4/5/08
Jeff Kepp: Reds hero
Read this if you're feeling nostalgic and a bit of a masochist and want to read about Jeff Keppinger.
In Game Commentary: This is a mess
An absolutely terrible call by the umpires has left a logjam on the field.
With the bases loaded, Jose Reyes singled to center field to a diving Mark Kotsay. The third base umpire called the obvious trap a catch, which led to Angel Pagan getting doubled up off of second base. Willie Randolph came out to argue, and amazingly, after an umpires conference, had the call overturned.
Pagan would have easily scored on the play had they let it run its course correctly, instead they let all the runners move up a base, keeping the bases loaded with only one out.
I've never seen this before, and I am even more shocked that the Mets had a call actually go their way.
After all that, Luis Castillo grounds into an RBI fielders choice and David Wright grounds out to end the inning. The Mets got the runs they would have without the botched call, so everything worked out.
In bigger news, John Maine is out of the game after only four innings, allowing four runs on eight hits. Not good. The bullpen is going to get it's work in today.
I'll pick up some live game commentary from here on out: Braves 4 -- Mets 3
Bottom of the fifth inning:
With the bases loaded, Jose Reyes singled to center field to a diving Mark Kotsay. The third base umpire called the obvious trap a catch, which led to Angel Pagan getting doubled up off of second base. Willie Randolph came out to argue, and amazingly, after an umpires conference, had the call overturned.
Pagan would have easily scored on the play had they let it run its course correctly, instead they let all the runners move up a base, keeping the bases loaded with only one out.
I've never seen this before, and I am even more shocked that the Mets had a call actually go their way.
After all that, Luis Castillo grounds into an RBI fielders choice and David Wright grounds out to end the inning. The Mets got the runs they would have without the botched call, so everything worked out.
In bigger news, John Maine is out of the game after only four innings, allowing four runs on eight hits. Not good. The bullpen is going to get it's work in today.
I'll pick up some live game commentary from here on out: Braves 4 -- Mets 3
Bottom of the fifth inning:
- Great inning from Joe Smith. Puts the Braves down in order, 1-2-3, on seven pitches. Smith has been amazing lately, just like last year. Let's hope it doesn't end in him getting sent down mid-season.
- Tim Hudson seems shaken after that last inning. He threw three balls to Beltran before giving up a single to center field.
- Carlos Delgado looks lost at the plate as he strikes out swinging. He's missing balls he used to be able to drive. As much as it pains me to say, I think Delgado needs to give up swinging for the long ball, and try to go the other way more like Shawn Green started to do at the end of last year.
- Ryan Church literally cues one off the end of his bat. Beltran moves to second on the groundball.
- Ken Rosenthal is a terrible TV guy. That last piece on Pagan would have been very nice and touching had it not been read by Rosenthal. This entire FOX broadcast seems so phony and boring.
- I guess I was wrong about Hudson, as he got Pagan to ground out to end the inning without any damage. Lead off runner leads to nothing for the Mets. Very typical.
- Old friend Ruben Gotay is pinch-hitting for the Braves right now. Hudson leaves the game leading 4-3. Smith is still in for the Mets. And Gotay nearly takes the head off Smith's head as he singles up the middle.
- Yunel Escobar gives himself up, moving Gotay to second. Smith's day is done. Scott Schoeneweis is in the game.
- Just as I predicted, Gotay comes back and bites the Mets in the butt. Kotsay singles him home and makes a baserunning blunder, getting thrown out at second. 5-3 Braves.
- Chipper Jones pops out in foul territory. Inning over.
- Brian Schneider singles up the middle to start the inning against Peter Moylan.
- Endy Chavez is pinch hitting. Martin Prado makes his second blunder of the day. Chavez scorched a ball to Prado, who boots it. First and second, nobody out.
- Reyes attempts a bunt, who hits the ball out of the box. Thankfully, it was a foul ball otherwise he would have been out. And he does it again, foul ball again.
- Castillo advances the runners with a ground ball to the right side.
- Wright promptly grounds out to end the inning. Another typical Mets inning, as they put the first two on base and fail to score. Wright may have one more shot at extending his 20-game hitting streak.
- Jorge Sosa is in for the Mets. On his second pitch of the inning, it looks like Sosa hurt himself as he almost went down. Hopefully it's just a slippery mound and Sosa is alright. We're waiting on the groundscrew right now. Sosa is staying in the game, so I guess he's alright.
- Rosenthal has officially lost his mind. No offense to Braves fans, but he has the Braves winning the World Series. What a nutjob. Yet I still cite his stories. What does that say about me? FOX has lost his mind. They're theorizing if the Phillies had gone out and traded for Sandy Koufax after their historic collapse. Why?
- Sosa strikes out Mark Teixiera on a pitch up high. Nice pitch.
- Brian McCann doubles into the gap.
- Jeff Francoeur singles to Pagan in left. McCann moves up to third. How sweet would a double play be right now?
- Sosa makes Matt Diaz look silly with three straight sliders. Diaz wasn't even close on any of those swings. Mets staff, take note of that.
- Sosa quickly goes 3-0 on Prado. And walks him on four pitches. Rick Peterson is out to talk to Sosa.
- Tim McCarver's new book: The best fire kindling available in stores.
- Bases loaded for Sosa never lead to good things for Sosa last year. Lots of grand slams... It's 3-1 on Kelly Johnson. Johnson fouls off what would have been ball four. Full count. And look at that...a grand slam for Kelly Johnson. I am not surprised. 9-3 Braves.
- Why in the world is Jorge Sosa still in this game? He induces a fly ball to Church in right. There was NO reason Sosa should have still been in the game with the bases loaded. Does Randolph not remember last year at all??
- Another old friend, Royce Ring, is in the game for the Braves. Beltran doubles into the left field gap and easily coasts into second with a double. This would be a whole lot more relevant if Sosa hadn't just given up a grand slam and let the Braves go up by six.
- Delgado doubles down the right field line, scoring Beltran. 9-4 Braves. Good pitch from Ring and Delgado just went down and got it. Good stuff.
- Church facing a lefty, this is always fun. Pretty good AB from Church. He's hanging in there. Church grounds out to first, moving Delgado to third.
- Pagan hits a sac-fly, plating Delgado. 9-5 Braves. It would be tied if not for Sosa and his penchant for grand slams.
- Schneider grounds out to second. One more turn at bat for the Mets.
- Nelson Figueroa is in the game.
- Kotsay grounds out to Castillo. One away.
- Jones grounds out to first, who bobbles the ball but still gets it to Figueroa, who was covering.
- Teixiera singles over the head of Delgado. On base for the fourth time today.
- McCann is putting in a lengthy AB against Figueroa. McCann works out a walk. First and second, two away.
- Francoeur knocks one into center and under the diving glove of Beltran. Two runs score. 11-5 Braves.
- Diaz flies out to end the inning.
- Marlon Anderson is pinch hitting for Figueroa. Another lengthy at bat as the count goes 3-2 and pitches are being fouled off left and right. Hits one right to Francoeur in right. One away.
- Reyes looks goofy and strikes out on a pitch very low and away. That's just bad.
- Castillo floats one to Escobar at second, ending the game.
Lineup vs. the Braves
The tarp is off the field in Atlanta, and it looks like the Mets and the Braves will open their series on time today after being rained out last night.
John Maine vs. Tim Hudson
Lineup:
SS Jose Reyes
2B Luis Castillo
3B David Wright
CF Carlos Beltran
1B Carlos Delgado
RF Ryan Church
LF Angel Pagan
C Brian Schneider
P John Maine
Alright boys, let's get this game going. I'm itching for Mets baseball.
Drop by Mets Lounge for our live game thread.
John Maine vs. Tim Hudson
Lineup:
SS Jose Reyes
2B Luis Castillo
3B David Wright
CF Carlos Beltran
1B Carlos Delgado
RF Ryan Church
LF Angel Pagan
C Brian Schneider
P John Maine
Alright boys, let's get this game going. I'm itching for Mets baseball.
Drop by Mets Lounge for our live game thread.
What'd I miss?
Not a game, thankfully.
Fate was on my side last night, and the Mets / Braves season opener was rained out, most likely to everyone's dismay but mine. The teams will try again today at 3:55 p.m., though it looks like more rain is in the forecast. I'm guessing there will be a delay today, because the field is probably under water. The game will be made up on May 20.j
John Maine and Tim Hudson were both pushed back a day, so they're today's matchup.
Stuff I missed:
-Duaner Sanchez, another player on the comeback trail, gave up two solo home runs in his rehab start last night for Class-A St. Lucie.
Not good Dirty. I think he'll be on the DL for longer than we all expected.
-The Mets are not expected to sign Claudio Vargas.
We're not that desperate for pitching...yet.
-FARK.com is campainging for Rick Astley's, Never Gonna Give You Up, to be the write in candidate for the 8th inning song.
I support this RickRoll to the fullest extent. I wouldn't be happier if I could get RickRoll'd every 8th inning at Shea.
Fate was on my side last night, and the Mets / Braves season opener was rained out, most likely to everyone's dismay but mine. The teams will try again today at 3:55 p.m., though it looks like more rain is in the forecast. I'm guessing there will be a delay today, because the field is probably under water. The game will be made up on May 20.j
John Maine and Tim Hudson were both pushed back a day, so they're today's matchup.
Stuff I missed:
-Duaner Sanchez, another player on the comeback trail, gave up two solo home runs in his rehab start last night for Class-A St. Lucie.
Not good Dirty. I think he'll be on the DL for longer than we all expected.
-The Mets are not expected to sign Claudio Vargas.
We're not that desperate for pitching...yet.
-FARK.com is campainging for Rick Astley's, Never Gonna Give You Up, to be the write in candidate for the 8th inning song.
I support this RickRoll to the fullest extent. I wouldn't be happier if I could get RickRoll'd every 8th inning at Shea.
4/4/08
Uh-oh!
Last night, the motherboard on my computer crashed.
Today, and until Monday, I am without my computer while I wait for the Dell tech. to come and fix it. I'm waiting to receive a loaner, so we'll see what happens.
Enjoy the first game against the Braves tonight! I'll be at a symphony (ugh) so enjoy the game and I'll be back up and running soon.
Thanks for understanding.
As always, feel free to drop by Mets Lounge for some in-game chatter with other Mets fans!
Today, and until Monday, I am without my computer while I wait for the Dell tech. to come and fix it. I'm waiting to receive a loaner, so we'll see what happens.
Enjoy the first game against the Braves tonight! I'll be at a symphony (ugh) so enjoy the game and I'll be back up and running soon.
Thanks for understanding.
As always, feel free to drop by Mets Lounge for some in-game chatter with other Mets fans!
4/3/08
El Duque's first minor league start
El Duque made his first minor league start in his journey back to the major leagues.
He pitched five innings, allowing two runs on three hits. He allowed one home run, a solo shot in the third. Adam Rubin said, "I’m told El Duque had impressive offspeed pitches, but his fastball looked offspeed, too."
Hilarious and sad at the same time. Duque will have to be a crafty Jamie Moyer-esque pitcher for the rest of his career, painting the corners and keeping the hitters guessing. I'm not so sure he can do that.
He pitched five innings, allowing two runs on three hits. He allowed one home run, a solo shot in the third. Adam Rubin said, "I’m told El Duque had impressive offspeed pitches, but his fastball looked offspeed, too."
Hilarious and sad at the same time. Duque will have to be a crafty Jamie Moyer-esque pitcher for the rest of his career, painting the corners and keeping the hitters guessing. I'm not so sure he can do that.
Spark up the A's rumors
The A's firesale may not be over and Rich Harden could be a possibility for the Mets.
I really don't like all the rumor mongering, but the Mets and A's have been linked for a while to swap some players for a starting pitcher.
I just can't see the Mets giving up any more players anytime soon especially for another injury plagued guy like Harden. Not unless another pitcher hits the shelf.
I really don't like all the rumor mongering, but the Mets and A's have been linked for a while to swap some players for a starting pitcher.
I just can't see the Mets giving up any more players anytime soon especially for another injury plagued guy like Harden. Not unless another pitcher hits the shelf.
A brief pause in the barrage of news
The Mets have an off day today, and for the first time in the last few weeks, it's pretty quiet around the blogpshere.
My Google Reader isn't overflowing with news of Johan Santana and Pedro Martinez and the Mets and the Braves and everything else I track in my RSS reader.
It's nice to step back and look at the team as they are, a group of men who go out almost every day for six months to preform and entertain millions. They're a small team of players, mostly barely over 25-years-old, who lead lives millions of kids everywhere dream about. We may get on them for a bad game or a slump, but we have to remember how impressive these men really are. They've made it through the ranks of baseball, something only a few percentage of people do.
Major League Baseball players are a special breed, and we need to remember how amazing they are at what they do. They keep so many people entertained and give many kids (and even some adults) people to look up to and things to look forward to every day.
A baseball game. For some people, it's an escape from daily life. For others it's a profession and a passion, be it they're playing or they're writing about it. Baseball is truly America's past time.
My Google Reader isn't overflowing with news of Johan Santana and Pedro Martinez and the Mets and the Braves and everything else I track in my RSS reader.
It's nice to step back and look at the team as they are, a group of men who go out almost every day for six months to preform and entertain millions. They're a small team of players, mostly barely over 25-years-old, who lead lives millions of kids everywhere dream about. We may get on them for a bad game or a slump, but we have to remember how impressive these men really are. They've made it through the ranks of baseball, something only a few percentage of people do.
Major League Baseball players are a special breed, and we need to remember how amazing they are at what they do. They keep so many people entertained and give many kids (and even some adults) people to look up to and things to look forward to every day.
A baseball game. For some people, it's an escape from daily life. For others it's a profession and a passion, be it they're playing or they're writing about it. Baseball is truly America's past time.
When will people stop griping about Lastings Milledge?
Last night during the Mets 13-0 lopsided win over the Florida Marlins, SNY began to take calls in the booth from viewers. Aside from the fact that this entire segment is terrible idea, a man called in asking what Gary, Keith and Ron though about the Lastings Milledge for Ryan Church and Brian Schneider trade.
Here's where I have problems with this:
1. The trade occurred all the way back in November of 2007. Over four months ago.
2. The caller brought this question up in a game where the players the Mets acquired had already combined for three RBI and two runs scored and would go on to drive in two more runs in the next inning. Church even roped a two-run home run over the right field wall off a left handed pitcher (one of his apparent weak points) in the second inning.
3. It's not like if fans keep asking about it and theorizing it was a bad trade and how amazing Milledge might be, Omar will all of a sudden try and get him back.
When the Mets traded Milledge, who might have been their starting right fielder this year, they got back a defensive minded catcher and a solid right fielder.
Schneider has something the Mets haven't been able to boast about in a while: skills behind the plate. Sure, the pitching staff is good, but adding a catcher like him, with great defensive skills and a plethora of knowledge and ability to call the game correctly brings the staff to a new level. Church, as we saw last night, knows how to track down a routine fly ball (unlike Milledge) and even has a canon for an arm, throwing out Hanley Ramirez in the first inning. The Mets were tossing around the idea of platooning him against left handers, but last night he showed he could, lining a home run over the wall.
The deal is done. They can't go back and ask for Milledge back, so just give it up. Get used to Church and Schneider as two members of the Mets starting squad and forget about Milledge. He's old news.
Here's where I have problems with this:
1. The trade occurred all the way back in November of 2007. Over four months ago.
2. The caller brought this question up in a game where the players the Mets acquired had already combined for three RBI and two runs scored and would go on to drive in two more runs in the next inning. Church even roped a two-run home run over the right field wall off a left handed pitcher (one of his apparent weak points) in the second inning.
3. It's not like if fans keep asking about it and theorizing it was a bad trade and how amazing Milledge might be, Omar will all of a sudden try and get him back.
When the Mets traded Milledge, who might have been their starting right fielder this year, they got back a defensive minded catcher and a solid right fielder.
Schneider has something the Mets haven't been able to boast about in a while: skills behind the plate. Sure, the pitching staff is good, but adding a catcher like him, with great defensive skills and a plethora of knowledge and ability to call the game correctly brings the staff to a new level. Church, as we saw last night, knows how to track down a routine fly ball (unlike Milledge) and even has a canon for an arm, throwing out Hanley Ramirez in the first inning. The Mets were tossing around the idea of platooning him against left handers, but last night he showed he could, lining a home run over the wall.
The deal is done. They can't go back and ask for Milledge back, so just give it up. Get used to Church and Schneider as two members of the Mets starting squad and forget about Milledge. He's old news.
Photo of the Day: Wright
David Wright picked up one of the Mets many doubles Wednesday night.The Mets knocked in 13 runs on 17 hits to take the series over the Florida Marlins.
(Doug Benc/Getty Images)
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