Daily Archives: July 11, 2009
The Mets (41–45) defeated the Reds (43–43) by the score of 4 to 0 in Citi Field tonight.
For a recap and boxscore, click here.
The Least You Should Know:
- Johan Santana pitched seven innings, tossed 114 pitches, 77 of which were strikes, and allowed zero runs and five hits, while striking out five and walking just one.
- The Mets sent nine men to the plate in the first inning, and scored three runs, thanks to a dink from Jeff Francoeur and a dunk from Omir Santos.
- Pedro Feliciano and Francisco Rodriguez teamed up for three scoreless innings in relief to close out the game.
Misc., Etc., and Other Observations:
- In the eighth, Pedro Feliciano got a called strike on Joey Votto, to end the inning, which may have be one of the worst calls by an umpire I have seen in some time, but, oh well…
- The Mets have outscored opponents 40 to 20 in the first inning at Citi Field.
- Santana finally returned to pitching inside, while changing height with his pitches, which got a lot of awkward swings from the Reds.
- Angel Pagan was 2 for 4, with a triple and two stolen bases, or, as Gary Cohen put it, ‘a Jose Reyes-like night.’ By the way, the Mets are 29–15 when they steal at least one base.
- Maybe Jerry Manuel is right, if this team gets good pitching and plays strong defense, they’ll have a chance to win every night. Tonight, they did just that, plus got timely hits and were aggressive on the base paths. Well played game, and a good win.
The Mets conclude their series with the Reds tomorrow, in the final game before the All-Star break, when Mike Pelfrey takes on Aaron Harang at 1 pm.
Prior to today’s game, Jeff Francoeur told reporters he hopes he can help out, and once guys like Carlos Beltran, Jose Reyes and Carlos Delgado get back, ‘hopefully we can make a run.’
He said, “If you look at it, 6.5 games is 
not that tough… so, hopefully we can get to playing some good baseball.”
Francoeur said he talked to David Wright about hitting in Citi Field, and he realizes this is not a ballpark to hit 45 home runs in.
“I’ve usually been a guy to drive the ball in the gaps,” he explained. “When I do hit a home run it’s a line drive, than more of the moonshot, and so I do think this field suits me well.”
He said he looks forward to the fresh start, adding, “I’m excited to be in New York, I’ve always enjoyed playing here… I’ve always loved the city, so to finally get this chance, I’m excited.”
Tom Glavine called Francoeur to tell him he will love it in New York, saying he loved his time here playing for Omar Minaya, Willie Randolph and Jerry Manuel.
According to Francoeur, Glavine said, “Make the most of it, if you play hard, hustle, and do things right, the fans will love you.
To which Francoeur said, “I like to think I’m that kind of player, who gets dirty and plays the game the right way.”
In the end, he said, “I’m 25 years old, and I feel like my best years are ahead of me… and I look forward to driving in runs, and throwing people out.”
Jeff Francoeur will bat fifth tonight and start in right field.
Angel Pagan will again bat leadoff, and be followed in order by Luis Castillo, David Wright, Gary Sheffield in left field, Francoeur, Daniel Murphy at first base, Omir Santos behind the plate, and Alex Cora.
Johan Santana (9–7, 3.29 ERA) will be tonight’s starting pitcher. The Mets are 2–5 in his last seven starts. Santana pitched 5.2 innings against the Reds on Opening Day, and allowed one run and three hits while striking out seven.
The Reds will start Johnny Cueto (8–5, 3.45 ERA). David Wright has just one hit in five at bats against Cueto. Cueto pitched twice against the Mets last season, and allowed 12 runs and 14 hits.
The Mets claimed infielder Angel Berroa off waivers from the Yankees today, and sent him to Triple-A Buffalo.
Berroa, who won the AL Rookie of the Year in 2003, hit just .136 in 22 at bats for the Yankees this season.
He’s hitting just .217 with 16 extra base hits in 258 at bats since 2007.
Speaking of roster moves…
As expected, Nick Evans was sent to Buffalo to make room for OF Jeff Francoeur, who was acquired yesterday in a trade with Atlanta.
Update, 5:07 pm:
The New York Post’s Bart Hubbuch says on Twitter that Berroa was signed as a free agent, and was not a waiver claim.
Tagged News |Jeff Francoeur will wear No. 12, hit 
fifth in the lineup and start in right field for the Mets tonight, while Ryan Church is expected to start tonight for the Braves as well.
I am still unsure of what to think of this deal, and I suppose I won’t really know until the end of the season, which is probably the point. I don’t see this is a bad trade, I just think it’s a trade, a bizarre swap that could go either way: The Braves grew tired of Francoeur, the Mets lost faith in Church, and so the two rivals swapped situations and are hoping to get lucky.
Granted, it was one scout I talked with last night, but he essentially laughed at Omar Minaya’s statement from before yesterday’s game, when he said of Francoeur, “Some people think he’s the best defensive right fielder in baseball.”
Also, I know two Braves fans, and both told me Francoeur is overrated on defense, though he has a tremendous arm… literally.
The scout also told me Francoeur’s biggest problem at the plate is he is a free swinger, who has showed zero signs of growth in five major-league seasons.
The crazy thing is, despite his struggles this season, Francoeur is now third on the Mets in home runs, and third on the team in RBI, which says more about the Mets than anything else.
Church, on the other hand, seemed to have reached his peak, though I still believe he could hit .280 with a slightly better OBP, have around 20 HR and roughly 80 RBI, while playing an above-average defense, if allowed to play every day. That said, this was obviously not going to happen in New York, and perhaps Minaya believes Francoeur is capable of delivering more power, while batting from the right side.
According to SNY’s Kevin Burkhardt, Francoeur said by phone that he is fired up to play in New York City. That’s good, because New York will likely either inspire Francoeur, and get him back to the player he once was, or it we will eat him alive, and be the final nail in his coffin.
According to the Elias Sports Bureau, courtesy of ESPN.com, last time was the first time in 17 
years that the Mets suffered three shutouts over a five-game span, which last occurred in July 1992 when the Mets did not score a run in three straight games.
By the way, on July 27, 1992, the final game of that three-game stretch, Vince Coleman hit leadoff, followed by Dave Magadan at third, Howard Johnson in right field, Eddie Murray at first base, Mackey Sasser, Bill Pecota at second, Dick Schofield at shortstop, Pat Howell in left, and Bret Saberhagen on the mound.
Tagged Stats |
