Manuel’s Musing

“You have to continue to get him an opportunity to pitch, and hopefully he'll figure out some things.”

-Jerry Manuel on Ryota Igarashi

Game Recap: Mets 4 – Padres 2

Go Big Pelf Go.

The Good

Michael Alan Pelfrey.  Eight dominant innings, allowing just one run on four hits and two walks.  Pelf matched his career high with eight strikeouts.  He lowered his season ERA to 2.39 and his WHIP to 1.24.  If being the ace of a team mattered, Mike Pelfrey would be the leading candidate for the Mets.

Ike-power.  A two-run home run to dead center in the 7th inning ended up being the game winner.  He crushed it.

D.W.  Mr. Wright went 3-4, with two RBI, including a solo home run in the 6th.  He also stole the only base of the game, as three other runners were eliminated on the basepaths.

The Bad & Ugly

Seriously, K-Rod?  It seems inevitable that there will be runners on if K-Rod is on the mound.  He allowed one run on three hits before throwing nine straight strikes to K the final two batters and end the game.  But it’s always interesting with you, isn’t it K-Rod?  I’d like some more 1-2-3 innings, please.

Game Ball

Pelfrey.

On Deck

A strange 6:35 p.m. start tomorrow in San Diego.

Cora’s option vests at 80 games, not 80 starts

I, like MLBTR, had been reporting that Alex Cora’s option vested at 80 starts.  Adam Rubin corrects us both and reports that it’s 80 games.

Cora has appeared in 30 games of the 52 games so far this season.  He has started 19 games (of which the Mets are 7-12 in).

Manuel’s Musing

“The fact that we didn't throw strikes, that always bothers me.”

-Jerry Manuel

Game Recap: Padres 18 – Mets 6

Seriously, you don’t want to know.

Even his teammates are turning on Ollie

Via the New York Post…

A day after watching Oliver Perez implode in a relief appearance against the Brewers, two disgusted Mets players told The Post yesterday it’s time management drew a line in the sand with the putrid lefty.

“You tell him you go to Triple-A or that’s it, you are finished,” one Mets player said, well aware that Perez is still owed about $20 million on the three-year contract he signed before the 2009 season.

A second Mets player echoed that line of thinking.

“At some point you have to cut bait,” he said. “You owe him a lot of money, but for what?”

Well, how’s that for a nice start to your Memorial Day?

Manuel’s Musing

“Once he had doubled, fought through the eighth, I didn't think it would be a good move.”

-Jerry Manuel on leaving Johan Santana in the game

Game Recap: Brewers 2 – Mets 0

Innings 1-8: Awesome.  Inning 9: Awful.

The Good

Santana’s eight innings.  Three hits, two walks and five strike outs.  Angered he was lifted after eight innings.  He had more in the tank.

The Bad & Ugly

Eight hits, no runs.  Have to tip your cap to Yovanni Gallardo for his complete-game shutout performance.

Overmanaging.  Pulling Santana for Feliciano in the 9th was one thing.  But pulling Feliciano for Igarashi was another.  Corey Hart made them pay.

Game Ball

Santana

On Deck

Tomorrow, a 7:10 p.m. game.

Game Chat: NYM @ PHI

Reality check

A five game winning streak.  Two games out of first place.  A “goose-egg” shutout of the Phillies.

Mets fans have a lot to be excited about.

But…

(Of course there is a but!)

Yes, the Mets are playing well.  But, there are still a lot of issues to deal with…

Elmer Dessens.  Why is he on the team?

Gary Matthews Jr.  Why is he on the team?

Jeff Francoeur.  He’s struggling and nearing the .200 mark.  That’s not good at all.  Should Chris Carter be getting more of a shot in RF?

R.A. Dickey and Hisanori Takahashi.  They’ve been good so far, let’s hope the magic doesn’t run out.

Oliver Perez.  Sitting in the bullpen and not getting much work.  Seems like a waste, no?

Thoughts?