Johan Santana pitched about as well as Mets fans could hope, but the offense was nowhere to be found Sunday, as the Mets got swept out of Atlanta in a rain-shortened series, losing 3-1.
Santana pitched seven strong innings, only needing 91 pitches. He allowed one run on seven hits, walking none, while striking out three. Santana benefited from some defensive gems from David Wright at third. The only run came on a double over the head of Angel Pagan in the third inning off the bat of Yunel Escobar, plating Mark Kotsay.
Seven innings, one run? I'll take that every single outing. Stellar stuff from Santana today, just no offense to back him up. Let's hope this isn't a Roger Clemens type season (without the alleged steroids) where he pitches great but never gets run support. I don't think that will happen, it was just unfortunate he had to face John Smoltz, who always shuts down the Mets. Still, gotta love the pitchers duel.
Aaron Heilman pitched the eighth inning, and allowed a two-run home run to Mark Teixeira. These runs were the eventual game winners for the Braves. Heilman walked Chipper Jones on four pitches before Teixeira came to the plate and went deep.
Heilman has been mentioned as a possible closer when Billy Wagner's contact is up, but if he keeps giving up the long ball, I don't know if I would trust him in that role.
The Mets offense only had to deal with Smoltz for five innings, but were unable to capitalize on the Braves bullpen until the top of the ninth inning.
Wright walked to lead off the ninth against Rafael Soriano, moved to second on defensive indifference, and scored on a Ryan Church single down the right field line for the Mets only run of the game. Angel Pagan followed with a walk, but when Brian Schneider came to the plate and ripped one down the first base line, Teixeira flashed some glove and made a terrific diving stab and flipped the ball to first to Soriano who was covering to end the game.
Tough luck here for Schneider and the Mets. Another tale of too little, too late.
The Mets only scrapped together five hits, two of which came off the bat of Carlos Delgado, both singles to the right side of the field. Schneider added a hit in the 8th inning. Santana had the Mets only extra base hit of the day, leading off the third inning with a broken-bat double to center field. He knocked the ball into center field, which Kotsay could not get to and booted it away on his diving attempt, which allowed Santana to move to second.
It's not a good sign for the team when your only double comes from your pitcher. Delgado seems to be finding his groove though.
Game Ball: Santana.
4/6/08
Missing the game
I'm in a bowling league (I know, so cool) and we play every Sunday. That means I have to miss the game.I've resorted to taping it, so my game recap will be a little laggy today, but gimme a break, I want to see Johan Santana pitch.
Enjoy!
Poll results: Wright a runaway
In the latest poll, I asked readers "Who is the best MVP candidate on the Mets?"
43 votes were cast, and here are the results:
David Wright - 74% (32 votes)
Johan Santana - 11% (5 votes)
Pedro Martinez - 6% (3 votes)
Jose Reyes - 4% (2 votes)
Carlos Beltran - 2% (1 vote)
I'm very surprised Wright was such a far and away winner. I thought Reyes would get a ton more votes. I'm also surprised Martinez received any votes at all.
New poll: Who will start more games for the Mets this year?
43 votes were cast, and here are the results:
David Wright - 74% (32 votes)
Johan Santana - 11% (5 votes)
Pedro Martinez - 6% (3 votes)
Jose Reyes - 4% (2 votes)
Carlos Beltran - 2% (1 vote)
I'm very surprised Wright was such a far and away winner. I thought Reyes would get a ton more votes. I'm also surprised Martinez received any votes at all.
New poll: Who will start more games for the Mets this year?
Wells is sitting, waiting, wishing
According to the Boston Globe, David Wells wants to pitch very badly, and is hoping the Mets give him a call.
From the Globe:
For another pitching possibility, Gary Grund, over at our blogging buddies Hot Foot, is reporting that Ruddy Lugo was stretched out to six scoreless innings last night, striking out nine and only allowing four hits.
Well how about that. Lugo and Nelson Figueroa could easily fill in for a spot, along with Tony Armas Jr. Again, I don't think the Mets are desperate for pitching at all.
From the Globe:
With the Mets' Pedro MartÃnez out for six weeks and Arizona lefty Doug Davis scheduled for cancer surgery, there seem to be openings for David Wells with at last those two teams. But so far neither has budged. "David is ready to go and could be ready to pitch in a major league game in two weeks," said Wells's agent, Gregg Clifton. "He's been frustrated because he wants to pitch so badly, but I told him to hang in there for another month."If the Mets weren't desperate enough to go out and sign Claudio Vargas, I don't think they're going to go out and sign Wells. Sorry old man, the Mets have enough pitchers who almost qualify for social security.
For another pitching possibility, Gary Grund, over at our blogging buddies Hot Foot, is reporting that Ruddy Lugo was stretched out to six scoreless innings last night, striking out nine and only allowing four hits.
Well how about that. Lugo and Nelson Figueroa could easily fill in for a spot, along with Tony Armas Jr. Again, I don't think the Mets are desperate for pitching at all.
What baseball is all about
Tomorrow, Johan Santana will take on John Smoltz as ace meets ace for what will most likely be a pitching duel.
This is baseball at it's finest. Two aces, one in the middle of his career and another nearing the end of a most likely Hall of Fame bound one, taking on each other in an early divisional matchup. Not only do Mets fans get to watch and hopefully enjoy their ace take the mound and try to right the ship after their team game up 11 runs, but they'll be able to watch what, on paper, looks to be a classic game in the making.
Of course, for this 1:35 p.m. game, I'll be out of the room, and unable to watch. Here's to a four hour rain delay! Tomorrow may shape up to be a classic matchup, and it may not happen many times this season, so tune in to see two pitchers on top of their game.
Everyone loves a pitchers duel.
This is baseball at it's finest. Two aces, one in the middle of his career and another nearing the end of a most likely Hall of Fame bound one, taking on each other in an early divisional matchup. Not only do Mets fans get to watch and hopefully enjoy their ace take the mound and try to right the ship after their team game up 11 runs, but they'll be able to watch what, on paper, looks to be a classic game in the making.
Of course, for this 1:35 p.m. game, I'll be out of the room, and unable to watch. Here's to a four hour rain delay! Tomorrow may shape up to be a classic matchup, and it may not happen many times this season, so tune in to see two pitchers on top of their game.
Everyone loves a pitchers duel.
4/5/08
Photo of the Day: Maine
John Maine made his first start of the season, only lasting four innings while giving up four runs on eight hits.Maine lacked control and looked very flustered on the mound, something I think hinders him as a pitcher, but I think he'll bounce back nicely the season.
(AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Game Recap: Braves 11 -- Mets 5
John Maine made his first start of the season and failed to impress, only lasting four innings as the Braves beat up on Mets pitching all around, pounding the Mets pitching en route to a 11-5 win.
Maine was pulled for a pinch hitter in the fifth inning after giving up four earned runs on eight hits. Maine did not have his control today as he walked three in his short stint on the mound. He also struck out five. Maine threw 96 pitches in only four innings.
He just did not have his usual control today. He's set up for a big year, but this was just not a good start to the season for him.
Joe Smith came in the game for the fifth inning, getting a 1-2-3 inning. His sixth inning was not as smooth as Ruben Gotay singled off of him and later scored when Mark Kotsay drove him home off of Scott Schoeneweis. Smith pitched 1 1-3 of an inning, and one run was charged to him from Gotay. Smith struck out one. Schoeneweis pitched 2-3 of an inning, allowing only that one hit.
Smith has looked very good so far. Schoeneweis allowed only that one hit, but has been decent so far.
Jorge Sosa let the game blow wide open, allowing a grand slam to Kelly Johnson in the eighth inning. He allowed three hits and walked one and Willie Randolph left him in with the bases loaded, something we learned too much about last year, and he gave up the four-run home run to Johnson to put the Braves up for good.
I don't know why Randolph would leave Sosa in the game. We know his reputation with the bases loaded and it just makes no sense. Color me confused on this one.
Nelson Figueroa made an appearance, attempting to mop up. He allowed two runs on two hits and a walk.
Figueroa looks like he's going to get the start against the Brewers next week, with Johan Santana pitching the next day.
The Mets left six on base today, as the Mets bats just could not match what the Braves bats were doing.
In the second inning, Carlos Delgado singled as the second batter of the inning. He took third on a daring move on a Ryan Church single. The move paid off as he scored when Matin Prado botched a double play ball off the bat of Angel Pagan and Delgado scored the Mets first run. Delgado went 2-4 on the day, scoring two runs and driving in one. Pagan drove in two runs, going 1-3 and scoring once.
Good stuff from Delgado and Pagan. Delgado is either on or off. He can look lost at the plate or drive one into the outfield at the same time. Pagan is hot. It's going to be interesting what the team does with him if he comes back down to earth.
The Mets had an interesting fifth inning. Church led off with a single, followed by a Pagan single. Brady Clark pinch hit for Maine, and was plunked by the first pitch of his at-bat. This had the bases loaded for Jose Reyes and I'll quote my Live Game Commentary rather that rewrite it all:
"The third base umpire called the obvious trap by Mark Kotsay 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."
It was a crazy collection of events, but everything was kind of sorted out after a while. I was shocked that they actually overturned the call, especially because it was in favor of the Mets. It seems like the Mets never get a call like that go their way.
Luis Castillo added a RBI groundout before David Wright ended the inning. Wright's hit streak ended today, as he went 0-4. Delgado drove home Beltran in the eighth and Pagan added his final RBI, but it was way too little too late as the Mets fell way short.
Bound to happen for Wright, but it was just another dark spot in an otherwise forgettable game. Not the way I wanted to spend my Saturday afternoon.
Game Ball: Pagan, again.
Maine was pulled for a pinch hitter in the fifth inning after giving up four earned runs on eight hits. Maine did not have his control today as he walked three in his short stint on the mound. He also struck out five. Maine threw 96 pitches in only four innings.
He just did not have his usual control today. He's set up for a big year, but this was just not a good start to the season for him.
Joe Smith came in the game for the fifth inning, getting a 1-2-3 inning. His sixth inning was not as smooth as Ruben Gotay singled off of him and later scored when Mark Kotsay drove him home off of Scott Schoeneweis. Smith pitched 1 1-3 of an inning, and one run was charged to him from Gotay. Smith struck out one. Schoeneweis pitched 2-3 of an inning, allowing only that one hit.
Smith has looked very good so far. Schoeneweis allowed only that one hit, but has been decent so far.
Jorge Sosa let the game blow wide open, allowing a grand slam to Kelly Johnson in the eighth inning. He allowed three hits and walked one and Willie Randolph left him in with the bases loaded, something we learned too much about last year, and he gave up the four-run home run to Johnson to put the Braves up for good.
I don't know why Randolph would leave Sosa in the game. We know his reputation with the bases loaded and it just makes no sense. Color me confused on this one.
Nelson Figueroa made an appearance, attempting to mop up. He allowed two runs on two hits and a walk.
Figueroa looks like he's going to get the start against the Brewers next week, with Johan Santana pitching the next day.
The Mets left six on base today, as the Mets bats just could not match what the Braves bats were doing.
In the second inning, Carlos Delgado singled as the second batter of the inning. He took third on a daring move on a Ryan Church single. The move paid off as he scored when Matin Prado botched a double play ball off the bat of Angel Pagan and Delgado scored the Mets first run. Delgado went 2-4 on the day, scoring two runs and driving in one. Pagan drove in two runs, going 1-3 and scoring once.
Good stuff from Delgado and Pagan. Delgado is either on or off. He can look lost at the plate or drive one into the outfield at the same time. Pagan is hot. It's going to be interesting what the team does with him if he comes back down to earth.
The Mets had an interesting fifth inning. Church led off with a single, followed by a Pagan single. Brady Clark pinch hit for Maine, and was plunked by the first pitch of his at-bat. This had the bases loaded for Jose Reyes and I'll quote my Live Game Commentary rather that rewrite it all:
"The third base umpire called the obvious trap by Mark Kotsay 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."
It was a crazy collection of events, but everything was kind of sorted out after a while. I was shocked that they actually overturned the call, especially because it was in favor of the Mets. It seems like the Mets never get a call like that go their way.
Luis Castillo added a RBI groundout before David Wright ended the inning. Wright's hit streak ended today, as he went 0-4. Delgado drove home Beltran in the eighth and Pagan added his final RBI, but it was way too little too late as the Mets fell way short.
Bound to happen for Wright, but it was just another dark spot in an otherwise forgettable game. Not the way I wanted to spend my Saturday afternoon.
Game Ball: Pagan, again.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)