- March
- 24
Starter Mike Pelfrey was cruising along, having only given up one run in the third when it all started to unravel in the fifth inning. He gave up a homer to “Pudge” Rodriguez and followed it by allowing five more runs in the frame. One of them came when Michael Bourn singled and came home on an error by Bobby Kielty in right field.
Pelfrey, who now has a 5.09 ERA in the spring, was battered for 10 hits, six runs and a walk and couldn’t finish the fifth. The Astros tacked on another run in the sixth off of Fernando Nieve.
With only one projected starter in the lineup, other than Pelfrey, the Mets’ bats went quiet, only managing to muster four hits. Even Daniel Murphy had an 0-fer. The Astros helped themselves out by turning four double plays.
Carlos Delgado, Carlos Beltran and Brian Schneider are expected to suit up Wednesday for their game against the Tigers at 1:10 p.m. That game will be televised on SNY and the MLB Network.
Posted by James Kwasnik on Tuesday, March 24th, 2009 at 4:36 pm |
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- March
- 23
MLB.com’s Marty Noble reports that Mets skipper Jerry Manuel is contemplating placing left fielder Daniel Murphy in the No. 2 hole, which would relegate the resurgent Luis Castillo to the eight hole in the batting order.
Manuel’s rationale is that he likes Murphy’s hitting so much, it would be a shame not to have him hitting in the ninth inning when game-winning hits and runs are on the line. He says Murphy is improving defensively, even though Murphy himself admits to awkwardness as an outfielder.
Of course, Manuel has been known to play around with the batting order to get players motivated, as he did with Jose Reyes when it was suggested that Reyes be moved to the No. 3 hole. But Castillo has seemed reinvigorated lately in speed and offense and, from all outside appearances, doesn’t look like he needs the motivation right now.
Also, The Hartford Courant has this story about how Murphy is trying to improve his defense.
So, is Manuel really considering this or continuing to play with his players’ minds? Would you rather see Murphy batting second and Castillo eighth or do you think Castillo is better off as a No. 2?
Other notes: Left-handed reliever Tom Martin, who had sustained a couple of injuries, was released Sunday. RHP Brandon Knight was sent assigned to Triple-A Buffalo.
Posted by James Kwasnik on Monday, March 23rd, 2009 at 12:17 pm |
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- March
- 22
The Mets turned the tables on the Braves today, putting up a 12-spot against the team that did the same to them a day before. This time, it was Johan Santana on the mound, and he was his usual self, allowing only one run, off a homer, on two hits in five innings.
Dillon Gee, Michael Antonini, Pedro Feliciano and Sean Green finished out the game, scattering two hits in four scoreless innings.
The Mets’ bats also were hot, but mostly against the Braves’ relievers. Jeremy Reed, who was 4-for-5 with four RBI, Fernando Tatis, who was 2-for-4 with three RBI, and Omir Santos, who hit a three-run homer, all contributed to a nine-run seventh inning.
The Mets next travel to Kissimmee to take on the Astros at 1:05 p.m. Tuesday. Mike Pelfrey is scheduled to take the mound.
Posted by James Kwasnik on Sunday, March 22nd, 2009 at 6:20 pm |
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- March
- 20
Well, the competition for the fifth starter position seems all but over after the Mets sent Jonathon Niese to the minors today after he posted a 6.75 ERA in three Spring Training outings. Niese will start for Triple-A Buffalo.
With Tim Redding out indefinitely and Freddy Garcia being completely ineffectual, Livan Hernandez, who has pitched well and has a 3.07 ERA, seems to have the job all wrapped up.
Meanwhile, the Mets also sent down catcher Robinson Cancel and right-hander Connor Robertson. Kyle Snyder and Matt DeSalvo, both righties, and left-handers Jon Switzer, Heriberto Ruelas and Casey Fossum were reassigned to Minor League camp, according to Mets.com.
Posted by James Kwasnik on Friday, March 20th, 2009 at 5:36 pm |
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- March
- 18
Is it safe to pencil in Livan Hernandez as the Mets fifth starter? He sure made a case for it as he pitched five innings, giving up five hits and only one run today vs. the Atlanta Braves.
Freddy Garcia didn’t help his chances any by following Hernandez with an awful outing. He pitched only two innings but gave up a whopping seven hits and five runs. His spring ERA has ballooned to 16.71.
Another important note was the return of Jose Reyes who had a hit and run on four at-bats. Half of the Mets lineup consisted of projected starters: second baseman Luis Castillo, who had a hit and walk; Daniel Murphy in left field; Ryan Church in right field; and Hernandez on the mound.
Meanwhile, Fernando Tatis had his second home run of Spring Training, plating two. Andy Green followed suit with his own two-run homer. The former Arizona Diamondback made the most of his only at-bat after he subbed in for Castillo.
The Mets next take on the Astros at 1:10 p.m. Thursday. Mike Pelfrey will take the mound, followed by Brian Stokes.
Posted by James Kwasnik on Wednesday, March 18th, 2009 at 5:26 pm |
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- March
- 18
It was a big night for Mets players in the World Baseball Classic on both the U.S. and Puerto Rican teams, but only some of them will be continuing.
David Wright was the hero of the night when his ninth-inning single scored two runs to defeat Team Puerto Rico 6-5 after the U.S. team trailed 5-3 in the World Baseball Classic. Wright was 3-for-4 at the plate and helped to manufacture a run by stealing a base and escaping a tag-out at home plate.
Wright wasn’t the only Team USA member to contribute. Mets set-up man J.J. Putz pitched a scoreless inning, striking out two.
On the other hand, or team, the two Carloses, Beltran and Delgado, also had huge contributions. Beltran robbed Brian McCann of a home run, and Delgado hit a two-run homer to tie the game at 3-3 in the fourth.
Mets pitchers Nelson Figueroa and Pedro Feliciano combined for three scoreless innings for Puerto Rico. But it wasn’t enough and it’s a sure bet that the Carloses, Figueroa and Feliciano will be headed back to Port St. Lucie and the Mets.
Team USA next plays a semifinals seeding game vs. Venezuela on Wednesday night.
So, do you think the WBC is a worthwhile competition of national pride and excitement or do you think it’s not worth the potential injury it can cause to players such as Dustin Pedroia, Chipper Jones and Matt Lindstrom?
Posted by James Kwasnik on Wednesday, March 18th, 2009 at 2:25 am |
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- March
- 17
The Mets succumbed to the Grapefruit League’s No. 1 team as the Braves scored two runs off of starter Jonathon Niese, who went four innings, and two runs off of Casey Fossum in two-thirds of an inning in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
Niese had three walks and three strikeouts and gave up a home run. Brian Stokes and Bobby Parnell combined for two scoreless innings, while Darren O’Day was tagged for a run in 1 1/3.
On the offensive front, Daniel Murphy continues to amaze with a 3-for-4 day at the plate, including a double, raising his average to .400 for the spring. Meanwhile, Ryan Church hit his first home run of Spring Training and drove in the only run.
Spring Training wunderkind Nick Evans had a rougher day at the plate as he went 0-for-4, had two strike outs and and left three men on base.
The 7-9-1 Mets next host the Braves in St. Port Lucie, Fla., at 1:10 p.m. Wednesday.
Posted by James Kwasnik on Tuesday, March 17th, 2009 at 4:42 pm |
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