Citi Field is falling apart!

I was lucky enough to get to see the Mets only win in the previous series in person at Citi Field.

My seats were in Sec. 330, down the third base line.  Great seats.  Only can’t see down the left field line and in the corner.

During the 8th inning or so, my eagle eyed girlfriend spotted something  amiss out by the Mo’s Zone.  Apparently, one of the foam barriers along the railing – the one with the orange line to signify a home run – had fallen.

I whipped out my camera and snapped a few grainy photos.  See below…The orange marker above the red to the left of the “M” had fallen to the ground, and a security guard is making a mad dash between pitches to retrieve the fallen item.

Luckily, he made it…

Later in the inning, it was put back in it’s rightful place and everything was right with the world.

Niese sent back to Triple-A; Figueroa recalled

After two starts, one good and one bad, Jon Niese has been sent back to Triple-A Buffalo.  Nelson Figueroa has been called up to take his spot on the roster.

Niese lasted only 4 2-3 innings today against the Braves, allowing five earned runs on seven hits. 

The game went 12 innings as well, forcing the Mets to use every reliever.  Figueroa’s addition will add a rested arm to the bullpen.

The question here is: Where is Tim Redding?  Redding is said to be ready after rehabbing with Buffalo and will probably be activated for Niese’s spot in the rotation when it comes around again. 

Does that mean Figueroa gets sent down again?  Maybe the Mets will play with a short bench, putting Carlos Delgado on the DL and using his roster spot for Redding?

None of those questions can be answered just yet, but the Mets have done quite a questionable job with their roster shuffling in 2009, this just presents another hurdle in the road.

Figueroa has become a fan favorite around the Citi, so I know a few people that will be glad he’s back with the big club.

Game Recap: Braves 8 – Mets 7

A walk-off win wasn’t in the cards two days in a row.

The Atlanta Braves (17-17) beat the New York Mets (18-15) by a score of 8-7 in 12 innings.

Jon Niese started the game and struggled to make it through five innings.  He allowed five earned runs on seven hits and two walks.  He struck out five.  Every member of the bullpen got into the game with Brian Stokes, Francisco Rodriguez, Sean Green and Pedro Feliciano turning in shutout efforts.

Bobby Parnell was charged with one unearned run.  J.J. Putz allowed an earned run on two hits.  Ken Takahashi allowed a solo home run in the top of the 12th inning, which ended up being the game winner.

The Mets pounded out 12 hits and seven runs, but fell one run short.  Luis Castillo had an RBI triple in the first.  In the fourth with the bases loaded, Fernando Tatis crushed a grand slam to deep center field, giving the Mets the lead. 

In the 8th, with the Mets down one, Gary Sheffield blasted a solo home run, No. 501 of his career, deep to left.  In the bottom of the 12th, Jose Reyes missed a game tying home run by a few feet and landed him on second base with none out.  After Castillo sacrificed him to third, Mike Gonzalez struck out Carlos Beltran and Sheffield to end the game.

Again, nice to see some fight but the Mets came up just short.  A great battle between two good teams.  It was quite enjoyable, even if the Mets couldn’t pull it out.  The Mets have won eight of their last 10.

Live Mets Chat: ATL @ NYM (rubber game)

Join in for a matinee game chat as the Mets look to
take the series from the Braves.

The latest on Carlos Delgado and what it means for the rest of the team

Carlos Delgado is struggling to deal with an injury to his right hip.  He received a cortisone shot in the hip, causing him to miss the last two games. 

The decision to put him on the disabled list is being held off until Friday to see if he can recover without a stint on the DL.  If Delgado does hit the DL, there is an interesting move that Jerry Manuel has hinted at.

Daniel Murphy to first base.

Manuel has said he will “experiment” with Murphy at first base, freeing up left field for, presumably, Gary Sheffield.

I’ve discussed Murphy at first base in great detail, and though he doesn’t have the “power” to fit the first baseman mold, I think he could fit nicely into that position.  Granted, the Mets would have to fill in the power differential between Delgado and Murphy with a big bat in left field (or elsewhere).

It’s key to see how Murphy’s glove performs at first base before we start making any rash letter-signing and/or sign-holding rallies.  With David Wright’s sometime questionable throws from across the diamond, the Mets need someone who is able to handle their leather with some prowess.

I’d like to see this work out, both for Murphy and the Mets.  It has promise, as long as he can flash enough glove to make it worthwhile.

The Citi Field streaker video

Here’s some slightly not safe for work video I shot at Tuesday night’s Mets game against the Atlanta Braves.

The streaker entered the field from the first base side, near the dugout, ran and touched second base then ran and slid in shallow left field where security descended on him.  That’s where the video picks up.

Game Recap: Mets 4 – Braves 3

A perfect way to bounce back.

The New York Mets (18-14) beat the Atlanta Braves (16-17) by a score of 4-3 in 10 innings.

Mike Pelfrey was good again but got the Johan Santana treatment as the Mets bats went quiet.  He scattered six hits and allowed two runs over seven strong innings.  He walked one and struck out three.  Pelfrey struck out the first two batters of the game, and later got another in the third inning, bringing his season total to nine.

J.J. Putz pitched the 8th and allowed one run on a Brian McCann ground rule double.  He walked two and struck out one.  Francisco Rodriguez, who earned the win, pitched two innings, allowing two hits and striking out one.  As Putz needed 24 pitched to get through one inning, Rodriguez needed only 26 to get through two.

The Mets were stymied by Jair Jurrens for six innings, collecting only four hits over that span.  In the seventh, the Mets broke through when Jose Reyes hit a ball into the gap between left and center field.  Jeremy Reed and Ryan Church came around to score and Reyes was thrown out at third trying to stretch it to a triple. 

The Mets tied it in the bottom of the 9th inning on a Luis Castillo pinch hit sacrifice fly, driving in Carlos Beltran who had doubled and stolen third base.  In the bottom of the 10th, Beltran took ball four with the bases loaded to drive in Reyes for the winning run.

Though it started slow, the Mets fought back and took the game right out from under the Braves.  Great to see some battle in them.

Live Mets Chat: ATL @ NYM

Join in for another rousing Mets chat as the Mets face off against the Atlanta Braves.

I won’t be around – I’ll be at the stadium – so enjoy the chat during and long after the game.  Hopefully the Mets can win one for me, but don’t count on it.

(Chat removed, as usual.)

Off to Citi Field

I’m off to my first Mets game at Citi Field and I’m taking the girlfriend to her first Mets game ever.  I am so proud.

I had previously been to Citi for the Georgetown/St. Johns game, so this will be the first time I’m there to see the New York Metropolitans.

Obviously, I will be Tweeting my little heart out, so you can check my Twitter feed for updates from the ballpark.

And yes, there will be a live chat tonight.  Don’t worry.

Twitter Poll: Who’s to blame?

Last night was messy, there is no denying that.  From costly errors to questionable managerial decisions, it’s time for Mets fans to point the finger.

I asked my Twitter followers who is to blame for the loss.  Here are their responses…

ByronBrewer said: Jerry Manuel for poor management in the 7th

mostlymets said: Jerry Manuel. When Delgado couldn't start he should have used Church in right instead of Reed.

darknova306 said: Manuel. Feliciano vs Diaz was the worst matchup I've seen in ages. And you ALWAYS give Johan the chance to decide his fate!

saffir_99 said: Reyes. That play has to be made. It would have made Manuel's odd bullpen management a moot point.

jessicabrooke5 said: I blame Reyes.

metsjetsgirl said: Reyes. The Braves capitalied on his error - which should have ended the inning with the 1-1 tie in place

dances_w_vowels said: Jose Reyes. He had a mental lapse which lead to four runs scoring.

runningstorm said: has to be the defense or lack there of.

wendy93639 said: Jerry

BergersBookRev said: Jerry Manuel is to blame. He never should have lifted Santana when he did. Ugh!

gwong said: Who else? Jose Reyes booting that grounder in the 7th did them in.

The jokesters…

metschick said: clearly, it's Johan's fault. Who does he think he is allowing 2 (unearned) R? And then he doesn't even hit a HR?!

kevin_tor said: Myself, for thinking the Mets were going to win before the game started. It's always better to doubt and be surprised.

helfejoh said: george bush

CT_RichEnglish said: Omar, for letting Boras talk him into Perez over Lowe!

Seems Jerry Manuel is the most “popular” choice.  The Pedro Feliciano vs. Matt Diaz move just doesn’t make sense to me.

Tweet of the day: metschick said: clearly, it's Johan's fault. Who does he think he is allowing 2 (unearned) R? And then he doesn't even hit a HR?!

Not on Twitter?  Hit the comments to toss in your 2¢ on who is to blame.

Follow me on Twitter (@TheRopolitans) to
participate in the next Twitter Poll!