After taking a series against the NL leading Arizona Diamondbacks, the Mets head further west to Los Angeles to take on Joe Torre and his Dodgers, a 10:10 p.m. start.
Lineup:
SS Jose Reyes
RF Ryan Church
3B David Wright
CF Carlos Beltran
LF Moises Alou
1B Carlos Delgado
C Brian Schneider
2B Luis Castillo
SP Oliver Perez
Another day, another great lineup. I love it. Not much to say here. Good luck staying awake for the late game, I guess.
Mets vs. Chad Billingsley
Reyes: 0-1
Church: 0-4, BB, 2 K
Wright: No experience
Beltran: 0-1
Alou: 0-3, RBI, K
Delgado: No experience
Schneider: 1-4, 2 RBI
Castillo: 1-4
Boy, those are some great numbers. A combined 2-17.
5/5/08
Again, before anyone asks
I hate to do two of these in a row, but I know for a fact that some sites will reccomend him as the perfect fit for the Mets and that is just downright insane.
Injury updates: Pedro, Wise, Castro
David Lennon in Newsday relays info that Pedro Martinez has begun throwing off a mound in Port St. Lucie.
According to Assistant GM John Ricco, Pedro could face live hitters as early as this week, but in the end, "it just depends on how he's feeling. Patience is part of the process."
A few weeks ago, Pedro was not missed. Now, with Mike Pelfrey beginning to struggle a bit, the Mets could use a guy like him back in the rotation. Don't hurry yourself, Pedro.
*****
Adam Rubin reports in The Daily News that both Matt Wise and Ramon Castro may be activated by next weekend's series against the Cincinnati Reds.Wise, who went on the DL with a strained forearm on April 2, is expected to throw in back-to-back games to test his arm and stamina, a la Duaner Sanchez's recovery benchmarks.
Castro could have been actiavated already, according to Rubin, but the Mets don't want two catchers with health issues on the roster at the same time. Leaving Raul Casanova up with the big squad gives them a steady, healthy catcher in case Brian Schneider can't go due to his thumb.
When Wise comes back, the Mets have a decision to make. Joe Smith has options, and is the most likely one to head back to AAA. So does Jorge Sosa, who before Arizona was almost entirely ineffective. Joe Janish from Mets Today also points out Aaron Heilman has options, but I think some barnyard animals need to sprout wings and take to the air before he goes anywhere.
And I've missed the Darth Vader walk-up music at Shea this year. Great to see Castro coming back soon.
5/4/08
Game Recap: Mets 5 -- Diamondbacks 2
The Mets were outhit today, but that didn't seem to bother them. After the bullpen blew the win for Johan Santana, the Mets rallied back in the ninth inning to take the rubber game and the series over the Diamondbacks by a score of 5-2.
Santana, like all Mets pitchers this weekend, struggled with pitch counts and getting through innings quickly. Santana pitched six innings, allowing one run on six hits and four walks, while striking out eight. He did not have one inning where he set down the side in order.
A lot of pitches, but only one run. Santana isn't even dealing his best stuff yet. Just wait...it's going to be amazing. Santana needed to get through some innings a lot quicker, but I'm not worried and you shouldn't be either.
The Mets got on the board in the third inning after Luis Castillo grounded into a fielders choice and was sacrificed over to second by Santana. Jose Reyes followed that up with a two out single to right, driving in Castillo.
In the fourth inning, David Wright lead off with a solo home run to deep left off of Arizona starter Dan Haren to put the Mets up by a pair.
Beautiful. Wright's swing was just so sweet on this pitch. Let's get these young guys into some hot streaks.
In the fourth, with Justin Upton on second base, Chris Snyder hit one of the strangest balls I've ever seen. The ball went deep to left field, bounced off the top of the wall, and ricocheted along the left field wall, running away from Moises Alou. Snyder slid into third with a triple as Upton scored easily.
Santana is lucky it didn't go an inch further, or it would have been a tied game. Again, I've never seen a ball bounce like that. Strange angles on the wall.
Santana got into trouble as he had the bases loaded in the bottom of the sixth, but got Chris Young to fly out to right to end the inning.
Good stuff.
Joe Smith came in for the Mets in the seventh inning. After striking out Augie Ojeda and Eric Byrnes to start the inning, Smith allowed a single to Conor Jackson before walking Upton. Mark Reynolds then hit a broken bat flare into left field, allowing Jackson to score and tie up the game. Smith rebounded by striking out Snyder.
Lucky hit here. Broken bat single just dropped in. If the bat doesn't break, it's an out. Poor Santana. Another win taken away by the bullpen.
For the eighth, Pedro Feliciano came in to pitch. Chris Burke dropped down a bunt to start the inning. Feliciano came off the mound to field the ball, but his throw to first went wild and into foul territory down the right field line. Burke dug it out for second, and as Ryan Church fielded the ball, Burke turned to go to third. Church then threw a one hopper to Wright at third, who applied the tag for the first out.
Amazing play. Went from disaster to spectacular in five seconds. Church has an absolute cannon for an arm in right. This was his fourth outfield assist of the year.
Feliciano then allowed an infield hit to pinch hitter Micah Owings before being removed in favor of Jorge Sosa. Sosa retired the next two batters and handed it off to the Mets bats in the ninth.
Beltran led off the ninth inning with a single off of Chad Qualls. Alou then picked up his first hit of the season, topping a ball, and thankfully putting some top spin on it, allowing it to scoot by Ojeda at short. Alou was removed for Endy Chavez, who pinch ran. Carlos Delgado, swinging first pitch, grounded a ball to first. Jackson fielded it, spun, and airmailed the throw to second base into left field. Beltran came around to score and put the Mets ahead by one.
Address all thank you cards and fruit baskets to Conor Jackson at 401 E. Jefferson Street in Phoenix, Arizona 85004.
After Brian Schneider sacrificed the runners over, Arizona made the very strange decision of intentionally walking Castillo to try and set up the double play. Pinch hitter Marlon Anderson made the Diamondbacks pay, singling the first pitch he saw to right field, driving home Chavez. Reyes followed it up, swinging on the first pitch, and hitting a sacrifice fly to left field, allowing Delgado to tag up and score.
I love this. Way to get on a pitcher with a 0.00 ERA and knock him around for a few runs late in the game. This team showed fight, which has been lacking lately.
Billy Wagner entered for the ninth inning to close it out and earn the save, striking out Upton to end the game and retire the side in order.
Good morning, good afternoon, and goodnight. Wags for the save!
Game ball: Reyes
Santana, like all Mets pitchers this weekend, struggled with pitch counts and getting through innings quickly. Santana pitched six innings, allowing one run on six hits and four walks, while striking out eight. He did not have one inning where he set down the side in order.
A lot of pitches, but only one run. Santana isn't even dealing his best stuff yet. Just wait...it's going to be amazing. Santana needed to get through some innings a lot quicker, but I'm not worried and you shouldn't be either.
The Mets got on the board in the third inning after Luis Castillo grounded into a fielders choice and was sacrificed over to second by Santana. Jose Reyes followed that up with a two out single to right, driving in Castillo.
In the fourth inning, David Wright lead off with a solo home run to deep left off of Arizona starter Dan Haren to put the Mets up by a pair.
Beautiful. Wright's swing was just so sweet on this pitch. Let's get these young guys into some hot streaks.
In the fourth, with Justin Upton on second base, Chris Snyder hit one of the strangest balls I've ever seen. The ball went deep to left field, bounced off the top of the wall, and ricocheted along the left field wall, running away from Moises Alou. Snyder slid into third with a triple as Upton scored easily.
Santana is lucky it didn't go an inch further, or it would have been a tied game. Again, I've never seen a ball bounce like that. Strange angles on the wall.
Santana got into trouble as he had the bases loaded in the bottom of the sixth, but got Chris Young to fly out to right to end the inning.
Good stuff.
Joe Smith came in for the Mets in the seventh inning. After striking out Augie Ojeda and Eric Byrnes to start the inning, Smith allowed a single to Conor Jackson before walking Upton. Mark Reynolds then hit a broken bat flare into left field, allowing Jackson to score and tie up the game. Smith rebounded by striking out Snyder.
Lucky hit here. Broken bat single just dropped in. If the bat doesn't break, it's an out. Poor Santana. Another win taken away by the bullpen.
For the eighth, Pedro Feliciano came in to pitch. Chris Burke dropped down a bunt to start the inning. Feliciano came off the mound to field the ball, but his throw to first went wild and into foul territory down the right field line. Burke dug it out for second, and as Ryan Church fielded the ball, Burke turned to go to third. Church then threw a one hopper to Wright at third, who applied the tag for the first out.
Amazing play. Went from disaster to spectacular in five seconds. Church has an absolute cannon for an arm in right. This was his fourth outfield assist of the year.
Feliciano then allowed an infield hit to pinch hitter Micah Owings before being removed in favor of Jorge Sosa. Sosa retired the next two batters and handed it off to the Mets bats in the ninth.
Beltran led off the ninth inning with a single off of Chad Qualls. Alou then picked up his first hit of the season, topping a ball, and thankfully putting some top spin on it, allowing it to scoot by Ojeda at short. Alou was removed for Endy Chavez, who pinch ran. Carlos Delgado, swinging first pitch, grounded a ball to first. Jackson fielded it, spun, and airmailed the throw to second base into left field. Beltran came around to score and put the Mets ahead by one.
Address all thank you cards and fruit baskets to Conor Jackson at 401 E. Jefferson Street in Phoenix, Arizona 85004.
After Brian Schneider sacrificed the runners over, Arizona made the very strange decision of intentionally walking Castillo to try and set up the double play. Pinch hitter Marlon Anderson made the Diamondbacks pay, singling the first pitch he saw to right field, driving home Chavez. Reyes followed it up, swinging on the first pitch, and hitting a sacrifice fly to left field, allowing Delgado to tag up and score.
I love this. Way to get on a pitcher with a 0.00 ERA and knock him around for a few runs late in the game. This team showed fight, which has been lacking lately.
Billy Wagner entered for the ninth inning to close it out and earn the save, striking out Upton to end the game and retire the side in order.
Good morning, good afternoon, and goodnight. Wags for the save!
Game ball: Reyes
Game Preview: Mets @ Diamondbacks -- 5/4
The Mets look to take the rubber game from the Diamondbacks with their ace on the mound, a 4:10 p.m. start.
Lineup:
SS Jose Reyes
RF Ryan Church
3B David Wright
CF Carlos Beltran
LF Moises Alou
1B Carlos Delgado
C Brian Schneider
2B Luis Castillo
SP Johan Santana
And that is the best lineup I've seen all year. Welcome back Mr. Schneider, I've missed thee.
Mets vs. Dan Haren:
Reyes: 0-4, RBI, BB, K
Church: No experience
Wright: 1-4, 2B, K
Beltran: 2-8, 3B, 2 K
Delgado: No experience
Schneider: 1-3, BB
Castillo: 3-14, 2B, 2 BB, K
Lineup:
SS Jose Reyes
RF Ryan Church
3B David Wright
CF Carlos Beltran
LF Moises Alou
1B Carlos Delgado
C Brian Schneider
2B Luis Castillo
SP Johan Santana
And that is the best lineup I've seen all year. Welcome back Mr. Schneider, I've missed thee.
Mets vs. Dan Haren:
Reyes: 0-4, RBI, BB, K
Church: No experience
Wright: 1-4, 2B, K
Beltran: 2-8, 3B, 2 K
Delgado: No experience
Schneider: 1-3, BB
Castillo: 3-14, 2B, 2 BB, K
Worst player on the team; 6-1
According to Baseball Prospectus, Endy Chavez is the worst player on the Mets according to VORP. He is #554 in the majors with a -3.2. Robinson Cano is in dead last at #595, with a VORP of -11.
VORP stands for the value over replacement player. "The number of runs contributed beyond what a replacement-level player at the same position would contribute if given the same percentage of team plate appearances."
David Wright is currently the best player on the team, posting a VORP of 12.1, 17th in the majors.
The Mets are now 6-1 when Ryan Church is batting second in the lineup.
Willie Randolph, never change it.
VORP stands for the value over replacement player. "The number of runs contributed beyond what a replacement-level player at the same position would contribute if given the same percentage of team plate appearances."
David Wright is currently the best player on the team, posting a VORP of 12.1, 17th in the majors.
*****
The Mets are now 6-1 when Ryan Church is batting second in the lineup.
Willie Randolph, never change it.
Mets Lounge!!
I'm going to take this opportunity of an extremely slow news morning to talk about Mets Lounge.
ML is a forum started a few months ago with the intent of finding a fun, interesting, and non-confusing forum system where fans can talk Mets, along with many other things of which they please.
So please, come check out Mets Lounge, and sign up for an account. We have a ton of conversation going on, but we need your input!
Mets Lounge :: The official forum of The 'Ropolitans.
ML is a forum started a few months ago with the intent of finding a fun, interesting, and non-confusing forum system where fans can talk Mets, along with many other things of which they please.
So please, come check out Mets Lounge, and sign up for an account. We have a ton of conversation going on, but we need your input!
Mets Lounge :: The official forum of The 'Ropolitans.
5/3/08
Game Recap: Diamondbacks 10 -- Mets 4
The Mets gave Brandon Webb a little trouble, knocking around the 6-0 starter for four runs in his worst start of the year, but Webb still came out on top, keeping his perfect record intact. The Mets dropped only their second game in Arizona since 2005, by a score of 10-4.
Mike Pelfrey started for the Mets, lasting only five innings and giving up five earned runs. Pelfrey allowed nine hits and walked nine, while only striking out one. Pelfrey did not have an inning where a Diamondback did not reach base. His cleanest inning came in the first when he faced only three batters, thanks to a double play.
Pelfrey and the rest of the Mets pitchers had huge problems with three batters: Justin Upton, Conor Jackson, and especially Augie Ojeda. These three combined to go 6-10, scoring five runs and driving in seven. Ojeda drove in six of those runs on a single and two doubles.
He wasn't terrible, but he just couldn't put away hitters, even when he got ahead in the order. Again, the D-Backs made the starter work, as Pelfrey needed 102 to get through five. Another OK start. The Mets are going to need more work out of their starters, that's for sure.
By the way, I'm naming my first child "Augie." What an awesome name.
The Mets scratched out four runs against arguable the best starter in the league. Raul Casanova put the Mets on the board in the second inning with a single to center field, scoring Carlos Beltran.
With the Mets down 5-1 in the top of the sixth, Carlos Delgado came to bat after a single by Ryan Church and a walk by Beltran. Delgado then crushed a pitch from Webb deep to right field, bringing the Mets within one.
He's still got the power, he just needs to get more consistent. I don't think he's done yet, but he's getting close to the end of his rope. The Mets got to the best pitcher in the league for four runs. Pretty good, but they needed to capitalize on his struggles for more and get to the bullpen for some runs.
Jorge Sosa pitched one inning of one hit baseball, striking out one. Aaron Heilman pitched the seventh, loading the bases without giving up a hit as he walked a man before plunking two batters in a row. Heilman then got Miguel Montero to strike out looking on a pitch right on the inside corner to end the inning.
These guys pitched shut out innings? On the same day? It's a miracle!
Duaner Sanchez started the eighth inning. Sanchez gave up three straight singles to start the inning to load the bases with no outs. A wild pitch allowed the first run to score before Sanchez got Conor Jackson to pop up for the first out. Sanchez then allowed another single and a walk before being removed for Scott Schoeneweis. Schoeneweis fared no better, allowing a double and a sac fly to chase in three more runs.
I don't like Sanchez coming into a game down by a run, especially when you don't want to overwork him. I'd understand if he didn't pitch the day before, but I just don't like this move by Willie Randolph.
Game Ball: Delgado.
Mike Pelfrey started for the Mets, lasting only five innings and giving up five earned runs. Pelfrey allowed nine hits and walked nine, while only striking out one. Pelfrey did not have an inning where a Diamondback did not reach base. His cleanest inning came in the first when he faced only three batters, thanks to a double play.
Pelfrey and the rest of the Mets pitchers had huge problems with three batters: Justin Upton, Conor Jackson, and especially Augie Ojeda. These three combined to go 6-10, scoring five runs and driving in seven. Ojeda drove in six of those runs on a single and two doubles.
He wasn't terrible, but he just couldn't put away hitters, even when he got ahead in the order. Again, the D-Backs made the starter work, as Pelfrey needed 102 to get through five. Another OK start. The Mets are going to need more work out of their starters, that's for sure.
By the way, I'm naming my first child "Augie." What an awesome name.
The Mets scratched out four runs against arguable the best starter in the league. Raul Casanova put the Mets on the board in the second inning with a single to center field, scoring Carlos Beltran.
With the Mets down 5-1 in the top of the sixth, Carlos Delgado came to bat after a single by Ryan Church and a walk by Beltran. Delgado then crushed a pitch from Webb deep to right field, bringing the Mets within one.
He's still got the power, he just needs to get more consistent. I don't think he's done yet, but he's getting close to the end of his rope. The Mets got to the best pitcher in the league for four runs. Pretty good, but they needed to capitalize on his struggles for more and get to the bullpen for some runs.
Jorge Sosa pitched one inning of one hit baseball, striking out one. Aaron Heilman pitched the seventh, loading the bases without giving up a hit as he walked a man before plunking two batters in a row. Heilman then got Miguel Montero to strike out looking on a pitch right on the inside corner to end the inning.
These guys pitched shut out innings? On the same day? It's a miracle!
Duaner Sanchez started the eighth inning. Sanchez gave up three straight singles to start the inning to load the bases with no outs. A wild pitch allowed the first run to score before Sanchez got Conor Jackson to pop up for the first out. Sanchez then allowed another single and a walk before being removed for Scott Schoeneweis. Schoeneweis fared no better, allowing a double and a sac fly to chase in three more runs.
I don't like Sanchez coming into a game down by a run, especially when you don't want to overwork him. I'd understand if he didn't pitch the day before, but I just don't like this move by Willie Randolph.
Game Ball: Delgado.
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