The New York Mets, fresh off a sweep against the Washington Nationals, head into Philadelphia to take on the Philles for a three game set.
Lineup:
SS Jose Reyes
RF Ryan Church
3B David Wright
CF Carlos Beltran
1B Carlos Delgado
LF Angel Pagan
C Brian Schneider
2B Luis Castillo
LH Johan Santana
Santana vs. Cole Hamels
Again, it's billed as a pitchers duel, but it's probably not going to end up like that. Remember, they're in Citizens Bank Park. Beltran is back in the lineup after missing yesterday with a stiff neck. Schneider is in there too, as he took a seat last night.
I'll be liveblogging tonight, so stay tuned.
4/18/08
Two notes on a pretty quiet day
There really hasn't been much discussed today as everyone just seems to be preparing for tonights matchup of Johan Santana and Cole Hamels.
On paper, it's a pitching duel, but they're in Citizens Bank Park, and when do have these ace's meet, it rarely ever works out like that.
John Delcos has tonight's over/under home run total at four. I'll take the over.
Two notes:
Carlos Beltran should return tonight after missing last night with a sore neck. He pinch hit in the ninth inning, but struck out swinging with men on base.
Also, Jimmy Rollins will not be playing tonight, as he is attending his uncle's funeral. He may or may not be back Saturday, but definitely by Sunday.
On paper, it's a pitching duel, but they're in Citizens Bank Park, and when do have these ace's meet, it rarely ever works out like that.
John Delcos has tonight's over/under home run total at four. I'll take the over.
Two notes:
Carlos Beltran should return tonight after missing last night with a sore neck. He pinch hit in the ninth inning, but struck out swinging with men on base.
Also, Jimmy Rollins will not be playing tonight, as he is attending his uncle's funeral. He may or may not be back Saturday, but definitely by Sunday.
After all that, it wasn't even the longest game in the majors
Usually, when you play 14 innings, you're the longest game in the majors. Not so last night, as the San Diego Padres and the Colorado Rockies played 2 1/2 games. It lasted 22 innings, and ended around 4:30 a.m. eastern time.
Crazy.
Anyway, there's really no rhyme or reason to this post other than to express my love for extra inning affairs. I love the drama and do-or-die of the extras. Granted, I do only like the games where the Mets come out on top, and when they don't, extra innings stink.
Last night's game ended just before 12:00 a.m., and I am lucky enough to have been in Shea much later. Last year, when Jorge Sosa took on the Chicago Cubs after a three hour rain delay, I was in Shea Stadium until past 12:30 a.m. I thought that was a pretty cool tidbit.
Also, Citi Group, obviously the business that owns the naming rights to Citi Field, just posted a $5.1 billion loss in the first quarter.
Wow. Maybe this opens up a chance for Met Life to steal the rights.
Crazy.
Anyway, there's really no rhyme or reason to this post other than to express my love for extra inning affairs. I love the drama and do-or-die of the extras. Granted, I do only like the games where the Mets come out on top, and when they don't, extra innings stink.
Last night's game ended just before 12:00 a.m., and I am lucky enough to have been in Shea much later. Last year, when Jorge Sosa took on the Chicago Cubs after a three hour rain delay, I was in Shea Stadium until past 12:30 a.m. I thought that was a pretty cool tidbit.
Also, Citi Group, obviously the business that owns the naming rights to Citi Field, just posted a $5.1 billion loss in the first quarter.
Wow. Maybe this opens up a chance for Met Life to steal the rights.
Game Recap: Mets 3 -- Nationals 2
In a game that started with superb pitching, it ended with on a wild pitch. It took 14 innings, but the New York Mets finally topped the Washington Nationals late Thursday night by a score of 3-2.
Nelson Figueroa and John Lannan were the stars early in this game. Lannan went six innings, allowing only one run on three hits. He struck out 11 batters and set down 16 in a row through innings one to six. Lannan allowed a leadoff hit to Jose Reyes, a double to Ryan Church off the glove of Wily Mo Pena to plate Reyes before starting his streak of setting the Mets down before Reyes singled in the sixth to break it up.
For the Mets, Figueroa went seven strong innings, allowing only three hits. The two earned runs charged to came on a two run home run by Nick Johnson in the top of the fourth inning. Johnson crushed a ball to deep right field, which brought home Ryan Zimmerman. Figueroa set down the side in order in the second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth. Figueroa used 101 pitches to get through the seven innings.
Two amazing starts from these guys. Lannan was on fire for those innings, as was Figueroa. They were matching zeros for a while there. What else can I say here? These two were amazing, but neither of them were even close to factoring into the final. If Figueroa keeps this up, he's going to be huge in New York. A homegrown boy pitching for his favorite childhood team. Someone start writing the screenplay.
The Mets bullpen come on and put together seven straight scoreless innings, adding on to Figueroa's three. The Nationals only picked up six hits in the game, one coming against Duaner Sanchez and two coming against Jorge Sosa. Here's the rundown: Aaron Heilman pitched the eighth inning, striking out one. Billy Wagner came in for the ninth, with the game tied, also striking out one. Then Duaner Sanchez pitched 1 2-3 of an inning, allowing one hit and one walk, and also striking out one. With one on in the 11th, Pedro Feliciano came in to face Johnson, and promptly walked him. This was Feliciano's only batter, as he was removed in a double switch in favor of Joe Smith. Smith logged 1 1-3 of an inning, striking out one. Jorge Sosa came on in the 13th inning, working two innings, allowing two hits, walking one and striking out two.
Wow. Scott Schoeneweis was the only pitcher left in the bullpen when they ended it in the 14th. Amazing stuff from the bullpen to shut down the Nats. Honestly, even though the bats struggled at times, what an amazing outing by Mets pitchers, all around. Great stuff, just downright great stuff.
The Mets offense scored early, when needed, and when they wanted to go home. They had chances in between, but eventually did what they needed to do to win.
They got on the board early, as detailed above, with Reyes singling to start off the game and Church doubling off the glove of Pena in left field. That's when Lannan kicked in and didn't allow another base runner until the sixth inning.
I thought the Mets were going to have a huge day after the first two batters, but Randy St. Claire went out to talk to his pitcher, and obviously said something that resonated.
The Mets were held quiet until the seventh inning. Saul Rivera pitched the seventh for the Nationals, and the Mets threatened to score. Delgado walked, and Angel Pagan singled to right to start the inning. After a Brady Clark sacrifice, Raul Casanova lined out to third and Luis Castillo grounded out to end the inning. In the eighth, the Mets came through to tie it up, as everything happened with two outs and was caused by an error on the part of Ronnie Belliard. Church, with two outs, grounded softly to Belliard, who plays very deep in the hole at second, came charging on, but the ball bounced off the tip of his glove and he could not make the play. After a David Wright walk, Carlos Delgado broke a 0-14 streak, singling to right field and scoring Church, tying up the game at two a piece.
The team is not getting the big hits, but doing just enough, which can only get them so far. Delgado has been looking rough at the plate, and I'm not about to forgive him for it all after one big hit. He needs to go back to his diary (if he's left it at all, I'm not sure, but they haven't shown it at all so I'm just making an educated guess here) and start logging his at bats. It's worked before. And I'll say it again, he needs to give up going yard. He needs to put his head down and go with the pitch. Work the other way for doubles, singles, whatever you can get. If the home run comes, then good, but don't swing for it.
In the ninth, the Mets threatened, as Castillo singled and stole second with two outs as Carlos Beltran pinch hit. Unfortunately for the bullpens, Beltran struck out swinging on a curveball from Jon Rauch. The teams traded chances, going back and forth a few times with each team threatening occasionally. Nothing happened until the 14th.
In the 14th, Damion Easley started off the inning with his second single through the hole on the left side. Reyes, trying to bunt for a hit for the second time of the game, couldn't lay it down and popped it up to Joel Hanrahan. Easley moved to second base on a wild pitch, a foreshadowing of what was going to happen. Hanrahan attempted to pickoff Easley at second, but the ball got away, and Easley moved to third. Church struck out swinging, and the Nats decided to intentionally walk Wright and Delgado to get to the pitchers spot. With only Schoeneweis up in the pen, and not warming up, Willie Randolph made a risky decision and decided to pinch hit his last bench player, Brian Schneider. On the first pitch to Schneider, Hanrahan bounced it a few feet short of the plate, and the ball skipped by Wil Nieves. Easley sprinted home and ended the game, sliding in to home and giving the Mets the sweep of the series.
Crazy stuff. I love extra innings, the drama that comes with it is the best. I was standing on the couch, and I'm surprised I didn't hit the ceiling when the ball got away and Easley took off for home. I love it. Good stuff!
Game ball: Figueroa and Easley.
Beardless watch: 6-2.
Nelson Figueroa and John Lannan were the stars early in this game. Lannan went six innings, allowing only one run on three hits. He struck out 11 batters and set down 16 in a row through innings one to six. Lannan allowed a leadoff hit to Jose Reyes, a double to Ryan Church off the glove of Wily Mo Pena to plate Reyes before starting his streak of setting the Mets down before Reyes singled in the sixth to break it up.
For the Mets, Figueroa went seven strong innings, allowing only three hits. The two earned runs charged to came on a two run home run by Nick Johnson in the top of the fourth inning. Johnson crushed a ball to deep right field, which brought home Ryan Zimmerman. Figueroa set down the side in order in the second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth. Figueroa used 101 pitches to get through the seven innings.
Two amazing starts from these guys. Lannan was on fire for those innings, as was Figueroa. They were matching zeros for a while there. What else can I say here? These two were amazing, but neither of them were even close to factoring into the final. If Figueroa keeps this up, he's going to be huge in New York. A homegrown boy pitching for his favorite childhood team. Someone start writing the screenplay.
The Mets bullpen come on and put together seven straight scoreless innings, adding on to Figueroa's three. The Nationals only picked up six hits in the game, one coming against Duaner Sanchez and two coming against Jorge Sosa. Here's the rundown: Aaron Heilman pitched the eighth inning, striking out one. Billy Wagner came in for the ninth, with the game tied, also striking out one. Then Duaner Sanchez pitched 1 2-3 of an inning, allowing one hit and one walk, and also striking out one. With one on in the 11th, Pedro Feliciano came in to face Johnson, and promptly walked him. This was Feliciano's only batter, as he was removed in a double switch in favor of Joe Smith. Smith logged 1 1-3 of an inning, striking out one. Jorge Sosa came on in the 13th inning, working two innings, allowing two hits, walking one and striking out two.
Wow. Scott Schoeneweis was the only pitcher left in the bullpen when they ended it in the 14th. Amazing stuff from the bullpen to shut down the Nats. Honestly, even though the bats struggled at times, what an amazing outing by Mets pitchers, all around. Great stuff, just downright great stuff.
The Mets offense scored early, when needed, and when they wanted to go home. They had chances in between, but eventually did what they needed to do to win.
They got on the board early, as detailed above, with Reyes singling to start off the game and Church doubling off the glove of Pena in left field. That's when Lannan kicked in and didn't allow another base runner until the sixth inning.
I thought the Mets were going to have a huge day after the first two batters, but Randy St. Claire went out to talk to his pitcher, and obviously said something that resonated.
The Mets were held quiet until the seventh inning. Saul Rivera pitched the seventh for the Nationals, and the Mets threatened to score. Delgado walked, and Angel Pagan singled to right to start the inning. After a Brady Clark sacrifice, Raul Casanova lined out to third and Luis Castillo grounded out to end the inning. In the eighth, the Mets came through to tie it up, as everything happened with two outs and was caused by an error on the part of Ronnie Belliard. Church, with two outs, grounded softly to Belliard, who plays very deep in the hole at second, came charging on, but the ball bounced off the tip of his glove and he could not make the play. After a David Wright walk, Carlos Delgado broke a 0-14 streak, singling to right field and scoring Church, tying up the game at two a piece.
The team is not getting the big hits, but doing just enough, which can only get them so far. Delgado has been looking rough at the plate, and I'm not about to forgive him for it all after one big hit. He needs to go back to his diary (if he's left it at all, I'm not sure, but they haven't shown it at all so I'm just making an educated guess here) and start logging his at bats. It's worked before. And I'll say it again, he needs to give up going yard. He needs to put his head down and go with the pitch. Work the other way for doubles, singles, whatever you can get. If the home run comes, then good, but don't swing for it.
In the ninth, the Mets threatened, as Castillo singled and stole second with two outs as Carlos Beltran pinch hit. Unfortunately for the bullpens, Beltran struck out swinging on a curveball from Jon Rauch. The teams traded chances, going back and forth a few times with each team threatening occasionally. Nothing happened until the 14th.
In the 14th, Damion Easley started off the inning with his second single through the hole on the left side. Reyes, trying to bunt for a hit for the second time of the game, couldn't lay it down and popped it up to Joel Hanrahan. Easley moved to second base on a wild pitch, a foreshadowing of what was going to happen. Hanrahan attempted to pickoff Easley at second, but the ball got away, and Easley moved to third. Church struck out swinging, and the Nats decided to intentionally walk Wright and Delgado to get to the pitchers spot. With only Schoeneweis up in the pen, and not warming up, Willie Randolph made a risky decision and decided to pinch hit his last bench player, Brian Schneider. On the first pitch to Schneider, Hanrahan bounced it a few feet short of the plate, and the ball skipped by Wil Nieves. Easley sprinted home and ended the game, sliding in to home and giving the Mets the sweep of the series.
Crazy stuff. I love extra innings, the drama that comes with it is the best. I was standing on the couch, and I'm surprised I didn't hit the ceiling when the ball got away and Easley took off for home. I love it. Good stuff!
Game ball: Figueroa and Easley.
Beardless watch: 6-2.
4/17/08
We're into the 13th
Don't think I skipped out on the recap tonight, the Mets and the Nationals are just starting the 13th inning, tied 2-2.
Figueroa's final line
Nelson Figueroa: 7 IP, 3 hits, 2 ER, 2 BB, 7 K.
Only runs came on a Nick Johnson HR in the fourth. John Lannan has been equally impressive for the Nats. Great game going on right now.
Good stuff by Figgy. He's been excellent.
Only runs came on a Nick Johnson HR in the fourth. John Lannan has been equally impressive for the Nats. Great game going on right now.
Good stuff by Figgy. He's been excellent.
Game Preview: Nationals @ Mets -- 4/17
The New York Mets look for their first sweep tonight as they take on the Washington Nationals at 7:10 p.m.
Lineup:
SS Jose Reyes
RF Ryan Church
3B David Wright
1B Carlos Delgado
CF Angel Pagan
LF Brady Clark
2B Luis Castillo
C Raul Casanova
SP Nelson Figueroa
Figueroa vs. John Lannan
Carlos Beltran is out with a stiff neck. I guess all that talking he with Reyes was really taxing. Pagan getting his first start in center and Clark getting his first start in left. Casanova seems like Figueroa's catcher now, I like it.
Lineup:
SS Jose Reyes
RF Ryan Church
3B David Wright
1B Carlos Delgado
CF Angel Pagan
LF Brady Clark
2B Luis Castillo
C Raul Casanova
SP Nelson Figueroa
Figueroa vs. John Lannan
Carlos Beltran is out with a stiff neck. I guess all that talking he with Reyes was really taxing. Pagan getting his first start in center and Clark getting his first start in left. Casanova seems like Figueroa's catcher now, I like it.
A question that will never be answered: El Duque's age
With Miguel Tejada recently revealing that he is actually three years older than he recently let on (33 rather than 31), the skeptic inside me wonders if El Duque will ever reveal his real age.
Maybe when he retires? I doubt it.
Maybe when he retires? I doubt it.
Happy Birthday, Shea!
William A. Shea Municipal Stadium opened it's doors on April 17, 1964, exactly 44 years ago today.Happy 44th, Shea. It's your last year, so let's hope the Mets put you out with a bang.
Beardless watch: 5-2
The Mets are now 5-2 since I shaved my beard for the team.
Gave myself a clean buzz today, hoping for the sweep.
Gave myself a clean buzz today, hoping for the sweep.
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