Pelfrey Pitches Like An Ace, But Bullpen Implodes

The Mets dropped the second game in their series against the Phillies, losing 5-2. They have now lost six of their last seven games.

• Mike Pelfrey went 7.2 very strong innings, giving up two runs on four hits, while striking out six and walking two. He got into a little trouble in the fourth inning when he gave up two doubles, a balk, and a walk, but was able to get Domonic Brown to ground out to end the inning. Pelfrey retired 11 batters in a row before giving up a single to Jimmy Rollings and being pulled out of the game with a 2-1 lead.

• Justin Turner and Jason Bay each had an RBI single.

• The Mets were being aggressive on the base paths tonight, stealing five bases.

• The bullpen let this game get away. Mike O'Connor, Jason Isringhausen, and Dale Thayer, all allowed a run to score.

• Another fun fact from tonight's game: The Mets didn't have a hit after the fourth inning. While it's easy to blame this loss on the bullpen alone, the lack of offense is killing this team just as much.

Next up: The Mets close out their series with the Phillies tomorrow at 1:10 p.m. Jon Niese will take the mound against Vance Worley.

Mets Set To Take On Hamels And The Phillies

May 28, 2011

7:10 PM ET

Citi Field

TV: FOX

RADIO: WFAN 660

NEW YORK METS

Starting Pitcher: Mike Pelfrey (3-4, 5.37 ERA)

In his last outing, Pelfrey pitched six strong innings, before falling apart in the seventh, against the Yankees. The last two times he's faced the Phillies, he's allowed ten runs in 6.1 innings. Lifetime, he is 6-5 with a 5.25 ERA against the Phillies.

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES

Starting Pitcher: Cole Hamels (6-2, 3.06 ERA)

Hamels went six innings in his last start, allowing five hits, three runs, and two walks. In his career, Hamels hasn't fared well against the Mets, posting a 2-9 record with a 4.35 ERA. 

METS LINEUP:

Reyes-SS, Turner-3B, Beltran-RF, Bay-LF, Evans-1B, Pagan-CF, Paulino-C, Tejada-2B, Pelfrey-RHP

Mets Morning News: Wright's A Superstar, Carter's Diagnosis, & InjuryUpdates

David Wright told reporters that the comments made about him by owner, Fred Wilpon, will not affect his decision to stay with the Mets in the future.

"That's not the first negative thing somebody's said about me and it's not going to be the last. I think to play in this market, you have to have some thick skin, and I feel like I have thick enough skin where I'm not going to let a comment affect a relationship or affect the way I go out there and play baseball."

He later added:

"My parents texted me and said that I was their superstar"

Doctors from Duke University announced Friday that the tumors found in Gary Carter's brain appear to be malignant.

According to Sandy Alderson, Wright and Ike Davis could both return to the lineup before the team's ten-game home stand ends.

Bullpen Can't Hold It For The Mets, Lose Opener To Phillies

The Mets and Phillies went back and forth all night, but eventually, the Mets lost by a score of 6-4.

• Chris Capuano went six innings, giving up two runs on four hits, while striking out eight. Terry Collins pinch hit Willie Harris for Capuano in the sixth inning. What the reason for that was, I'm not sure. Capuano had only thrown 78 pitches and was having himself a nice ball game.

• Pedro Beato threw a scoreless inning of relief, which was much needed after his disastrous outing in Chicago. Jason Isringhausen gave up the tying run to the Phillies in the eighth inning.

• Carlos Beltran singled to drive in the Mets first run of the game in the fifth inning. Ronny Paulino and Justin Turner each had an RBI single as well. Turner went 4-4.

• In his return from the disabled list, Angel Pagan went 2-4 with a run scored.

• After throwing 19.2 scoreless innings of relief, Francisco Rodriguez allowed three runs.

• Daniel Murphy killed the Mets in the field and at the plate. He missed a ground ball off the bat of Domonic Brown  in the ninth, allowing the winning run to score. Murphy later grounded into a double play to end the game. Ike Davis needs to get back from the disabled list. Fast.

Next up: The Mets send Mike Pelfrey to the mound to take on Cole Hamels and the Phillies, Saturday, at Citi Field.

Mets Finally Have An Angel In The Outfield

Angel Pagan was activated from the disabled list today, and will hit sixth in tonight's lineup.

So what does this mean for the roster?

Fernando Martinez was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo, and Pat Misch was designated for assignment. Filling Misch's spot on the roster will be right-handed pitcher, Dale Thayer.

In 20 starts for Buffalo, Thayer has a 2-0 record with four saves, a 2.05 ERA, and 25 strikeouts.

Met Look To Get Back On Track At Home Against The Phillies

May 27, 2011

7:10 PM ET

Citi Field

TV: SNY

RADIO: WFAN 660

NEW YORK METS

Starting Pitcher: Chris Capuano (3-5, 5.36 ERA)

Capuano gave up four home runs in his last start, and went 5.1 innings against the Yankees. Against the Phillies, Capuano is 0-2 with a 3.20 ERA.

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES

Starting Pitcher: Roy Oswalt (3-2, 2.77 ERA)

Oswalt allowed just one run in seven innings of work his last time out. Oswalt is 6-5 against the Mets with a 3.33 ERA.

Mets Morning News: Phillies, Injuries, And A New Investor

Jeff Bradley of the Star-Ledger believes Mets should take a look at how the Phillies rebuilt their team to go from a team in chaos to NL East and World Series champs.

"It wasn't that long ago that the Phillies were going through a lot of the same issues as the Mets are going through right now. This was a team with a losing history and a lot of angry fans, a far cry from the sought-after destination it's become, where big-time free agents like Cliff Lee go for less than a team like the Yankees are willing to pay."

Injury updates:

• Angel Pagan will return to the lineup Friday. To make room, Fernando Martinez will, in all likelihood, be sent down to Triple-A Buffalo. In regard to Martinez, Terry Collins stated:

"I think this guy is one of our top prospects in our organization. To have him sitting on the bench I don't think benefits him or us."

• David Wright is healing. He has started doing exercises to strengthen his core muscles.

• Things aren't going so well, however, for Ike Davis. He has been unable to do any exercises on the field the past two days.

Record columnist Bob Klapisch believes that new investor, David Einhorn, will eventually want more than his reported 30 percent stake in the team:

"If Einhorn, a human shark, is ready to take down one of the nation's foremost executives, what chance do the Wilpons have of surviving? Einhorn already knows how badly the Wilpons, along with brother-in-law Saul Katz, have ruined the franchise."

I know Mets fans are excited with the the team finally finding an investor. It means the Mets won't run out of cash...yet. Like I said yesterday, however, it's not going to change anything in the immediate future, and before everyone gets excited at the thought of Einhorn overthrowing the Wilpons, let's wait and find out a little more about the guy. Just because he's new, it doesn't necessarily make him better.