Dickey, Mets Look To Keep The Streak Alive

July 30, 2011

7:05 PM ET

Nationals Park, Washington D.C.

TV: WPIX

RADIO: WFAN 660

NEW YORK METS

Starting Pitcher: R.A. Dickey (5-8, 3.74 ERA)

Dickey gave up two runs in 6.2 innings of work his last time out. Six of his last seven starts have led to wins for the Mets. In his career, he is 1-2 with a 4.08 ERA against the Nationals.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS

Starting Pitcher: Jason Marquis (8-5, 3.95 ERA)

Marquis went six innings in his last start for Washington. He allowed three runs on five hits. Marquis is 6-7 with a 4.64 ERA against the Mets.

METS LINEUP:

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

Mets Morning News: Wright's Throws, Wheeler, & Santana Update

David Wright has begun working on his throws to first base. Since returning from the disabled list he has made three errors.

"His timing was just a little bit off," [Chip] Hale said. "The game was moving a little quick for him.

"His game speed on defense hadn't come to where it was on offense.... His timing on the throws was bad. Balls weren't even making it."

Dear Mets, David Wright's inability to throw to first base has been well documented for years. This is nothing new, and it is something that should have been addressed years ago.

During a conference call with reporters Friday, Paul DePodesta talked about watching Zack Wheeler pitch in high school.

"I saw him in high school. At the time I was with San Diego. We had the No. 3 pick in the country (and took Georgia high school outfielder Donavan Tate). So I was down there in Georgia and did get to see him pitch toward the end of his senior year. In short, it was pretty electric. That night he touched 99 (mph). He came out in the first inning throwing 97, 98, and had one of those breaking balls that elicited an audible sound from the scouts the first time he snapped one off. It was a pretty good combination and certainly an exciting guy. He was right near the top of our board in San Diego, and I think was the top high school pitcher on our board. I may have gone to great lengths here to finally acquire him, leaving the organization and everything else. We're certainly glad we have him here in New York."

One day after making his first rehab start with St. Lucie, Johan Santana said his arm felt good.

"Alive," he said, jokingly, while sitting at a picnic table under a tree at the Mets' minor-league complex. "No, I felt good. I think better than what I thought I was going to feel. I'm definitely very happy with the way everything feels Saturday."

Despite his optimism, Santana did caution:

"We're still building everything up. It's about doing this day in and day out. We still have some way to go, but it's going in the right direction and that's what you want."

The "Little Met Machine" Keeps Rolling As Team Wins Fifth Straight

The Mets jumped out to an early 4-0 lead, and despite some dicey moments, never looked back. They are now four games above .500, and just 6.5 games back in the Wild Card. As Gary Cohen stated at the end of the broadcast, this is "The little Met machine that keeps on going."

• Dillon Gee went 6.2 innings, giving up three runs on four hits, while striking out five and walking four. Gee didn't allow a hit until the fourth inning, and that's when things started to fall apart. After loading the bases, Gee was able to get Laynce Nix to hit into what should have been an inning ending double play. A throwing error by Jose Reyes, however, meant the Mets only got one out, and the Nationals would score two runs. Gee labored through the next 2.2 innings of work, although he only allowed just one additional run.

• Jason Bay had another productive night at the plate, going 2-4 with an RBI and a run scored. As long as he's getting on base, I'll be happy. I don't need the home runs (although they would be nice).

• Ronny Paulino was 3-4 with an RBI and two runs scored.

• Bobby Parnell came in to pitch the eighth inning, and he stunk. Manager Terry Collins brought in Tim Byrdak, and he wasn't any better. Finally, D.J. Carrasco entered the game and got two huge strike outs in Danny Espinosa and Ryan Zimmerman to end the inning.

• Jason Isringhausen continued to be impressive in his new role as closer (even though it's not official). Izzy pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning to record his fifth save of the season, and the 298th of his career.

Next up: R.A. Dickey will take the mound for New York in game two tomorrow night. Jason Marquis will start for Washington. Game time is 7:05 p.m.

Mets Head To D.C., Go For Fifth Win In A Row

July 29, 2011

7:05 PM ET

Nationals Park, Washington D.C.

TV: SNY

RADIO: WFAN 660

NEW YORK METS

Starting Pitcher: Dillon Gee (9-3, 3.75 ERA)

Gee struggled in his last start, going five innings, and giving up three runs on seven hits. In two career starts against Washington, Gee is 2-0 with a 0.61 ERA .

WASHINGTON NATIONALS

Starting Pitcher: Chien-Ming Wang (0-0, -.-- ERA)

Wang has missed the last two seasons with shoulder problems. His start tonight will be his first since he was with the Yankees in 2009. He is 2-1 with a 4.57 ERA against the Mets.

METS LINEUP:

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

Mets Morning News: Santana's Rehab Start, Wheeler, Alderson's DoneDealin'

Johan Santana completed his first rehab start with St. Lucie Thursday night. He threw 33 pitches, 26 of which were for strikes. Don't let the good news fool you though, rehabilitation pitching coordinator Randy Niemann says Santana still has a ways to go before he's big league ready.

"There is a big gap. I believe you take that guy out to a major league mound right now and he'd give you everything he's got. Physically, his shoulder's just not ready right now. We hope over the next month, we can build up the strength and recovery. It's paying off, but we have a ways to go.

Sam Borden of the New York Times sat down with new Met Zack Wheeler.

He initially thought he was not going to be traded at all. Wheeler woke up Wednesday morning and saw on his Twitter feed that his teammate and friend Gary Brown was rumored to be involved in the deal for Beltran.

"Then I went downstairs and turned on the television and saw that actually I was the one who was probably being traded," Wheeler said.

According to Newsday, general manager Sandy Alderson is most likely done wheelin' and dealin' before the trade deadline.

"By trading Carlos, we've made it a little tougher on our remaining players and the Mets club," Alderson said Thursday in a conference call with reporters. "I'd be very reluctant to make it any tougher on them. I really have some confidence -- real confidence -- that this group is going to respond to this change as they have to other situations earlier in the year.

"I really believe that this group still has the kind of persistence and tenacity that could lead them to some positive things this year. Unless something extraordinary was to come up -- I wouldn't rule it out -- but for me personally, I'm reluctant to make many other changes. I like the group that we have."

Mets Complete Four-Game Sweep Of Reds

The Mets completed a four-game sweep of the Reds, winning this afternoon by a score of 10-9.

• Chris Capuano went 5.1 innings, giving up six runs on eight hits, while striking out four and walking three. Capuano gave up back-to-back doubles in the first inning, but soon settled down. He allowed one more run in the fourth, an RBI single from the pitcher Homer Bailey.

• Lucas Duda came up big in the fourth inning with the bases loaded, driving in all three runs on a double to right field. When all was said and done, he was 2-4 at the plate.

• Even Jason Bay had a big day at the plate, hitting a three-run double in the fifth inning. Bay finished the day going 3-4.

• The Mets went into the sixth inning, winning 9-3. Then Manny Acosta entered the game. After coming in to relieve Capuano with one out, Acosta gave up a three-run homer to Miguel Cairo to make it 9-7. Of course, all but one of those runs was charged to Capuano. The perks of being a relief pitcher.

• Jason Isringhausen recorded his fourth save of the season, and the 297 of his career.

Next up: The Mets head to Washington D.C. for a three-game series this weekend against the Nationals. Dillon Gee will get the start against Chien-Ming Wang Friday night. Game time is 7:05 p.m.

Goodbye, Carlos Beltran

It's official. Carlos Beltran is gone. Signed, sealed, and delivered to San Francisco in time to be in tonight's lineup against Philadelphia.

As word leaked out that the trade was taking place, I noticed a funny thing on Twitter. All of a sudden, Beltran was being thanked by Mets fans who, for years, considered him "soft" and even more ridiculous, "selfish" for supposedly caring more about himself than the team.

Perhaps for many fans, the trade of Beltran helped them realize that you really "Don't know what you got till it's gone."

New York has had a love/hate relationship with Beltran since his arrival seven years ago. There were those who loved him, and then there were those who just plain loved to hate him.

He will forever be remembered for that third strike in game seven of the National League Championship Series against the Cardinals in 2006. But what about all of the other pitches he did swing at, and made contact?

In his seven years with the Mets, Beltran had 551 hits, 149 home runs, 559 RBIs, and 100 stolen bases.

In 2011 alone, he played 98 games, hit 15 home runs, 30 doubles, 66 RBIs, and three stolen bases. Not bad for a guy who wasn't expected to play too often this season.

In the beginning of Spring Training, there was talk that Beltran may be moved to right field. How disappointed the Media and the haters must have been to learn that Beltran had no problem with the move, which allowed Angel Pagan to become the team's new everyday center fielder.

So selfish.

It appears that Beltran knew his days were numbered. Following Tuesday's game, he took his teammates out to dinner, footing a pretty hefty bill.

I, for one, wasn't terribly heartbroken about the trade of Beltran. Maybe that's because I've been expecting it for months now. I've had time to brace myself.

In the next few days, I expect to see articles with quotes from Beltran stating his appreciation for New York and Mets fans. I don't need the quotes though.

If Beltran wants to show gratitude, he can do what he does best. Play baseball. Help the Giants beat up on the Phillies tonight, or better yet, help knock them out of the NLCS in October.

I wish you well, Carlos. Good luck.