Daily Archives: June 23, 2009
The Mets lost to the Cardinals by a score of 3-to-0 tonight.
For a full recap and boxscore, click here.
Tonight was one of those nights where getting one run seemed like climbing Mount Everest for the Mets.
The Mets managed just two hits against Joel Piniero tonight –one single coming from Luis Castillo in the third inning and another single coming from a Jeremy Reed pinch hit single in the ninth inning.
The Mets made 21 outs via the ground ball against Piniero as he shut out the Mets in an impressive complete game effort, winning for just the second time in his last 10 starts, but dominated the Mets for the second time this season.
This game looked shockingly similar to that 3-0 shutout that Piniero pitched against the Mets on September 27, 2007.
Livan Hernandez pitched really well despite taking the loss tonight, but made a mental mistake in the top of the third inning when he was indecisive on a bunt play by Brendan Ryan which ultimately led to a run scoring, thanks to a Daniel Murphy throwing error trying to turn a double play.
Until the seventh inning, Hernandez, and really the entire Mets’ pitching staff had handled Albert Pujols well in this series with a steady diet of off-speed pitches outside.
It was the first time the Mets have made an error with Hernandez on the mound this season.
Despite the 0-for-4, I still liked what I saw from Murphy at the plate – his swing has become more compact and less wild as he is not letting go of the bat right now and he is not swinging at pitches in the dirt.
I really didn’t understand why Jerry Manuel put a hit and run play on in the sixth inning, with Joel Piniero pitching lights out, and Livan Hernandez at the plate.
By the way, if anyone was still wondering whether or not Keith Hernandez and/or Ron Darling would manage or coach, they each said during the rain delay that they are not interested, but as Keith said, “never say never.”
The Mets will continue this four game series with the Cardinals tomorrow night at 7:10 pm, with Fernando Nieve facing Brad Thompson.
Update, 5:03 pm:
Mets GM Omar Minaya talked earlier today to WFAN’s Mike Francesa.
To listen to the entire interview, go to WFAN.com.
…the way i hear it, from what he said in this interview, minaya is not interested in trading a ton of young talent for a rent-a-player… also, the big bat fans keep hoping for is just not available on the trade market… instead, 
though he’s always looking to improve the ballclub, the reality is, he and his staff will need to be creative in any deal they make, and they’re most interested in acquiring a player who can be part of the team’s future…
Minaya did mention Brad Holt, Jenry Mejia and Ike Davis when he was asked if he holds young players, who do not get a lot of publicity, that other teams have interest in.
By the way, Minaya said Davis has been promoted to Double-A.
In the end, Minaya said he is not interested in only trading for a player who will be here for ‘a month, or a few months,’ while adding, ‘To make a trade, just to play catch up, that, to me, is dangerous.’
…in other words, if the Mets make a trade, it’s more likely going to be for a player who can play first and outfield, and he’ll be young enough and under contract through at least next season to warrant parting with young prospects…
Original Post, 12:53 pm:
Tagged Omar Minaya |Fernando Tatis will again start in left field and bat clean-up, as Gary Sheffield gets his third day off in a row.
Meanwhile, Fernando Martinez will start in center field.
Alex Cora will start at shortstop and bat leadoff, followed in order by Daniel Murphy, David Wright, Tatis, Ryan Church, Omir Santos, Martinez, Luis Castillo, and Livan Hernandez.
Hernandez (5–1, 4.18 ERA) starts for the Mets tonight. He allowed seven runs and nine hits in just four innings against the Cardinals in April. He is 4–0 with a 3.24 ERA in his last nine starts.
Joel Pineiro (5–8, 3.76 ERA) starts for the Cardinals. He allowed two runs and six hits in eight innings against the Mets in April.
Update, 4:47 pm:
According to SNY’s Kevin Burkhardt, Jose Reyes will take batting practice today and field ground balls on the infield.
However, there is still no plan to let him do light running.
…the way i understand it, there is no sense getting excited for jose’s return until there is news of him running full-speed, 100 percent on the base paths…
Update, 5:10 pm:
Jerry Manuel told reporters today that John Maine will throw a bullpen session tomorrow, and could re-join the Mets on Saturday.
Oliver Perez will throw a bullpen session tomorrow, as well.
Update, 5:41 pm:
To read quotes from Jose Reyes, who said he might not return until around the All-Star break, go to Bart Hubbuch’s blog for the New York Post.
Tagged News |Andrew Vazzano of the Ropolitans looks in to pitches per plate appearance for the entire pitching staff.
The Disgruntled Mets Fan looks in to the peaks and valleys of David Wright.
MetsBlog’s Regis Courtemanche recently did a Q&A with Will Sommer of Mets Fans Forever.
In a post to Hot Foot, Rich Resch explains why Brad Holt could be this season’s secret bullpen weapon.
The Real Dirty looks into Joel Pineiro, who will start tonight for the Cardinals against the Mets.
In a post to Game On, MSG’s Boomer Esiason, is soliciting questions from fans for an on-air interview he will soon do with Omar Minaya.
To sign a petition to have blue bats used on Father’s Day, click here.
Ted Berg of SNY.TV details some notes from the last week regarding the Mets, media and Carlos Beltran, among other things.
Lastly, to check out Episode One of my trip to check out the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons with Berg, during which we talk with Jonathan Malo, among other players, watch Lance Broadway pitch, and track down fried dough sticks, click play below:
Here is the latest New York Baseball Today, during which Ted Berg and SNY Mets analyst Bobby Ojeda shine the player spotlight on Mets pitcher Livan Hernandez and Yankees pitcher Chien-Ming Wang:
Tagged News |
In a post to Twitter, SI.com’s Jon Heyman quotes a team official as saying, ‘the Mets will not mortgage the future,’ in a trade.
Heyman takes this to mean Omar Minaya will not trade Fernando Martinez, Brad Holt or Jenry Mejia.
…in other words, the Mets will not be acquiring A’s OF Matt Holliday, nor any front-line starting pitchers… i believe Adam Dunn is more likely to cost major-league talent, like Bobby Parnell… i no longer believe the Astros will trade Carlos Lee, and, so far, the Rockies are holding tight because of their winning streak, in case you are thinking of Brad Hawpe… the same can essentially be said for the White Sox and Jermaine Dye… it’s going to be a weird market, frankly, because there are only three teams who are clearly out of contention… the rest are either in it, or believe there are still more tickets to be sold…
To follow Heyman on Twitter, go here, and tell him Matthew Cerrone sent you.
Speaking of trades…
According to the Philadelphia Daily News, the Phillies are struggling to trade for a starting pitcher.
The Mets current 25–man roster will earn roughly $60 million this season, or around the same level as the Rays, Orioles and Twins.
“We can deal with this. We’re not as bad as people think we are,” Alex Cora said last night, according to MLB.com. “Don’t feel sorry for the Metropolitans.”
…i love that he called them the Metropolitans… that’s awesome…
…last night, on MetsBlog.com, i wrote, “I was afraid the Mets might collectively mope around, shrug their shoulders and drop their heads, all in light of today’s news that Carlos Beltran would be joining Jose Reyes, Carlos Delgado, John Maine, Oliver Perez and J.J. Putz on the disabled list.”…
MetsBlog reader Music Man Phil sent in e-mail saying:
“The Mets team you are referring to barely exists, and so with all the usual ‘mopers and shoulder shruggers’ on the DL, we might not have All-Stars on the field, but maybe this is the gritty and resilient team we’ve all been hoping for.”
…like i’ve been saying, i prefer to root for this type of team, i.e., the scrappy, over-achieving hustlers, so long as they’re winning… i mean, if these guys lose, the scrappy, underdog thing will only go so far… in the end, i want to win… but, all results being equal, i like this kind of successful team most… why… because i can detach myself from expectations, and just enjoy the show… and, any success will be a bonus… plus, i think, the thrill of seeing a team like this win, beat out the odds and over-achieve, is more special and exciting, than the overpaid team who wins and is expected to win…
Javier Vazquez and three Atlanta relievers scattered ten hits on Monday as the Braves shut out the Cubs, 2-0.
Chipper Jones and Nate McLouth each drove in a run to help Vazquez pick up his first win since May 20.
The rest of the NL East was off on Monday.
Tagged MetsBlog, News |
In his most recent report for SI.com, Jon Heyman lists the Mets and Phillies among 10 teams that can add payroll in a mid-season acquisition.
Last week, in a post to his blog for ESPN.com, Buster Olney said the Mets can add roughly $5 million to their payroll.
Heyman says the Mets seek ‘a hitter who plays the outfield or first base (but preferably both) is the priority.’
In a post to the Daily Stache, Anthony Lafaman writes:
“This has to be an instance where Minaya earns that pay. He has to be creative, he can’t sleep until he makes a deal that plugs one of these holes. Even if that means parting with Niese or Fernando Martinez. I’m always against trading blue-chippers but this is a extreme set of circumstances.”
… i don’t know… i’m torn on this… i mean, at this point, as much as i think Adam Dunn is a perfect fit for the Mets, is he enough… is he, alone, able to make up for Carlos Delgado, Jose Reyes and Carlos Beltran… i am just not sure it makes sense to trade, say, Bobby Parnell and position prospect for one hitter, like dunn… or, say, parnell, Fernando Martinez, and who knows what else, to get Matt Holliday from the A’s… and so, right now, with so many injuries, is over-paying for one hitter the right move… i am not yet sure it is…
That said, according to MLB.com, the D’Backs are getting closer to moving players, such as Jon Garland, infielder Felipe Lopez and Chad Tracy.
Ed Price of AOL writes, “Now batting cleanup for the Mets: faith. Hitting fifth: hope.”
In a post to Metstradamus, John explains why, at this point, Omar Minaya might as well ‘stick to his guns.’
In a report for the Boston Globe, Adam Kilgore 
compares the 1962 Mets to the 2009 Washington Nationals.
…the Nationals really are a mess…
…i always wonder what a business like this is thinking when they see a team like the Rays…
Rusty at the Real Dirty talks with Ron Swoboda, who likes Dan Warthen, David Wright and Citi Field.
For more on last night’s win against the Cardinals, check out post-game recaps from Brooklyn Met Fan, Mets Today and the Daily News.
Lastly, go to Flip Flop Flyball to see a clever graphic that shows when every player on the 1986 Mets arrived to the team, and when they left.
…fascinating… this gives an idea of what people mean, i guess, when they talk about a team’s supposed window to win… for instance, it appears the Mets window was 1985 to 1988, prior to which and after which the main group was in tact…
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