Photo of the Day: Reyes

Photo from Game 1Anyone else ever notice as soon as the game's over, Jose Reyes un-tucks his shirt as soon as possible?
(Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Game Recap: Mets 12 -- Reds 6

The Mets offense really seems to be clicking, running on all cylinders, or whatever baseball-esque cliche you want to throw in there. The Mets beat up on the Reds, taking the first game of the day/night doubleheader by a score of 12-6.

Johan Santana made the start for the Mets, and seemed to struggle a bit. He allowed a career high 10 hits, but only allowed three runs. Santana walked only one while striking out five. Johan gave up three hits in the top of the first, but was helped out when Corey Patterson, who led off the game with a single, was thrown out while trying to steal second.

He's good. Even when he doesn't have his best stuff, and allows 10 hits, he still shuts a team down for only three runs. That's when you know he's good. People get on against him on a semi-off day, but he still limits the damage and keeps his team in the game.

The Mets got on the board early. In the bottom of the second inning, with Moises Alou on third and Brian Schneider on first, Santana struck out swinging. Fortunately for the Mets, the ball skipped away from David Ross, and Alou came home for the first run of the game.

I'll take it any way they can get it.

In the fourth, Carlos Beltran drove in Luis Castillo with an RBI single up the middle. One out later, Alou drove home two with a bloop single just beyond the infield dirt with the Reds infield playing in.

Crazy move by Dusty Baker playing the infield in there. It would have been an easy pop-up for Brandon Phillips at second, but with the infield in, it drops in for a two RBI hit.

In the top of the fourth, Santana allowed the first run of the game for the Reds when Edwin Encarnacion homered to left field. Alou made an attempt on it, but it was just out of his reach, bouncing off the front of the bleachers.

In the fifth, Beltran picked up another RBI with a sacrifice fly to center, driving in Castillo again. Ryan Church later singled to right, scoring David Wright from second base.

Beltran is getting hot. Watch out other teams, these Mets seem to be clicking.

Encarnacion added an RBI single in the 6th inning before Scott Hatteberg hit a pinch-hit single, plating the second run of the inning.

The Reds are pesky, but the Mets should be able to pick them apart, as we saw today. Let's hope they can match this in the nightcap.

With the bases loaded and two out in the bottom of the sixth, Wright drew a walk, driving in Carlos Delgado. Beltran added to his huge day, picking up his first hit of the season with two out and runners in scoring position, as he smoked a ball down the right field line, driving in all three and earning him a stand-up triple as the ball died after hitting off the wall.

What to say? This team looks good. This lineup is absolutely overpowering when they're all hitting, or contributing in some way. I love it.

Aaron Heilman's 5 2-3 inning scoreless streak came to an end in the 7th as Joey Votto doubled in Ryan Freel.

And he was booed, mercilessly.

The bottom of the seventh saw the Mets pick up their first back-to-back home runs of the year as Delgado and Brian Schneider each went deep. Delgado crushed his ball just to the left of the Mets bullpen in right field. Schneider, picking up his first extra base hit of the year, lined a ball down the right field line, just clearing the fence.

Welcome to the club, Schneider. As Gary said, he's now "off the schnied." (pun intended)

Ken Griffey Jr. came within inches of his 598th home run of his career, as he doubled off the wall in the 8th inning against Pedro Feliciano, driving in two runs.

Jorge Sosa came in and walked one batter, but put up a hitless and scoreless inning to put the game away for the Mets.

Game Ball: Beltran.

Two games and Delgado batting seventh

I know it's pretty bad how the Mets handled the rain out last night, waiting until 8 p.m. to postpone the game, but I love doubleheaders.

I'm pumped. I remember Mike Pelfrey pitched in a doubleheader before (trip down memory lane here) and the Mets put up a 17-spot against the Marlins. Let's hope for the same results tonight. (Yes, Pelfrey is starting tonight as Johan Santana is pitching the day game.)

And last night, Carlos Delgado was planned to bat 7th in the batting order. I like this, as Willie Randolph tries to break up the lefties in the batting order, and protects Carlos Beltran was going to bat in front of Ryan Church.

Smart move, Randolph, though I still think Church should be batting second.

Joe Smith will be optioned to AAA, eventually

Depending on how the games are played out on Saturday, Joe Smith may be optioned to AAA after the second game, or maybe not at all.

The Mets plan is to send Smith to the minors to make room for Matt Wise to come back off the DL.

Marty Noble lays it out:

But now Wise has rejoined the team, though he hasn't been added to the roster. When he is, Smith will be optioned to Triple-A, despite his effective pitching. That is the plan, a person in the Mets hierarchy said Friday. But the postponement of the Mets' game against the Reds on Friday night, the resulting doubleheader on Saturday and the chance for bullpen overload in two games prompted the club to retain Smith on the roster.

If Smith pitches in the first game, he could be assigned to the Minor Leagues to accommodate Wise on the roster for the second game. If Smith doesn't pitch in the first game, the Mets might not make a roster move until Sunday. And if Smith isn't used in the doubleheader, the club could not make a move with Wise until after Smith does pitch.

I love Smith, and I think he has a big future with this team. It's too bad that he's pitching so well and he's going to get demoted. He's very young, so I know he'll be back when (not if) someone in the bullpen goes down with an injury.

I really couldn't gauge Wise's effectiveness as a pitcher, as he only pitched a grand total of two games, posting a 9.00 ERA. I always liked him when he was with Milwaukee, though. I just hope he can post numbers like Smith, otherwise this move looks bad.

Guess the Mets are married to Jorge Sosa.

Flip-flop

The Mets are planning to flip-flop their starters in the doubleheader today.

Johan Santana will start the 1:10 p.m. game, while Mike Pelfrey will pitch the nightcap, starting at 7:30 p.m.

Doubleheader

The Mets and the Reds first game, scheduled for Friday night, will be postponed.

They are planning a day/night doubleheader tomorrow at the stadium. The first game is scheduled for a 1:10 p.m. start, with the second game starting at 7:40 p.m.

Stinks for the fans that made the trek out to Shea. But hey, I love doubleheaders!

Super Nova burns out

Raul Casanova was optioned to the minor leagues, as Ramon Castro was activated from the disabled list.

Welcome back, Mr. Castro. I've been yearning to hear that Darth Vader music as you walk to the plate again.

A big round of applause to Casanova for his amazing effort filling more than normal so far this season. Well done, big man.

Movin' out

Mama Leone left a note on the door
She said "Sonny move out to the country"
Ah but working too hard can give you
A heart attack, ack, ack, ack, ack, ack
You ought-a know by now
Who needs a house out in Hackensack Mount Olive?
Is that all you get for your money?

I have successfully complete my sophomore year at Quinnipiac University. I'll be taking my last final of the year at 1 p.m. then packing everything in the family car and my own and heading back to the "country" (at least, that's what my grandma calls it.)

I've seen this blog explode during this last year at school, and to that I am very grateful to all you readers out there in internet land. Thanks for sticking with me as this site grows and evolves. It's only going up from here, so be sure to keep coming back!

Mets vs. Reds tonight at the stadium, so be sure to tune in. I'll most likely hit you with some game updates when I return to my parents humble abode for the duration of the summer.

Let's go Mets, and thank you very much! QU '10!

Dan Graziano, the voice of reason

One of my favorite writers penned an article last night that really puts things in perspective about Willie Randolph. Graziano points out that since June 1 of last year, the Mets record is exactly 71-71. That's .500 baseball, ladies and gentlemen.

From Graziano:

People like to get on Randolph's case for lineups or pitching changes or in-game strategy, but that's all just noise. He's not perceptibly worse at bullpen management than any other manager is. Ripping him for specific moves is just a way for frustrated fans to blow off steam.

Where Randolph comes up short is in his failure to recognize what kind of team he has and manage accordingly. Randolph is a decent man who cares deeply about his team and his job and believes strongly in himself. But he's also stubborn, and that's what has him in trouble.

Exactly. That's what I've been saying all along! Thank you, Dan. You really can't get on Randolph for overusing his bullpen because his starters weren't giving him solid innings. As much as I want to, you really can't blame losses on who's batting second in the lineup.

What you can do, is find fault on how he handles losing and slump and his players. Randolph is turning into Art Howe 2.0. Sitting back and hoping his team does what it's supposed to, without help from the manager.

Something needs to change soon, though I really don't think a managerial change is going to do anything. Randolph and Omar Minaya need to shake things up internally before people get fired and new blood enters the franchise.

Results from Pagan's MRI

Angel Pagan has a bruised shoulder, according to Adam Rubin.

Wonder if he'll still go on the DL to make room. Tough choice for the Mets brass.