the youngster. Later, Jason Marquis…the pitcher…hit a grand slam to send Niese to the bench. Derrek Lee also hit a solo shot off of Nelson Figueroa in the frame.
Gary Cohen pointed out that the Mets haven’t come back to win a game after trailing by three runs yet this season. Wow.
David Wright hit a two-run homer into the visitors bullpen in the seventh, and that was all for Marquis. The Mets had a chance to tack on, but Ryan Church popped out to short to end the threat.
Really not much else to say other than sleep it off, get out there tomorrow, and win.
Johan Santana (14-7) faces off against Sean Marshall (3-4) tomorrow at 7:10 p.m.
Tagged Regis Courtemanche |
The Game:
The Mets (86-69) begin a four-game series against the National League Central champion Cubs (94-60) tonight at Shea Stadium, 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 Luis Castillo
- C Brian Schneider
- P Jon Niese
The Pitchers:
LHP Jon Niese (1-0, 4.09 ERA) starts for the Mets. In his last start versus on September 13 versus the Braves, Neise pitched eight shutout innings, allowing six hits and two walks, whiles striking out seven, earning his first career victory. This is Niese’s first career start versus the Cubs.
RHP Jason Marquis (10-9, 4.38 ERA) starts for the Cubs. In 20 careers games, 13 starts, Marquis is 5-5 with a 4.45 ERA. His last start versus the Mets came on August 5, 2007, earning a loss, allowing five runs on nine hits over 5.1 IP. Marquis is 6-3 with a 3.05 in 12 road starts 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!
Prior to today’s game, Jerry Manuel had the following to say to reporters when asked about using his starting pitchers on short rest over the weekend:
“We have to be able to accomplish this with the people we have, and the rotation we have in place – at this point. So, I wouldn’t feel comfortable in asking those guys to do that at this point. Now, I might put them in the bullpen, I might do something like that. I’d do that as a last resort.”
Seriously, what do you expect him to say, when the start in question on Saturday would be Niese’s, and Niese is about to take the ball tonight? This is an understadable answer, though, in crunch time, I suspect it may be a different scenario.
Tonight the Mets will begin their final homestand of the regular season, with four games against the National League Central champion Cubs, followed by three games against the Marlins.
David Wright, speaking to reporters following yesterday’s loss to the Braves, said:
“We’re still in control of getting into the playoffs the last seven games, and that’s what you ask for…We’re going to see what we’re made of.”
Wright is, well, right. The Mets do control their own destiny, as far as the winning the Wild Card is concerned. Even if the Mets go 4-3 over their next seven games, the Brewers would need to win five over their last six to tie the Mets and force a one-game playoff.
Of course, last season the Mets controlled their own destiny as well, and promptly orchestrated the greatest collapse in baseball history, but I firmly believe this is a different team.
The tougher task lies in the Mets chances of winning the National League East. In order for the Mets to win the division, they must play two games better than the Phillies.
The Phillies play their final six games at home versus the Braves and Nationals, which the Phillies are a combined 22-8 against this season.
With that said, I still believe in this team, and you should too. Yes, the bullpen is horrific and the offense is spotty late in games, but this is no time to abandon this team or be negative.
We are Mets fans, dammit! We’re not front runners. We’re a collection of hopeful believers that loves our team until the very end, regardless of how joyful or brutal the outcome.
This team needs our support and we should all give it, with no strings attached.
If you will be at the games this week, I urge you to refrain from booing and cheer this time with everything you have. You don’t need to bring anything more than your loud voice and your heart.
As the late great Tug McGraw told Mets fans in 1973, ‘Ya Gotta Believe!’
Tagged Mike Nichols |
John Maine threw a 25–pitch simulated inning at Shea Stadium today, and told reporters afterwards that he is at ‘90 percent,’ and ready to be activated.
Jerry Manuel later told reporters that he could turn to Maine for help in the bullpen towards the end of this week.
Maine, speaking to reporters prior to today’s game, said:
“I think I know I’m not going to start the rest of the season. So, if I can help in the bullpen, I want to do that. I hate sitting on the bench not being able to do anything. It’s fine when you come out to see your teammates, but once the first pitch is thrown you don’t really feel like part of the anything. I just want to be activated.”
To hear from Maine, and to see Kevin Burkhardt’s one-on-one interview with Manuel, tune in to SNY’s Pre Game Show, which begins tonight at 6:30 pm.
Jayson Stark at ESPN.com relays a statistic from famed sabermetrician Bill James regarding the Mets’ bullpen woes.
Stark writes:
“If all games ended after six innings, those NL East standings would look a whole lot different. If games were six innings, the Mets would be leading this division by 11½ games.”
“Thanks to the best closer in baseball this year, Brad Lidge, the Phillies are 75-0 when they lead after eight innings.”
Stark goes on to note that if all games were just eight innings long, the Mets lead in the East would be 6.5 games.
…as depressing as this whole situation has been, it’s interesting to see just how different things may have been if the bullpen had performed better…
…if this doesn’t show omar and co. what the team’s greatest area of attention is right now, nothing will…
Tagged Regis Courtemanche, Stats |
My regularly-scheduled guest appearance on The Natural with Greg Marotta on WVNJ 1160 AM will be today at 4:20 pm.
To listen live, tune in to 1160 AM, or click here.
To watch today’s edition of 
‘s New York Baseball Today, during which Ted Berg and I talk Robert Parnell, and Willie Randolph’s future in coaching, click play below:
To send in a question for tomorrow’s New York Baseball Today, email it to baseball@sny.tv.
Tagged SNY |In a report for the Village Voice, Rob Trucks talks with a 
collection of former Mets and Yankees about the demolition of Yankee Stadium and Shea Stadium.
When asked what item he would like to take from Shea, Wally Whitehurst said, “Probably the apple in center field,” while Ron Swoboda said, “I’d like to have a set of seats.”
…if any one is keeping score, i want a small section of the railing around the seats, and a piece – if not all – of the 1986 World Championship Pennant – not that i have any chance of getting my hands on either…
…thanks to Jeremy K for the link…
By the way, Wally Whitehurst? Really?
…added to by Ted Berg…
Just figured I’d jump in here and point out that I sponsor Wally Whitehurst’s baseball-reference page.
Tagged Shea Stadium |
The Cubs have clinched the NL Central, and will begin a four-game series tonight against the Mets in Shea Stadium.
The team’s manager, Lou Pinella, recently said he will rest his every-day players at various times during the final week of the season, reports Tony Ginnetti in the Chicago Sun-Times.
…while we’re at it, lou, would you mind if the Mets borrowed a relief pitcher…
According to the report, “The lineup will look different tonight.”
…thanks to PittsburghMet for the link…
← Older posts
