Saturday, April 2, 2011

Mets Show Some Fight, Get First Win

It took ten innings, but the Mets got their first win of the season, beating the Marlins 6-4.

Jon Niese had a rocky 1st inning, but soon settled down to finish the night with seven innings pitched, allowing two runs on four hits with three strikeouts.

Terry Collins decided to pull Niese after just 87 pitches and had Bobby Parnell pitch the 8th inning. Parnell hit 98 MPH twice in the inning and struck out two.

The Mets were tied 2-2 going into the 9th inning, when Josh Thole hit an RBI single to give the Mets the lead.

All of this led to Francisco Rodriguez coming in to pitch the 9th with the Mets up by one run, and you'll never guess what happened. Okay...maybe you will. He blew it.

David Wright came to K-Rod's rescue in the top of the 10th inning, however, and had a very "clutch" RBI single, driving in Jose Reyes.

Most exciting hit of the night award, however, goes to Willie Harris. This guy was a great offseason pick-up. With two outs in the 10th, Harris doubled to drive in two runs and give the Mets some insurance runs. 

Blaine Boyer was called upon to pitch the bottom of the 10th, and recorded his first save of the season, and only the second of his career. 

*In case you're wondering, K-Rod still needs to reach 55 games finished for his option to vest.

Cashman, Warthen Exchange Words Over Feliciano

Ex-Met Pedro Feliciano made over 260 relief appearances over the past three seasons with the Mets, including a record 92 appearances in 2010.

I knew that. Most of you reading knew that. Apparently, the only one who wasn't aware was Yankees GM Brian Cashman when he signed the lefty to a two-year, $8 million contract during the offseason.

Now that Feliciano is starting the season on the Disabled List with a left rotator cuff strain, Cashman had this to say about Feliciano's previous employer:

“He was abused,” Cashman said. “It’s a thin market when you’re looking for lefties, and he’s one of the better ones out there. But you don’t typically go after a guy who’s been used like that.” 

So, is this Cashman's way of saying he is now upset for taking such a gamble?

Mets pitching coach, Dan Warthen, responded with the following gem:

"They didn't know that when they signed him? ... He volunteered for the baseball every day. He was asked whether he was able to pitch. He said 'yes' every day -- every day -- and wanted to pitch more than we even pitched him."

Regarding Cashman's comments, Warthen said: "I feel badly that someone feels that way. That was part of the reason we decided to not re-sign him -- because we knew we had used him 270-some times in the last three years."


Hate to break it to Cashman, but this was not the Mets' doing. You made this signing happen, now you deal with the consequences.

Mets Look For A Fresh Start In Game Two

April 2, 2011
7:10 PM ET
Sun Life Stadium
TV: SNY
RADIO: WFAN 660

NEW YORK METS
Starting Pitcher: Jon Niese
Niese is coming off his first full season with the Mets, where he posted a 9-10 record and a 4.20 ERA.

FLORIDA MARLINS
Starting Pitcher: Ricky Nolasco
Nolasco finished the 2010 season going 14-9 with a 4.51 ERA.

Friday, April 1, 2011

Game One: It Has To Get Better, Right?

The Mets lose to the Marlins by a score of 6-2.

Oh, where to begin...

Mike Pelfrey only lasted 4.1 innings, giving up a grand slam, David Wright struck out twice, and the Mets didn't have a hit through six innings. It was like 2010 never ended.

Pelfrey took the loss, allowing five runs, giving up a grand slam to John Buck in the 4th inning and an RBI single to Gaby Sanchez in the 5th.

Marlins starter, Josh Johnson, got the win, and had a no hitter going through the first six innings, for good measure.

For those first six innings, all I could think was the baseball gods couldn't possibly be this cruel, could they?

But then Mets fans' prayers were answered, and up to the plate stepped Willie Harris. Yeah, that Willie Harris who fans were in an uproar over batting second in the order.

Harris broke up Johnson's no hitter and hustled to second base, getting himself in scoring position with the Mets down 5-0. Carlos Beltran then hit an RBI double to get the Mets on the board.

Pedro Beato was impressive in his debut for the Mets, throwing two scoreless innings. Taylor Buchholz came in to pitch the 8th inning and gave up a solo shot off the bat of Logan Morrison to make it 6-2 Marlins.

Next up: Mets vs. Marlins, part deux. Jon Niese will face off against Ricky Nolasco at 7:10 p.m.

Pre-Game Pep Talk

Earlier today, the Mets released an e-mail to fans from Terry Collins, which was in a sense, a pep talk for the fans.

You have to like the guy's positive attitude, and I have to believe it will rub off on the players. We'll see how this works out as the season goes on, but it's too early to worry about that at the moment.

For now, it's Opening Day, and as a fan, if you can't be excited for Opening Day, what can you be excited about?

I'll admit, after the ugliness that was the 2010 season, my hopes were not incredibly high for this team.

My feelings are changing though. Maybe it's the new GM. Maybe it's the new manager. Maybe it's because I just heard the Black Eyed Peas playing in the background at Sun Life Stadium, but I got a feeling the 2011 season will be different from the past few years...in a good way.

So sit back and relax Mets fans. Enjoy the game.

Opening Day Preview

April 1, 2011
7:10 PM ET
Miami, FL
TV: SNY
RADIO: WFAN 660


NEW YORK METS
Starting Pitcher: Mike Pelfrey

FLORIDA MARLINS
Starting Pitcher: Josh Johnson
METS LINEUP
Jose Reyes-SS, Willie Harris-LF, David Wright-3B, Carlos Beltran-RF, Angel Pagan-CF, Ike Davis-1B, Brad Emaus-2B, Josh Thole-C, Mike Pelfrey-P

MARLINS LINEUP 
Chris Coghlan-CF, Omar Infante-2B, Hanley Ramirez-SS, Mike Stanton-RF, Gaby Sanchez-1B, Logan Morrison-LF, John Buck-C, Donnie Murphy-3B, Josh Johnson-P

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Waivers Update And Bay Heading To DL....Maybe

According to Adam Rubin, Nick Evans has cleared waivers and will be sent to Triple-A Buffalo. Luis Hernandez also cleared waivers and must decide whether to go to Buffalo or enter free agency.

According to David Lennon, Jason Bay is most likely heading to the disabled list, and Lucas Duda will take his place on the roster.

To sum it up: Evans is going to Buffalo, Hernandez might be going to Buffalo, or anywhere else for that matter, Bay is in New York for tests, and Duda is most likely heading to Miami in his place.

Let the games begin.

Spring Training Ends With A Win

The Mets finished up Spring Training with a 6-3 win over the Florida Marlins. Here's what you missed:
  • Chris Young went 5 innings, giving up two runs on three hits, while striking out four. 
  • Jason Isringhausen allowed a run in one inning of relief work. The run scored after a fielding error by Chin-lung Hu.
  • Mets got on the board in the bottom of the 3rd inning, when Jose Reyes scored on a wild pitch by Marlins starter Joe O'Gara. David Wright then had an RBI single to drive in Angel Pagan.
  • Joshua Satin and Scott Hairston each hit a home run in the 7th inning.
  • Hu had a rough day in the field, making two fielding errors after replacing Jose Reyes at shortstop.
Next up: Opening Day! The Mets head to Miami to play the Marlins Friday night.

Spring Training Is Finally Coming To An End

 March 30, 2011
12:10 PM ET
Port St. Lucie, FL
TV: SNY


NEW YORK METS
Chris Young (0-0, 1.33 ERA) makes the final start of the Spring against the Marlins.

FLORIDA MARLINS
Minor league pitcher, Joe O'Gara, takes the mound for Florida.


This will be the last time the Mets play the Marlins...until Friday. Anybody else sick of seeing these two teams play each other already?

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

The Better Late Than Never Game Recap

The Mets beat the Nationals today by a score of 8-2.
  • Chris Capuano went 3 innings giving up no runs, and allowing just two hits, while striking out three. Capuano helped himself out at the plate as well, hitting a three-run double off Nationals starter Jordan Zimmermann in the 2nd inning. He would then score the fourth run of the inning on a fielding error by Nats second baseman Danny Espinosa.
  • Pedro Beato allowed a home run to Adam LaRoche in the 4th inning. D.J. Carrasco allowed that Nationals only other run.
  • David Wright hit a three-run homer in the 7th, and Brad Emaus capped off the inning with an RBI single, making it 8-2.
  • Terry Collins used everyone in his bullpen that he plans to have on Opening Day. 
  • Carlos Beltran played five innings in right field, and went 1-3 at the plate with a single. 
Next up: The Mets take on the Marlins in their final Spring Training game at 12:10 p.m.

Bay Injured, Possibly Heading To The DL

Jason Bay is hurt...again. According to Adam Rubin, Bay was taken out of Tuesday's lineup due to a strained intercostal muscle in his left rib cage.

This could open the door for Lucas Duda to make the Opening Day roster.

According to Ted Berg, Nick Evans cannot be pulled off waivers to take Bay's place on the roster. Evans is expected to clear waivers around 1 p.m. today. If he clears waivers, he will be sent to Buffalo. If this scenario occurs, then Evans would be an option to take Bay's spot on the Opening Day roster.

At this point, the only thing that has saved Bay from facing a horde of angry Mets fans is that, when healthy, he may actually be successful.

How much longer is it going to last though? 

No one knows how long Bay will be sidelined by this. What I do know is that if Bay returns and is less than productive at the plate and in the field, his reprieve from Mets fans' fury may soon be over.

Mets Head North To Take On Nationals

March 29, 2011
12:05 PM ET
Viera, FL
Not Televised


NEW YORK METS
Chris Capuano (2-0, 2.30 ERA) will take the mound against the Nationals.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Jordan Zimmermann (2-1, 2.70 ERA) gets the start for Washington.


METS LINEUP: Reyes-SS, Pagan-CF, Wright-3B, Beltran-RF, Bay-LF, Davis-1B, Emaus-2B, Thole-C, Capuano-LHP

NATIONALS  LINEUP: Desmond-SS, Werth-RF, Zimmerman-3B, Morse-LF, LaRoche-1B, Hairston-CF, Espinosa-2B, Rodriguez-C, Zimmermann-RHP

Monday, March 28, 2011

Mets Place 3 on Waivers

New York Mets Place 3 on Waivers

According to a report by Adam Rubin of ESPN New York, the Mets have placed Pat Misch, Nick Evans, and Luis Hernandez on waivers today. All three found different paths to New York, and each found success with the Mets.

Misch was selected off waivers by the New York Mets on June 5th, 2009 from the San Fransisco Giants. After a brief stint in Triple-A Buffalo, Misch found success with the New York Mets in 2009, highlighted by two career firsts; a win on September 3rd in Colorado, and a complete-game shutout at home on September 27th against the Marlins.

Evans has been in the organization the longest, having been drafted by the Mets in the 5th round of the 2004 amateur draft. Since making his Major League debut in 2008, Evans has split time between Double-A Binghamton, Triple-A Buffalo, and the New York Mets. He shows promise as a major league player, but has been hindered by inconsistent playing time at different levels.

Hernandez was signed as a Free Agent with the New York Mets on February 3rd, 2010. A strong showing both offensively and defensively in both Binghamton and Buffalo earned him a September call-up. In New York his most memorable game came on September 18th when he fouled a ball off his right foot. Hernandez didn't realize at the time that foul ball had broken a bone in his foot. After fighting off trainers, he took the next pitch deep over the right field wall and limped around the bases in obvious pain.

The waiver process should be complete on Wednesday.

Mets And Marlins Hope Rain Stops Long Enough To Play

March 28, 2011
1:10 PM ET
Port St. Lucie, FL
TV: SNY

NEW YORK METS
Boof Bonser (0-0, 3.38 ERA) takes R.A. Dickey's place in the rotation today, as the Mets play the Marlins yet again.

FLORIDA MARLINS
Elih Villanueva is scheduled to start for the Marlins.

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Bats Go Quiet In Loss to Cardinals

The Mets lost to the Cardinals in Jupiter this afternoon by a score of 3-1.
  • Jon Niese went 5 innings, allowing three runs on four hits, while striking out three.
  • Blaine Boyer allowed just one hit in his relief appearance. Jason Isringhausen and Taylor Buchholz each threw a perfect inning of relief.
  • Scott Hairston got the game going with a home run in the 1st inning to score the Mets' only run. 
  • The Mets were held to just three hits. Along with Hairston, the other hits belonged to Russ Adams and Chin-lung Hu.

Next up: The Mets host the Marlins in Port St. Lucie. Game time is 1:05 p.m.

Mets And Cards Meet For Final Time

March 27, 2011
1:05 PM ET
Jupiter, FL
Not Televised 
RADIO: WFAN 660

NEW YORK METS
Jon Niese (2-1, 4.43 ERA)  will get the start against the Cardinals. Jason Isringhausen is also slated to make a relief appearance, his first in over a week.

ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
Kyle McClellan (3-0, 0.53 ERA) takes the mound for the Cardinals.