I have to be blunt. Aaron Heilman blew it again and this loss is all on his back.
Claudio Vargas was downright impressive in his first start with the Mets. He threw 6 1-3 innings, allowing only one run while on the mound and another was charged to him later on in the inning. He gave up three hits, walking four, while striking out six.
I had my expectations set very low for him, but he surprised me, as I'm sure he surprised you. Well done, Vargas. You earned yourself another start, at the least.
Vargas was handed a lead in the fifth inning when Brian Schneider homered to right field, right off the 1988 NL Division Champs banner for the first run of the game.
I'm very pleased by Schneider's hitting ability. Great to see some pop out of this guy who was billed as a "defensive catcher."
Vargas handed the lead right back, allowing Ryan Zimmerman to crank one off the front of the mezzanine level to tie the game up at 1-1.
Vargas was pulled from the game after issuing a one out walk to Elijah Dukes. Aaron Heilman was called in from the bullpen to try and finish out the inning. He eventually recorded three outs, not before the Nationals scored four runs to take the lead.
All the runs came with two outs, and I believe Heilman had two strikes on every batter he faced. He was even ahead 0-2 on Jesus Flores before allowing an RBI single to him.
Heilman needs a change of scenery. New Orleans or another organization, take your pick.
The Mets rally attempts fizzled out too early, as they scored one run in the 7th and 8th innings, but couldn't scratch out anymore. Schneider picked up another RBI with a ground ball to first base, allowing Endy Chavez to score. Carlos Beltran brought home the Mets final run, singling to right and plating Marlon Anderson.
The Mets went down in order in the ninth inning, striking out twice.
This team has fire, but it's equivalent to a cigarette lighter when they need a bonfire. Spurts are shown here and there, but overall, it's just not there. Moises Alou showed a bit of emotion and fire when he was ejected in the fifth after being called out on strikes. Alou immediately slammed his bat into the ground and was ejected seconds later by home plate umpire Dana Demuth.
You have to beat up on last place teams, and now they're heading into tomorrow's matinee hoping for a split of the series, at best. Not good.
Game Ball: Schneider
5/14/08
Santana's numbers in the Bronx
Jeremy Cothran, one of the best in the biz, points out Johan Santana's ridiculous stats in Yankee Stadium, where he will pitch against Darrel Rasner on Friday.
"Santana is 3-0 in the Bronx as a member of the Twins, with an ERA of 0.79 in six games."
Investigating further, Santana's first appearance at Yankee Stadium came on April 10, 2003. Santana threw only four innings in relief, allowing four hits, walking none and striking out eight batters. He allowed no runs.
The second start in the Bronx came on September 29, 2004. Santana allowed one earned run on three hits and a walk in five innings. He struck out five that day. He ended up with a no decision that day, breaking a streak of 12 straight appearances with a win, ending the season with a record of 20-6.
The third start in the House That Ruth Built on July 27, 2005, saw Santana throw seven shutout innings, scattering seven hits and two walks. Santana struck out five in the Twins win. He earned the win, his first in Yankee Stadium.
His final start in Yankee Stadium was his "worst." Santana allowed two earned runs over seven innings. He let up four hits while walking two. Again, he struck out five batters. The Twins won the game 6-2, making a winner of Santana and moving his record at Yankee Stadium to 2-0.
So, after doing some research, Santana's numbers at Yankee Stadium are actually: 2-0, 23 IP, 18 hits, 5 BB, 23 K, 1.17 ERA.
Not too shabby. Let's hope he can turn out another one of these performance and show the Yankees brass and front office what they missed out on.
Update: A fellow blogger, MetsWalkoffs, points out that I completely left out Santana's starts during the postseason.
Santana pitched in two games at Yankee Stadium during the 2003 and 2004 ALDS.
On September 30, 2003, Santana threw four innings, allowing three hits and walking two. He did not allow a run and struck out three batters.
His other appearance came on October 5, 2004, where he went seven innings and scattered nine hits. He walked only one and struck out five. Again, he did not allow a run to score. The Twins won this game, and earned Santana his third win at Yankee Stadium.
Factoring the previously left out postseason appearances, Santana's adjusted numbers at Yankee Stadium for his career: 3-0, 34 IP, 30 hits, 8 BB, 31 K, 0.79 ERA.
So Jeremy had it right to begin with. Whoops!
"Santana is 3-0 in the Bronx as a member of the Twins, with an ERA of 0.79 in six games."
Investigating further, Santana's first appearance at Yankee Stadium came on April 10, 2003. Santana threw only four innings in relief, allowing four hits, walking none and striking out eight batters. He allowed no runs.
The second start in the Bronx came on September 29, 2004. Santana allowed one earned run on three hits and a walk in five innings. He struck out five that day. He ended up with a no decision that day, breaking a streak of 12 straight appearances with a win, ending the season with a record of 20-6.
The third start in the House That Ruth Built on July 27, 2005, saw Santana throw seven shutout innings, scattering seven hits and two walks. Santana struck out five in the Twins win. He earned the win, his first in Yankee Stadium.
His final start in Yankee Stadium was his "worst." Santana allowed two earned runs over seven innings. He let up four hits while walking two. Again, he struck out five batters. The Twins won the game 6-2, making a winner of Santana and moving his record at Yankee Stadium to 2-0.
So, after doing some research, Santana's numbers at Yankee Stadium are actually: 2-0, 23 IP, 18 hits, 5 BB, 23 K, 1.17 ERA.
Not too shabby. Let's hope he can turn out another one of these performance and show the Yankees brass and front office what they missed out on.
Update: A fellow blogger, MetsWalkoffs, points out that I completely left out Santana's starts during the postseason.
Santana pitched in two games at Yankee Stadium during the 2003 and 2004 ALDS.
On September 30, 2003, Santana threw four innings, allowing three hits and walking two. He did not allow a run and struck out three batters.
His other appearance came on October 5, 2004, where he went seven innings and scattered nine hits. He walked only one and struck out five. Again, he did not allow a run to score. The Twins won this game, and earned Santana his third win at Yankee Stadium.
Factoring the previously left out postseason appearances, Santana's adjusted numbers at Yankee Stadium for his career: 3-0, 34 IP, 30 hits, 8 BB, 31 K, 0.79 ERA.
So Jeremy had it right to begin with. Whoops!
Fan caught trying to steal part of Shea
Patrick Oriani, 18, of Jersey City, was caught trying to smuggle a seat from the upper deck of Shea Stadium out of the park, concealing it under a blanket.
First of all, does he really expect to make it out of the place carrying a giant seat?
And secondly, I really want to know what was said to him by the guards who figured out his dastardly plan.
Security guard: "Sir, is that a chair? Are you carrying a chair under that blanket?"
Patrick: "Uhhhh...no."
Security guard: "Come with me, sir."
Patrick: "Dagnabbit! I would have gotten away with it too if it weren't for you meddlingkids security guards!"
First of all, does he really expect to make it out of the place carrying a giant seat?
And secondly, I really want to know what was said to him by the guards who figured out his dastardly plan.
Security guard: "Sir, is that a chair? Are you carrying a chair under that blanket?"
Patrick: "Uhhhh...no."
Security guard: "Come with me, sir."
Patrick: "Dagnabbit! I would have gotten away with it too if it weren't for you meddling
Answers: Best pitching seasons
I received a few guesses for the four pitchers named in the Sports Illustrated list of 15 best pitching seasons.
Everyone nailed down the four pitchers names, but only one person correctly identified the year picked out by SI. Half-congrats to Andrew Fletcher of Scott Proctor's Arm.
The pitchers, and the years they had their best season are:
Tom Seaver, 1971.
Dwight Gooden, 1985.
Pedro Martinez, 2000.
Johan Santana, 2005.
Here are the blurbs:
Seaver won three Cy Youngs, but his best season may have been in a year in which he didn't win the award. In 1971, "Tom Terrific" validated his nickname by leading the league in ERA (1.76) and strikeouts (289) while going 20-10 for the Mets.
Few pitchers have burst onto the scene with as much promise and dominance as Dwight Gooden. "Doc" was a mere 20 years old and in just his second big-league season when he cut through the National League in 1985, going 24-4 with a 1.53 ERA, eight shutouts and 268 strikeouts.
Pedro Martinez's power pitching style was on full display during the 2000 season in which he won 18 games, posted a 1.74 ERA, hurled seven complete games, and whiffed 284 hitters. He also set a number of marks. His WHIP was 0.74, breaking a 77-year-old record set by Walter Johnson, and he also became the only starting pitcher to have more than twice as many strikeouts in a season (284) as hits allowed (128). The only question: How did he lose six times?
During his first full season as a starter in 2004, Johan Santana enjoyed one of the best second halves of a season for a pitcher. He went 13-0 and achieved a 1.21 ERA to finish the season with a 20-6 record, 2.61 ERA and 265 strikeouts on the way to his first of two AL Cy Young awards.
I'm predicting John Maine being added to this list after this season.
Also, I left off a player who completed the task with another team, and later pitched on the Mets for one season. Orel Hershiser's 1988 season was recognized, which he pitched over 10 years before coming to the Mets.
Everyone nailed down the four pitchers names, but only one person correctly identified the year picked out by SI. Half-congrats to Andrew Fletcher of Scott Proctor's Arm.
The pitchers, and the years they had their best season are:
Tom Seaver, 1971.
Dwight Gooden, 1985.
Pedro Martinez, 2000.
Johan Santana, 2005.
Here are the blurbs:
Seaver won three Cy Youngs, but his best season may have been in a year in which he didn't win the award. In 1971, "Tom Terrific" validated his nickname by leading the league in ERA (1.76) and strikeouts (289) while going 20-10 for the Mets.
Few pitchers have burst onto the scene with as much promise and dominance as Dwight Gooden. "Doc" was a mere 20 years old and in just his second big-league season when he cut through the National League in 1985, going 24-4 with a 1.53 ERA, eight shutouts and 268 strikeouts.
Pedro Martinez's power pitching style was on full display during the 2000 season in which he won 18 games, posted a 1.74 ERA, hurled seven complete games, and whiffed 284 hitters. He also set a number of marks. His WHIP was 0.74, breaking a 77-year-old record set by Walter Johnson, and he also became the only starting pitcher to have more than twice as many strikeouts in a season (284) as hits allowed (128). The only question: How did he lose six times?
During his first full season as a starter in 2004, Johan Santana enjoyed one of the best second halves of a season for a pitcher. He went 13-0 and achieved a 1.21 ERA to finish the season with a 20-6 record, 2.61 ERA and 265 strikeouts on the way to his first of two AL Cy Young awards.
I'm predicting John Maine being added to this list after this season.
Also, I left off a player who completed the task with another team, and later pitched on the Mets for one season. Orel Hershiser's 1988 season was recognized, which he pitched over 10 years before coming to the Mets.
Guess who: Best pitching seasons
Sports Illustrated put together a list of 15 of the best pitching seasons since 1961.
The list has two Mets pitchers who completed the task with the team and two pitchers who are currently on the roster who notched up their remarkable seasons with another team.
Can you guess who they are and the years they pitched well enough to make the list?
The winner gets...some respect and a high five.
Answers up tomorrow.
The list has two Mets pitchers who completed the task with the team and two pitchers who are currently on the roster who notched up their remarkable seasons with another team.
Can you guess who they are and the years they pitched well enough to make the list?
The winner gets...some respect and a high five.
Answers up tomorrow.
5/13/08
Game Recap: Mets 6 -- Nationals 3
Revenge is a dish best served by Ryan Church and Brian Schneider.
The ex-Nationals really handed it to their old team, combining to go 5-8, scoring three and driving in five as the Mets took the second game of the four game set by a score of 6-3.
The Mets got another stellar start from John Maine, as he extended his streak of only allowing two runs or less to eight straight starts, allowing just two runs on two hits through six innings. Maine struck out five and walked only one, needing 109 pitches to get through his night.
In the second inning, the Mets got on the board with a bases loaded fielders choice off the bat of Brian Schneider, driving in Moises Alou.
The Mets had the bases loaded with no one out, and managed to scratch out only one run. Something like that needs to change. To score a run without hitting the ball out of the infield is something special though.
The only runs Maine allowed came on a Ryan Zimmerman two run home run after a Damion Easley error. The error, one of two for Easley on the night, allowed Christian Guzman to reach, and later score on Zimmerman's homer to left field. Maine set down 10 in order after the home run, and only had one runner on base due to Easley's second error with two outs in the sixth. Maine bounced back and got Austin Kearns to strike out looking to end his night.
If it wasn't for Johan Santana, Maine would be the far and away ace of this pitching staff. Dominant, in control, and settled down. Simple beautiful. I think he could have gone another inning, easily, but his turn in the order came up in the bottom of the sixth, and the pinch hitter paid off for the Mets. Well done, John. Keep it up.
Church had an amazing day, starting it off with a solo home run to center field to lead off the third inning. Church's ball just missed nailing the home run apple.
I love this guy. I'm sure you've heard that from me before, but I have to say it again. What a steal.
In the sixth, Church kept his hot day going, bringing in two with a double to right. After Brian Schneider and Fernando Tatis both hit one out singles, Church came to the plate with two outs and runners on first and second. Church smoked a ball to right field, a ball that seemed like an easy out for Kearns to end the inning. I'm not sure if Kearns misplayed it or if the ball just hung up in the air, but the ball sailed over the jumping Kearns glove and bounced to the wall, driving in both Schneider and Tatis.
Good? Yes. Lucky? Yes. Will he take it? Yes.
He is getting things done in every way, shape, and form.
Matt Wise made his first appearance in a long while, allowing one run on one hit. Elijah Dukes doubled to left for his first hit of the year. Rob Mackowiack eventually drove him home with a ground ball to second base. Duaner Sanchez walked two batters in the eighth inning, but worked out of a jam without any damage, striking out one.
Strange to bring in a pitcher who hasn't been in the majors in a while and toss him into the fire with a two run lead. This will be questioned by the Willie Randolph haters, for sure. Good stuff from Sanchez, who as Gary Cohen pointed out, has had a few miles per hour knocked off his fastball from the accident. Hopefully he can work back to that over time, but if he's consistently good, it really won't matter.
In the 8th, the Mets tacked on some insurance runs. Jose Reyes broke up his 0-fer night with an RBI single up the middle, driving in Schneider. Church followed that up with a sacrifice fly to right field, plating Marlon Anderson.
Billy Wagner allowed a two out hit, but slammed the door on the Nationals for his eighth save of the year. He still has not allowed an earned run to score.
Keep on truckin'.
Game Ball: Church.
The ex-Nationals really handed it to their old team, combining to go 5-8, scoring three and driving in five as the Mets took the second game of the four game set by a score of 6-3.
The Mets got another stellar start from John Maine, as he extended his streak of only allowing two runs or less to eight straight starts, allowing just two runs on two hits through six innings. Maine struck out five and walked only one, needing 109 pitches to get through his night.
In the second inning, the Mets got on the board with a bases loaded fielders choice off the bat of Brian Schneider, driving in Moises Alou.
The Mets had the bases loaded with no one out, and managed to scratch out only one run. Something like that needs to change. To score a run without hitting the ball out of the infield is something special though.
The only runs Maine allowed came on a Ryan Zimmerman two run home run after a Damion Easley error. The error, one of two for Easley on the night, allowed Christian Guzman to reach, and later score on Zimmerman's homer to left field. Maine set down 10 in order after the home run, and only had one runner on base due to Easley's second error with two outs in the sixth. Maine bounced back and got Austin Kearns to strike out looking to end his night.
If it wasn't for Johan Santana, Maine would be the far and away ace of this pitching staff. Dominant, in control, and settled down. Simple beautiful. I think he could have gone another inning, easily, but his turn in the order came up in the bottom of the sixth, and the pinch hitter paid off for the Mets. Well done, John. Keep it up.
Church had an amazing day, starting it off with a solo home run to center field to lead off the third inning. Church's ball just missed nailing the home run apple.
I love this guy. I'm sure you've heard that from me before, but I have to say it again. What a steal.
In the sixth, Church kept his hot day going, bringing in two with a double to right. After Brian Schneider and Fernando Tatis both hit one out singles, Church came to the plate with two outs and runners on first and second. Church smoked a ball to right field, a ball that seemed like an easy out for Kearns to end the inning. I'm not sure if Kearns misplayed it or if the ball just hung up in the air, but the ball sailed over the jumping Kearns glove and bounced to the wall, driving in both Schneider and Tatis.
Good? Yes. Lucky? Yes. Will he take it? Yes.
He is getting things done in every way, shape, and form.
Matt Wise made his first appearance in a long while, allowing one run on one hit. Elijah Dukes doubled to left for his first hit of the year. Rob Mackowiack eventually drove him home with a ground ball to second base. Duaner Sanchez walked two batters in the eighth inning, but worked out of a jam without any damage, striking out one.
Strange to bring in a pitcher who hasn't been in the majors in a while and toss him into the fire with a two run lead. This will be questioned by the Willie Randolph haters, for sure. Good stuff from Sanchez, who as Gary Cohen pointed out, has had a few miles per hour knocked off his fastball from the accident. Hopefully he can work back to that over time, but if he's consistently good, it really won't matter.
In the 8th, the Mets tacked on some insurance runs. Jose Reyes broke up his 0-fer night with an RBI single up the middle, driving in Schneider. Church followed that up with a sacrifice fly to right field, plating Marlon Anderson.
Billy Wagner allowed a two out hit, but slammed the door on the Nationals for his eighth save of the year. He still has not allowed an earned run to score.
Keep on truckin'.
Game Ball: Church.
Maine does what's right
Forgot to mention this before...
With the first pitch of the game, John Maine nailed Felipe Lopez in the leg.
This has to be (hopefully) retaliation for the taunting and yelling that went on in the Nationals dugout on Monday night. If that's actually what it is, I must applaud Maine.
This is exactly what you do as a pitcher. Instead of talking about it later, you either peg a guy where it won't hurt the next day to send a message, or knock a guy on his butt with a pitch over his head.
Good stuff.
With the first pitch of the game, John Maine nailed Felipe Lopez in the leg.
This has to be (hopefully) retaliation for the taunting and yelling that went on in the Nationals dugout on Monday night. If that's actually what it is, I must applaud Maine.
This is exactly what you do as a pitcher. Instead of talking about it later, you either peg a guy where it won't hurt the next day to send a message, or knock a guy on his butt with a pitch over his head.
Good stuff.
I pray to Ryan Church
Ryan Church just took Jon Lannan deep to center, just missing nailing the home run apple with his 8th dinger of the year.
This is his fourth in the last seven games.
He and David Wright are battling for my love and affection right now.
Seriously, how good is this guy? I can't wait to see more.
Big praise must be paid to Howard Johnson for fixing and tweaking Church's swing and approach. Well done, HoJo. Well done indeed.
This is his fourth in the last seven games.
He and David Wright are battling for my love and affection right now.
Seriously, how good is this guy? I can't wait to see more.
Big praise must be paid to Howard Johnson for fixing and tweaking Church's swing and approach. Well done, HoJo. Well done indeed.
The roster shuffle
Off the Mets: Nelson Figueroa and Jorge Sosa have been designated for assignment. Angel Pagan has been placed on the 15-day DL.
On the Mets: Matt Wise was activated off the disabled list. Fernando Tatis and Claudio Vargas were called up from New Orleans.
Bye Figueroa, I'll miss you. Willie Randolph, when speaking to Eddie Coleman on WFAN, said he hopes Figueroa clears waivers and would like to see him as a long man out of the bullpen. I have to agree. Opposing teams are batting well under .200 against Figueroa the first time through the order, so he'd be perfect.
On Sosa, I'm so happy about. Took them long enough. Same for Wise.
The battle between Pagan and Tatis will begin. If Tatis can do anything worthwhile, I can see Pagan staying in AAA after he's healed up. Omar Minaya likes Tatis, so I think Tatis is in for the long haul.
For Vargas, I will abstain comment on until after tomorrow's start.
Overall, good moves by the Mets.
On the Mets: Matt Wise was activated off the disabled list. Fernando Tatis and Claudio Vargas were called up from New Orleans.
Bye Figueroa, I'll miss you. Willie Randolph, when speaking to Eddie Coleman on WFAN, said he hopes Figueroa clears waivers and would like to see him as a long man out of the bullpen. I have to agree. Opposing teams are batting well under .200 against Figueroa the first time through the order, so he'd be perfect.
On Sosa, I'm so happy about. Took them long enough. Same for Wise.
The battle between Pagan and Tatis will begin. If Tatis can do anything worthwhile, I can see Pagan staying in AAA after he's healed up. Omar Minaya likes Tatis, so I think Tatis is in for the long haul.
For Vargas, I will abstain comment on until after tomorrow's start.
Overall, good moves by the Mets.
More hips!
Here is Jose Reyes teaching some of the guys from SportsCenter how to dance in a recent "This is SportsCenter" commercials. It cracks me up every time I see it.
Hat tip to Ian from Sox & Dawgs.
Hat tip to Ian from Sox & Dawgs.
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