Daily Archives: July 18, 2009
David Lennon from Newsday is reporting that Gary Sheffield, who left last night’s game with an injury to his leg, is day-to-day with what the team is calling a “tweaked” hamstring.
Sheffield was removed from last night’s game against the Braves due to the injury and did not play this afternoon.
…first it was leg cramps, now its a tweaked hamstring…Why am I not surprised that the team is so vague about the injury…
The Mets defeated the Braves by the score of 5-1 this afternoon.
For a full recap and box score, click here.
The Least You Should Know:
Johan Santana was dominant this afternoon, allowing just five hits as his changeup was filthy.
Angel Pagan had a big day, going 3 for 4 including a run scoring triple in the ninth inning.
The Braves walked David Wright intentionally three times, and Jeff Francoeur made his former team pay with a 2 for 5 day.
Other Observations and Notes:
The Mets scored more than four runs for just the seventh time in their past 23 games.
This was the first time that the Mets have given Santana more than two runs against the Braves since he became a Met last year, and it is the first time Santana has defeated the Braves, which is astonishing.
The Mets executed a suicide squeeze in the ninth inning when Luis Castillo sacrificed Angel Pagan.
The slump for Omir Santos continues as he is now 5 for his last 38 at the plate.
The Mets go for the series split tomorrow at 6:00 pm with Fernando Nieve facing Javier Vazquez.
The Mets (42-47) play the third of their four game series against the Braves (45-45) today at 4:00 PM EDT at Turner Field.
Angel Pagan will again lead off, followed by Luis Castillo, Daniel Murphy, David Wright, Jeff Francoeur, Jeremy Reed, Omir Santos, and Alex Cora.
Johan Santana (10-7, 3.09 ERA) will start for the Mets. In his career, Santana is 58-17 in the second half, which is the highest winning percentage in history. His 2.70 second half ERA is also the eighth lowest all-time, and he needs one more strikeout to reach 1,700.
Kenshin Kawakami (5-6, 4.26 ERA) will start for the Braves. Kawakami averages roughly six innings per game, and in his last two starts, has allowed five runs in ten plus innings. On May 5, Kawakami allowed two runs over five innings in a loss to the Mets.
Tagged Regis Courtemanche |The Texas Rangers released Orlando Hernandez from his minor-league contract yesterday
El Duque was 2-0 with a 2.45 ERA in eight relief appearances for AAA Oklahoma.
Tagged Orlando Hernandez, Regis Courtemanche |
Update, 1:15 pm:
Tim Redding is still in the clubhouse so no move has yet been made.
Original Post:
According to Adam Rubin at the Daily News, Julio Lugo, who was released by the Red Sox yesterday, is already working out for the Mets in the Dominican Republic.
Rubin also believes that this is bad news for Tim Redding, who may likely be released to make room for the 33 year-old shortstop.
In 37 games this season, Lugo is hitting .284, with 16 runs scored and has a .352 on-base percentage.
Redding is 1-3 thus far, and sports a 7.22 ERA.
…if this move happens, this will certainly spell relief for the overworked alex cora…
Tagged Regis Courtemanche, Tim Redding |
As much as I want to stay positive and believe that the Mets can turn this thing around, I just feel that this season will end the same way it has 45 other times for them- without a championship.
Just saying the word “championship” makes it seem so far-fetched after how this team has been performing this year. Yes, the injuries are the biggest reason for this, but I feel that if the Wilpons and Omar Minaya continue to wait for the cavalry to return, this season will become a lost cause.
We’re at the halfway point, and anything can still happen. I hope they make me eat my words, but there has been very little to be excited about this season. If the Mets are going to make a big move, they need to do it now because time is not on their side.
Realistically though, they won’t make a big move for the likes of Matt Holliday. They will wait for Jose Reyes, Carlos Beltran, and Carlos Delgado to return and see what happens. The only player of those three that I would consider trading would be Delgado, but the value they’d get in return probably wouldn’t justify a move.
I haven’t given up, and will always root for them to win in good times and in bad. But I wait, as does the front office, to see what will pan out. As time slips away however, the chances of a playoff berth rapidly dissolve.
Tagged Regis Courtemanche |Gary Sheffield left last night’s game due to an apparent injury to his hamstring.
However, it was later reported that Sheffield had a cramp in his leg and it is not expected to be serious.
…finally, an injury that isn’t bad, but I guess you never know anymore…
Meanwhile, Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post is reporting that JJ Putz played catch yesterday for the first time since elbow surgery.
Also, Jose Reyes apparently did not want to run in Port St. Lucie yesterday after pointing to his hamstring, but the Mets do not feel it was a setback as the plan was to make it more of a lighter day.
…of course…
