Daily Archives: September 2, 2009
The Mets lost to the Rockies by the score of 5-2 in Coors Field tonight.
For a recap and boxscore, click here.
The Least You Should Know:
Tim Redding had another good outing. He once again started shakily, allowing a solo home run to the second batter of the game, but settled down and went 6.2 innings, allowed seven hits, two runs, and had six strikeouts. He only walked one and has improved in each of his last three starts.
The game was tied until the eighth inning when the “stokes” fell off. Brian Stokes came into the game, and with the bases loaded Jason Giambi got his first hit as a Rockie, squeaking one over Anderson Hernandez‘s glove to drive in two. Yorvit Torrealba then followed up with a RBI single to make it 5-2.
It was a very good game on both sides until then. In the fifth, Angel Pagan covered major ground to track down a potential run scoring hit, relayed to Wilson Valdez, who then gunned out Carlos Gonzalez at the plate. Again, all for naught.
Misc., Etc. and Other Stuff:
Jeff Francoeur hit a solo shot in the seventh, and almost put a 9-3 in the scorebook after nearly throwing out Ubaldo Jimenez at first on a shallow single.
Speaking of Jimenez, he was impressive and went eight strong innings.
Keith Hernandez needs to work on his inflection when reading the promos. However, he did make up for it by discussing The Great Gazoo of Flintstones fame.
It’s late, go to sleep.
What’s Next for the Mets:
The Mets conclude their series with the Rockies on Thursday at 3:10 p.m., with Pat Misch taking the hill against Jason Marquis.
Tagged Regis Courtemanche |Carlos Beltran made his first rehab start tonight for the Brooklyn Cyclones and went 1-for-3, with one walk and a RBI.
He is scheduled to start in the field tomorrow and play five innings.
Tagged Regis Courtemanche |
The Mets (59-73) continue their three-game series with the Rockies (73-59) at 8:40 pm tonight, with Tim Redding taking on Ubaldo Jimenez.
Angel Pagan will bat leadoff, followed in order by Luis Castillo, Daniel Murphy at first base, Jeff Francoeur, Cory Sullivan in left field, Fernando Tatis at third base, Brian Schneider behind the plate, Wilson Valdez at shortstop and Redding on the mound.
Jimenez is 5-1 with a 1.77 ERA over his last six starts, and 1-1 with a 3.00 ERA in three starts against the Mets.
Redding has a 3.67 ERA in his last 27 innings pitched.
The Mets are just 10–22 in their last 32 games.
By the way, Carlos Beltran will DH tonight in a minor-league rehab assignment with Single-A Brooklyn.
According to a post on Twitter, from Bob Klapisch of the Bergen Record, Beltran said he is still not 100 percent.
Tagged News |
Sean Engelhardt created a graphical chart, here, of every Mets injury from this season and for how long the player was out.
According to the Herald Star, Clark ‘Herb’ Francy loves New York, and it loves him right back.
Oliver Perez and Johan Santana had successful surgery yesterday.
To learn more about their injuries, and recoveries, check out Will Carroll’s latest Under the Knife column for Baseball Prospectus.
Also at Baseball Prospectus, prospect-guru Kevin Goldstein discusses Mets minor leaguers Jeurys Familia and Reese Havens, as well as Josh Thole, of whom he says, “It’s hard to figure out what he is down the road, other than a big leaguer.”
David Lennon of Newsday recaps author Erin Arvedlund’s recent appearance on WFAN, during which she seemed to soften her opinion that Fred Wilpon will be forced to sell the Mets in 2010, now saying the family may simply need to take on additional investors.
Speaking of WFAN, Mets manager Jerry Manuel will be a guest of Evan Roberts and Joe Benigno on air today at 5 pm.
To listen to Manuel, or to find Arvedlund’s interview from earlier this afternoon, click here.
Tagged News |John Maine tossed threw a simulated game in St. Lucie yesterday.
According to SNY’s Post-Game Show, he is scheduled to pitch in a minor-league rehab game Saturday.
Meanwhile, Carlos Beltran is scheduled to begin a minor-league rehab assignment tonight with the Brooklyn Cyclones.
The Mets said yesterday that the bone bruise in Beltran’s knee has improved significantly.
…the buzz from around the team suggests beltran could rejoin the Mets next week, either when at home against the Marlins, or for when they travel to Philadelphia…
…the plan for maine, however, is to have him pitch only one or two weeks this season, so i guess that means he will return sometime during the end of the month… also, from what i can gather, they may be more inclined to use him in small stints, which makes me wonder if they’ll be working him in from relief…
Tagged News |
The Mets are making more bricks available on the Citi Field Fanwalk, which will be installed along the first and third base sides of the Rotunda for the 2010 season.
According to a press release, bricks can be purchased this Friday, Sept. 4, either here or by phone at 877.NYM.WALK.
“A portion of each brick purchase is tax deductible and net proceeds will be donated to the Mets Foundation, which will distribute the funds to area charities,” the release reads.
Tagged News |
In a report for FOXSports.com, Ken Rosenthal writes about Jerry Manuel’s opinion of Jeff Francoeur; the possibility of surgery for Jose Reyes; and Daniel Murphy, who is ‘coming around.
Murphy is batting .294 with 18 extra base hits and 15 RBI during his last 39 games, dating back to July 24.
In regards to Murphy, Rosenthal writes:
“One teammate says he simply needs to learn how to adapt to the grind of a season. Murphy overanalyzes himself, constantly watching video, the teammate says. Rather than trust in his ability, he will tinker with his approach if something doesn’t feel right either physically or mechanically.”
…i’m happy he’s finding more hits… but, he’s also striking out more and walking less… in the end, i have a difficult time judging murphy, and i’m not sure it’ fair to cast a final decision just yet anyway… i mean, he’s young, and he can hit… and, right now, that’s good enough for me…
…he got off to a good start, pitchers adjusted to him, he struggled, and he had to adjust back, and he did, all while playing his first everyday, full, long, major-league season, complete with the travel, the media, the drama, the new ballpark, the fans, the injuries to his teammates, and no protection in the lineup for much of the season, and through it all he’s managed to stay focused and keep trucking…
In a poll on MetsBlog.com in August, 52 percent said they believe Murphy will eventually be more like Matt Franco than Mark Grace.
Tagged News |Mike Silva of NY Baseball Digest looks at three needs the Mets can easily fill through free agency for 2010.
…but, again, i ask, what’s the plan, what type of team are the Mets trying to build, what are they about… i mean, we can fling around names of free agents all day long, you like this guy, i like that guy, etc., but until the Mets know what they’re trying to build, it’s all just Patchwork GM’ing…
In a post to Amazin Avenue, James Kannengieser uses statistics to determine whether Razor Shines prepares properly for games.
…you know a season is a bust, when 
people start judging the third base coach… it’s such a thankless job… any time a runner is thrown out at home, he is the first person we look to blame… yet, when a run scored, he never gets credit… i’m not saying he’s good or bad, i’m just pointing out what a thankless spot he’s in, though he could also be totally deserving of the criticism…
Mike, of Mike’s Mets, explains why the Mets should commit to a two-year plan to return to the post season.
In a post to 6–4–3, Kaplowitz asks, ‘Which is Worse: One Playoff Loss or an Entirely Dreadful Season?”
For a break from 2009, check out Metsmerized Online, who look at Don Clendenon, the final piece of the 1969 puzzle.
Lastly, comedian David Cross had some choice words for the Mets and Omar Minaya in a Q&A he did with Time Out NY.
…kids, put on your earmuffs for david’s commentary…
Tagged News |Last night, the Rockies scored seven runs against Mike Pelfrey, who allowed six hits in four innings, while walking five.
“I was embarrassed to be out there,” Pelfrey said, after the game. “I didn’t even belong on the field tonight… I was terrible. I feel more bad for my 
teammates that had to play behind me. I was absolutely awful.”
…it was obvious how bothered he was by the start… usually, the day’s starting pitcher will leave the game and immediately hit the clubhouse for treatment… instead, pelfrey sat alone in the dugout, shaking his head, staring at the field, looking dumbfounded…
Pelfrey has allowed 12 runs and 17 hits, including four homers, during his last two starts.
Following the game, Jerry Manuel said:
“The one thing that you can expect is that young pitchers are going to go through some struggles. How long they last, you don’t know. You hope that out of these struggles that there’s a time where he can learn and grow from these experiences.”
…i think what is so upsetting is that he looked to be turning the corner earlier in the year… he was 4–1 with a 3.88 ERA through his first nine starts of the season, during which the team was 7–2… he looked calm, comfortable, he was starting to command the inning, and was pitching smart… however, just as fast as he found it, he lost it, and is now 1–4 with 6.08 ERA in his last six starts… yes, he’s allowed to slump… but, this is not a slump… if he were just rusty, or not executing, i’d understand… but, he looks lost… he literally looks confused and frustrated, like he’s struggling to even remember what worked for him and what doesn’t…
…he’s still young and learning… thankfully, he has five or six more starts to get it together, and regain his confidence for next season… i still believe he’ll be fine, and is still capable of being a successful, stable, long-term solution for the Mets…
…the thing is, he’s getting dangerously close to that point in his career where things should be taking shape, and it often feels like he’s right back at square one, 75 starts in to his career…
Manuel was later asked if Pelfrey’s spot in the team’s rotation for 2010 is in jeopardy, to which he said, “In all honesty, it would have to be a concern if we don’t see some improvement.”
[poll id="295"]
Tagged News |David Wright returned from the disabled last night, going 1–for-3 with a walk.
…like i said following the game, he looked fine… though, he did look exhausted sitting in the dugout towards the end of the game, but i guess that can be expected…
Jerry Manuel told reporters yesterday Wright will likely sit tonight, then play again Thursday, as he looks to ease him back in.
Wright was asked yesterday why he returned from the disabled list, considering his health and the team’s record, to which he responded:
“You’re supposed to go out there and play hard… When you get hurt, you do your rehab, you get better and you get back in the lineup. That’s what you’re supposed to do… I want to be out there… I want to be in there fighting with my teammates and finishing out the season.”
…unfortunately, despite his performance and inspirational comments, it seems all anyone wanted to talk about last night was his new protective batting helmet, which drew comparisons to the Great Gazoo and Dark Helmet…
…according to eyewitnesses, wright was being heckled all game, not just from Rockies fans, but also 
from Rockies players and wright’s own teammates and coaches, who could not pass on the chance to have some fun with the face of the franchise…
“It’s no big deal,” Wright said following the game. “It’s all in good fun. Those guys were laughing at me on the other side. Our guys were laughing at me… They were on me all night.”
…like i said, whatever he has to do to protect his brain is fine by me… do it… who cares… wrap your head in an orange wig and wear a blue clown nose, whatever, so long as it keeps him on the field… but, he has to expect the jokes… thankfully, he has a sense of humor, and he understands… and i’m glad wright realizes it is all in good fun…
Speaking of which, the Sports Hernia wonders what Barry Bonds would look like in Wright’s helmet; while the Fightins, a Phillies blog, asks, “Please, David Wright, never stop wearing that helmet.”
As such, in a post to Twitter, SNY.TV’s Ted Berg suggests, “On Friday, the Mets should provide five minutes for everyone to point and laugh at Wright’s helmet, then we can all move on.”
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