Daily Archives: August 9, 2009
The Mets defeated the Padres by the score of 5-1 at Petco Park this afternoon.
For a full recap and box score, click here.
The Least You Should Know:
Johan Santana stole the show today, helping the Mets to avoid the sweep against a Padres team that started this series 21 games under .500.
Santana only struck out four, but went eight innings and allowed a run on five hits.
He also had an RBI single in a three run sixth inning.
Francisco Rodriguez rebounded with a scoreless ninth, although he did allow a double to Kyle Blanks.
Other Observations and Notes:
Despite the disappointing season for this team, Santana is always a pleasure to watch, especially when he has a nice fluid game like this one.
Glad to see Luis Castillo didn’t miss a beat after missing that step earlier in the week.
David Wright had a rough series, going just 3 for 16 with six strikeouts.
The Mets will open a three games series tomorrow night against the Diamondbacks at Chase Park with Mike Pelfrey facing Doug Davis at 9:40 pm.
Tagged News |
Prior to today’s game, Jerry Manuel told reporters that Gary Sheffield will be returning to the lineup tomorrow night in Arizona.
…my question is, how long will it be before he gets shutdown again…
The Mets (51-59) conclude their series with the Padres (47-65) this afternoon at 4:05 pm at Petco Park.
Luis Castillo will make his return to the lineup today.
Angel Pagan will leadoff, followed in order by Castillo, David Wright, Daniel Murphy, Jeff Francoeur, Cory Sullivan, Omir Santos, and Anderson Hernandez.
Johan Santana (12-8, 3.10 ERA) will start for the Mets.
Tim Stauffer (1-3, 3.12 ERA) will start for the Padres.
Billy Wagner pitched a scoreless inning 
Saturday for Single-A St. Lucie, using 15 pitches and allowing a single.
Wagner has not allowed a run in four innings while pitching in four minor-league rehab games.
Last week, Adam Rubin of the Daily News said the Mets would be open to trading Wagner through waivers, while noting one team may already be interested.
…like i wrote last week, from what i understand, the Mets are eyeing Friday, August 21, as wagner’s possible return… that would essentially give him one full week on the Mets, in the big leagues, for him to show what he’s got, which is not a lot of time, considering he will not pitch every day…
Mike Silva of NY Baseball Digest takes a look 
at the Mets Top 10 Prospects from 2005, to see where they are today.
In a report for the Star-Ledger, Brian Costa talks with Francisco Rodriguez, and writes about his recent struggles and lack of work.
Brian Costello of the New York Post swaps e-mails with Bobby Valentine, and investigates why fans are still in love with him.
In a post to AOL Fanhouse, Ed Price points out that Francisco Rodriguez has a 7.71 ERA since Luis Castillo dropped that pop up against the Yankees.
Lastly, for a non-baseball related link, check out David Schlesinger’s post for Reuters about Twitter, and whether the speed with which he can now deliver news is ‘journalism, dangerous or embarrassing.’
I don’t know what to make of Bobby 
Parnell’s first major-league start last night, during which he threw 68 pitches, allowed eight base runners and lasted just 2.1 innings.
“I felt good at the end and still had stuff in the tank,” Parnell told reporters following the game.
Basically, it was like a typical relief outing, except he pitched the first three innings not the last.
He had a rough first inning, used 29 pitches, he seemed anxious, walked two batters, and allowed a hit and a run. He relied on his fastball a lot, still, and could not command his slider.
He has to be more economical with his pitches, obviously.
Prior to yesterday’s game, Jerry Manuel said Parnell would only be allowed to throw around 65 pitches.
Manuel said Parnell will throw 85 pitches or so in his next start.
“I think he’s got a chance to be a good starter,” Manuel said after the game.
Again, it’s hard not to be intrigued by the idea of Parnell as a starter, but last night was impossible to judge.
Tagged Robert Parnell |The Mets lost to the Padres by the score of 3-1 last night in San Diego.
For a full recap and box score, click here.
The Least You Should Know:
Bobby Parnell lasted just 2 1/3 innings last night and struggled with his command through 68 pitches.
The bullpen did pitch well over 5 2/3 innings, but the Mets offense was once again silenced by the Padres.
Alex Cora was the Mets offense last night, hitting his first home run of the season in the top of the first inning.
Other Observations and Notes:
What can be said at this point… the offense is simply non-existent right now and the Mets cannot even compete against teams with worse records than them.
I always wondered what the Mets didn’t see in Heath Bell… I know he struggled in his role as a middle reliever as a Met but he was a hard thrower and I have to believe that if the Padres could harness his talent, the Mets could have done the same thing.
Brian Schneider is hitting .197.
In Case You Missed It:
To watch SNY.TV’s Post Game Extra, featuring clips from the game; quotes from Jerry Manuel and analysis from Ron Darling and Gary Cohen, use the video player in the sidebar of MetsBlog.com.
The Mets will attempt to salvage the final game of their four game series against the Padres with Johan Santana facing Tim Stauffer today at 4:05 pm.
