Daily Archives: September 23, 2009
The Mets lost to the Braves, 5–2, in Citi Field tonight.
For a full recap and boxscore, click here.
The Least You Should Know:
The Mets reached base 11 times in six innings against Tim Hudson, but scored just two runs.
Mike Pelfrey gave up four runs, three earned, and nine hits in six innings.
The Mets have lost 13 of their last 16 games.
Misc., Etc., and Other Stuff:
The Mets got the leadoff hitter on base in each of the last seven innings of the game, but scored only one run… if only baseball was about which team hit in to the most double plays… oh well. They were 2 for 18 with runners in scoring position, and left 11 men on base. Nobody in the lineup is putting good wood on the ball, they’re hitting weak ground balls, taking awkward swings, and getting very little lift… of course, Tim Hudson is 10-5 in 16 career starts against the Mets.
Pelfrey let up four runs, but I still liked what he showed tonight, in that he listened to Brian Schneider, starting working more quickly, he began throwing a ton of off-speed pitches, then found his fastball again, and was able to push himself it in to the sixth inning, when it was looking like he would be pulled from the game and torched earlier in the night.
What’s Next for the Mets:
The Mets are off tomorrow, then travel to Miami to begin a three-game series with the Marlins on Friday.
Tagged News |
This afternoon, Jerry Manuel addressed reporters, generally fielding questions about the team’s future as the season comes to a close.
Speaking about the catcher’s position, Manuel told reporters that a defensive-oriented catcher is the team’s priority with an emphasis on the philosophy of pitching.
…the market going into the off season for catchers is definitely thin, and while i don’t want to see glass hands behind the plate or someone who struggles throwing to second base, i would like to see the best of both worlds – a catcher who can play the position well enough but provide more offensive output than what the team has had the past two seasons…
Asked whether or not Omir Santos could be their number 1 catcher, Manuel told reporters that while he feels he is capable, it depends on the makeup of the team, and while defense and the pitching staff is a priority as they evaluate a catcher, the lack of run production has to be taken into consideration.
Manuel then discussed the progress of both Angel Pagan and Daniel Murphy, and when asked whether or not both could be everyday players, Manuel told reporters that he feels they are good complimentary players but their ability to start will depend on what happens in the off season.
…as has been discussed about Pagan, I worry a lot about his instincts and his ‘baseball sharpness’…he is a good hitter, but anything goes after he drops that bat it seems…
…with regards to Murphy, as I said yesterday, he does have a future at the plate, but finding a position for him to play is going to be a challenge, and part of being an everyday player in the National League is being able to at least adequately field your position…
On his own job evaluation, Manuel feels as though he put forth the effort, but ultimately it depends on wins and losses.
Manuel did feel comfortable with the strategy he had, but it just didn’t work out.
On possibly eliminating the Marlins from postseason contention this weekend and whether or not that would provide extra satisfaction, Manuel told reporters that the team will not have any champagne over it.
…not that the Marlins are going to take it down to the wire or anything, but it would certainly be in the back of my mind, after what they have done to the Mets over the past two seasons at the end…
…that said, the Marlins have definitely taken steps forward and exceeded my expectations this season, and are going to finish ahead of the Mets, so I don’t know that there is any place for satisfaction…
The Mets look to salvage the final game of their three game series against the Braves, tonight at Citi Field at 7:10 pm.
The Mets have now lost seven consecutive games to the Braves.
Angel Pagan will lead off, followed in order by Luis Castillo, David Wright, Carlos Beltran, Daniel Murphy, Jeff Francoeur, Brian Schneider, and Anderson Hernandez.
Mike Pelfrey (10-11, 5.10 ERA) will start for the Mets. Thus past Friday against Washington, Pelfrey took the loss as he allowed four earned runs in seven innings, and two home runs. He has made two appearances against the Braves this season, and is 0-2 with an 8.74 ERA in those outings.
Tim Hudson (1-1, 3.70 ERA) will start for the Braves. Hudson is making just his fifth start of the year as he was out all year until September 1 after undergoing elbow ligament replacement surgery on August 8, 2008. Lifetime he is 9-5 with a 3.82 ERA against the Mets.
In a post to his blog for the New York Post, Joel Sherman poses a series of questions regarding Daniel Murphy, such as:
“Can the Mets trust first base to Murphy for 2010, and use their limited funds to find a No. 2 starter, left fielder and relief help?”
To read quotes from Murphy, speaking about the fans, quality baseball, pressure and winning, read Steve Popper’s report for the Bergen Record.
Jerry Manuel discussed Murphy prior to yesterday’s game, saying to reporters:
“I think he has been just like any good young hitter: for a period of time, stubborn… He was pretty much taking that pitch on the inside, and this year he’s putting a stronger swing on it, and hitting the ball in the right-center gap or hitting it out… That gives me optimism that he could continue to do that over a long period of time… I think he’s going to be what we all thought he would be. We always question where the power was. I think that you’re going to see a pretty good player with some power. I wouldn’t say 30, 35 home runs – I would say a guy who could hit 20-plus homers.”
Murphy is batting .266 and leads the Mets with 11 home runs and 36 doubles – he is seven RBI behind David Wright for the team lead in runs batted in.
In a post to Bob’s Blitz, Bob points out that Tino Martinez hit .257 with 16 home runs and 66 RBI in his first full season in the major leagues.
Last week on WFAN, host Mike Francesa asked, ‘What is it with the Met fans obsession with Daniel Murphy?’
… that’s easy, because there is a section of the fan pool, of which i am in, who love murphy’s story, i.e., the young kid, dedicated, passionate, sort of an over-achiever, home grown, who loves the game, and who plays hard and works even harder… so, i’ll be the first to admit, because of his story, when murphy struggles, i probably look beyond the results… and, when he does well, like last September, April and this September, i see him on a path to being the next Don Mattingly or Mark Grace… even though, deep down inside, i know there is a chance he could very easily find himself on the bench next season, acting as ‘the next Matt Franco,’ as Joe Janish of Mets Today suggested last month…
Tagged News |Tonight, MetsBlog’s Regis Courtemanche will b
e hosting a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society from 7-10 pm at Lansdowne Road, a bar located at 599 10th Avenue in New York City.
The event will coincide with the Mets vs. Braves game and admission is free.
There will be drink specials, and a raffle to win items from MeiGray (memorabilia from Shea Stadium), SNY (Mets tickets worth $500), Gary, Keith & Ron, Ommegang Brewery, Blue Smoke, Brooklyn Brewery, Top of the Rock, Chelsea Piers, Louisville Slugger, Trapeze School of NY, Random House, Crunch Fitness, Antonio Prieto Salon, Off The Wagon, NY Shaving Co., Village Pourhouse, Croton Tavern and many more.
There is no donation required, but any amount is appreciated.
For more on Regis’s ongoing campaign to raise $5,000 before the end of the season, and to see exactly what will be raffled off, click here.
He will be selling tickets for the raffle at the event, and all proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society.
Tagged News |“Bobby Valentine is on the verge of signing a lucrative multi-year deal with ESPN,” according to Bob Raissman of the Daily News.
…on one hand, that’s awesome, because i thought he was great on Baseball Tonight, and it made me want to watch the show… and, for what it’s worth, i have not watched Baseball Tonight all season… he would change that, no doubt… also, i look forward to him fighting with Steve Phillips… now we’re talking TV…
…on the other hand, it means he more-than-likely will not be managing in 2010, which, depending on how you look at it, could be a good thing…
…i suspect he’ll have an out-clause in his ESPN deal, like last time, meaning he could jump ship any time… also, if the Mets are committed to Jerry Manuel, it means valentine could still be available at some point over the next few seasons, despite no longer managing in Japan…
Tagged News |Sean Green has a 2.43 ERA in his last 11 appearances, and opponents are batting .167 against him in September.
…he switched to a lower, more under-arm delievery… he used to look like Aaron 
Heilman, now he is bordering on a Chad Bradford-type angle, and it seems to be getting him more bite and control of his slider…
… green is arbitration eligible for the first time this off-season… … i wasn’t sure for a while, but i now believe green will be brought back next season by the Mets…
Green made his career-high 72 appearance last night, during which he pitched to four batters, allowing one hit and one walk.
He has not allowed a run to score against him in 11 of his last 13 appearances, dating back to August 24.
Tagged News |
In a video for On the Black, Kerel Cooper wonders if we have seen the best of Jose Reyes.
To see a graphic comparing how many home runs the Mets hit this season, compared to how many they allowed, go to Amazin Avenue.
In a post to Brooklyn Met Fan, Adam Salazar lists nine examples of how you know it’s a lost season.
According to this photo from Anthony DiComo of MLB.com, Snoopy was on field before last night’s game.
…had i been able to take a picture with Mr. Met and Snoopy, while eating Sour Patch Kids, my nine-year-old self would have been so proud…
Jon Star of Inside Pitch Magazine looks back at the 2009 Draft.
Jessep from Mets Merized Online posts candidates for this season’s MMO Awards, which include, “The Kenny Rogers Award,” given to the moment you will never forget from 2009, “for all the wrong reasons.”
Lastly, Joe Janish of Mets Today takes a look at likely-to-be free-agent OF Jermaine Dye, and whether he fits in with the 2010 Mets.
Tagged News |Braves reporter Mark Bowman, of MLB.com, says C Brian McCann is happy for his friend, Jeff Francoeur, who was traded from the Braves to the Mets in late July.
“I’ve still got a lot of good friends over there,” Francoeur told Bowman. “But, I’m 
really happy here and have enjoyed everything about playing in New York.”
…i was able to talk with francoeur in the tunnel before monday’s game… he doesn’t know me from a hole in the wall, and i’m sure he had better things to do at that moment than talk to me, but, he never stopped smiling, and he seemed genuinely appreciative of the conversation and well wishes… he also seems very upbeat, energetic and intense… i notice he talks to every one on the team, giving high-fives and asking questions… of course, he still needs to draw more walks… but, in terms of being able to play in New York, with the fans, media and expectations, he doesn’t seemed phased in the least… if anything, he strikes me as the kind of guy who runs toward the challenge, not away from it…
To read quotes from McCann, who talks about the difference between Francoeur in Atlanta and in New York, read MLB.com.
Speaking of Francoeur, in a report for the Daily News, Adam Rubin says David Wright plans to join Francoeur at Howard Johnson’s house for a mini-camp of hitting this winter.
…hey, everybody, party at hojo’s house…
Francoeur also told Rubin he expects the Mets to approach him with a three-year contract, which will cover his first year of free agency.
In a post to NY Baseball Digest, Howard Megdal explains why it is a bad idea to give Francoeur a guaranteed three-year deal.
Tagged News |According to the New York Post, Jon Niese told reporters yesterday that it was his decision to throw the warm-up pitch, not the team’s, on which he tore on his hamstring in early August.
Niese came up lame covering first base on the previous play, then, instead of coming out of the game, or just stepping in to 
face the next batter, he tossed a warm up pitch, tore his hamstring and tumbled to the ground – he had season-ending surgery a few days later.
Niese, who will be examined today by team doctors, said he expects to be ready for spring training.
Prior to the injury, Niese had been 1-1 with a 3.00 ERA in his final three starts for the Mets.
…in all, niese has just eight career starts in the big leagues… i am not sure why, but it feels like he has pitched more… it’s a shame for jon, as he had a great opportunity to get a good 10 or so starts, which would have allowed him to showcase himself to the Mets and others… now, the Mets have less to judge him on, and so it’s hard to imagine how much Omar Minaya will rely on niese when planning next year’s rotation… at best, niese can expect to compete with a handful of pitchers for the fifth starter…
To read quotes from Niese, during which he talks about the injury, how it occurred, and what his future holds, check out the New York Post.
Tagged News | ← Older posts
