Mets Morning News: No Games, Starting Rotation

Don't forget that the Mets have postponed Saturday and Sunday's games against the Braves due to Hurricane Irene. Both games will be made up as part of a single-admission double header on September 8.

The starting rotation is all sorts of messed up thanks to the rain outs. Dillon Gee and R.A. Dickey will pitch in Monday's double header. Mike Pelfrey will start Tuesday's game, and Chris Capuano will start Wednesday. Either Miguel Batista or D.J. Carrasco will start Thursday's game in place of the injured Jon Niese. The Mets still need to find a starter for Friday's game. Potential starters could include Chris Schwinden or Pat Misch, who could be called up once rosters expand on September 1.

Capuano Shines Before The Storm; Mets Beat Braves, Hudson 6-0

• Chris Capuano was flat out spectacular tonight. He pitched a complete game shutout, allowing only two hits, no walks, and a career high 13 strike outs. He was good enough to get a pie in the face after the game from Willie Harris.


• Some of the Mets young hitters continue to hit. Lucas Duda had three hits, two runs scored and two RBIs. His two run double came off Jonny Venters, which were the first two runs he allowed in two months, spanning 24 appearances and 23 innings.


• Ruben Tejada had three more hits, bringing his average on the season up to .283. With the skill he brings on the defensive side of the ball, he is really developing into an asset for the Mets going forward.


• Finally, the Mets were able to win the first game of a homestand. They started the year 0-10 in those situations.

The Mets and Braves will finish out this series with a double header September 8^th, due to the inclement weather stemming from Hurricane Irene. The next game is scheduled for Monday, at Citi Field, with a double header against the Marlins, starting at 4:10.

Stay safe this weekend and take care of your loved ones.

Mets & Braves To Duke It Out Tonight Before Irene Hits

August 26, 2011

7:10 PM ET

Citi Field

TV: SNY

RADIO: WFAN 660

NEW YORK METS

Starting Pitcher: Chris Capuano (9-11, 4.71 ERA)

Capuano gave up three home runs to the Brewers in his last start. Hopefully he can lower than number to say, ZERO, in his start tonight. Against Atlanta, he is 2-3 with a 3.35 ERA.

ATLANTA BRAVES

Starting Pitcher: Tim Hudson (13-7, 3.01 ERA)

Hudson has been dominant over his past 12 starts. He has gone 8-1 with a 1.91 ERA and held batters to just .201 batting average. In his career, he is 14-8 with a 3.55 ERA against the Mets.

METS LINEUP:

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

NOTES:

The Mets placed Scott Hairston on the disabled list and called up Miguel Batista.

Saturday and Sunday's games against the Braves have been cancelled due to Hurricane Irene. Both games will be made up as part of a single-admission double header on September 8.

Mets Morning News: Tejada vs. Reyes, Reyes' First Rehab Game, DramaticComments

Mike Puma of the NY Post writes that while Ruben Tejada does not possess that same skill set as Jose Reyes, he provides the Mets with a viable option at shortstop and/or second base next season.

The 21-year-old doesn't hit or run like the Mets' All-Star shortstop, but infield coach Chip Hale has noticed a few more mph on Tejada's fastball this year, to the point it's not such a sure thing Reyes has the best arm on the team.

"We always say how Jose's arm is one of the top in the league, but Tejada is throwing the ball right up there with him," [Chip] Hale said. "That has impressed me. You can tell he is getting bigger and stronger. He definitely has put some good weight on."

In his first rehab game with Binghamton last night, Jose Reyes went 0-1 with a walk. Following the game, Reyes said:

"It was nice to get on the field, but I didn’t have any opportunity to take any groundballs and to run to first base. I mean, I ran to first base, but on a fly ball. That doesn’t mean anything. I feel like I didn’t do anything really besides being on the field for five innings."

I hate linking to this writer on my site, but the comment made is so obnoxious, I had to include it. When writing about how the Mets need to keep David Wright and Reyes, a certain writer from the Daily News, whose name shall not be mentioned on this site, then stated:

The team must find a way to keep the left side of its infield intact in 2012, and beyond. Otherwise, the Mets might as well stop existing for a few years.

Dear writer, in case you haven't noticed, with these two players the Mets have essentially been non-existent in the National League for a few years. As Pirates general manager Branch Rickey once reportedly told the great Ralph Kiner, "We finished last with you, we can finish last without you."

Mets Morning News: Wright On Waivers, Reyes Starts In Binghamton,Crybabies

According to Troy Renck of the Denver Post, the Rockies put in a claim on David Wright. Don't worry, Mets fans. Wright's not going anywhere. Former general manager Omar Minaya told WFAN's Boomer & Carton that all players are placed on waivers.

Jose Reyes is scheduled to make his first rehab start today in Binghamton. He will play three straight games, before getting Sunday off, and then returning to the Mets on Monday.

Former major leaguer and current Phillies broadcaster Gary Matthews Sr. called the Mets "crybabies" during yesterday's game. It all happened after Mike Pelfrey told Placido Polanco to not lean into a pitch after he thought the batter was intentionally trying to get hit. Chalk it up to just another idiotic thing done by someone associated with the Phillies.

Mets Grab Series Finale; Beat Phillies 7-4

• Even though Mike Pelfrey got the win today, it was ugly. The Mets staked him to a four run first inning lead, and he almost gave it right back to the Phillies in the second inning. In fact, the Phillies missed a couple of hangers from Pelfrey which really saved him. To give him some credit, he really muscled up after the second inning, throwing a career high 125 pitches to save a bullpen that has been overused these last few days.


• Nick Evans has finally arrived from AAA. There was a four at-bat stretch over these last two games in which he hit for the cycle, capped by a three run home run in the first and an opposite field double in the third inning that drove in another run. He is going to be getting at-bats, so it is nice to see him taking advantage of them.


• In the eighth inning it looked like the Mets were going to blow the lead again. This time, Justin Turner saved the day. With the tying run at the plate, JT made an outstanding diving stop, tossed the ball to Ruben Tejada, who was able to make the throw to first and turn a double play. The defense was shaky again, with three errors in the game, but at the end of the day, it was the defense that saved the game.


• Bobby Parnell finally got his first save of the season. He did not make it easy, walking two batters to bring the tying run to the plate, but he got the job done. It will be interesting to watch how he handles the closing duties the rest of the way.

The Mets are off tomorrow. They welcome the Braves to Citi Field Friday night with Chris Capuano taking the mound against Tim Hudson. Jose Reyes is scheduled to begin his rehab assignment tomorrow night for the Binghamton Mets in AA. If all goes well, he will be back with the Mets on Monday.

Mets Minor League Update: Mets Top Pitching Prospects Dominate, NewMets Start Their Careers

There  is only one week left in the minor league regular season. For some, the development on the field is coming to a close and the offseason is here, but for others, with September and expanded rosters around the corner, the excitement is just beginning.

Buffalo Bisons: 9 – 4

The Bisons have been playing some of their best ball of the season these last two weeks, a lot of which is due to some of its more high profile players.

Josh Satin has not flinched since his call-up to AAA. He is now hitting .325 in 120 at-bats with the Bisons, and a strong .342 over his last ten games. One thing he needs to work on is his power, as he only has one home run in Buffalo, after hitting 11 with AA Binghamton. Despite that, he is a player you can expect to see in Flushing when the rosters expand in September.

Another player you might see is Zach Lutz. As with many of the top players in the Mets system, Lutz has shown the tools, but he struggles mightily to stay on the field. This season he is hitting .298 with a .502 SLG, improving to a .615 slugging over his last ten games, but he has only accumulated 205 at-bats this season. He has not played 20 games in any month this season, so the Mets may prefer to keep him out in September, and then send him to either the Arizona Fall League, or winter ball.

As for an update on the recently promoted Jordany Valdespin, he started off slow in AAA but has picked it up recently. He is hitting .296 in his last six games with four extra base hits, to bring his AAA average up to .237.

Mets Try To Avoid The Sweep In Philly

August 24, 2011

1: 05 PM ET

Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia

TV: SNY

RADIO: WFAN 660

NEW YORK METS

Starting Pitcher: Mike Pelfrey (6-10, 4.61 ERA)

In four starts against the Phillies this season, Pelfrey is 0-2 with a 7.58 ERA. His luck has to change this season eventually, right? In his career, he is 6-6 with a 5.12 ERA.

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES

Starting Pitcher: Kyle Kendrick (7-5, 3.24 ERA)

Kendrick allowed two runs in six innings of work in his last start, which he was not expected to make. He filled in for Roy Oswalt who was removed because of a rain delay. Against the Mets, he is 4-5 with a 2.88 ERA.

Mets Morning News: More Injuries, Everyone But Mets Evacuated From CBP,Carter Update

If you missed it last night, not only did the Mets lose once again to the Phillies, but they also lost Jon Niese and Scott Hairston to the disabled list with rib cage injuries. According to Adam Rubin, Mike Nickeas is expected to be called up as a third catcher. Other possible candidates to take the second roster spot include Miguel Batista, Pat Misch, and Chris Schwinden.

According to The Record, Citizens Bank Park was evacuated following Tuesday's earthquake. Well, everyone but the Mets was evacuated.

A group of 20 players and team officials were inside the ballpark when the quake hit, and despite the fact that most of the building was evacuated for nearly 30 minutes – including members of the Phillies' front office — the Mets were left inside.

No one told them they had to leave, Mets spokesperson Jay Horwitz said.

Rubin also reports that Gary Carter has been given the green light to continue his chemotherapy treatment for malignant brain tumors. His treatment had been delayed due to a low white blood cell count. Below is a statement from Carter's daughter Kimmy Bloemers.

"Dad went to the doctor yesterday and received news that his white blood count was high enough to start the new stronger chemo! The blood count is still a little low; however, he got the green light to take his first pill last night. He took an anti-nausea pill at 10 p.m. and took his chemo at 10:30 p.m. and then fell right to sleep. We are so happy to report that dad is not sick and he had a good day today. There was some anxiety yesterday not knowing if this 5-day treatment would have terrible reactions. Aside from being tired, dad has no other side effects!!!"

Another Game Against the Phillies, Another Disheartening Loss; PhilliesWin 9-4

• Somehow tonight's Mets outdid their poor performance from last night. The five run spread makes the game look a lot closer than it actually was.


• Jon Niese, who looks headed for the DL after re-injuring his ribs, had his worst outing of the season. Despite two scoreless innings to start off the game, Niese only lasted four innings, giving up eight runs on ten hits.


• The worst part of this game, was how successful the Mets SHOULD have been.


• In the first inning, they had runners on first and third with nobody out, and their 3-4-5 hitters in Wright, Duda and Bay coming up. They didn't score a single run.


• In the second inning, things started even better, but ended even worse. This time, they had runners on second and third, again with nobody out, but the next three hitters each struck out looking. To not put the bat on the ball, when even the laziest ground ball would score a run, is inexcusable.


• On the bright side, Lucas Duda continues to shine. He hit another home run tonight, and his bat is looking as strong as ever.

Tomorrow, the Mets and Phillies wrap up their three game series with Mike Pelfrey facing off against Kyle Kendrick. The first pitch is scheduled for 1:05 PM.

They Have To Win One Eventually; Mets Set To Face Worley, Phillies

August 23, 2011

7:05 PM ET

Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia

TV: SNY

RADIO: WFAN 660

NEW YORK METS

Starting Pitcher: Jon Niese (11-10, 4.05 ERA)

Niese has not fared well at Citizens Bank Park throughout his career. He is 0-2 with a 6.57 ERA against the Phillies in their home ball park. Lifetime, Niese is 2-2 with a 3.42 ERA against Philadelphia.

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES

Starting Pitcher: Vance Worley (8-1, 2.76 ERA)

Worley was trying to bounce back from one of the worst outings of his young career when he was knocked out of his last start after three innings due to rain. In those three innings, he allowed one hit and no runs. Against the Mets, he is 2-1 with a 3.52 ERA.

METS LINEUP:

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

Mets Have Power Problems, Are Walls To Blame?

Quick - who leads the Mets in home runs?  I'll give you a hint: he's been off the team for three weeks.

If you guessed Carlos Beltran, you're both right and probably shaking your head in disgust right now.  With a paltry sum of 15 dingers, Beltran still holds a healthy lead over David Wright's 10 homers.  There's a power outage in New York and it's completely confined to one block in Flushing.

Mets Morning News: Wright Meets With Collins, Reyes To Binghamton,Alderson Doesn't Like Idea Of Pelfrey To Pen

Following last night's debacle, David Wright met with manager Terry Collins for a closed-door meeting.

"We’re in a rut, and we’re playing pretty bad baseball right now, so we’ve got to find a way to figure some things out and try to play better," Wright said. "It’s not just about the winning and the losing. ... We just can’t allow ourselves to just play out the season. It’s obviously a bad situation to begin with. And the last thing you want to do is just go out there and play the games for the sake of playing the games.

"Hopefully people realize that there’s a lot on the line going into next year, and we clean some things up and get some things going. It’s us as a team. Everybody’s guilty of it to some degree. We just need to clean it up a little bit and go out there and try to play better baseball."

Jose Reyes is expected to begin his rehab assignment Thursday in Double-A Binghamton. The Mets plan to have Reyes play three to four games before being activated from the disabled list.

According to the Daily News, general manager Sandy Alderson rejected the idea of moving Mike Pelfrey to the bullpen.

"It was just a thought I had," [Terry] Collins said. "I'm trying to come up with options of, as we look down the road, what can make us good. Here is a guy that I know can throw 95-97 . . . "(but) it's one thing to say, and it's another thing to replace 200 inning - which he is going to give you."

Mets Get Blown Out In Philly, Lose 10-0

• Dillon Gee really did not have his good stuff tonight. He allowed a season high eight runs and allowed a season high six walks in only 3.2 innings.


• After disappearing for a couple of minutes when it was his turn at bat, Angel Pagan had to leave the game early with what turned out to be the stomach flu.


• Ryota Igarashi pitched again today, and no matter how bad the bullpen has pitched, he makes everyone else look better. After giving up two more runs today, his ERA for the month of August is up to 8.00, and his season ERA is now 5.54.


• As for some bright spots, two of the young Mets, Lucas Duda and Ruben Tejada, continue to show why they belong. They combined for the Mets three hits against Cliff Lee, and Tejada in particular, looked very good in the field.

At the end of the day, there is no denying the Phillies are a much better team than the Mets. They beat them at every level, even more fundamentally sound, and a game like this does nothing to change that fact. Tomorrow Jon Niese faces Vance Worley, with the first pitch scheduled for 7:05 PM.

Gee Gets The Start Against Phillies Tonight

August 22, 2011

7:05 PM ET

Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia

TV: SNY

RADIO: WFAN 660

NEW YORK METS

Starting Pitcher: Dillon Gee (11-4, 3.92 ERA)

Gee allowed four runs to the Phillies in a five-out relief appearance back on April 29. In his career, he is 1-0 with a 6.23 ERA against Philadelphia.

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES

Starting Pitcher: Cliff Lee (13-7, 2.82 ERA)

In his last start, Lee gave up two runs on three hits to the Diamondbacks, while striking out seven. Against the Mets, he is 1-0 with a 0.64 ERA.

METS LINEUP:

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

Mets Morning News: Niese Gets Extra Rest, Reyes Update, Bullpen NeedsHelp Now, Pelfrey As A Closer?

Jon Niese, who was scheduled to start today's game against the Phillies, will instead pitch Tuesday. Dillon Gee will get the start against Cliff Lee. The Mets decided to give Niese an extra day to rest in between starts.

Jose Reyes hopes to begin playing rehab games later this week. Reyes will most likely play for either Triple-A Buffalo of Double-A Binghamton. He will run the bases today in Philadelphia to test his hamstring.

"I don't worry about facing live pitching," Reyes said. "I just worry about my legs. I don't want to be on the field too soon and not be ready. Hamstrings are tricky. One day you feel good and the next day you try to run and blow your hamstring up."

Following Sunday's loss, manager Terry Collins essentially admitted to everyone that the bullpen is awful, saying the team needed help now, not when the rosters expand on September 1. One of the names (actually the only name) he mentioned as a potential call-up was Binghamton right-hander Josh Stinson.

According to the Daily News, the Mets have approached Mike Pelfrey about the possibility of being the team's closer next season.

"Would you be willing to be the closer next year?" Terry Collins asked the pitcher, according to someone who was briefed on, but did not witness or participate in, the conversation.

"Absolutely," Pelfrey responded.

While the article does note that this scenario is likely never going to happen, it's still a terrifying thought.

Can Anybody Pitch Around Here? Pitching Kills Mets Once Again

So, I leave town for a few days only to come back and see that the Mets bullpen is as awful as ever.

• Today was R.A. Dickey's fifth consecutive quality start without a win. Dickey went seven innings, giving up two runs on six hits, while striking out four and walking none. He retired the first six batters he faced before starting off the third inning by hitting Jerry Hairston with a pitch. He gave up a solo home run to Casey McGehee in the fourth inning, and an RBI to Prince Fielder in the sixth.

• Lucas Duda tied the game in the seventh inning with a two-run home run to right field. This was his sixth home run of the season.

• After Jason Bay hit a double in the seventh inning, Josh Thole BUNTED and failed to advance the runner. Thole had no business bunting in that situation. I don't know what the reasoning was behind that play, but it better not happen again.

• The Mets bullpen continued to be atrocious. Manny Acosta, Tim Byrdak, Jason Isringhausen, and Pedro Beato combined to give up four runs in two innings of relief work. Manager Terry Collins had to go to his bullpen THREE times in the eighth inning. Acosta and Byrdak were unable to record an out in the inning. Isringhausen struggled, but managed to get three outs.

• I should cut Tim Byrdak some slack seeing as how he did enter the game and did get a ground ball to turn a potential double play. Justin Turner was given an error after throwing the ball to Ruben Tejada who looked like he just missed the ball. In my book, that error belongs with Tejada, not Turner. The error allowed Nyjer Morgan to score.

• Today was also a day of firsts. With the loss, the Mets are now six games under .500 for the first time since  May 4th, and this was also the first time the Brewers have ever swept the Mets in Queens.

Next Up: The Mets head to Philadelphia for a three-game series against the Phillies beginning Monday night. Jon Niese goes up against Cliff Lee. Game time is 7:05 p.m.

Mets Morning, Pregame News: Reyes Update, Izzy Collapse, Citi FieldDimensions Change

Jose Reyes ran the bases today at Citi Field, and reported no problems. He is going to run with more intensity tomorrow. Terry Collins said he should be in rehab games, at a higher level, later this week.

Reyes stated: Hamstrings are tricky, as one day it can feel good, but next can blow out. However, after three weeks rest last time he was ready to play.

In last night’s game, Jason Isringhausen faced four batters, all of whom came around to score, without recording an out. In his post-game news conference he summed up his performance:

“No excuse, warmed up in the bullpen fine, and I just lost it, couldn’t find the strike zone. It’s on me. When our team comes back like that and I go out and do that, it’s just a debacle. It’s one of the worst outings of my career.”

Although nothing is official, changes are expected regarding the dimensions at Citi Field in the offseason.

Among the changes, expect to see the left-field wall, which is nearly 16 feet tall, to be lowered. General manager Sandy Alderson, while not definitively stating changes would be made, said earlier this week there are nips and tucks that can be made to the 2.5 acre field that would not require any major structural changes to the ballpark.

Mets Try To Recover From Heartbreaking Loss, Avoid Sweep

August 21, 2011

1:10 PM ET

Citi Field, New York

TV: WPIX

RADIO: WFAN 660

NEW YORK METS

Starting Pitcher: RA Dickey (5-11, 3.77 ERA)

It is all up to Dickey today as the Mets try to salvage this series.  Dickey won his last start against San Diego, giving up three runs in 7.1 innings.  Dickey has pitched well against the Brewers over the last five years, with a 2.65 ERA.

MIlWAUKEE BREWERS

Starting Pitcher: Yovani Gallardo (13-8, 3.55 ERA)

The Mets get a tough draw against Gallardo, who struck out nine Dodgers the last time he took the mound and gave up one run in an eight inning no decision.  However, the Mets touched Gallardo for 10 hits and four runs in June, knocking him out after just four innings.

Mets Lineup:

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