Game Recap: Mets 4 – Braves 3

Carlos Delgado delivered in the top of the 9th and almost gave the game away in the bottom of the ninth.

The New York Mets (12-13) beat the Atlanta Braves (11-15) by a score of 4-3.

The Mini Recap

Livan Hernandez was economical.  Only 74 pitches over 6 1-3 innings for Hernandez.  He allowed one run on seven hits.  Francisco Rodriguez struggled a bit and Delgado dropped a easy fly ball that would have ended the game that led to two runs in the bottom of the ninth for the Braves.

The Mets got a pair of RBI doubles in the third inning from David Wright and Ramon Castro.  Delgado added two RBIs, including the eventual game winner, in the top of the ninth with a single up the middle with the bases loaded.

The Mets nearly handed this game away.  Key word: Nearly.

For the full recap, please read my article
Mets Survive Scare In Ninth.

Live Chat: NYM @ ATL

Another day, another chat platform.

Join in for yet another Mets-themed chat.  We’ll talk Mets, MLB and anything else that comes to mind.

(Chat removed, as usual.)

Me on the ‘radio’ at 4:30 p.m.

I’ll be appearing on The Big O’s Fantasy Baseball Review on Blog Talk Radio today at 4:30 p.m.

Here’s a link to listen in.

I’ll be talking Mets, of course.

Johan Santana named NL Pitcher of the Month

Johan Santana has been voted the National League Pitcher of the Month for April.

Per MLB.com…

New York Mets left-hander Johan Santana, who went 3-1 with a 1.10 ERA in the opening month of the 2009 season, has been voted National League Pitcher of the Month for April.

In five starts last month, Santana posted an N.L.-leading 1.10 ERA, striking out 44 batters in his 32.2 innings (22 H, 4 ER). The New York ace did not allow more than two runs in any start and fanned at least seven in each outing. The 30-year-old Santana did not surrender an earned run in two consecutive starts (April 12th at Florida and April 18th vs. Milwaukee), spanning 14.0 innings pitched. The two-time American League Cy Young Award winner twice recorded double-digit strikeouts (13 on 4/12 at FLA and 10 on 4/24 vs. WSH). Santana did not allow a home run until his fourth start on April 24th vs. Washington, a streak of 60.0 innings, dating back to September 7, 2008 vs. Philadelphia, the second longest such streak of his career (65.0 innings spanning the 2004-05 seasons). Santana, a three-time All-Star, had made 18 straight starts without a loss dating to July 9, 2008, before a tough-luck defeat at the hands of Florida's Josh Johnson on April 12th. A native of Bolivar, Venezuela, Santana has now won consecutive N.L. Pitcher of the Month honors, as he closed the 2008 season in stellar fashion (4-0, 1.83 ERA, 47 SO). This marks Santana's seventh career monthly award; as a member of the Minnesota Twins, he captured A.L. honors in July 2003, July 2004, August 2004, September 2004 and June 2006.

Other pitchers who received receiving votes were Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Chad Billingsley (4-0, 2.14 ERA, 34 SO); Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Dan Haren (2-3, 1 CG, 1.54 ERA, 36 SO); San Diego Padres closer Heath Bell (0.00 ERA, 9 SO, 8 saves); and St. Louis Cardinals closer Ryan Franklin (0.00 ERA, 9 SO, 7 saves). Johan Santana will receive a specially-designed trophy and a Sharp Aquos television to commemorate his Pitcher of the Month performance.

2009 starting pitcher contracts: Another column chart

I’m having fun with Microsoft Excel today.

The numbers for Hernandez and Takahashi are based on the most information known.  Hernandez has a base salary of $1 million, with an unknown amount of possible incentives.  That is estimated at $1 million.  Takahashi has the chance to make up to $1.5 million.

I threw in Perez, even if he isn’t in the rotation right now.  He’ll be back in the rotation eventually…

Right?

(Figures via from Cot’s Baseball Contracts and ESPN)

Age of starting pitchers: A column chart

Twitter Poll: Did Mets make the right move with Oliver Perez?

OK, I caved.  I asked the obvious question.  Did the Mets make the right move with Oliver Perez?

Well, my Twitter followers had a lot to say.  Here are their responses…

Who said yes…

SITTINGINTHEBAC said: yes because he wasn't coming out with the stuff we paid him for so needs to sit back there and think his stuff over

DaCurryman said: U can't really put him on the DL cause he needs 2 get his in-game confidence back. Being part of the BP lets him do that.

Who said no…

jonnew said: Minors, absolutely. Worked for Trachsel and Myers. Ollie will waste in pen. Bad move.

mclay8823 said: I don't think so. The kid is a starter. He needs to go down to the minors for some "rehab" starts

brentsower said: I don't see how we're going to get any use out of him in the pen unless we need someone for an intentional walk.

kerelcoop said: no. if he has something wrong in his delivery or in his head, I'd rather see him work it out in the minors.

metgirl4ever said: NO!! I don't see how he can focus on getting better w/constant reminders of how incompetent he is-he needs change of scenery

mets_geekette said: Yeah.. he won't be any use there but I'd guess they're hoping to keep him near Warthen and generally address his mental block

MissBethAnn said: I think that even when Oliver is at his best he's still too inconsistent for the pen.Shuffle him off to Buffalo toot sweet!

MetsNY81 said: Wrong move, imo. The last thing you want to do out of the bullpen is walk batters, and that's Oliver Perez's specialty.

MarkBennardo said: They should have put Ollie in the bullpen...in BUFFALO!

zim1021 said: No, they didn't. He should go to the minors and work on everything. Once he proves himself, he comes back up.

cutiepie0319k said: wrong move. he should be in the minors rebuilding his confidence and delivery.

gmo418 said: No, whats the move going to do? Have him come in and ruin game in 6th or 7th instead of the 1st?

samtpage said: No. He'll have to be a total shutdown reliever to match his value as a below-average starter, given a mop-up role. Niese plz.

darknova306 said: Ollie should be in extended ST to work on mental discipline and physical conditioning.

nymx5793 said: no. He should have been DLed and went down to St Lucie, not sitting in the pen...

mostlymets said: No. Steve Trachsel and Brett Myers are good examples of what a trip to the minors can accomplish.

mostlymets said: Plus Perez in bullpen means Manuel must change his bullpen usage to be sure Perez gets enough work to overcome his issues.

wendy93639 said: no. All the bullpen has is that *how to walk 'em* training video. When is he going to get the time in to learn how to pitch?

pattigibbons said: No. He should be given the opportunity to focus, retool out of the glare. He should be in Buffalo.

gwong said: They should have asked Ollie for the demotion to the minors so he can work some shit out w/o hurting the team.

lvadgal said: - I think he should have gone to minors. Maybe the pen is step 1 and if he shanks he will go to minors?

Jury is still out…

metsjetsgirl said: I'm not sure yet. I think he walks too many to be very valuable in the 'pen, but time will tell.

From the jokesters…

Retire31 said: No. He still isn't in a Brooklyn Cyclones commercial.

Wow.  Overwhelmingly “No.”

Everyone must remember this is only temporary, at least until he gets his stuff back and/or loses it entirely and heads down to Buffalo.  He’s up in the majors with Dan Warthen, the pitching coach that knows him best.

Not on Twitter?  Hit the comments to toss in your 2¢ on the Perez to the bullpen move.

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

Game Recap: Mets 6 – Braves 4

A solid start, a come from behind win and an uneventful 9th inning.  Mets fans must be happy.

The New York Mets (11-13) beat the Atlanta Braves (11-14) by a score of 6-4.

The Mini Recap

John Maine made another strong start for the Mets.  Save for one inning and his six walks, he was spectacular.  In the second inning, Maine walked three batters and allowed two hits in the inning, his only scar on an otherwise great game.  The 7th, 8th and 9th guys did their duty as the Mets came from behind to win.

Carlos Beltran is on fire.  He’s batting .400 on the year after going 2-3 with two home-runs and four RBI.  David Wright also went deep, a two-run shot of his own, picking up RBIs No. 500 and 501.

For the full recap, please read my article
Beltran Powers Mets To Win.

Live Blog/Chat Room: NYM @ ATL

Join in for another rip roarin’ good time.  We’ll talk Mets, MLB and anything else that comes to mind.  The chat will begin at 7 p.m.

Chat has been removed.  Check back tomorrow for another rousing room of words.

Perez to bullpen, Takahashi on mound for Friday

Oliver Perez has been moved into the bullpen, according to Jerry Manuel.

Ken Takahashi will start in his place on Friday, likely with a 65-pitch limit.

The Mets have just found themselves in possession of a $36 million reliever.  How nice.