Daily Archives: May 23, 2009
Update, 11:09 pm:
Adam Rubin of the Daily News reports Francisco Rodriguez has been taken to a local Boston hospital for further evaluation.
For further information and quotes from Rodriguez and Jerry Manuel, check out Rubin’s blog.
Original Post:
According to his Twitter feed, Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post reports, Francisco Rodriguez collapsed outside the visitors clubhouse at Fenway Park due to back spasms and EMTs have been called to assist.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Jerry Manuel said Rodriguez was unavailable for tonight’s game after experiencing debilitating back spasms during batting practice.
Tagged Mike Nichols, News |The Mets defeated the Red Sox by the score of 3-to-2, tonight in Fenway Park.
For a complete recap, boxscore, stats, click here.
The Least You Should Know:
Wow! Omir Santos hit the game-winning two-run homerun off Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon with two out in the top of the ninth inning. Initially the hit was ruled a double, but later overturned once the umpires took a look at the replay.- Mike Pelfrey was outstanding tonight. After a shaky first inning, Pelfrey settled own and held the Red Sox scoreless over his final six innings of work, while striking out a season-high six batters. Big Pelf came up big tonight!
- J.J. Putz – NOT Frankie Rodriguez, who was unavailable due to back spasms – got the save tonight.
- Ramon Martinez redeemed himself in the field tonight, playing stellar defense. Even ending the game with a spectacular diving play to rob Mike Lowell of a base hit.
- This game was a close to October baseball as you’ll get in May.
Other Observations from the Game:
- After the Mets had perhaps their worst inning of play in franchise history earlier in the week, the Mets had their best inning of the season tonight.
- As bad as David Ortiz looks at the plate, I’m not even sure he warrants a lefty specialist to get him out.
- David Wright is terrific with the glove, but his throwing is atrocious.
- Still amazed at how many Mets fans managed to infiltrate Fenway Park this weekend.
- I’m still not sure what Terry Francona was arguing after the umpires overturned the Santos double.
- Just so you know, Mundeep is the star of the new SNY commercials.
Game Ball:
- Tonight’s Game Ball is split between Mike Pelfrey and Omir Santos.
The Mets and Red Sox look to sweep their three-game series tomorrow afternoon with Tim Redding facing Tim Wakefield, starting at 1:35 pm EDT.
Tonight’s Game:
The Mets (22-19, 10-11 Road) continue their three-game series versus the Red Sox (25-17, 16-5 Home) tonight at Fenway Park in Boston, starting at 7:10 p.m. EDT.
On The Mound:
- RHP Mike Pelfrey (4-1, 4.61 ERA) starts for the Mets. Pelfrey took the loss in his last start on May 17 versus the Giants, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks over 6.0 IP. Pelfrey also balked three times in his start and his since seen a sport psychologist. Pelfrey has more walks (17) than strikeouts (11) this season. This is his first career start versus the Red Sox.
- RHP Josh Beckett (4-2, 5.85 ERA) takes the hill for the Red Sox. On May 16 versus the Mariners, Beckett earned his fourth win of the season, allowing three runs, two earned over 7.0 IP. He has allowed three runs or less in each of his last three starts. Although he has not faced the Mets since 2006, Beckett is 6-1 with a 1.98 ERA in his career versus the Mets.
The Lineup:
- Daniel Murphy, 1B
- Angel Pagan, RF
- Carlos Beltran, DH
- Gary Sheffield, LF
- David Wright, 3B
- Jeremy Reed, CF
- Omir Santos, C
- Ramon Martinez, SS
- Luis Castillo, 2B
Notes:
- The Mets starters are 7-3 with a 3.34 ERA in their last 17 games.
- Bobby Parnell has not allowed a run in 16 of his 21 appearances this season.
- Gary Sheffield is 9-for-23 (.400) with a homerun and 3 RBI during the Mets current road trip. He is batting .231 with 1 HR and 5 RBI in 13 career at-bats versus Beckett.
- The Mets have outscored their opponents 40-to-29 in the first inning this season and are 17-6 when they score first.
- Jacoby Ellsbury is batting .333 with 4 RBI and 10 runs scored during his current 17-game hitting streak.
- The Red Sox are 19-0 when leading after six innings this season.
Tonight’s Broadcast:
- Tonight’s broadcast can be seen locally on SNY and heard on WFAN.
Update, 5:49 pm:
Carlos Beltran will be tonight’s DH, with Jeremy Reed starting in centerfield.
Original Post:
Ryan Church will not be in today’s starting lineup, instead Angel Pagan will start in right field.
According to Adam Rubin in his blog for the Daily News, if Carlos Beltran is able to play centerfield, then David Wright will be tonight’s DH, while Fernando Tatis will start at third base
Ramon Martinez will once again start at shortstop in place of Jose Reyes, who continues to miss time with tendinitis in his right calf.
Jonathan Malo was a late scratch from today’s Triple-A game in Baffalo, leaving some to speculate that he could be waiting in the wings should the Mets decide to put Reyes on the disabled list.
Tagged News |
Ramon Martinez has just one hit in 16 at bats this season, while filling in for Jose Reyes, who continues to miss time with tendinitis in his right calf.
…that’s one hit more than i have this season, and i don’t play… nice work…
Martinez has also made four errors in four 
games.
Following the game, Jerry Manuel said he did not know if he would start Martinez at shortstop today, saying:
“I don’t know whether I have choices. That’s the problem, I don’t know what other choices I have. I’d hate to put Tatis there, who has only played in an emergency, if Reyes is not available. It’s just the way it is right now, it’s unfortunate.”
According to SNY’s Gary Cohen, during yesterday’s broadcast, Mets Assistant GM John Ricco said Martinez is the team’s best option to temporarily fill in Reyes, though Martinez should probably still be in Single-A, working back in to the game.
However, he he was called up to Triple-A to fill in for an injured player, and was then asked to do the same for the Mets in place of Reyes.
Ricco told Cohen the team weighed their options, risks and reward, and determined, for now, Martinez is a better choice than, say, minor leagues Jonathan Malo, Jose Coronado, Ruben Tejada and Reese Havens.
…really… so, you’re telling me any one of those minor leaguers could not also get just one hit… one lousy hit… and that they too would have made four errors in four games… somehow i doubt that… it would be one thing if it was only reyes who is out… but, they’re missing Carlos Delgado, Alex Cora and now Ryan Church, who left last nights game with a sore right hamstring… guys, make a trade or promote someone, please…
Malo, 26, and Coronado, 23, are each batting below .200 during their time in Triple-A Buffalo this season, while Ruben Tejada is batting .232 for Double-A Binghamton.
Havens, 22, is batting just .233 in Single-A, where he has 16 extra base hits and a .337 OBP in 38 games.
Tagged News |Ryan Church left last night’s game with a sore right hamstring.
Later, Jerry Manuel said he pulled Church from the game, after which he received treatment, and ‘rubbing,’ in the trainer’s room.
Manuel said, though he’ll probably be available, Church will most likely not be in the starting lineup Saturday.
Tagged News |
Last night, Omar Minaya told reporters Oliver Perez will start in a minor-league game this week, though he did not say where or when.
… i hope they continue to go slow with ollie… Tim Redding is scheduled to pitch Sunday in Boston, which means he would be on turn to next pitch Saturday, May 30, at home against the Marlins… perez could technically get two full rehab starts in the minor league during that time, then the Mets could reassess where they at in terms of the roster, rotation, bullpen, etc., knowing redding could slip back in to relief, with perez returning in early July…
Tagged Oliver Perez |In case you missed it…
Tailwaiters is throwing a Memorial Day Pre-Game BBQ at the Holiday Inn near Citi Field before the Mets face the Nationals.
Here is the information, which you can learn more about here:
- Where: The Holiday Inn at Citi Field is a short five minute walk from the ballpark, located at 37-10 114th Street, Corona.
- What: For $30, enjoy unlimited hamburgers and hot dogs, beer, music, and the company of fellow Mets fans. The Tailwaiters are transforming the pool deck of the Holiday Inn into the ultimate Mets tailgate party.
- When: Monday, May 25, 4:30 pm
