Oliver Perez: 1.2 IP, 7 runs (2 earned), 2 hits, 5 BB, 2 K.
Wow.
4/30/08
Water main break delays game
A water main break near Shea Stadium has delayed the start of the Mets / Pirates April 30th game until 1:50 p.m.
I'm not kidding.
I'm not kidding.
Schneider out of the hospital
Bart Hubbuch is reporting that Brian Schneider has been released from the Hospital for Special Surgery after being treated for a staph infection in his thumb.
Schneider may be able to return to the Mets lineup within the next few days, but Hubbuch points out he still might land on the DL if the Mets want to activate Moises Alou by Friday. If Schneider goes on the DL, Gustavo Molina would be able to stay on the team while Alou can join the team for the first time this season.
I don't want to hurry Schneider, as Raul Casanova and Molina have been decent behind the plate, but Brian, if you could get back to the team ASAP, I know the pitching staff misses you.
Schneider may be able to return to the Mets lineup within the next few days, but Hubbuch points out he still might land on the DL if the Mets want to activate Moises Alou by Friday. If Schneider goes on the DL, Gustavo Molina would be able to stay on the team while Alou can join the team for the first time this season.
I don't want to hurry Schneider, as Raul Casanova and Molina have been decent behind the plate, but Brian, if you could get back to the team ASAP, I know the pitching staff misses you.
Game Preview: Pirates @ Mets -- 4/30
The Mets wrap up April with a day game against the Pirates today, a 1:1o p.m. start.
Lineup:
SS Jose Reyes
2B Luis Castillo
3B David Wright
CF Carlos Beltran
RF Ryan Church
1B Carlos Delgado
LF Angel Pagan
C Gustavo Molina
SP Oliver Perez
Perez vs. Tom Gorzelanny
Perez, an ex-Pirate, has pitched against Pittsburgh three times, posting a 0-2 record through 14 innings, with an ERA of 5.14.
Gorzelanny has appeared in three game against the Mets, also going 0-2, with an ERA of 10.45
Lineup:
SS Jose Reyes
2B Luis Castillo
3B David Wright
CF Carlos Beltran
RF Ryan Church
1B Carlos Delgado
LF Angel Pagan
C Gustavo Molina
SP Oliver Perez
Perez vs. Tom Gorzelanny
Perez, an ex-Pirate, has pitched against Pittsburgh three times, posting a 0-2 record through 14 innings, with an ERA of 5.14.
Gorzelanny has appeared in three game against the Mets, also going 0-2, with an ERA of 10.45
Least emphatic walk off ever
I love when the Mets have a walk off hit. It's one of the most exciting things in all of sports, to come down to one player with the power to end the game and pick up a win for his team.
Last night, David Wright was that man, coming to bat with the bases loaded in the bottom of the 11th inning. First pitch swinging, Wright cracks one deep to right field. Here I am, standing on my couch, begging the ball to stay fair. The SNY camera crew tracks Xavier Nady in right, as he watches the ball sail over his head. He had no chance on the ball, so it all came down to whether the ball was fair or foul.
Gary Cohen had no idea, the SNY camera crew had no idea, and therefore I had no idea.
Finally, and thankfully, they got a read on the ball as we all saw it bounce up and off the wall in foul territory to hear Cohen quickly pick up some inflection and excitement as he realized it wasn't just a long foul ball, but rather a game winning hit.
I didn't get to see where it landed, or even how it landed fair, but a win is a win. So last night was easily the strangest walk off win ever, as I was sure that ball was foul and Wright would have to take another crack at it, only to find out he already won the game. Good enough!
Last night, David Wright was that man, coming to bat with the bases loaded in the bottom of the 11th inning. First pitch swinging, Wright cracks one deep to right field. Here I am, standing on my couch, begging the ball to stay fair. The SNY camera crew tracks Xavier Nady in right, as he watches the ball sail over his head. He had no chance on the ball, so it all came down to whether the ball was fair or foul.
Gary Cohen had no idea, the SNY camera crew had no idea, and therefore I had no idea.
Finally, and thankfully, they got a read on the ball as we all saw it bounce up and off the wall in foul territory to hear Cohen quickly pick up some inflection and excitement as he realized it wasn't just a long foul ball, but rather a game winning hit.
I didn't get to see where it landed, or even how it landed fair, but a win is a win. So last night was easily the strangest walk off win ever, as I was sure that ball was foul and Wright would have to take another crack at it, only to find out he already won the game. Good enough!
4/29/08
Game Recap: Mets 5 -- Pirates 4
After a very rough start to the day, going 0-4 with two strikeouts, David Wright comes up in the bottom of the 11th with the bases loaded and delivers with a game winning single just fair down the right field line to put the New York Mets on top over the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-4.
Johan Santana made his sixth start for the Mets, and left with the lead, but ended up receiving a no decision after the bullpen blew the lead in the eighth and ninth. Santana had his shortest outing of the season, lasting only 5 2-3 of an inning.
Santana allowed a solo home run to Nate McClouth on the second pitch of the game. McClouth is absolutely tearing up opposing pitchers so far, as this is his seventh home run of the season. In the fourth, Santana was taken deep again, also for a solo shot this time by Jason Bay. Santana left with the bases loaded in the top of the sixth inning, but Pedro Feliciano came in and got Adam LaRoche to check swing a ball to short to end the threat.
Not his best stuff today, as his pitch count was way up there early in the game. I believe he was up to 80 or so pitches through four innings, and ended up throwing 114 overall. Again, not his best outing, but he rarely gets off to hot starts and he's used to pitching in a dome, so just give him time before he really shines.
The Mets tied up the game in the bottom of the fourth inning. Wright began the inning with one of his two strike outs, which was followed by a Carlos Beltran walk. Ryan Church came to the plate and drove a low and inside pitch deep to right field, just to the left of the Mets bullpen.
I'm officially in love with Church. He's such a solid player. Just awesome.
Endy Chavez, who was batting 1.000 against Pittsburgh starter Ian Snell coming into the game, led off the fifth inning with a single to left. After a Santana strike out, Jose Reyes crushed a ball off the wall in right. Chavez came all the way around to score and Reyes slid in headfirst to third base with an RBI triple. Luis Castillo followed that up with a walk, putting runners at the corners. Wright then grounded what looked like an easy double play ball to short, but Freddy Sanchez couldn't handle the toss and everyone was safe as Reyes scampered home on the play.
Beltran then walked to load the bases for Church. After he worked the count full, Snell delivered a pitch well outside the strike zone, and Church thought he picked up another RBI with a walk. Home plate umpire Hunter Wendelstedt saw it differently, and wrung up Church. Church was livid, jumping off the ground and mouthing off to Wendelstedt, and rightly so. Delgado struck out looking to end the inning.
Unbelievable call by Wendelstedt. The ball crossed the inside of the right hander's batter box, and was not even close to home plate. Ever. Crazy. The Mets have been getting lucky, getting some lucky breaks against some teams that are not that good. They need to start doing the runs scoring by themselves.
Aaron Heilman began the seventh inning, allowed a leadoff single to Jose Bautista and walked Ronny Paulino before retiring his first batter. Heilman was removed for Scott Schoeneweis who got a fielders choice for the second out. Schoeneweis then threw a ball in the dirt, which Raul Casanova could not handle. The ball got away and Bautista took off for home. Casanova pounced on the ball and made the fall away throw to Schoeneweis who came in to cover the plate. Schoeneweis applied the tag and ended the inning without allowing any runs.
It was a close play at the plate, and he looked pretty safe to me. They claim his hand went over the plate, but I'm not too sure. I'll take it though. Great play by Casanova. He's deceivingly quick on his feet.
Duaner Sanchez came on to bridge the game to the ninth inning with a two run lead. Sanchez allowed a single and a double to start the inning before getting Bay to strike out swinging for the first out. After an Xavier Nady walk to load the bases, Sanchez then walked LaRoche to drive in a run. Sanchez rebounded nicely, getting a fielders choice and a pop out to end the inning.
Again, not his best stuff. Sanchez should take the eighth inning role, but no one seems to be sitting pretty there. My only hope is that they don't overwork Sanchez.
Billy Wagner entered the game with a one run lead, looking to close it out and earn the save. Ryan Doumit pinch hit, and grounded one to Reyes at short. Reyes bounced the throw to Delgado, who couldn't handle it and Doumit was safe at first on Reyes' throwing error. Brian Bixler (great name) pinch ran for Doumit and moved to second on a Wagner wild pitch. Wagner then picked up two outs and looked like he would get out of the inning with the save. Freddy Sanchez then hit a single to center which tailed just out of Carlos Beltran's diving reach to drive in Bixler and tie the game. Wagner got Bay to strike out to end the inning.
Very surprised the error came back to bite Wagner, even though it was an unearned run. I thought he was going to get out of it, but the ball tailed away just enough. Nice recovery though. He still has not let in an earned run this season.
Wagner pitched the 10th inning, as the Mets could not get on the board and walk off in the ninth, allowing a one out double to LaRoche. The ball hit off the top of the wall in left, missing a home run by about a foot. Wagner escaped the inning without and damage being done. Jorge Sosa pitched the top of the 11th, allowing a one out single before retiring the side.
Chavez led off the bottom of the eleventh with his third hit of the day, a single to center field. After a balk by John Van Benschoten, Marlon Anderson sacrificed Chavez to third. The Pirates then intentionally walked Reyes, keeping his "perfect game" intact. Reyes went 3-3 at the plate, walking three times, driving in one and scoring once. Castillo walked again, his third of the game, loading the bases for Wright. Wright delivered off the first pitch, singling the game winner deep into the corner in right field, driving home Chavez and winning the game, the Mets third in a row.
Numbers: Reyes: 3-3, 3 BB, RBI, run, SB...Chavez: 3-5, 2 runs...Church: 2 RBI...Reyes/Castillo/Wright/Beltran: 9 walks combined...Team LOB: 9...
Game Ball: Reyes
Johan Santana made his sixth start for the Mets, and left with the lead, but ended up receiving a no decision after the bullpen blew the lead in the eighth and ninth. Santana had his shortest outing of the season, lasting only 5 2-3 of an inning.
Santana allowed a solo home run to Nate McClouth on the second pitch of the game. McClouth is absolutely tearing up opposing pitchers so far, as this is his seventh home run of the season. In the fourth, Santana was taken deep again, also for a solo shot this time by Jason Bay. Santana left with the bases loaded in the top of the sixth inning, but Pedro Feliciano came in and got Adam LaRoche to check swing a ball to short to end the threat.
Not his best stuff today, as his pitch count was way up there early in the game. I believe he was up to 80 or so pitches through four innings, and ended up throwing 114 overall. Again, not his best outing, but he rarely gets off to hot starts and he's used to pitching in a dome, so just give him time before he really shines.
The Mets tied up the game in the bottom of the fourth inning. Wright began the inning with one of his two strike outs, which was followed by a Carlos Beltran walk. Ryan Church came to the plate and drove a low and inside pitch deep to right field, just to the left of the Mets bullpen.
I'm officially in love with Church. He's such a solid player. Just awesome.
Endy Chavez, who was batting 1.000 against Pittsburgh starter Ian Snell coming into the game, led off the fifth inning with a single to left. After a Santana strike out, Jose Reyes crushed a ball off the wall in right. Chavez came all the way around to score and Reyes slid in headfirst to third base with an RBI triple. Luis Castillo followed that up with a walk, putting runners at the corners. Wright then grounded what looked like an easy double play ball to short, but Freddy Sanchez couldn't handle the toss and everyone was safe as Reyes scampered home on the play.
Beltran then walked to load the bases for Church. After he worked the count full, Snell delivered a pitch well outside the strike zone, and Church thought he picked up another RBI with a walk. Home plate umpire Hunter Wendelstedt saw it differently, and wrung up Church. Church was livid, jumping off the ground and mouthing off to Wendelstedt, and rightly so. Delgado struck out looking to end the inning.
Unbelievable call by Wendelstedt. The ball crossed the inside of the right hander's batter box, and was not even close to home plate. Ever. Crazy. The Mets have been getting lucky, getting some lucky breaks against some teams that are not that good. They need to start doing the runs scoring by themselves.
Aaron Heilman began the seventh inning, allowed a leadoff single to Jose Bautista and walked Ronny Paulino before retiring his first batter. Heilman was removed for Scott Schoeneweis who got a fielders choice for the second out. Schoeneweis then threw a ball in the dirt, which Raul Casanova could not handle. The ball got away and Bautista took off for home. Casanova pounced on the ball and made the fall away throw to Schoeneweis who came in to cover the plate. Schoeneweis applied the tag and ended the inning without allowing any runs.
It was a close play at the plate, and he looked pretty safe to me. They claim his hand went over the plate, but I'm not too sure. I'll take it though. Great play by Casanova. He's deceivingly quick on his feet.
Duaner Sanchez came on to bridge the game to the ninth inning with a two run lead. Sanchez allowed a single and a double to start the inning before getting Bay to strike out swinging for the first out. After an Xavier Nady walk to load the bases, Sanchez then walked LaRoche to drive in a run. Sanchez rebounded nicely, getting a fielders choice and a pop out to end the inning.
Again, not his best stuff. Sanchez should take the eighth inning role, but no one seems to be sitting pretty there. My only hope is that they don't overwork Sanchez.
Billy Wagner entered the game with a one run lead, looking to close it out and earn the save. Ryan Doumit pinch hit, and grounded one to Reyes at short. Reyes bounced the throw to Delgado, who couldn't handle it and Doumit was safe at first on Reyes' throwing error. Brian Bixler (great name) pinch ran for Doumit and moved to second on a Wagner wild pitch. Wagner then picked up two outs and looked like he would get out of the inning with the save. Freddy Sanchez then hit a single to center which tailed just out of Carlos Beltran's diving reach to drive in Bixler and tie the game. Wagner got Bay to strike out to end the inning.
Very surprised the error came back to bite Wagner, even though it was an unearned run. I thought he was going to get out of it, but the ball tailed away just enough. Nice recovery though. He still has not let in an earned run this season.
Wagner pitched the 10th inning, as the Mets could not get on the board and walk off in the ninth, allowing a one out double to LaRoche. The ball hit off the top of the wall in left, missing a home run by about a foot. Wagner escaped the inning without and damage being done. Jorge Sosa pitched the top of the 11th, allowing a one out single before retiring the side.
Chavez led off the bottom of the eleventh with his third hit of the day, a single to center field. After a balk by John Van Benschoten, Marlon Anderson sacrificed Chavez to third. The Pirates then intentionally walked Reyes, keeping his "perfect game" intact. Reyes went 3-3 at the plate, walking three times, driving in one and scoring once. Castillo walked again, his third of the game, loading the bases for Wright. Wright delivered off the first pitch, singling the game winner deep into the corner in right field, driving home Chavez and winning the game, the Mets third in a row.
Numbers: Reyes: 3-3, 3 BB, RBI, run, SB...Chavez: 3-5, 2 runs...Church: 2 RBI...Reyes/Castillo/Wright/Beltran: 9 walks combined...Team LOB: 9...
Game Ball: Reyes
Santana's final line
Johan Santana: 5.2 IP, 2 hits, 2 earned runs, 3 BB, 7 K, 2 HR.
Santana's only two hits went for solo home runs, one coming on the second pitch of the game. Santana leaves with the bases loaded and Pedro Feliciano comes in to relieve and on his third pitch gets a check swing pop out to close the book on Santana.
Santana's only two hits went for solo home runs, one coming on the second pitch of the game. Santana leaves with the bases loaded and Pedro Feliciano comes in to relieve and on his third pitch gets a check swing pop out to close the book on Santana.
Game Preview: Pirates @ Mets -- 4/29
The Mets will take on the Pirates tonight, after postponing last night's game due to rain. It's a 7:05 p.m. start.
Lineup:
SS Jose Reyes
2B Luis Castillo
3B David Wright
CF Carlos Beltran
RF Ryan Church
1B Carlos Delgado
C Raul Casanova
LF Endy Chavez
SP Johan Santana
Santana vs. Ian Snell
I like this lineup. Santana has only faced the Pirates twice, going 1-0 and pitching eight innings, posting a 1.13 ERA. Not quite sure how you post a ERA just over one and only get one decision. Maybe he came out of the bullpen?
Snell has faced the Mets four times, holding a 0-1 record with an ERA of 6.11. Chavez is batting 1.000 against Snell, going 3-3 with two doubles.
Lineup:
SS Jose Reyes
2B Luis Castillo
3B David Wright
CF Carlos Beltran
RF Ryan Church
1B Carlos Delgado
C Raul Casanova
LF Endy Chavez
SP Johan Santana
Santana vs. Ian Snell
I like this lineup. Santana has only faced the Pirates twice, going 1-0 and pitching eight innings, posting a 1.13 ERA. Not quite sure how you post a ERA just over one and only get one decision. Maybe he came out of the bullpen?
Snell has faced the Mets four times, holding a 0-1 record with an ERA of 6.11. Chavez is batting 1.000 against Snell, going 3-3 with two doubles.
No fracture for Alou
Adam Rubin is reporting that Moises Alou will be activated in Arizona on Friday. The MRI showed no fracture in Alou's ankle.
Alou is working out with the team at Shea.
I take this to also mean the Mets expect Brian Schneider back by Friday, but the same article points out that he is still in the hospital.
Well, I'm shocked. I've been taught to expect the worst with Alou, and for once, he's actually not injured. Give him time, I'm sure he'll be hurt sooner or later.
Alou is working out with the team at Shea.
I take this to also mean the Mets expect Brian Schneider back by Friday, but the same article points out that he is still in the hospital.
Well, I'm shocked. I've been taught to expect the worst with Alou, and for once, he's actually not injured. Give him time, I'm sure he'll be hurt sooner or later.
Poll results: Phillies are the most disliked
In my latest poll, and one that landed this site in the newspaper, I asked "Which team do you dislike more?"
80 votes were cast, and here are the results:
Philadelphia Phillies - 65% (52 votes)
Atlanta Braves - 30% (24 votes)
Florida Marlins - 2% (2 votes)
Washington Nationals - 2% (2 votes)
The Phillies leading the way was not surprising in the least, especially after last season. I really thoughts the Braves would be closer, but I guess not. And finally, I really expected the Marlins and the Nats to get zero votes, so I have a feeling that some of, if not all of those votes were placed as a joke. All in all, the best poll so far.
Next question: Where do you stand on Carlos Delgado?
80 votes were cast, and here are the results:
Philadelphia Phillies - 65% (52 votes)
Atlanta Braves - 30% (24 votes)
Florida Marlins - 2% (2 votes)
Washington Nationals - 2% (2 votes)
The Phillies leading the way was not surprising in the least, especially after last season. I really thoughts the Braves would be closer, but I guess not. And finally, I really expected the Marlins and the Nats to get zero votes, so I have a feeling that some of, if not all of those votes were placed as a joke. All in all, the best poll so far.
Next question: Where do you stand on Carlos Delgado?
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