After An Incredible Comeback, Mets Lose A Heartbreaker, 11-9

• For the first six and a half innings, only one team showed up to play baseball, and the Mets were not that team.


• The Brewers were cruising, up 7-1 going into the seventh inning. Then Angel Pagan seemingly woke up the Mets, when he made a spectacular diving catch, robbing Jerry Hairston of an extra base hit.


• The Mets took that energy with them into the bottom of the seventh, piling on five runs, capped by a huge two-out, two run pinch-hit double by Lucas Duda, trimming the lead to 7-6.


• K-rod, the set-up man, came in for Brewers in the eighth inning to face the Mets for the first time since his departure but he was no match. Josh Thole delivered a pinch hit RBI double, driving in Ruben Tejada who had walked just before, to tie the game at seven. Angel Pagan followed with a two run bomb into the Pepsi Porch, lifting the remaining Mets faithful to their seats for what would have been one of the greatest wins of the season.


• Unfortunately, Jason Isringhausen did not have anything going for him today. He faced four batters, walked three of them, and was pulled for Manny Acosta leaving the bases loaded, with the Mets only 9-8, with Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder coming up. All four of those runners eventually scored.


• Acosta started out beautifully. He got Braun to fly out to shallow right, and got ahead on Fielder with two nasty pitches to get the count to 0-2. Regrettably, Fielder decided this was a good time to improve his MVP candidacy. He hit a pitch that almost bounced through the infield to tie the game. Casey McGehee followed with another two run single, bringing the lead to 11-9, and the Mets were finished. They went down one, two, three in the ninth, and the incredible comeback was no more.

As a Mets fan, I think my life expectancy goes down one year for every year that I am a fan. Watching Izzy pitching that ninth inning, after such a great team effort to regain the lead, was gut-wrenching. I simply feel bad for Terry and the team; to have to swallow this one and come back for an early game tomorrow cannot be easy. This team continues to “Amaze” because even though they have nothing to fight for, they have showed they will do nothing but.

Tomorrow the Mets finish up the series against the Brewers, with R.A. Dickey on the mound against Brewers ace Yovani Gallardo. The game is scheduled to begin at 1:10.

Mets Look To Bounce Back Against Brew Crew

August 20, 2011

4:10 PM ET

Citi Field, New York

TV: FOX

RADIO: WFAN 660

NEW YORK METS

Starting Pitcher: Chris Capuano (9-11, 4.58 ERA)

Capuano lost his last start against Arizona, giving up nine hits and four runs in six innings.  Capuano spent five seasons with Milwaukee, and will make his first career start against his old team.

MILWAUKEE BREWERS

Starting Pitcher: Randy Wolf (10-8, 3.30 ERA)

Wolf beat the Dodgers in his last start, blanking them over eight innings despite giving up six hits and five walks. Over the last five years, Wolf is 6-0 against the Mets.

Mets Morning News: Reyes Return, Nimmo Begins Mets Career, Benches Clear

Yesterday, Jose Reyes tested his strained hamstring and while he said it has improved, it is unlikely he will be able to return when first eligible on Tuesday. Terry Collins seemed pleased with the update, Reyes not as much.

“Things are going great,” Collins said before today’s game against the San Diego Padres. “He’s anxious for us to get back, but he’s been swinging, he’s been hitting, catching ground balls, throwing. Doing some lateral exercises, some lateral things.”

“My confidence running-wise wasn’t there,” Reyes said. “Any time you have problems with your hamstring, you’re not going to get confidence back right away. It is what it is. Now I try to be healthy, get on the field and finish strong.”

Brandon Nimmo, the Mets first round pick who signed Monday at midnight, made his Mets debut last night, going 1-6 with a run scored.

“The Mets most recent first round pick, Brandon Nimmo made his professional debut Friday, going 1-for-6 with a single and a run scored for the Gulf Coast League team. Considering he didn’t sign until Monday at midnight, just impressed to see him playing in a game in under a week.  So that’s good.  Hey, it’s nice he got a hit in his professional debut.”

In the eighth inning of last night’s game, Tim Byrdak and Prince Fielder exchanged some words that led to both benches clearing. No punches were thrown.

"It was just a miscommunication," Byrdak said. "He had said something coming out of the box that I thought was directed toward me. I said something back. When he hit first base, he came back and asked me who I was talking to. I asked him who he was talking to. He said he was talking to himself. I said OK and I started walking toward the dugout and I see everybody hopping the [dugout] fence to go back out . . . I was real surprised."

Fielder: "He said something I didn't like. So I just asked him. I think we got it settled." Fielder continued: "Yeah, I was talking to myself." And asked why he approached Byrdak, Fielder said, "I had a question I had to get off my chest."

After Benches Clear, Mets Drop The Opener 6-1

• The game was delayed two hours and 46 minutes because of rain.


• Mike Pelfrey was, well, Mike Pelfrey. In five innings, he gave up 12 base runners and three earned runs, picking up the loss.


• Not many hitters showed up for the Mets. Angel Pagan picked up another three hits, while Josh Thole picked up the Mets only RBI. Other than that, only two other Mets picked up hits.


• In the eighth inning, with the score 6-1, the benches cleared after Prince Fielder was not pleased with an inside pitch from Tim Byrdak.

The Mets play the Brewers again tomorrow with Chris Capuano facing off against Randy Wolf. The game time is 4:10.

Meet The Met: Juan Lagares

I have been waiting for weeks to write about Lagares, thinking his play would cool off. After a month of outstanding baseball and no slump in sight, I could not wait any longer.

Before this season, Lagares was known as a top prospect that never fulfilled his potential. Back in 2006, the Mets signed him as a 17 year old short stop from the Dominican Republic, thinking they found Jose Reyes a double play partner for the next ten years.

That player never showed up; until this season.

Lagares debuted as a 17 year old in the Dominican Summer League, where he hit .255 in 57 games. Nothing special, but since he was so young, not much was to be expected because surely he would get better each year.

He didn’t.

Nobody could have expected or wanted him to spend the next four years in low A-Ball Savannah as that would seem to represent a failure in his development, but that is what happened. After four straight years in low A, Lagares was a forgotten man. However, if you take a closer look at his year-to-year stats, he WAS developing, just at a painfully slow pace.

Take a look at his numbers development in the SAL:

	2007	2008	2009	2010
BA	.210	.254	.274	.300
OBP	.262	.285	.305	.318
SLG	.317	.337	.333	.459

While his improvement across the board, especially his 2010 numbers, look very good, his peripherals over that same time period were quite the opposite. Over those four seasons, he struck out 178 times and only walked 39 times; good for a K-rate of 19.3%! Not only is that a terrible ratio for any power hitter, where the extra bases cover it up a little, but for a player who only hit nine home runs in those 920 at-bats, the ratio stands out even more.

So even though his average and slugging percentage in 2010 were nice, those outside numbers showed a player may not be ready for higher levels. It was easy to see why, after his promotion to high A-Ball, against more advanced pitching, Lagares struggled. In his first 133 at bats, Juan hit .233, with a .248 OBP and a .316 SLG, striking out 18 times with only two walks.

A 21 year old struggling out of the gate is not abnormal in the Florida State League, but it will not help you get noticed, at least not in a good way. By your fifth season in A ball, if you aren’t dominating the league, many scouts and front office may not even consider you as a player destined for AA, forget the major leagues.

That is why his 2011 season was so surprising. Lagares played four consecutive seasons in Low A-Ball! He couldn’t touch high A-Ball in his brief time there. He has taken his expectations for the 2011 season and blown them out of the water.

His career batting average in the minor leagues coming into this season was .254, split between low A-Ball and high A. This season, he is hitting .353, in more advanced leagues of high A and AA. He has 24 walks this season; he had 25 walks in his last three seasons COMBINED. The outrageous numbers continue, and they only get better when you look at his stats after his promotion to AA.

Lagares has accumulated 95 at-bats in AA, and decided hitting .339 in High-A was not good enough. Juan is hitting .400 in Binghamton, with a .589 SLG, and has firmly placed himself on the map as a legitimate Mets prospect.

Another thing to like about Lagares, is that he is still young. My prospect crush Reese Havens (who found himself on Baseball America’s prospect hot sheet) is turning 25 in October. Lagares turned 22 in March. He is still developing into his body, and as such, has more room to grow and further enhance his game.

I am not saying he is the top outfield prospect in the Mets organization. I am not even sure he is a top ten prospect.

What I am saying, is that when Lagares signed way back in 2006, he was billed as a top prospect with the talent to play in the Major Leagues someday. Before this season, that vision was more like a dream. After this season, that vision may come to fruition someday soon.



Zach is also the author of metsvibe.wordpress.com. Follow him on Twitter @zpetersel

Mets Open Series Against First Place Brewers

August 19, 2011

7:10 PM ET

Citi Field, New York

TV: WPIX

RADIO: WFAN 660

NEW YORK METS

Starting Pitcher: Mike Pelfrey (6-9, 4.58 ERA)

Pelfrey should expect some boos in his first start at home since his controversial comments. In his last start, he took a loss against Arizona, giving up two runs in four innings before exiting after being hit on the elbow with a line drive.  Pelfrey lost his last start against Milwaukee, on June 9, despite giving up only two runs and four hits in six innings.

MILWAUKEE BREWERS

Starting Pitcher: Shaun Marcum (10-3, 3.50 ERA)

In his last start, Marcum allowed just one run in 7.2 innings and struck out five Pittsburgh Pirates, but took a no decision. Marcum stifled the Mets back in June, giving up two hits and no runs in six innings, but earned a no decision in an eventual Mets win.

Mets Lineup:

Pagan-CF, Harris-2B, Wright-3B, Duda-1B, Baxter-RF, Pridie-LF, Thole-C, Tejada-SS, Pelfrey-RHP

UPDATE: The game is in rain delay

Mets Morning News: Jacobs Tests Positive, Pagan Wants To Stay, BrewersStreak Into New York

Former Met Mike Jacobs was suspended 50 game yesterday after testing positive for HGH.  Jacobs, who last played for the Mets at the beginning of last season, was lingering in the Colorado Rockies minor leagues system when the results came through.

Jacobs, 30, is the first professional athlete in the United States to test positive for H.G.H., a World Anti-Doping Agency spokesman said. Since the test was introduced in 2004, he is the eighth athlete to test positive worldwide, the agency said.

There is no testing for HGH in the major leagues, but the minor leagues began testing for the PED last year.

“A few weeks ago, in an attempt to overcome knee and back problems, I made the terrible decision to take H.G.H.,” Jacobs said in the statement, a rare confession of doping in a sport where many players who have tested positive denied ever knowingly using a drug. “I immediately stopped a couple of days later after being tested. Taking it was one of the worst decisions I could have ever made, one for which I take full responsibility.”

Mets outfielder Angel Pagan says he wants to stay in New York next year, but admits that this season has been a struggle.

"What will happen next year, it’ll happen. You never know what can happen. You can get traded, stay here. I just want to finish strong for the team and see what will happen next year. Obviously I haven’t had the season I planned on. It’s been a tough season – not just for me, but for the whole team.

The Mets square off against the Milwaukee Brewers tonight.  After salvaging a series win in San Diego, this series will be a tough test.

When [the Brewers] arrive at Citi Field on Friday for a three-game weekend series, they will be riding a huge run — 19 victories in their last 22 games — that has given them a commanding lead in the N.L. Central.

Former Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez makes his return to New York after last month's trade.

Mets Top Targets For 2012

The Mets are in money trouble, in case you hadn't heard.  Fred Wilpon and Saul Katz got some bad news this week, and may be out $300 million or so come the offseason.  That will severely limit them when it comes to building for 2012 and beyond through free agency.  Of course, given what we've seen the Mets do with money in the past, maybe it's not such a bad thing for Sandy Alderson to have an allowance.

Of course, the new model in baseball differs greatly from the last decade. There's been a paradigm shift away from signing big money free agents, and toward drafting well and locking guys up early.  Great young players just don't hit the open market anymore because teams are too smart to overpay for their own players.

There is not much talent available this year, besides the very top tier guys. Let's assume that the Mets money issues preclude them from signing Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder. If those guys are off the table, who should the Mets be chasing this winter?

Mets Morning News: Nimmo's First Start, Reyes' Return, Izzy In 2012

The newest Met, Brandon Nimmo, may play his first game as soon as this weekend.  The first round pick signed just before the deadline on Monday, and may hit the field by this Sunday.

"Nimmo, who will receive a $2.1 million signing bonus, arrived yesterday in Port St. Lucie, Fla., to prepare for workouts today at the Mets' minor league complex. He is expected to play his first game for the Mets' rookie league team within days."

Nimmo says he knows David Wright from the cover of a video game, and that Wright reached out to him shortly after his signing.

"When I saw him, it was after a game and he was going to get a workout in before they left," Nimmo said. "He just kind of shows by example how hard you need to work to make it. I really have an appreciation for David Wright."

Meanwhile, Jose Reyes is healing faster than expected again, and expects to be ready when he is eligible to come off the disabled list next Tuesday.

"I know it wasn’t as bad as the first one," Collins said. "He said he’s been feeling good and he’s ready to go. He said I’m ready to get back on the field, which is a good sign."

Jason Isringhausen earned his 300th save earlier this week, and says he won't rule out pitching again next year.  But the 38-year-old won't do it at a discount.

If I feel healthy, I'll have my agent talk to some people and see what kind of interest is out there," Isringhausen said before the Mets beat the Padres 7-3. "I'm not coming back for 500 grand again -- I know that. But in the same sense I knew coming in, this year wasn't really about the money.

Mets Finish Up Road Trip; Beat Padres 7-3

• Dillon Gee was the first Mets starter to give up one run or less since early July. Thanks to an early three run home run by David Wright, Gee was able to pitch to contact, striking out five along the way. He became the first Mets rookie since Doc and Darling in 1984 to win 11 games.


• Gee earned this win, but Manny Acosta really saved it for him. In the seventh inning, it was a 4 – 1 game and the Padres had loaded the bases. Acosta came in and struck out Jason Bartlett and promptly ended the threat.


• In the fourth inning, Wright made a spectacular defensive play. Not only did he make a diving stop to save a double, but he faked a throw to first, and caught Cameron Maybin rounding third base trying to score and tagged him out. It really was an incredible, heads up play by the veteran Wright.


• Jason Bay has reverted back to form from earlier in the season. He finished up the trip on hit-less in his last 20 at bats, dropping his average to .239

The Mets have an off day tomorrow. Friday they return to Citi Field to face the Central Leading Milwaukee Brewers for a three game series.

Gee Looks To Win Season Series Against Padres

August 17, 2011

6:35 PM ET

PETCO Park, San Diego

TV: SNY

RADIO: WFAN 660

 

NEW YORK METS

Starting Pitcher: Dillon Gee (10-4, 4.07 ERA)

Gee took the loss against Arizona in his last start, giving up four runs and throwing just 72 pitches in five innings. This will be the rookie's first start against San Diego.

San Diego Padres

Starting Pitcher: Mat Latos (6-11, 3.80 ERA)

Latos gave up just two runs in seven innings in his last start, against Cincinnati, but earned a no decision.  Latos last faced the Mets in 2010, earning a win and allowing just two hits and two runs while striking out eight.

Mets Lineup:

Pagan-CF, Harris-2B, Wright-3B, Duda-1B, Bay-LF, Pridie-RF, Thole-C, Tejada-SS, Gee-RHP

Mets Morning News: Player Development, Madoff Mess, F-Mart Hurt, BeatoAs A Starter

Sandy Alderson and Co. have shown that going forward, the Mets will be focused on acquiring high-level prospects. Paul DePodesta, who is in charge of player development stated:

"We're absolutely determined to build the foundation of this organization and create a player-development system that's a true feeder for our major league team, and not just for role players, but also with potential impact players."

On Tuesday, Mets owners Fred Wilpon and Saul Katz learned that they may have to pay $300 million to trustee Irving Picard.

The United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, in a unanimous ruling by the three-judge panel, said the trustee’s central formula for deciding how to recoup and redistribute the money that had moved through Madoff’s vast Ponzi scheme was appropriate. The trustee, Irving H. Picard, had decided that investors who had taken more money out of their accounts with Madoff than they had put in had to return their "net winnings."

Fernando Martinez is hurt. Again. the Buffalo Bisons placed Martinez on the disabled list with a strained wrist.

Manager Terry Collins has expressed interest in using Pedro Beato as a starter in the future.

"As we sit there and assess, going down the road, our options in the rotation, I think his name has got to be thrown out there. When you've got four pitches that are probably average or above, I think you need to consider it."

What does Beato think about this? He's not terribly excited about it.

"I like the bullpen," Beato said. "That's where I want to stay."

Mets Used Pelfrey In Relief. How Do You Think This Game Went?

The Mets lost to the Padres, 6-1.

• Jon Niese was not good. He went six innings, giving up three runs on ten hits, while striking out three. Niese was not helped by his defense. All three runs that Niese allowed to score were the result of poor fielding on the part of Scott Hairston and Angel Pagan.

• The Mets only run of the game came in the fourth inning on a double to left field from Ruben Tejada.

• Mike Pelfrey even entered the game in the eighth inning to pitch. In his brief appearance, he gave up a run on two hits, and wasn't even able to get out of the inning. Following the game, Pelfrey said, "I'm glad I got to go out there. It was fun. I had some adrenaline." At least one person was happy to see Pelfrey on the mound.

Next Up: The Mets send Dillon Gee to the mound for the series finale against the Padres tonight. Game time is 6:35 p.m.

Niese vs. Luebke: Round Two

August 16, 2011

10:05 PM ET

PETCO Park, San Diego

TV: SNY

RADIO: WFAN 660

NEW YORK METS

Starting Pitcher: Jon Niese (11-9, 4.03 ERA)

Niese tied a career-high 122 pitches in his 7.2 innings of work in his last start. He allowed two runs, while striking out seven and walking two. Niese is 1-1 with a 1.08 ERA against the Padres.

SAN DIEGO PADRES

Starting Pitcher: Cory Luebke (4-6, 3.09 ERA)

Luebke allowed two runs in five innings in his last start, which was against the Mets. He struck out eight. In his career, he is 0-0 with a 3.60 ERA against the Mets.

METS LINEUP:

Pagan-CF, Turner-2B, Wright-3B, Duda-1B, Bay-LF, Hairston-RF, Paulino-C, Tejada-SS, Niese-LHP

They're Outta Here!

Yes, he was right.  Yes, everyone overreacted to what he said.  But if Mike Pelfrey hadn't pitched himself out of New York already, he certainly talked himself out the door this weekend.  The former ninth overall pick has been a top prospect, a struggling young pitcher, a potential staff ace and finally, a malcontent.  He has pitched extremely well and extremely poorly.  He was supposed to be the ideal pitcher for the expansive CitiField, and for a year it looked like he might be.  Now it looks like he'll be pitching somewhere else next year.  But he won't be the only Met leaving town.

Mets Morning News: Mets Sign Nimmo, Something Has To Change With Reyes,The Man Of Few Words, Potential Closer

The Mets signed first round draft pick, Brandon Nimmo, late last night. The 18-year-old, who hails from Wyoming, signed for $2.1 million. According to the NY Post, Nimmo's father had been threatening that his son would begin classes at Arkansas next week if the Mets didn't pay more. A tad greedy for a recent high school graduate who didn't even technically play high school baseball, no?

Jose Reyes has resumed baseball activity. Reyes is not expected to return when he is eligible to come off the disabled list on August 23. He has always been an aggressive player, but he admits something has to change in order to keep himself healthy and on the field.

"I need to find something, something different," Reyes said. "So we’re going to sit down and talk about it."

Andrew Keh of the New York Times writes about a man of few words, a.k.a Lucas Duda. His teammates have tried to get him to come out of his shell. Even the veterans have taken him out to dinner.

"There might be six of us, and he’ll say seven words," [Jason] Bay said. "On a good night he’ll say 12."

Josh Thole described Duda as just a big bear.

"He’s just a big bear. We’re all scared of him, because he looks mean. But even when he’s mad, it lasts for three seconds, and he’s back to being the bear again."

Now that Jason Isringhausen has his 300th save, Terry Collins plans on giving other guys in the bullpen a shot at closing, notably, Bobby Parnell.

Isringhausen Earns 300th Save As Mets End Skid

It took ten innings, but the Mets were able to beat the Padres, 5-4.

• R.A. Dickey went 6.1 innings, giving up three runs on seven hits, while striking out four and walking one. Dickey left the game after giving up a two-run home run to Will Venable, which cut the Mets lead to 4-3.

• Lucas Duda and Josh Thole (JOSH THOLE?!) hit home runs in the second inning to give the Mets an early 3-0 lead. Thole also drove in the Mets' fourth run of the game as well with a single to right field. Duda has now homered in back-to-back games.

• Bobby Parnell pitched one inning too many. Parnell entered the game in the seventh inning, and was able to get two quick outs to get out of the inning. Manager Terry Collins left him in to pitch the eighth inning though. He walked Orlando Hudson who would eventually score on an RBI single by Jesus Guzman to tie the game.

• Scott Hairston drove in the winning run in the top of the tenth inning on a fielder's choice.

• Congratulations to Jason Isringhausen who earned his 300th save. It would have been nice for Izzy to reach this milestone at home, however, it is a tremendous feat, and he should be proud.

Next Up: The Mets continue their series with San Diego tonight at PETCO Park. Jon Niese will start for New York. Game time is 10:05 p.m.

Mets Hope To Change Their Luck In San Diego

August 15, 2011

10:05 PM ET

PETCO Park, San Diego

TV: SNY

RADIO: WFAN 660

NEW YORK METS

Starting Pitcher: R.A. Dickey (5-11, 3.75 ERA)

Dickey has pitched well as of late, but hasn't been able to get a win thanks to a lack of run support and an unreliable bullpen. Against San Diego, he is 0-1 with a 4.50 ERA.

SAN DIEGO PADRES

Starting Pitcher: Aaron Harang (11-3, 3.95 ERA)

Harang's last start was against the Mets on August 10. He went 5.2 innings and allowed three runs on ten hits, while striking out five. In his career, he is 3-3 with a 5.88 ERA.

METS LINEUP:

Pagan-CF, Turner-2B, Wright-3B, Duda-1B, Bay-LF, Pridie-RF, Thole-C, Tejada-SS, Dickey-RHP

Mets Morning News: Reyes May Not Return, No Help For The Bullpen,Signing Nimmo

Terry Collins doubts Jose Reyes will be back in the lineup once he is eligible to return from the disabled list on August 23. Collins told reporters that the shortstop has not even resumed baseball activity.

"Not to my knowledge, he has not," Collins said. "I know that when we left, they said for the next three days, he’s going to rest."

Don't expect any help for the Mets bullpen anytime soon. Collins told reporters after Sunday's game that the Mets will not add any minor league pitching to the bullpen until the rosters expand on September 1.

"I’m going to let them finish out the year" in the minors, Collins said. "We’ve brought up about everybody there is in Buffalo, I think, at some time this summer. So we know what they’ve got."

The deadline for signing draft choices ends tonight at 11:59 p.m., and the Mets are hoping to sign their first round pick Brandon Nimmo. Nimmo is reportedly asking for $2.5 million, although his father, Ron Nimmo, says the asking price is different. If the two parties cannot work out a deal, Nimmo will enroll in classes at Arkansas next week.

"[The Mets] have some work to do," Ron Nimmo said. "There's some disparity.

"It's not all about the money. You get one shot at this deal and you're going to have to live off this for six years."

Abysmal Pitching By The Mets Leads To A Sweep

The Mets were swept by the Diamondbacks, losing by a score of 5-3. They have now dropped five straight and are now four games under .500.

• Chris Capuano went six innings, giving up four runs on nine hits, while striking out six. He couldn't maintain a lead twice today. The Mets gave him a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning on a Lucas Duda home run. Capuano promptly went out in the bottom half of the inning and gave up a ground-rule double to tie the game. He then threw a wild pitch to allow the second run of the inning to score. After the Mets gave Capuano another lead in the fifth inning, he went right back out there and gave up a huge home run to Justin Upton.

• By the way, Capuano cleared waivers today, meaning he can now be traded to any team.

• Angel Pagan was 3-5 at the plate with one run scored.

• Duda once again, had a big day, going 2-3 with two RBIs and one run scored.

• Justin Turner drove in a run with an RBI double in the fifth inning.

• Ryota Igarashi is awful. Plain and simple. It was painful to watch him pitch today. He loaded the bases and then walked in a run. I have noticed lately that whenever Igarashi is on the mound he has poor body language. Who knows, maybe he's just a naturally miserable looking person, or maybe it reflects the kind of confidence he has right now when he's called out to pitch.  Either way, it's not fun to watch.

Next Up: The Mets head to San Diego to take on the Padres in a three-game series beginning Monday night. R.A. Dickey will get the start. Game time is 10:05 p.m.

Third Time's The Charm For Capuano?

August 14, 2011

4:10 PM ET

Chase Field, Arizona

TV: WPIX

RADIO: WFAN 660

NEW YORK METS

Starting Pitcher: Chris Capuano (9-10, 4.51 ERA)

Capuano will once again try to get that elusive tenth win of the season. Capuano hasn't been able to get a win in his last two starts. He is 1-3 with a 3.77 ERA against Arizona.

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

Starting Pitcher: Jason Marquis (0-1, 12.38 ERA)

Marquis hasn't been able to get a win for the Diamondbacks since being acquired by the team at the trade deadline. The Staten Island native is 6-7 with a 4.64 ERA against the Mets.

METS LINEUP:

Pagan-CF Turner-2B Wright-3B Duda-1B Bay-LF Thole-C Pridie-RF Tejada-SS Capuano-LHP

Pelfrey's Good At One Thing This Season, Irritating The Fan Base

I don't know what was worse about Mike Pelfrey yesterday; the quote controversy, getting hit by a line drive, or not knowing the difference between his left and right.

It was just an embarrassing day all around for Pelfrey. But, honestly, do Mets fans expect anything different from the guy?

I wasn't going to write anything about the incident involving Pelfrey's quote in the NY Post because I thought it was, well, stupid.

If you missed it, Pelfrey told the Post, "It's unrealistic for anybody at the end of last year to come in and say, 'The Mets, this is a one-year thing, next year we're going to win it all. It's unrealistic."

It's an honest quote, and I agree with him. If you are a Mets fan and thought this team was going to win it all this year, you're delusional. Compete and make things interesting? Yes. Win the World Series? No.

By the way, I believe another Met made a comment a few months back that was similar.

"We have to find a way to be honest with ourselves about what kind of team we are. We can’t just keep telling ourselves, ‘Oh, we’re a better team than this.’ We may not be. And we’ve got to be honest about that, and identify what we’re doing wrong, and do it better. That’s the only way you have any real growth."

Of course that statement was made by the one and only R.A. Dickey.

The difference between fan reaction to Dickey's statement and Pelfrey's? Dickey is a fan favorite, Pelfrey is not. When you've already irritated a majority of the fan base with your crappy pitching like Pelfrey has, that leaves you very little room to make "mistakes" such as this.

Fans have become so used to reading and/or hearing canned responses that when a player actually does make an honest statement, we don't know how to handle it.

Should Pelfrey have said what he did to a reporter in a city that blows everything out of proportion? No. He's been around long enough to know doing something like that will come back to bite him.

If there was anything in this story which should be slightly controversial, it should be the quote from the "anonymous player" who responded, "He's cutting his own throat. What's his record, six and nine? He's supposed to be the ace of the [bleeping] staff. Why don't you go and win 12 or 13 games?"

Responses like that will make things a little awkward in the clubhouse.

Pelfrey cleared the air, however, before Saturday's game. He spoke with his manager and his teammates about his quote, and how it was taken out of context. His teammates have come out to say that they have his back, and manager Terry Collins seems to understand where Pelfrey was coming from.

If the team can get past this, so should the fans.

Move. On.

Mets Morning News: Bay Reflects, Collins Likes Veterans On Bench,Marquis Interested In Mets

Jason Bay looked back on his season and struggles at the plate with New York Times reporter Andrew Keh.

"There was a lot of thinking going on in the batter’s box," Bay said. "It was just, ‘I’m not comfortable. Where are my hands? Where are my feet?’ It was really detracting from me hitting the baseball."

"I was too result-oriented," he said. "You want to get the hits. You’re so worried about getting the hits rather than just letting them happen."

According to Terry Collins, Scott Hairston's place is on the bench.

"I’ll tell you one thing, this guy has gotten nothing but huge hits off the bench," Collins said. "I know that everybody likes to play, but it’s nice to know I have that piece to the puzzle."

Jason Marquis, who will be a free agent at the end of this season, would like to play for New York.

"I try not to extend my focus past (this year), but obviously I have always had a desire to pitch at home," said the Brooklyn-born Marquis, who still lives in Staten Island, and who faces the Mets Sunday. "I'm a New York guy, and I have always dreamed of playing for the Yankees or Mets, representing my hometown."