The Phillies were able to stave off the Washington Nationals and clinched the 2008 NL East title.
Congrats to them.
Right now, the Cubs are leading the Brewers 6-3, and are threatening for more. (Thank you, Kosuke Fukudome!) If this game ends as is, it will all come down to tomorrow.
Go Cubs!
Update: Cubbies win, 7-3.
Brewers and Mets are tied atop the Wild Card standings.
Well, tomorrow will be fun.
9/27/08
Game Recap: Mets 2 -- Florida 0
Johan Santana just pitched himself into Mets history. Absolutely amazing.
As Jerry Manuel said, "If I had to explain that one...that was gangsta."
Pitching Performance
This was Johan Santana's day. He's worth every million, every dollar, every penny. I've never seen or heard Shea Stadium rock as loudly as it did today. Amazin'.
Johan Santana, coming off his career high 125 pitches on three days rest, threw one of his best games of his career, and easily of his Mets tenure. With their backs against the wall, Johan went out and threw a complete game shut out. He allowed only three hits, walked three, and struck out nine Marlins.
He was supposed to have a cap of 105 pitches, but he was so good, he had to stay in. 117 pitches later, the Mets were walking off the field victorious behind one of the best pitched games I've ever seen.
There's nothing else that needs to be said. He's the ace. He's the leader of this staff. He is amazing. Cy Young bid, I think so.
The Mets needed him, and he stepped up and filled in with the game of his life.
Offensive Output
You must tip your hat to Ricky Nolasco. Seven innings, allowing only five hits and two earned runs. He walked only one while striking out 10.
This was a pitchers duel, and one of the most exciting and tense games I've had the privilege to watch.
It didn't look like Nolasco was ready for the game to start, as the Mets were able to jump on him in the first for a run. Jose Reyes led off with a single to center. With Carlos Beltran batting, Reyes stole his 56th base of the season. Beltran then singled, moving Reyes to third. Carlos Delgado followed that with a long fly ball to center, allowing Reyes to tag and score.
Another sac-fly. How about that.
In the fourth, an unlikely source drove in the Mets second run. Daniel Murphy was hit by a pitch, bringing Ramon Martinez to the plate. Martinez then drove a double into the gap between center and right field, allowing Murphy to chug all the way around from first to score the only other Mets run.
Honestly, where did this guy come from?? He's 4-13 this year, with three doubles and three RBI. He's another diamond in the rough, and the Mets seem to have caught some more lightning in a bottle.
The Rest of the Story
A mere two hours and seventeen minutes of spectacular baseball.
At time of post, the Cubs are up 2-0 on a Daryle Ward two-run home run.
Go Cubs and Go Nationals.
Game Ball: Johan Santana. A no-doubter.
As Jerry Manuel said, "If I had to explain that one...that was gangsta."
Pitching Performance
This was Johan Santana's day. He's worth every million, every dollar, every penny. I've never seen or heard Shea Stadium rock as loudly as it did today. Amazin'.
Johan Santana, coming off his career high 125 pitches on three days rest, threw one of his best games of his career, and easily of his Mets tenure. With their backs against the wall, Johan went out and threw a complete game shut out. He allowed only three hits, walked three, and struck out nine Marlins.
He was supposed to have a cap of 105 pitches, but he was so good, he had to stay in. 117 pitches later, the Mets were walking off the field victorious behind one of the best pitched games I've ever seen.
There's nothing else that needs to be said. He's the ace. He's the leader of this staff. He is amazing. Cy Young bid, I think so.
The Mets needed him, and he stepped up and filled in with the game of his life.
Offensive Output
You must tip your hat to Ricky Nolasco. Seven innings, allowing only five hits and two earned runs. He walked only one while striking out 10.
This was a pitchers duel, and one of the most exciting and tense games I've had the privilege to watch.
It didn't look like Nolasco was ready for the game to start, as the Mets were able to jump on him in the first for a run. Jose Reyes led off with a single to center. With Carlos Beltran batting, Reyes stole his 56th base of the season. Beltran then singled, moving Reyes to third. Carlos Delgado followed that with a long fly ball to center, allowing Reyes to tag and score.
Another sac-fly. How about that.
In the fourth, an unlikely source drove in the Mets second run. Daniel Murphy was hit by a pitch, bringing Ramon Martinez to the plate. Martinez then drove a double into the gap between center and right field, allowing Murphy to chug all the way around from first to score the only other Mets run.
Honestly, where did this guy come from?? He's 4-13 this year, with three doubles and three RBI. He's another diamond in the rough, and the Mets seem to have caught some more lightning in a bottle.
The Rest of the Story
A mere two hours and seventeen minutes of spectacular baseball.
At time of post, the Cubs are up 2-0 on a Daryle Ward two-run home run.
Go Cubs and Go Nationals.
Game Ball: Johan Santana. A no-doubter.
Photo from Shea: Johan on the mound
Shea Stadium, with Johan Santana on the mound. The place is electric..jpg)
Thanks to Doug Helferich for sending these photos today. A true Mets fan. He flew up from Duke University to attend his final game at Shea.
.jpg)
Thanks to Doug Helferich for sending these photos today. A true Mets fan. He flew up from Duke University to attend his final game at Shea.
Daniel Murphy's walk up song
So I've seen hundreds of hits come to my site looking for Daniel Murphy's walk up song.
When he comes up, they usually play the Dropkick Murphy's - Shipping up to Boston. You probably know it from The Departed.
Also, I've heard him walk up to Linkin Park's - What I've Done.
Enjoy.
When he comes up, they usually play the Dropkick Murphy's - Shipping up to Boston. You probably know it from The Departed.
Also, I've heard him walk up to Linkin Park's - What I've Done.
Enjoy.
Follow my Twitter
I'm Twittering my thoughts on the game today.
Visit twitter.com/theropolitans to follow my thoughts on the game and the team.
Visit twitter.com/theropolitans to follow my thoughts on the game and the team.
Weather at Shea
One of my good friends is at the game today, and the weather looks absolutely miserable.
The game has been delayed at least ten minutes, with first pitch scheduled for 1:25, but that seems like some wishful thinking.
Update: Now the start time is 1:45 pm.
Expect this game to get delayed early and often.
The game has been delayed at least ten minutes, with first pitch scheduled for 1:25, but that seems like some wishful thinking.Update: Now the start time is 1:45 pm.
Expect this game to get delayed early and often.
Johan Santana on three days rest
The numbers don't look good.
Johan Santana will throw today, only three days after throwing 125 pitches in his last start.
Here are Johan's career numbers starting on three days rest:
3 games, 1-1, 14.2 IP, 6.14 ERA. 15 hits, 10 ER, 5 HR, 5 BB, 13 K.
Well...that's not great.
I have to agree with Jerry Manuel's decision here. You have to win today, otherwise tomorrow is your last ditch effort to save the season. This may end up a moot point, as the weather might limit Johan's start.
Say they get in three or four innings before the rains really come down, and there is a lengthy delay. I doubt Johan would be able to come back out after anything over an hour, so the weather may be on his side, or against him, depending which way you look at it.
It's practically do or die time for the Mets, and they need a little help to get there. As Tug always said, "Ya gotta believe!"
Johan Santana will throw today, only three days after throwing 125 pitches in his last start.
Here are Johan's career numbers starting on three days rest:
3 games, 1-1, 14.2 IP, 6.14 ERA. 15 hits, 10 ER, 5 HR, 5 BB, 13 K.
Well...that's not great.
I have to agree with Jerry Manuel's decision here. You have to win today, otherwise tomorrow is your last ditch effort to save the season. This may end up a moot point, as the weather might limit Johan's start.
Say they get in three or four innings before the rains really come down, and there is a lengthy delay. I doubt Johan would be able to come back out after anything over an hour, so the weather may be on his side, or against him, depending which way you look at it.
It's practically do or die time for the Mets, and they need a little help to get there. As Tug always said, "Ya gotta believe!"
9/26/08
Game Recap: Marlins 6 -- Mets 1
And the Mets went quietly into that good night.
Pitching Performance
The final three games are crucial. Mike Pelfrey put in a decent bid, but the Mets bats just weren't there. Pelfrey threw six innings, allowed eight hits. He surrendered three runs, bookend style. He let up two runs in the first, and another in the sixth, that one on a solo home run by Josh Willingham.
Pelfrey walked none and struck out three. Unfortunately, he needed 112 pitches to get through the six, and was unable to continue beyond that, though there were signs of fatigue.
Good, not great. He's getting up there in innings, crossing the 200 mark tonight, but this was a pretty good start from Pelfrey. Nothing great, but not awful.
Bobby Parnell started the seventh, and ended up allowing two earned runs, and left the game without recording an out. Pedro Feliciano also pitched in the seventh, and also recorded no outs. Aaron Heilman pitched 2-3 of an inning, walking two, but allowing no runs of his own to score. Joe Smith finished out the seventh.
When it takes four pitchers to get out of an inning, and two of them didn't record outs, that's never a good sign.
Brian Stokes pitched the eighth, allowing one run on two hits. Scott Schoeneweis finished out the inning with a strikeout. Nelson Figueroa pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning.
It didn't even matter. The Mets bats were quiet as a mouse.
Offensive Output
The Mets loaded the bases in the first, and failed to score. They got two runners on in the second, and failed to score. The Mets had two more on the pond in the third, and failed to score.
They weren't able to scratch one across until the sixth inning, when Brian Schneider hit into a fielders choice, allowing Ryan Church to score from third base.
That's it. That was all they could do tonight. Awful.
Does this team even deserve to make the playoffs? I'm not so sure.
The Rest of the Story
Phillies won. Two games back.
Milwaukee is winning. Could be one back in the Wild Card by nights end.
Game Ball: I'm going to have to say Ramon Martinez. 1-3, 2B, BB. A few nice plays in the field.
Pitching Performance
The final three games are crucial. Mike Pelfrey put in a decent bid, but the Mets bats just weren't there. Pelfrey threw six innings, allowed eight hits. He surrendered three runs, bookend style. He let up two runs in the first, and another in the sixth, that one on a solo home run by Josh Willingham.
Pelfrey walked none and struck out three. Unfortunately, he needed 112 pitches to get through the six, and was unable to continue beyond that, though there were signs of fatigue.
Good, not great. He's getting up there in innings, crossing the 200 mark tonight, but this was a pretty good start from Pelfrey. Nothing great, but not awful.
Bobby Parnell started the seventh, and ended up allowing two earned runs, and left the game without recording an out. Pedro Feliciano also pitched in the seventh, and also recorded no outs. Aaron Heilman pitched 2-3 of an inning, walking two, but allowing no runs of his own to score. Joe Smith finished out the seventh.
When it takes four pitchers to get out of an inning, and two of them didn't record outs, that's never a good sign.
Brian Stokes pitched the eighth, allowing one run on two hits. Scott Schoeneweis finished out the inning with a strikeout. Nelson Figueroa pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning.
It didn't even matter. The Mets bats were quiet as a mouse.
Offensive Output
The Mets loaded the bases in the first, and failed to score. They got two runners on in the second, and failed to score. The Mets had two more on the pond in the third, and failed to score.
They weren't able to scratch one across until the sixth inning, when Brian Schneider hit into a fielders choice, allowing Ryan Church to score from third base.
That's it. That was all they could do tonight. Awful.
Does this team even deserve to make the playoffs? I'm not so sure.
The Rest of the Story
Phillies won. Two games back.
Milwaukee is winning. Could be one back in the Wild Card by nights end.
Game Ball: I'm going to have to say Ramon Martinez. 1-3, 2B, BB. A few nice plays in the field.
What will happen to Shea
Inch by inch, piece by piece, it will be torn down by hand.
From the Shea Stadium / Citi Field FAQ on MLB.com:
From the Shea Stadium / Citi Field FAQ on MLB.com:
What are the plans for tearing down Shea Stadium, and how will that be done?I do not envy those construction workers. I wonder how many "pieces" of Shea will end up on eBay.Fifteen days after the last game, the Mets will turn over the stadium keys to the demolition crew, which will immediately begin to tear down the 45-year-old building. Since New York laws now preclude implosion of buildings or the use of a wrecking ball (you've seen all those old pictures of that big ball knocking down the Polo Grounds and Ebbets Field), the demolition will be accomplished piece-by-piece, beginning with knocking out all the concrete and then taking down the steel skeleton like a decomposing Erector Set.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)