Daily Archives: May 12, 2009
The Mets defeated the Braves by the score of 4 to 3 tonight.
For a full recap and boxscore, go to SNY.TV.
The Basics:
- Mike Pelfrey allowed two runs in seven innings pitched, while J.J. Putz and Francisco Rodriguez pitched three innings in relief.
- Jose Reyes hit a two-run double in the eighth inning, Carlos Beltran stole third in the ninth and scored the tying run on a sac-fly from Luis Castillo.
- Beltran drew a bases loaded, walk-off walk on a pitch way out of the zone in the bottom of the 10th to win the game.
Other Observations:
- Pelfrey had his best stuff of the season, no doubt. Most important, he had lots of movement on his fastball, which he kept down, while working in his secondary pitches. He was a complete pitcher tonight, and it showed.
- Omir Santos has a quick release when trying to throw out runners who are attempting to steal.
- Both the Mets and the opposition seem to have a very difficult time judging pop ups around sunset.
- David Wright hit a triple, and he can thank the chain-link fence in right field. It’s crazy out there. By the way, Wright popped out late in the game with the tying run on second, and it looked so pissed at himself.
- Beltran stole third base in the ninth, and Chipper Jones was not happy about it – calling out the umpire from his locker while talking to reporters following the game.
- Reyes was thrown out at third trying to turn his two-run, eighth-inning double in to a triple. The play was in front of him, and he should know better, especially down one run and the middle of the order due up, but he was looking triple the entire way and was clearly giddy and locked in. It happens. I have a hard time getting on a player for being aggressive. He’s usually smarter than that, though.
- Again, being aggressive, with two outs, Reyes stole second base in the 10th inning, and nearly slide over the bag.
- The Mets would not have won this game three weeks ago, especially coming off such a tough loss last night. So, hopefully they are starting to believe in themselves, and will begin to make it a habit.
The Game Ball:
- Tonight’s Game Ball goes to Beltran, who is amazing.
- He totally took over the game. He hit a leadoff double down the left field line, in an 0–2 count. He hen stole third base, pounding his fist in to the ground in pride before getting up from the slide. He scored the tying run on a sac-fly a few pitches later.
- Then, in the 10th inning, he worked the count and walked to plate the winning run. Funny, he even looked a bit embarrassed, though smiling, while being congratulated on field at first base by his teammates.
- Beltran also made a nice play, running down a deep fly-ball.
The Mets conclude their three-game series with the Braves tomorrow in Citi Field at 1:10 pm, with Jon Niese on the mound.
Tonight’s Game:
The first place Mets (17-14, 11-7 Home) continue their three-game series versus the Braves (16-16, 11-7 Road) tonight at Citi Field, starting at 7:10 p.m. EDT.
On the Mound:
- RHP Mike Pelfrey (4-0, 5.46 ERA) will start for the Mets. In his last start on May 7 versus the Phillies, Pelfrey earned the win, allowing three runs on eight hits and a walk over 7.0 IP. Pelfrey has a 2.11-to-1 ground ball-to-fly ball ratio, which is third best in the National League. He is 2-3 with a 5.54 ERA in seven career games versus the Braves.
- RHP Jair Jurrjens (3-2, 2.01 ERA) will pitch for the Braves. Jurrjens earned a win in his last start on May 7 versus the Marlins, allowing three runs on seven hits and two walks, while striking out four over 7.0 IP. He is 2-1 with a 4.00 ERA in three career starts versus the Mets.
At the Plate:
- Jose Reyes, SS
- Alex Cora, 2B
- Daniel Murphy, LF
- Carlos Beltran, CF
- David Wright, 3B
- Fernando Tatis, 1B
- Jeremy Reed, RF
- Omir Santos, C
- Mike Pelfrey, P
Stats:
- The Mets are 6-6 in one-run games this season.
- Jose Reyes is batting .381 with 1 HR, 3 RBI and 3 SB in his last five games. He is 2-for-9 (.222) in his career versus Jurrjens.
- The Mets have outscored their opponent 27-to-7 in the first inning at Citi Field this season.
- Brian McCann is 6-for-16 (.375) since returning from the disabled list. He is batting .353 with 4 2B in 17 career at-bats versus Pelfrey.
- The Braves have scored 81 of their 141 runs this season with two outs.
Tonight’s Broadcast:
- Tonight’s game will be broadcast locally on SNY and heard on WFAN.
Enjoy, and as always, Let’s Go Mets!
Jerry Manuel talked with reporters before tonight’s game, and had the following to say when asked about the state of the team:
“For me, I don’t look at the standing as much now. I am still trying to get my team to where everyone accepts what’s expected of them. I’m not into leading in May. I’m into getting in position to where there’s an expectation of a level of play. That’s kind of my thing.”
I feel the same way. I’m far more concerned with how the team is playing, right now, and how the rest of the division is playing, right now, and most importantly, where this team ends up on the final day of the season.
The truth is, the Mets had a big winning streak last season, and no team has been in first place over the last three years than the Mets. However, on the final day of each of the last two seasons, the Phillies were in first. So, the goal today is less about first place, and most about how the team is playing and working towards finishing in first place.
To hear more from Manuel, be sure to watch SNY’s Pre Game Live at 6:30 pm, during which Kevin Burkhardt will have an exclusive interview with Braves 3B Chipper Jones.
Jerry Manuel just finished his weekly interview with WFAN’s Mike Francesa, which you can listen to at WFAN.com.
During the interview, Manuel said the team will evaluate Carlos Delgado again when they get to San Francisco, ‘to give the medication some time to work,’ and on Friday they will determine if he needs to be put on the disabled list. However, he did say he is not encouraged.
Either way, Delgado will not play today or tomorrow.
In short, if Delgado goes on the disabled list, 
Manuel explained, he will likely use Murphy at first base, with Ryan Church and Gary Sheffield in the outfield.
Manuel believes Murphy is a better defensive first baseman than he is a left fielder.
Lastly, regarding last night’s pitching change, he said he was not sure Bobby Cox would leave Matt Diaz in the game to face Brian Stokes, so he left Pedro Feliciano in to pitch – basically, he preferred Feliciano face Diaz, then Stokes take on Garret Anderson, who Cox had ready to be a pinch hitter.
Again, to listen to Manuel’s entire interview, during which he also talks about Omir Santos, why he pulled Johan Santana from last night’s game, the health of his bullpen, Sean Green, and the state of his rotation, go to WFAN.com.
Daniel Murphy will hit third tonight and start in left field, while Fernando Tatis will again start at first base for the injured Carlos Delgado.
The rest of the lineup will be as follows:
- Jose Reyes, SS
- Alex Cora, 2B
- Daniel Murphy, OF
- Carlos Beltran, OF
- David Wright, 3B
- Fernando Tatis, 1B
- Jeremy Reed, OF
- Omir Santos, C
- Mike Pelfrey, SP
By the way, despite having a 5.46 ERA, the Mets are 4–1 in the five games started by Pelfrey this season, during which they average seven runs per game.
Tagged News |
23–year-old 1B Nick Evans is batting just .093 with a .218 OBP in 75 at bats for Triple-A Buffalo this season.
Last season, Evans hit .311 in Double-A, and .257 in 109 at bats for the Mets.
Last night, in a post to his blog for the Daily News, Adam Rubin said to look for Evans to be demoted to Double-A Binghamton.
Bart Hubbuch writes to his blog for the New York Post, “It’s gotten so bad that I’ve even heard rumblings Evans could be shipped all the way to Single-A or extended spring training in Florida to work out his problems.”
…man, poor evans… what is that all about… i have to think he’s being jerked around a bit down there, considering the team has Michel Abreu, Jesus Feliciano and Wily Mo Pena all playing first base as well… but still, yikes…
Tagged Nick Evans |
Braves 3B Chipper Jones talked with reporters prior to yesterday’s game between the Mets and Braves.
Brian Costa posts the entire Q&A on his blog for the Star-Ledger, and quoted Jones as saying:
“I’ve enjoyed my time coming to New York. I walk down the street in New York and people are just nice… There’s a part of me that will not forget some of the things I said when I was a brash young kid. And that’s okay. But coming to New York, I always liked playing on the biggest stage in baseball. The Mets have been the closest thing to a rivalry I’ve had.”
…i’ve said this before, i have grown to appreciate and respect chipper… i mean, i still hope he strikes out every at bat when he’s facing the Mets… but, over the years, i find i appreciate how much he enjoys the rivalry with us, the fans… he makes it fun… of course, it would have been more fun had the Mets defeated just one of those late 90’s teams from Atlanta, but it is what it is… i’m not bitter… well, maybe a little…
MetsBlog reader Adrian sent in the following photographs of the final home plate, first, second and third base from Shea Stadium, which have been embedded in the same spot in the Citi Field parking lot where they rested in the old stadium:
…i played baseball for a few years and have been watching it my entire life and have never once heard it called a pitcher’s plate…
To see home plate, read this post from yesterday.
Tagged Shea Stadium |
There was only one other National League East team in action last night outside of New York. 
Travis Ishikawa had 3 hits 2 RBI, and Randy Winn added 3 hits of his own and scored 3 times to lead the San Francisco Giants to an 11-7 win over the Washington Nationals.
Randy Johnson picked up career victory #298 while Washington’s Ryan Zimmerman extended his hitting streak to 29 games. Zim went 4-for-5 with 2 home runs and 4 RBI in defeat.
Nationals starter Daniel Cabrera was hit pretty hard, giving up 8 runs on 8 hits and 6 walks in just 4 2/3 innings.
Tonight, the Giants and Nationals face off in game 2 of their series while Philadelphia opens up a 3 game set at home against the Dodgers, and the Marlins are in Milwaukee to take on the Brewers.
In other news…The Lastings Milledge saga continues. On Monday, the young outfielder suffered a broken finger while attempting to bunt in a game for the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs.
Milledge will see a specialist on Tuesday, but he is out indefinitely.
For more news, notes, analysis and statistics from around Major League Baseball, be sure to visit Baseball Daily Digest.
Tagged MetsBlog, News |
Johan Santana allowed zero earned runs in a loss to the Braves last night, while striking out six batters in 6.1 innings pitched.
Last night is the second time this season Santana has lost the game while not allowing a single earned run.
In his two losses, Santana did not allow an earned run and struck out 19 batters in 13 innings pitched.
The Mets are 4–3 in his seven starts.
“He’s facing aces,” David Wright said following the game, according to the Daily News, when asked why he and his teammates score so few runs when Santana is on the mound. “He’s going against some pretty good pitchers, too. Just off the top of my head, it’s Josh Johnson twice, it’s Gallardo, it’s Derek Lowe, Chan Ho when he threw a great game, so it’s a combination of both being unlucky and going up against some pretty good pitchers.”
Santana talked with reporters from his locker after the game, and had the following to say about…
Whether he asked Jerry Manuel if he could stay in the game:
“After the sixth inning, Dan asked me how I felt and I told him I felt good. I guess when Jerry came out, the decision was made. He didn’t ask me how I feel or anything, he just called to the bullpen and my night was over. He’s the manager, and in the past he’s been able to make decisions that work out for us and unfortunately that wasn’t the case tonight.”
If he is frustrated the team is not winning more when he pitches, despite having a league-leading 0.78 ERA and 60 strike outs:
“Are we in first place? Yeah? So, then it’s good. You know, I know you guys are always trying to find the negative stuff in every start and every game… If we continue to win in games when I’m not pitching I’ll take that, because as a team you’re trying to win every game… but winning seven out of our last eight games is pretty good.”
According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Santana and Ted Lilly are the only pitchers in baseball this season to lose in which he wasn’t charged with an earned run.
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