Mets Close Out Series With Fish

September 1, 2011

7:10 PM ET

Citi Field

TV: SNY

RADIO: WFAN 660

NEW YORK METS

Starting Pitcher: Miguel Batista (0-0, -.-- ERA)

Batista will make his first start as a Met tonight. Over the span of 17 years, the Mets are the 11th team that Batista has played for. He was called up recently to replace Jon Niese was who placed on the disabled list.

FLORIDA MARLINS

Starting Pitcher: Clay Hensley (2-5, 5.40 ERA)

Hensley went 5.2 innings against the Phillies in his last start, giving up three runs on three hits. He is 2-2 with a 3.63 ERA against the Mets.

Mets Morning News: The Joshes, Davis Is Making Progress, 9/11Remembrance Ceremony, How Many Times Does Pelfrey Lick His Hand?

Rosters expand today, and the Mets have added two new faces. Right-handed pitcher Josh Stinson and infielder Josh Satin have been called up.

"It’s incredible," Satin told the Bisons radio broadcast. "I mean, all the years I played baseball, the goal was always to get to the big leagues. It’s been 20 years since I started playing baseball. You always dream, but you never know if it’s going to happen. And now it happens. I honestly don’t even know what to think. I’m happy, proud and just ready to go."

The team is hoping that the reports of Ike Davis running without pain is a sign that the first baseman can avoid surgery. Davis will begin to participate in some baseball activities soon, which should be the final test before a decision on surgery is made.

"He’s done very well," Mets manager Terry Collins said. "Right now it looks like he might meet us in Florida to do some baseball activity stuff. I don’t think it’s been determined yet [whether to opt for surgery or not]. He’s run the last couple of days with no discomfort. So I think everybody is in line to have him start doing some baseball related stuff, taking [batting practice] and some grounders, not getting carried away but see how that is."

The Mets announced on Wednesday that John Franco will being throwing out the ceremonial first pitch to Mike Piazza during the September 11 pre-game ceremony. Why Franco and Piazza? The Mets offered this reason: "Franco and Piazza played on the 2001 Mets and were instrumental in the club’s relief efforts after September 11."

Ever wonder how many times Mike Pelfrey licks his hands during a game? Brian Costa of the Wall Street Journal apparently had a little time on his hands during a recent game. The count: 89.

"It's something I've always done," Pelfrey said. "I think it becomes an issue where people tell me, instead of licking my hand, it looks like I'm licking my whole arm. That's why it gets brought up. Guys have talked about, 'Ahhh, you're eating your whole hand.'"

Capuano Wasn't His Best, But Mets Hold On To Beat Marlins

The Mets held on to beat the Marlins by a score of 3-2.

• Chris Capuano struggled in the first inning, but settled down soon after. In five innings of work, he allowed two runs on seven hits, while striking out four and walking two.

• The bullpen did a nice job tonight. Pedro Beato threw a 1-2-3 sixth inning, Manny Acosta worked around a walk and a single in the seventh inning, and Jason Isringhausen threw a perfect eighth inning. Bobby Parnell gave up a leadoff single to Greg Dobbs, but went on to retire the next three batters to record his third save of the season.

• The Marlins helped the Mets out multiple times throughout the night with their awful defense, but the Mets will take help anywhere they can get it.

• Nick Evans got the Mets on the board in the fourth inning with a single.

• Jason Bay hit the ball! Bay was 3-4 with an RBI.

• David Wright was 2-3 at the plate, with two doubles and a walk. There was talk after each of his hits about how those could have been home runs in other parks. Unfortunately, the Wright wasn't hitting in another park, he was hitting at Citi Field. He'll have to get used to it.

• Lucas Duda drove in the winning run in the seventh inning on a single to center field.

• After the game it was announced that the Mets have called up right-handed pitcher Josh Stinson from Binghamton and infielder Josh Satin from Buffalo.

Next Up: The Mets close out this horribly long series against the Marlins tomorrow night. Miguel Batista will make his first start as a Met. Game time is 7:10 p.m.

Coming Off His Best Start, Capuano Looks To Shut Down Marlins

August 31, 2011

7:10 PM ET

Citi Field

TV: SNY

RADIO: WFAN 660

NEW YORK METS

Starting Pitcher: Chris Capuano (10-11, 4.43 ERA)

Capuano is coming off a two-hit shutout against the Braves. He also struck out 13 batters. In four games against Florida this season, he is 0-2 with a 4.87 ERA.

FLORIDA MARLNS

Starting Pitcher: Chris Volstad (5-11, 5.61 ERA)

Volstad has lost three straight starts since being recalled from Triple-A New Orleans. In his career, he is 1-2 with a 3.51 ERA against the Mets.

METS LINEUP:

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

Mets Morning News: Pelfrey Blows Another One, HoJo's Back, Turner &Tejada To Split Time

Mike Pelfrey threw six great innings last night, but completely destroyed all of that good work in the seventh inning. Pelfrey ignored second baseman Justin Turner's call for a pick-off at second base with Javier Vazquez at the plate. Instead, Pelfrey threw home, and Vazqeuz put down a bunt. Turner was stuck at second base, and because of that, no one was covering first base. This all led to a five run inning for the Marlins.

"I screwed that up," Pelfrey said. "Any time that an infielder gives 'open glove' you're supposed to pick. And, if not, step off. I threw home. That's why there was no one at first. That's two screw-ups in that inning (including walking No. 8 batter John Buck after Cameron's leadoff double). That's all on me, and I ended up paying for it."

Pelfrey has now gone 16 straight starts without a win against the Marlins.

Howard Johnson and his son, Glen, will be playing together for the Rockland Boulders for the team's final homestand of the season.

"This may be my last go ‘round so it’s a great opportunity to play in a professional game with my son," said Howard Johnson. "How many fathers can do that?"

According to the Star-Ledger, manager Terry Collins plans to split the playing time at second base between Justin Turner and Ruben Tejada in half. Each will get equal playing time.

Mets Look To Continue Their Winning Ways Against Florida

August 30, 2011

7:10 PM ET

Citi Field

TV: SNY

RADIO: WFAN 660

NEW YORK METS

Starting Pitcher: Mike Pelfrey (7-10, 4.60 ERA)

Pelfrey threw 125 pitches in six innings of work in his last start. He currently has a 15-start winless streak going against the Marlins. Lifetime against Florida, he is 1-7 with a 5.14 ERA.

FLORIDA MARLINS

Starting Pitcher: Javier Vazquez (7-11, 4.63 ERA)

Vazquez hasn't won a game since July 27. In his last start, he struck out a season-high 11 batters. Against the Mets, he is 10-9 with a 3.11 ERA.

METS LINEUP:

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

Mets Morning News: Reyes Returns, Ike's Running, Anti-Bullying Campaign

My apologies for not posting anything the past few days. Hurricane Irene wreaked havoc on my power lines.

Jose Reyes was activated prior to game two of yesterday's double header against the Marlins. He went 1-4 at the plate with an error.

Ike Davis has been running in Arizona. Sandy Alderson reported that he ran  with "few problems," or in other words without pain. The Mets and Davis are still on track to make their decision as to whether or not Davis will undergo surgery.

"We'll make a decision before Labor Day, but no decision has been made," Alderson said. "The last few days have been encouraging, but we have to see what happens."

The Mets announced on Monday that they will begin an anti-bullying public service awareness campaign. The PSA's began airing Monday at Citi Field and during the games on SNY. Some of the players involved are Jason Bay, Chris Capuano, R.A. Dickey, Daniel Murphy, and David Wright.