Daily Archives: June 11, 2009
The Mets have put Mets RHP John Maine on the 15–day disabled list due to fatigue and weakness in his right shoulder.
Following the game, Omar Minaya told reporters that Maine had an MRI earlier in the week, which showed no structural damage.
Maine told reporters, ‘It’s no big deal,’ noting his shoulder is weak, there is fatigue, and ‘it’s dead.’
Maine said he believes he will only miss one start, maybe two, and he will begin a strengthening program in the next day or so.
He will be re-activated when he begins to get his strength back.
Minaya said the team will announce who will replace Maine on the roster and in the rotation at some point tomorrow.
Update, 6:50 am:
“Fernando Nieve looks like the best option for Saturday against the Yankees, but Nelson Figueroa is on turn with the Bisons,” explains Adam Rubin, in a post to his blog for the Daily News.
The Mets (31–27) lost to the Phillies (34–23) by the score of 6 to 3 during 11 innings tonight in a foggy Citi Field.
For a full recap and boxscore, go here.
The Least You Should Know:
- Carlos Beltran jumped out to a 3–0 lead, but the Phillies rallied from behind, tied it in the seventh inning on a series of hits, then took the lead on a home run off Ken Takahashi from Raul Ibanez in the 11th inning.
Misc., Etc., and other Thoughts:
This was an entertaining series. No doubt. Outstanding baseball, good pitching, drama, extra innings twice, division rivals, hard play, lots of chest pumping, lots of heart, some trash talking, and guys getting taken out at second from both teams. I suspect this is what September is going to be like… again.- That said, like Gary Cohen pointed out during the game, the Mets are now 21–22 against the Phillies in the last three years, but the Mets held a lead in 16 of those games 22 losses, and they held a lead of at least two runs in 12 of those 22 losses. That hurts.
- And that’s the thing, the Phillies are just so strong late, be it late in games, or late in September. It’s intimidating, I’m sorry to say. I hope the Mets do not feel the same way, because sitting here on my sofa, once the Mets fell behind, I was thinking, ‘Well, even if the Mets tie this, the Phillies are still capable of coming back again… and again… and again.’ They remind me of the Black Knight from Monty Python, and I don’t like it.
- Carlos Beltran knocked in the team’s three runs, with assists from Luis Castillo and Alex Cora. The thing is, while David Wright had three hits, the men behind him were 2 for 15.
- Hat’s off to Redding, who let up six hits, but battled, and lasted in to the eighth inning before being pulled. The weaker offense, and all of the injuries, means the starting rotation is so vital, and it helps when a guy like Redding steps it up.
- Ken Takahashi? Really? I realize Jerry Manuel didn’t really have a much of a choice out there, since he already used Robert Parnell, and specifically Pedro Feliciano, but, come on, I mean, left-handed hitters entered that inning hitting .440 against Takahashi, so I’d have to think at least Brian Stokes would have been a better choice, even Fernando Nieve.
- Why is Chase Utley allowed to lean so far over the plate like that? It’s like his elbow is a strike, and I wish the Mets would treat it as such.
- Why did Manuel have the infield back in the seventh inning, with a runner on second and third and one out, conceding the tying run, which eventually scored? I don’t understand this?
- By the way, it sounded like the Phillies were laughing in the dugout when they took the lead on Raul Ibanez’s home run. I could be wrong, but I don’t think I am. Even my wife said, ‘Jerks.’
- Yes, I said on air tonight that the Mets should focus on acquiring a pitcher. However, I think I was wrong. I’d hate to think I’m so simple to change my mind from one game, but tonight has me worried. I mean, what happens when David Wright goes in to his next inevitable funk, and what if that coincides with Carlos Beltran not driving in three runs and hitting .342? Then what? If there is a chance Jose Reyes and Carlos Delgado will not be back for quite a while, then Omar Minaya must acquire a legitimate, reliable bat to help out Beltran and Wright and pick up some slack. I respect Jeremy Reed, and believe in Omir Santos, but when playing the Phillies, in the 11th inning, it’s going to be tough to rally and pick up runs when Reed, Santos and Luis Castillo are kicking it off. This is not to say Minaya must have an All-Star at every position, but he needs more than just Wright and Beltran and a 40–year-old, past-his-prime DH hitting clean up.
- I agree with Manuel, in that this team’s goal should be to keep above .500, and stay afloat, and then look to rattle off some winning streaks when the cavalry returns. I just hope the boat doesn’t spring a leak before that.
The Mets begin a three-game series with the Yankees in the Bronx tomorrow night, with Livan Hernandez taking on Joba Chamberlain.
Tonight’s Game:
The Mets (31-26, 18-10 Home) play the rubber-game of their three-game series against the first-place Phillies (34-23, 21-10 Road) tonight at Citi Field, starting at 7:10 p.m.
On The Mound:
- RHP Tim Redding (0-2, 6.97 ERA) starts for the Mets. Redding is 5-3 with a 3.29 ERA in 11 starts versus the Redding.
- LHP Jamie Moyer (4-5, 6.27 ERA) takes the hill for the Phillies. Moyer is 7-5 with a 3.62 ERA in 19 starts versus the Mets.
The Lineup:
- Luis Castillo, 2B (.235, 2 2B, 5 BB in 17 at-bats versus Moyer)
- Alex Cora, SS (.333, 1 3B in 3 at-bats versus Moyer)
- Carlos Beltran, CF (.220, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 10 K in 59 at-bats versus Moyer)
- Gary Sheffield, LF (.467, 4 HR, 7 RBI, 2 K in 30 at-bats versus Moyer)
- David Wright, 3B (.421, 3 HR, 9 RBI, 3 K in 38 at-bats versus Moyer)
- Fernando Tatis, 1B (.38, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 1 K in 13 at-bats versus Moyer)
- Fernando Martinez, RF (has never faced Moyer)
- Omir Santos, C (has never faced Moyer)
- Tim Redding, P
Tonight’s Broadcast:
- Tonight’s broadcast can be seen locally on SNY and heard on WFAN.
Bart Hubbuch is reporting in his post to Twitter that the Tampa Bay Rays have scheduled a second workout with Pedro Martinez.
According to Hubbuch, Martinez will throw breaking pitches, something he evidently did not do in his first workout.
…Pedro in uniform for the Rays next weekend at Citi Field? The timing could not be better…
Tagged News, Pedro Martinez |
Fernando Martinez will start in right field tonight, in place of Ryan Church, against Jamie Moyer.
Luis Castillo will again bat leadoff, followed in order by Alex Cora, Carlos Beltran, Gary Sheffield, David Wright, Fernando Tatis at first base, Martinez, Omir Santos and Tim Redding.
…murphy did not start a single game in this series with the Phillies…
…by the way, like Ted Berg and i discussed this afternoon, i wonder if a talk-radio topic will soon be batting wright leadoff, seeing as he has a near .500 OBP and is on pace to steal 45 bases…
Update, 5:00 pm:
John Maine told reporters today his shoulder still hurts, ‘a bit,’ but he’s probably just run down from working so hard during rehab from his shoulder surgery in the off season.
That said, in a post to Twitter, Newsday’s David Lennon wrote, “Maine may need tests on his right shoulder depending on his performance Saturday.”
However, Jerry Manuel later told reporters the issue with Maine’s shoulder is nothing serious.
…that’s fine, i guess, but if maine needs to see a doctor, why is he pitching… here we go again, folks… get ready…
Update, 5:07 pm:
Carlos Delgado talked to reporters before today’s game and said he is feeling strong, and will begin to be more aggressive in his rehab during the weeks ahead.
According to Adam Rubin, in a post to his blog for the Daily News, “Delgado said he can already tell he’s improved, since he doesn’t have the pre-surgery pinching sensation.”
Later on Twitter, Lennon wrote, “Delgado appears to be in great shape. Still healing… I think he’ll be back on time.”
…by the way, CarlosDelgado21 on Twitter is the real delgado… much to the team’s dismay, from what i can gather…
Update, 5:10 pm:
The Rangers signed free-agent Orlando Hernandez to a minor league deal, according to MLB.com.
Update, 6:08 pm:
According to Bart Hubbuch in a post to Twitter, the tarp is down at Citi Field.
Update, 6:29 pm:
The tarp is now off the field according to Hubbuch in his post to Twitter.
Here is the latest New York Baseball Today, during which Ted Berg and Matt Cerrone talk about the stat of the day, stolen bases, and how it pertains to tonight’s Mets and Yankees games:
Tagged News |
MetsBlog’s Michael Baron set up shop in the third base photo area on Tuesday in Citi Field.
To view some of his photographs, click here.
Tagged News |
To watch today’s edition of The Nooner, go to TheNoonerBlog.com.
At TheJetsBlog.com, Brian Bassett has a report on Mark Sanchez and his hefty contract.
Tommy Dee of The Knicks Blog writes on two potential New York Knick draftees, Jrue Holiday and Stephen Curry.
Lastly, at SNY.tv, Ted Berg writes on his do’s and dont’s regarding criticism towards Met skipper Jerry Manuel.
Tagged News |
According to this thread on MikeFrancesa.com, “There are three Phillies jerseys buried in the ball park,” thanks to a Phillies fan who was a foreman at Citi Field.
Joe Janish of Mets Today wonders if the Mets are overusing Francisco Rodriguez, concluding, “The handling of Rodriguez is something that should be monitored, if we expect him to be at full strength later in the season.”
In a post to Promote the Curse, a Friend of Mr. Glass explains how the last two nights in Citi Field are Mets Games Like they Used to Be.
Kingman, of Loge 13, takes a look at ways Citi Field is ‘ripping people off.’
Dave Singer of NY Sports Dog takes a look at the 75th bad decision by Jerry Manuel, which occurred in last night’s game.
Lastly, Andrew Beaton of Hot Foot says to send Daniel Murphy to Triple-A.
After dropping the first two contests against Atlanta, the Pittsburgh Pirates bounced back to edge the Braves on Wednesday, 3-2.
Jair Jurrjens was the hard-luck loser for Atlanta, allowing just two runs on four hits while striking out seven in six innings.
Former Braves first baseman Adam LaRoche drove in two runs for Pittsburgh.
The two clubs will conclude their four game series in a matinee on Thursday.
Chris Volstad was roughed up early, and the Florida bullpen was knocked around late as the St. Louis Cardinals pounded out eighteen hits on the way to a 13-4 win over the Marlins.
Rick Ankiel doubled, tripled, homered and scored three runs, and Colby Rasmus hit a three-run blast to pace St. Louis.
Jeremy Hermida collected three hits for Florida and homered for the second time in as many days.
Aaron Harang took a shutout into the eighth inning in Washington, but it ultimately took twelve innings for the Cincinnati Reds to get past the Nationals, 4-2.
Trailing 2-0, Washington scored twice in the bottom of the ninth only to see the bullpen lose another game three innings later.
Starter Shairon Martis pitched seven strong innings, and Josh Bard had two hits and an RBI for the Nationals. Jay Bruce belted a two-run homer for Cincinnati.
…The game was delayed for two hours, ten minutes in the ninth inning…it’s the tenth time this season that inclement weather has caused either a delay, a postponement, a suspended game or a rain-shortened game at Nationals Park!
In other news…The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is reporting that Braves CF Jordan Schafer, who was sent to AAA last week, will miss about two weeks with a deep bone bruise in his left hand.
For more news, notes, analysis and statistics from around Major League Baseball, be sure to visit Baseball Daily Digest.
Tagged MetsBlog, News | ← Older posts
