…stokes was breaking me out, flirting with two weak breaking ball inside… turns out, he was setting up his hard slider on the outside of the plate, which pujols hit on the ground for an inning-ending double play…

…like i said last night, the best part of the play was Daniel Murphy’s aggressive fist pump, after making the catch for the final out… i like it… 

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, courtesy of ESPN.com, last night was only the second time in the last three seasons in which Pujols hit in to a double play with a runner on first and less than two outs.

…i get lots and lots of e-mails, and hear from fans i talk with, all of whom wonder why stokes does not pitch more… i always assume it’s because Jerry Manuel is keeping him on hold to use in long relief… yesterday, however, manuel said before the game he would turn to stokes in the eighth inning, while giving rest to Pedro Feliciano, Bobby Parnell and Sean Green… now, with yesterday’s addition of Elmer Dessens and Pat Misch, i hope stokes can be freed up to pitch more in situations like last night, because he’s throwing too well right now to sit on the sidelines…

Stokes is 1–2 with a 3.38 ERA in 26 innings pitched, during which opponents are batting .279 against him.

He has not allowed a run in 22 of his 25 appearances this season.

By the way, click here to watch SNY.TV’s Post Game Extra from last night’s win against the Cardinals, featuring clips from the game; quotes from Jerry Manuel, Brian Stokes and Tim Redding; and analysis from Ron, Keith and Gary.

However, according to the report:

“The chances for a deal fell dramatically when the Mets determined that Stokes was likely to make their Opening Day roster.”

By the way, the reports says the Tigers have been shopping 1B-OF Marcus Thames, who the Mets have been linked to in rumor at various times over the last two years.

Pedro Feliciano was credited with the win for 1.1 innings of scoreless relief after Sean Green left the game in the first with a fingernail problem.

Former Yankee farmhand Matt DeSalvo pitched two shutout innings, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out one. Brian Stokes,  Darren O’Day and Elmer Dessens also held the Orioles scoreless in their appearances.

Luis Castillo provided the offensive spark for the Mets, driving in four runs on two hits. Ryan Church added three RBI, and Angel Pagan and Nick Evans chipped in three hits apiece.

In 9.2 innings this season, he has let up four runs and 10 hits, while striking out 9 and walking one.

He has a nice, hard slider, which goes well with his 95–mph fastball, which combine very nicely for the bullpen.

It would be nice to see Stokes slot in like Darren Oliver did in 2006, pitching not only in long relief, but also filling in against righties on a night when Joe Smith or Aaron Heilman need a night off.

In short, Stokes, who had a 7.07 ERA for the Rays in 2007, could be just what the Mets have been looking for to help out in their bullpen in 2008.

This will be his first start for the Mets, who acquired Stokes in an off-season trade in exchange for cash.

…nothing against stokes, but i am a little disappointed, in that i had hoped that Jon Niese would get the call…

In 22 starts in Triple-A this season, the 28–year-old Stokes is 10–8 with a 4.41 ERA.

…interesting…i wonder if this makes him a darkhorse candidate for the fifth starter…or, if he can be the long-man from the bullpen, it could make Jorge Sosa available to be traded, or used as a fifth starter as well…

The Mets acquired Stokes from the Rays in exchange for cash in late November of last year.

The 28-year-old Stokes was 2-7 with a 7.07 ERA in 59 games for Tampa Bay last season, allowing 49 runs and 90 hits in 62 innings.

According to the Denver Post, “The Mets put Register on waivers with the intention of returning the Rule-5 pick to the Rockies.”

…register’s spot on waivers has now been reported by a variety of mainstream outlets, which suggests the emergence of Brian Stokes and the resurgent Joe Smith will fill in for Duaner Sanchez, who will likely start the year on the disabled list – as we have all been predicting for weeks…

…by the way, good for you, joe…way to get back on the map…

Additionally, according to WFAN’s Ed Coleman, speaking on air during yesterday’s mid-day show, the Mets have also put Ruben Gotay on waivers.

However, in today’s New York Post, citing ‘a source who had access to the waiver wire,’ Bart Hubbach states that Register is the only player on the Mets who has been included on the waiver wire as of yesterday afternoon.

Nevertheless, at MLB.com, Marty Noble writes: “The Mets might give Gotay his outright release, though the club is fully aware they could lose him through waivers.”

According to Noble, if Gotay is released, “The chances of Fernando Tatis earning a roster spot is enhanced due to the need for a right-handed bat off the bench.”

…there is a lot of talk coming from the team mentioning tatis, Brady Clark and Angel Pagan…a lot…which is odd because, a) is probably why gotay is in trouble, considering he is out of option, struggles on defense and is a bit injured, and b) he’s losing ground to Fernando Tatis…repeat, Fernando Tatis…

…does tatis also come with a time machine so he can go back to 1999 and hit well again…

…seriously, how did this happen, ruben…ugh…

In eight major-league seasons, the 33–year-old Tatis has played second base, third, left field, right field, short and first base.

In 2006, his last season in the big leagues, he hit .286 in 28 at-bats against left-handed pitchers.

Tatis did not play in 2005 or 2004, but hit .240 against lefties in 2003, and .230 against lefties in 2002.

He has not finished a season hitting over .290 since 1999, since then he is batting .235 in 1,081 at-bats, during which he has struck out more than 25 percent of the time.