Carlos Muniz was optioned back to AAA New Orleans, as John Maine has been activated from the DL.
Maine will start Wednesday against the Nationals.
Muniz should stay down at triple-A, for a long time. He just doesn't seem to have it to pitch at the Major League level. He eats innings, but not effectively.
8/13/08
8/12/08
Game Recap: Mets 4 -- Nationals 3
Here's the new recap style. Enjoy.
Johan Santana earned his 10th win as the Mets barely squeaked by the lowly Nationals by a score of 4-3.
Pitching Performance
Santana threw another solid start, and this time around, the bullpen actually help and saved a win for him and the Mets. Johan was on the bump for seven strong innings, even though he lacked his A-game tonight. He allowed eight hits and three earned runs, walked two and struck out six. Two runs came in the first against Santana, and the other came on a pinch-hit solo home run in the seventh inning.
Overall, a very good effort from Santana, who let runners on but limited damage and kept his team in the game.
Joe Smith needed only 10 pitches to get through the 8th inning, even though he let up a lead off single. Smith got Lastings Milledge and Jesus Flores to strikes out on three straight pitches, and needed only another three to finish off Ronnie Belliard on a ground out to second
When Austin Kearns singled to lead off the second, I thought it was all over, but Smith bounced back admirably. Well done.
Pedro Feliciano was the man called upon to close out the game for the Mets, and he did a spectacular job. Feliciano retired the side in order, striking out the last two batters to face him.
I thought Feliciano would only pitch to the first batter, but he stayed in and Eddie Kunz stayed in the bullpen. It worked and that's all that matters.
Offensive Output
The Mets got multiple hits from Jose Reyes, David Wright, and Carlos Beltran.
Beltran picked up three hits, leading the team, doubling twice in his first two at bats. Wright also picked up a two-bagger, scoring twice.
Carlos Delgado had the big hit, driving in two runs in the top of the first inning.
Damion Easley was the hero, as he was the lucky man to get plunked in the head, which drove in the eventual winning run in the top of the 8th inning.
Nothing spectacular from the Mets tonight, but they did just enough to scrape by the terrible Nationals.
The Rest Of The Story
Fernando Tatis looks to be coming back down to Earth...in a hurry. 0-3, 2 K's.
Ramon Castro doesn't seem to be totally healed, and it's showing at the plate. Still manages to call a great game from behind the dish.
The first three runs for the Mets all came with two outs. How surprising is that??
Game Ball: Johan Santana
Johan Santana earned his 10th win as the Mets barely squeaked by the lowly Nationals by a score of 4-3.
Pitching Performance
Santana threw another solid start, and this time around, the bullpen actually help and saved a win for him and the Mets. Johan was on the bump for seven strong innings, even though he lacked his A-game tonight. He allowed eight hits and three earned runs, walked two and struck out six. Two runs came in the first against Santana, and the other came on a pinch-hit solo home run in the seventh inning.
Overall, a very good effort from Santana, who let runners on but limited damage and kept his team in the game.
Joe Smith needed only 10 pitches to get through the 8th inning, even though he let up a lead off single. Smith got Lastings Milledge and Jesus Flores to strikes out on three straight pitches, and needed only another three to finish off Ronnie Belliard on a ground out to second
When Austin Kearns singled to lead off the second, I thought it was all over, but Smith bounced back admirably. Well done.
Pedro Feliciano was the man called upon to close out the game for the Mets, and he did a spectacular job. Feliciano retired the side in order, striking out the last two batters to face him.
I thought Feliciano would only pitch to the first batter, but he stayed in and Eddie Kunz stayed in the bullpen. It worked and that's all that matters.
Offensive Output
The Mets got multiple hits from Jose Reyes, David Wright, and Carlos Beltran.
Beltran picked up three hits, leading the team, doubling twice in his first two at bats. Wright also picked up a two-bagger, scoring twice.
Carlos Delgado had the big hit, driving in two runs in the top of the first inning.
Damion Easley was the hero, as he was the lucky man to get plunked in the head, which drove in the eventual winning run in the top of the 8th inning.
Nothing spectacular from the Mets tonight, but they did just enough to scrape by the terrible Nationals.
The Rest Of The Story
Fernando Tatis looks to be coming back down to Earth...in a hurry. 0-3, 2 K's.
Ramon Castro doesn't seem to be totally healed, and it's showing at the plate. Still manages to call a great game from behind the dish.
The first three runs for the Mets all came with two outs. How surprising is that??
Game Ball: Johan Santana
Amazing photo of National Park
Quick post to point you in the direction of this photo (actually a few photos stitched together) of the Nationals Park from Opening Day 2008.
It's awesome.
It's awesome.
Bullpen shakeup in the works under Jerry Manuel
Via Adam Rubin:
Rubin goes on to propose that Jon Niese would enter the rotation if that happened.
Looking at those three pitchers last ten games, my vote goes for Maine to move. He's been battling a shoulder issue, so decreased work would definitely help. He's only gotten into the seventh inning one times out of his last ten outings. He's also struggled through those same ten.
If Maine can move to the bullpen, he'd be able to give them multiple innings if needed, or just one in a situational situation. I'd like Maine out of the pen, at least this season. He'd hopefully move back to the rotation next year, as he's way more valuable there (see: Joba).
For now, anything might help the bullpen, as long as Niese is capable at the Major League level.
Jerry Manuel dropped one bombshell after another today, including saying he may move John Maine, Oliver Perez or Mike Pelfrey into the bullpen, even once Billy Wagner returns from the disabled list Monday.Oh boy.
Rubin goes on to propose that Jon Niese would enter the rotation if that happened.
Looking at those three pitchers last ten games, my vote goes for Maine to move. He's been battling a shoulder issue, so decreased work would definitely help. He's only gotten into the seventh inning one times out of his last ten outings. He's also struggled through those same ten.
If Maine can move to the bullpen, he'd be able to give them multiple innings if needed, or just one in a situational situation. I'd like Maine out of the pen, at least this season. He'd hopefully move back to the rotation next year, as he's way more valuable there (see: Joba).
For now, anything might help the bullpen, as long as Niese is capable at the Major League level.
Citi Field photos (8/11/08)
Some photos I took before the Mets vs. Pirates on August 11, 2008.
She's coming along nicely.
Freddy Garcia signs with the Tigers and Paul Byrd goes to the Red Sox
For your Tuesday afternoon viewing pleasure
Two videos I happened upon from Sharp. The first is a baseball being hit in slow motion.
The second is entitled "Squishy Blue Thing Hit by a Baseball Bat in Slow Motion." How can that not be cool.
Now if only I could watch that on one of their fancy new TV's. How about a little kickback there, Sharp??
Just like Keith Hernandez loves the Coors Freeze Play, I love anything that is shown in slow motion. Also on that YouTube channel is a video of a bat hitting a red pepper. Let's just say it doesn't end well for the pepper.
The second is entitled "Squishy Blue Thing Hit by a Baseball Bat in Slow Motion." How can that not be cool.
Now if only I could watch that on one of their fancy new TV's. How about a little kickback there, Sharp??
Just like Keith Hernandez loves the Coors Freeze Play, I love anything that is shown in slow motion. Also on that YouTube channel is a video of a bat hitting a red pepper. Let's just say it doesn't end well for the pepper.
Are the Mets minor leagues that bad? Yup.
The Mets bullpen is a mess. We all know it. It's an undeniable fact that they flat out stink.
Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be much available on the waiver wire for the Mets to acquire another arm. That means the Mets must look internally if they want to solve this problem. Too bad they don't have anyone in their farm system either.
Looking at the rosters of New Orleans and Binghamton, I can name only a handful of players that should even be a possibility for the Mets. Everyone else flat out stinks.
Let's take a look at the few players I feel the Mets could promote to help them right now:
Eddie Camancho: Camancho has seen time in Binghamton and New Orleans this year. The 25 year old has posted a 5-3 record in 45 games, with a 2.55 combined ERA (2.48 at AA, 3.00 at AAA). In 70 2-3 innings, he's surrendered 57 hits and struck out 47. In his last 10 games, he's allowed three earned runs in nine innings.
Nelson Figueroa: A guy we've seen before and know that is semi-capable of pitching in the big leagues. As a starter Figueroa is 4-4 with a 4.41 ERA. He's put together five "decent" starts in a row and could work for a few innings out of the bullpen.
Ivan Maldonado: The reliever has appeared in 39 games for the Zephyrs, compiling a 3-4 record and a 3.86 ERA. In 56 innings, he's struck out 53 batters. He's much better against lefties, posting a .266 average against, compared to a .304 average against righties. He gives up hits, but he's also capable of throwing two innings.
Nate Field: Field showed flashes of brilliance during spring training, and was a possibility for the bullpen for a few days. He's on a hot streak right now, allowing only one earned run in his last 11 innings. He's posted a 4.68 ERA overall, and has also closed out 13 games for the Zephyrs, the most on the team.
Take your pick. No one is lights out, no one is overly dominant. It would be somewhat of a game to promote any of them, but right now, I don't think it could get much worse.
Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be much available on the waiver wire for the Mets to acquire another arm. That means the Mets must look internally if they want to solve this problem. Too bad they don't have anyone in their farm system either.
Looking at the rosters of New Orleans and Binghamton, I can name only a handful of players that should even be a possibility for the Mets. Everyone else flat out stinks.
Let's take a look at the few players I feel the Mets could promote to help them right now:
Eddie Camancho: Camancho has seen time in Binghamton and New Orleans this year. The 25 year old has posted a 5-3 record in 45 games, with a 2.55 combined ERA (2.48 at AA, 3.00 at AAA). In 70 2-3 innings, he's surrendered 57 hits and struck out 47. In his last 10 games, he's allowed three earned runs in nine innings.
Nelson Figueroa: A guy we've seen before and know that is semi-capable of pitching in the big leagues. As a starter Figueroa is 4-4 with a 4.41 ERA. He's put together five "decent" starts in a row and could work for a few innings out of the bullpen.
Ivan Maldonado: The reliever has appeared in 39 games for the Zephyrs, compiling a 3-4 record and a 3.86 ERA. In 56 innings, he's struck out 53 batters. He's much better against lefties, posting a .266 average against, compared to a .304 average against righties. He gives up hits, but he's also capable of throwing two innings.
Nate Field: Field showed flashes of brilliance during spring training, and was a possibility for the bullpen for a few days. He's on a hot streak right now, allowing only one earned run in his last 11 innings. He's posted a 4.68 ERA overall, and has also closed out 13 games for the Zephyrs, the most on the team.
Take your pick. No one is lights out, no one is overly dominant. It would be somewhat of a game to promote any of them, but right now, I don't think it could get much worse.
8/11/08
Live from Shea Stadium
4:52 -- Sad. Just sad.
4:44 -- It's almost comical at this point. 7-5 Pirates.
4:34 -- Tie game. Not surprised.
4:19 -- It's about to get interesting. Aaron Heilman in to close it out with a one run lead.
4:02 -- Well done, Duaner Sanchez. Good inning and a third.
3:53 -- A leadoff double goes to waste when a run or two would have greatly helped the Mets predicament.
3:41 -- I trust no one in the bullpen.
3:36 -- Why in the world is Nate McClouth sacraficing himself?? He's your best hitter and he gives himself up?
3:33 -- Well done, Joe Smith. Two batters, two hits, one run. Awesome.
3:28 -- And here comes the bullpen. Time for the game to get a lot more interesting.
3:05 -- Is Pedro getting squeezed? Seems like it from where we're sitting.
2:54 -- Beltran is a groundout machine.
2:34 -- That had to have been the worst "play at the plate" ever.
2:20 -- And there goes the perfect game and the no hitter.
2:06 -- Pedro Martinez has only topped 83 mph twice so far, once reaching as high as 88 mph. Two balls were hit very hard this inning, but Carlos Beltran tracked them down, as usual.
1:57 -- "The best thing that could happen to Zach Duke right now: get struck by lightning." -Jamie Palatini
1:50 -- I'm just glad I'm not a Pirates fan.
1:26 -- As if a delayed game couldn't get worse, there are hundreds, if not thousands of campers on the warning track. Awesome.
1:08 -- The tarp is off the field and it is very sunny out in Flushing. Figures I forget my sunglasses in the car. Did not anticipate this weather.
4:44 -- It's almost comical at this point. 7-5 Pirates.
4:34 -- Tie game. Not surprised.
4:19 -- It's about to get interesting. Aaron Heilman in to close it out with a one run lead.
4:02 -- Well done, Duaner Sanchez. Good inning and a third.
3:53 -- A leadoff double goes to waste when a run or two would have greatly helped the Mets predicament.
3:41 -- I trust no one in the bullpen.
3:36 -- Why in the world is Nate McClouth sacraficing himself?? He's your best hitter and he gives himself up?
3:33 -- Well done, Joe Smith. Two batters, two hits, one run. Awesome.
3:28 -- And here comes the bullpen. Time for the game to get a lot more interesting.
3:05 -- Is Pedro getting squeezed? Seems like it from where we're sitting.
2:54 -- Beltran is a groundout machine.
2:34 -- That had to have been the worst "play at the plate" ever.
2:20 -- And there goes the perfect game and the no hitter.
2:06 -- Pedro Martinez has only topped 83 mph twice so far, once reaching as high as 88 mph. Two balls were hit very hard this inning, but Carlos Beltran tracked them down, as usual.
1:57 -- "The best thing that could happen to Zach Duke right now: get struck by lightning." -Jamie Palatini
1:50 -- I'm just glad I'm not a Pirates fan.
1:26 -- As if a delayed game couldn't get worse, there are hundreds, if not thousands of campers on the warning track. Awesome.
1:08 -- The tarp is off the field and it is very sunny out in Flushing. Figures I forget my sunglasses in the car. Did not anticipate this weather.
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