Game Recap: Brewers 4 – Mets 2

Too many runners left on base dooms the Mets.

The Mini Recap

Nelson Figueroa had a decent outing, and kept the Mets in the game.  Jeff Suppan scattered eight hits over six plus innings, allowing only two runs.  The offense just couldn’t click, as they left 10 runners on base.

Carlos Delgado drove in one with an RBI double in the first and Jose Reyes drove in Omir Santos in the seventh.  The Mets hit two triples and three doubles.  Reyes and Daniel Murphy each had three hits, while Carlos Beltran and Santos had two.  Santos hit a double and a triple in his first Mets start.

It was a problem of leaving too many ducks on the pond and not coming through with runners in scoring position, a problem that plagued them all last year.

For the full recap, head over to Baseball Digest.

Johan Santana’s 2009 season so far

Johan Santana is 2-1 in 2009, with each game he’s pitched so far ending by a one run margin.  He, and the Mets, won the first game by a score of 2-1 over Cincinnati. 

Santana was then outdueled by Josh Johnson and the Marlins 1-0 thanks to a Daniel Murphy error. 

Yesterday, he allowed five singles and no Brewer ever touched second base.  The Mets won 1-0 and Santana earned his second win of the season.

So far, Santana has been nothing short of dominant.  In three starts, he’s allowed only one earned run.  That means in 19 2-3 innings, he has a 0.46 ERA.

Zero point four six.

Santana had made it through seven  innings twice and has only allowed 11 hits, only two of which were doubles.  The rest were singles.  He’s walked five, meaning he’s only allowed 16 runners to reach base.  Only two of those runners have touched third base.

He’s also struck out 27.  Through three games, he’s faced 76 batters and Santana has struck out 35.6 percent of them.

What else can be said about Santana?  He’s undoubtedly one of the best, if not the best pitcher in the league.  So far, he’s the Mets MVP.

With a much stronger bullpen behind him, Santana seems on pace for a spectacular season.

Figueroa to pitch in Pelfrey’s spot on Sunday; O’Day placed on Rule V waivers

The Mets have confirmed that Mike Pelfrey will skip his next start, scheduled for Sunday against the Brewers. Nelson Figueroa has been promoted to pitch in his place.

To make room for Figueroa, Rule V draft pick Darren O’Day has been placed on waivers.  If no team claims him, he must be offered back to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for $25,000.

Game Recap: Mets 1 – Brewers 0

Another pitchers duel, but this time Johan Santana came out on top.

The Mini Recap

Santana to J.J. Putz to Francisco Rodriguez: exactly how the Mets fans want to see it.  A spectacular effort from the pitching staff, holding the Brewers to six singles over nine inning.  The Brewer staff of Yovani Gallardo and Carlos Villanueva also combined to hold the Mets to six hits.

The lone run of the game scored on a fielders choice in the bottom of the seventh inning, and for the men on the mound, that was enough.

A solid effort from both teams in another exciting matchup at Citi Field.

For the full recap, head over to Baseball Digest.

Sheffield’s 500 home runs by team

The most important home run is in bold.  Obviously, that’s the only one he’s hit for the Mets, and it was a game tying shot.  It was also his 500th career homer.

Twitter Poll: Will Johan Santana throw a no hitter in 2009?

Johan Santana takes the mound today against the Milwaukee Brewers at 1:10 p.m.  Last night, I asked my Twitter followers if they though Santana would throw a no hitter this year, which would be the first in Mets history.

Here are their responses…

• gwong said: Depends - will he be traded away from the Mets?
• jessicarubin said: I HOPE SO!!!! vamos johan =)
• susi__ said: Hell yeah! & It'll be tomorrow!
• letsgoduke said: no, were the mets :(
• mets_geekette said: Yes! No one better to be the first Met to do it. Should we even be talking about this? I feel like we're going to jinx it.
• MetsGal said: no. We traded Nolan Ryan we will never get one.
• fscker said: i doubt it. if he hasnt thrown one yet, i dunno if it will ever happen.
• JTKrycek said:: i hate when announcers say "can u believe the mets have never thrown a no-hitter?" johan's the perfect guy to shut them up.
• fullnelson said: Johan Santana will not throw a no-hitter in 2009. I give 60% of a no-no. (secretly, I hoping I'm wrong)
• darknova306 said: Hell no. There won't be no-hitter for the Mets until I give up being a fan. That'll be a looooong time, cause I like pain.
• lvadgal said: no johan will not throw a no hitter
• resamor said: Santana has a better chance of winning 25 than pitching a no-hitter.
• Thommy7893 said: Let's be optimistic ... YES HE WILL
• thebrowncoat said: Only if the Cubs win the WS and the Nationals lose 121 games, proving the entire natural baseball order has been upset.
• pattigibbons said: no, but not because of Johan; it will be a defensive support problem.

Quite an interesting array of answers.  I don’t think he will, but I’m holding out hope and hope he proves me wrong.

Not on Twitter?  Hit the comments to toss in your 2¢ about Santana and if he’ll toss a no-no in ‘09.

Follow me on Twitter to participate
in the next Twitter Poll!

Game Recap: Mets 5 – Brewers 4

The 1997 Marlins come through for the 2009 Mets again.

The Mini Recap

Livan Hernandez looked beautiful for the first four innings of work.  As his pitch  count slowly inched toward 100, his control slipped and his velocity dropped.  Hernandez started the sixth, but couldn’t record an out before allowing a three-run home run to Ryan Braun.  Another solid outing from the bullpen kept it close.

Again, the Mets got on the board early, scoring three in the first inning.  After Dave Bush settled in, the Mets had to wait to get into the Brewers bullpen.  Gary Sheffield came on to pinch hit in the seventh inning and cracked his 500th career home run deep into the left field stands to tie the game.  Luis Castillo delivered in the bottom of the ninth with two on and two out to give the Mets the win.

For the full recap, head over to Baseball Digest.

Sheffield hits No. 500

Gary Sheffield just picked up his first hit in a Mets uniform, which was also his 500th home run in his career.

Sheffield’s blast landed in the seat in left, just under the Acela Club restaurant.  More importantly for the Mets, Sheffield’s home run tied the game at 4-4 in the bottom of the seventh inning.

Congratulations, Sheffield, on No. 500!

Brian Schneider to DL; Omar Santos recalled

Brian Schneider will be put on the 15 day disabled list with a strained muscle in his back.

Omir Santos has been recalled from Triple-A Buffalo to take his place on the roster.

Surprising that they recalled Santos and not Robinson Cancel.  The Mets were discussing trading Ramon Castro before spring training began because they were so high on Cancel.  Santos did have a very nice spring, though.

Live Blog: MIL @ NYM – 4/17

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