The Mets jumped out, fell asleep, and then barely hung on to a win in Pittsburgh...
Pitching Performance
Another beautiful performance almost slipped through the Mets fingers, but the bullpen staved off the Pirates to secure the win for Mike Pelfrey and the Mets.
Pelfrey threw another spectacular game in his best season so far in his young career. Pelfrey threw seven shut out innings, walking none and striking out only one. He threw 98 pitches, and got the benefit of a perfect throw from Carlos Beltran in the seventh inning, but more on that later.
Pelfrey looked great. He scattered his seven hits, and trusted his players to make the outs tonight. Gotta love Big Pelf.
Duaner Sanchez apparently does not like easy wins, as he gave up a solo home run in the bottom of the 8th inning to make it a one run game. Sanchez allowed a double and intentionally walked one batter before recording the third out in the inning.
Whew! That's all I have to say.
Aaron Heilman started the inning with a spectacular, heads up play by Argenis Reyes to make the first out of the inning. Heilman issued one walk, but induced a game ending pop-up to finish it off and earn his third save.
Again, whew.
Offensive Output
Anything the Mets had, they showed it early and then shut down. The Mets strung together three straight hits before an out was recorded in the first inning for their only two runs of the game. Jose Reyes, Argenis Reyes and David Wright each singled, with Wright's hit driving in Jose. Argenis later scored on a wild pitch.
From there on out, the Mets bats were stifled. Carlos Delgado and Brian Schneider each had doubles, but nothing much came from the rest of the game.
The Rest of the Story
Besides Pelfrey's great outing, defense was the main reason the Mets won this game. I can thing of at least five plays off the top of my head that the Mets made in the field to help get outs.
The two of note were made by Beltran and A. Reyes. Beltran, in the bottom of the seventh inning, gunned down Adam LaRoche at home plate after fielding a single off the bat of Brandon Moss. Beltran threw a perfect ball to Schneider, who didn't do a great job of blocking the plate, but managed to make the tag and record the out.
In the top of the ninth, leading off the inning, Andy LaRoche bounced a ball to first. Delgado backed up, but the ball ate him up and skipped by him. Thankfully, A-Rey was aware enough to sprint over and slide in behind Delgado on the outfield grass and field the ball. Heilman did his job and got over to cover first in time for Reyes to make the quick throw and avert some trouble in the ninth.
There were other great plays, but these were critical in the game. I really like the way A-Rey has played in his limited time. Does Luis Castillo really have to come back?
Game Ball: Mike Pelfrey
8/15/08
Ryan Church finally plays in a real, live baseball game
I'm not lying. Ryan Church is playing baseball again.
Church went 1-3 in his first rehab game, appearing as a DH for the Gulf Coast Mets.
In other news, Trot Nixon is rehabbing as well, and he went 2-2 and played left field.
Obviously, I'm more excited about Church returning. If he can come back and play like he was before the concussions and migraines, this team will be all right. He's due to be fresh as he's taking most of the season off.
Hallelujah!
Church went 1-3 in his first rehab game, appearing as a DH for the Gulf Coast Mets.
In other news, Trot Nixon is rehabbing as well, and he went 2-2 and played left field.
Obviously, I'm more excited about Church returning. If he can come back and play like he was before the concussions and migraines, this team will be all right. He's due to be fresh as he's taking most of the season off.
Hallelujah!
I hate The Wave; Sign the petition to end it
I love when crowds cheer and chant for their teams. I love when the whole stadium sings along to "Eres Aqui" or "Joseeeeeee Jose Jose Jose!" But I absolutely despise when people do "The Wave."
Never in my baseball-loving days have I ever been as mad at such a large number of people as on Monday when the Mets were playing the Pirates. It didn't help that the Mets were letting another win slip through their fingers.
It's the ninth inning, and the Mets bullpen is imploding again. Some guy, sans sobriety, is leading the entire loge and most of the rest of the stadium in a wave. Were these people unaware of the tensity of the game? The win was literally on the line at the time, but they would rather fancy themselves to stand up, throw their arms in the air, sit down and watch their wave carry around the stadium?
They had to pay good money to get in to see this game, and right when the game was at it's climax, they're cheering and yelling as their team implodes and falls to a terrible team in a game they should have won.
This one man was walking around, cursing out fans that refused to participate in the worst fan-led spectacle ever created. Fans who were engrossed in the game, willing the Mets bullpen to just get a few more outs, albeit unsuccessfully. Meanwhile, my friend and I are trying to rally our section around Aaron Heilman and Pedro Feliciano as they tried to stave off the anemic Pittsburgh offense to no avail.
The wave needs to stop, especially in these situations. There has to be a better way to cheer, to support the team, and there are definitely better situations to do it.
Please, fans, stop the wave. If you support ending The Wave, sign the petition found here.
Never in my baseball-loving days have I ever been as mad at such a large number of people as on Monday when the Mets were playing the Pirates. It didn't help that the Mets were letting another win slip through their fingers.
It's the ninth inning, and the Mets bullpen is imploding again. Some guy, sans sobriety, is leading the entire loge and most of the rest of the stadium in a wave. Were these people unaware of the tensity of the game? The win was literally on the line at the time, but they would rather fancy themselves to stand up, throw their arms in the air, sit down and watch their wave carry around the stadium?
They had to pay good money to get in to see this game, and right when the game was at it's climax, they're cheering and yelling as their team implodes and falls to a terrible team in a game they should have won.
This one man was walking around, cursing out fans that refused to participate in the worst fan-led spectacle ever created. Fans who were engrossed in the game, willing the Mets bullpen to just get a few more outs, albeit unsuccessfully. Meanwhile, my friend and I are trying to rally our section around Aaron Heilman and Pedro Feliciano as they tried to stave off the anemic Pittsburgh offense to no avail.
The wave needs to stop, especially in these situations. There has to be a better way to cheer, to support the team, and there are definitely better situations to do it.
Please, fans, stop the wave. If you support ending The Wave, sign the petition found here.
Mets sit alone atop NL East (I called it.)
"With the Mets playing the Nationals, and the Phillies playing the Dodgers, it's entirely possible the Mets could be back in first place by the end of the week."
-Me, on Wednesday.
"I'm calling it now: The Mets will stand alone in first place by tomorrow morning."
-Me, on Thursday.
Well...
Give me a few, I have to go play the lottery...
-Me, on Wednesday.
"I'm calling it now: The Mets will stand alone in first place by tomorrow morning."
-Me, on Thursday.
Well...
Give me a few, I have to go play the lottery...
8/14/08
Game Recap: Mets 9 -- Nationals 3
How sweep it is... (Cliche, I know. But it's fitting.)
Pitching Performance
Oliver Perez pitched a damn fine game, but was maybe left in a little too long. Perez pitched a scoreless game into the seventh inning, but let in runs when Pete Orr hit a pinch-hit triple to right, scoring two. Another run scored when Carlos Delgado overran a ball at first base and Orr scored from third.
Perez went 6 2-3 innings, allowed six hits, three runs (all earned), walked three, and struck out eight batters.
Good stuff from Perez. He was absolutely dealing until he ran into a little trouble in the seventh. Nice to see him pitch well against a bad team for once. And when I say bad team, I mean that in the strictest terminology of the word "bad." The Nationals are really, really bad.
The bullpen combined to throw 2 1-3 hitless and scoreless innings, with Joe Smith, Duaner Sanchez and Aaron Heilman combining to finish out the game.
Smith walked two and Heilman walked one, but they were able to work out of it. Sanchez and Heilman each struck out one.
The bullpen always looks like they're going to make it as interesting as possible, but thankfully the offense exploded for four runs in the top of the ninth inning.
Offensive Output
The Mets bats had eight hits, but managed to push nine runs across thanks to two Nationals errors.
Big nights from Delgado, Brian Schneider, and Damion Easley, who each drove in two RBI's. Delgado drove in two, going 1-5, with a RBI groundout in the fourth and a solo home run in the sixth.
Schneider added a home run of his own, only his third of the year, a two run shot in the fifth, scoring Fernando Tatis.
Easley broke open the 9th inning with a pinch-hit single to center field, scoring David Wright and Tatis. After a Ronnie Belliard error loaded the bases for the Mets, Delgado reached on a throwing error that allowed two more Mets runs to score.
Nothing spectacular, but thanks to some Washington follies, the Mets leave with a sweep. The bats did what they needed to do and that's all that matters. The team, as a whole, seems to be clicking.
The Rest of the Story
Tatis is making me eat some humble pie, and boy is it delicious! He went 1-1, walked three times, and scored twice tonight.
Daniel Murphy went 1-4, scoring one run.
The first four in the Mets order each had one hit and scored one run.
Lastings Milledge was held hitless, snapping his hitting streak.
Game Ball: Brian Schneider
Pitching Performance
Oliver Perez pitched a damn fine game, but was maybe left in a little too long. Perez pitched a scoreless game into the seventh inning, but let in runs when Pete Orr hit a pinch-hit triple to right, scoring two. Another run scored when Carlos Delgado overran a ball at first base and Orr scored from third.
Perez went 6 2-3 innings, allowed six hits, three runs (all earned), walked three, and struck out eight batters.
Good stuff from Perez. He was absolutely dealing until he ran into a little trouble in the seventh. Nice to see him pitch well against a bad team for once. And when I say bad team, I mean that in the strictest terminology of the word "bad." The Nationals are really, really bad.
The bullpen combined to throw 2 1-3 hitless and scoreless innings, with Joe Smith, Duaner Sanchez and Aaron Heilman combining to finish out the game.
Smith walked two and Heilman walked one, but they were able to work out of it. Sanchez and Heilman each struck out one.
The bullpen always looks like they're going to make it as interesting as possible, but thankfully the offense exploded for four runs in the top of the ninth inning.
Offensive Output
The Mets bats had eight hits, but managed to push nine runs across thanks to two Nationals errors.
Big nights from Delgado, Brian Schneider, and Damion Easley, who each drove in two RBI's. Delgado drove in two, going 1-5, with a RBI groundout in the fourth and a solo home run in the sixth.
Schneider added a home run of his own, only his third of the year, a two run shot in the fifth, scoring Fernando Tatis.
Easley broke open the 9th inning with a pinch-hit single to center field, scoring David Wright and Tatis. After a Ronnie Belliard error loaded the bases for the Mets, Delgado reached on a throwing error that allowed two more Mets runs to score.
Nothing spectacular, but thanks to some Washington follies, the Mets leave with a sweep. The bats did what they needed to do and that's all that matters. The team, as a whole, seems to be clicking.
The Rest of the Story
Tatis is making me eat some humble pie, and boy is it delicious! He went 1-1, walked three times, and scored twice tonight.
Daniel Murphy went 1-4, scoring one run.
The first four in the Mets order each had one hit and scored one run.
Lastings Milledge was held hitless, snapping his hitting streak.
Game Ball: Brian Schneider
Mark your calendars
April 14, 2009: The first game in Citi Field.
Mets vs. Padres. Start saving your pennies.
Mets vs. Padres. Start saving your pennies.
So long, Mike and the Mad Dog
According to the incomparable Neil Best, the WFAN drive time show will be no more.
Best is reporting that Chris Russo has left WFAN and Mike Francessa. This means Francessa will be flying solo now.
I can see Russo moving to ESPN 1050, or even just sticking on YES and ditching radio entirely. Should be interesting to see how it plays out, if one cares about it.
The Marquis...is no more.
Best is reporting that Chris Russo has left WFAN and Mike Francessa. This means Francessa will be flying solo now.
I can see Russo moving to ESPN 1050, or even just sticking on YES and ditching radio entirely. Should be interesting to see how it plays out, if one cares about it.
The Marquis...is no more.
Is Brian Stokes the answer to the Mets bullpen troubles?
Last night, the Mets were taking it easy with John Maine. He only allowed one hit, but was removed after only giving up one hit after five strong inning.
In came Brian Stokes, who made a spot start a few days ago for Maine, and he pitched four dominant innings in relief, even earning a save. Sure, it may have helped that the Mets were up by double digits, but Stokes was impressive.
Through four innings on the bump, Stokes allowed only three hits and did not issue any walks. He also struck out three batters. Pretty impressive.
Stokes, if he could keep this up, could be the missing piece to this bullpen. He's able to give you multiple innings, good ones at that, or could serve for just one inning if needed. He's Aaron Heilman, without the history.
So far, so good with Stokes. I liked him out of spring training, and I'm glad he's finally getting his shot with the club and performing. Something in my gut tells me he's going to pay dividends down the stretch when the team needs him.
Just a hunch, but I like what I'm seeing with Stokes.
In came Brian Stokes, who made a spot start a few days ago for Maine, and he pitched four dominant innings in relief, even earning a save. Sure, it may have helped that the Mets were up by double digits, but Stokes was impressive.
Through four innings on the bump, Stokes allowed only three hits and did not issue any walks. He also struck out three batters. Pretty impressive.
Stokes, if he could keep this up, could be the missing piece to this bullpen. He's able to give you multiple innings, good ones at that, or could serve for just one inning if needed. He's Aaron Heilman, without the history.
So far, so good with Stokes. I liked him out of spring training, and I'm glad he's finally getting his shot with the club and performing. Something in my gut tells me he's going to pay dividends down the stretch when the team needs him.
Just a hunch, but I like what I'm seeing with Stokes.
Welcome back to first place, Mets
And here we are again.
Despite all the bullpen troubles, the Mets have pulled back within a tie for first place with the Philadelphia Phillies. Much thanks to Nomar Garciaparra for hitting a bottom of the 9th inning walk-off home run last night to beat the Phillies.
With all the issues and griping, one would expect this team to be 15 games out and severely incapable of winning games, yet here they are in first place in the middle of August. All the whining I hear from Mets fans, if you didn't know what team they were rooting for, you would think we were allDevil Rays Nationals fans.
This team has a definite shot at making another run. A few key players are getting very hot (Carlos Beltran, David Wright, and even Daniel Murphy) and the team showed no flaws in last nights 12-0 romp of Washington.
The bullpen obviously need work, but Billy Wagner should be back by Monday, for better or worse. Just the mental aspect of having him in the bullpen will help the team and the rest of the relief corp.
I'm calling it now: The Mets will stand alone in first place by tomorrow morning.
Despite all the bullpen troubles, the Mets have pulled back within a tie for first place with the Philadelphia Phillies. Much thanks to Nomar Garciaparra for hitting a bottom of the 9th inning walk-off home run last night to beat the Phillies.
With all the issues and griping, one would expect this team to be 15 games out and severely incapable of winning games, yet here they are in first place in the middle of August. All the whining I hear from Mets fans, if you didn't know what team they were rooting for, you would think we were all
This team has a definite shot at making another run. A few key players are getting very hot (Carlos Beltran, David Wright, and even Daniel Murphy) and the team showed no flaws in last nights 12-0 romp of Washington.
The bullpen obviously need work, but Billy Wagner should be back by Monday, for better or worse. Just the mental aspect of having him in the bullpen will help the team and the rest of the relief corp.
I'm calling it now: The Mets will stand alone in first place by tomorrow morning.
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