The LoHud Mets Blog

NEW YORK (AP) – R.A. Dickey flustered the Houston Astros with knuckleballs and foiled them with his bat, leading the New York Mets to a 5-1 victory Sunday.

Josh Thole homered and Dickey keyed a second-inning rally with a two-run single that helped the Mets end Bud Norris’ four-game winning streak. New York took two of three from the Astros and hasn’t lost a series at home to Houston since 2002.

Luis Castillo added an RBI single and the Mets went 4-3 against the Astros the past two weeks in a season series marked by some strikingly inept offense on both sides.

Dickey (9-5) yielded six hits in seven-plus innings and had a pair of singles at the plate to aid his own cause.

NEW YORK (AP) – Mike Pelfrey allowed six hits in eight dominant innings and the Mets took advantage of the wildness of former teammate Nelson Figueroa to end the Houston Astros’ five-game winning streak, 2-1 on Friday night.

Pelfrey (13-7) pitched at least seven innings for the fourth straight start, shutting down an Astros squad that was coming off a four-game sweep of the Phillies in Philadelphia. He threw a career-high 124 pitches.

The 26-year-old right-hander matched his career high for wins, striking out four and walking two. He was 13-11 in 2008, his first full season in the rotation.

Right fielder Jeff Francoeur threw out a runner trying to score on a single in the fourth inning and Hisanori Takahashi relieved Bobby Parnell with runners on first and third and one out and earned his second save.

After giving up a run-scoring single to pinch-hitter Jason Michaels, Takahashi got Angel Sanchez to pop out to shortstop and st ruck out pinch-hitter Tommy Manzella to end it.

Facing the club that drafted him, rescued him in 2008 from a four-year international exile and ultimately cut him in April, Figueroa (3-2) was hurt by a lack of control. He only gave up three hits in seven innings, but made several poor throws that led to the Mets’ two runs.

Luis Castillo, back in a starting role because Jose Reyes aggravated a right oblique injury Thursday night, singled. Figueroa’s pickoff attempt to first base was off its mark and Castillo moved up a base. He then raced to third on a wild pitch.

David Wright followed with a sacrifice fly, a popup to shallow center field that second baseman Anderson Hernandez lunged at for an over-the-shoulder catch before making a weak throw up the third base line.

In the fourth, Figueroa walked two and gave up a single to Francoeur to load the bases. With Ruben Tejada up – coming in, he was 1 for 36 since being recalled from Triple-A Buffalo on Aug. 7 – Figueroa threw ball four on a full-count pitch to make it 2-0.

Figueroa walked five and hit a batter in his third start for the Astros.

Francoeur’s single in the fourth came after he saved a run with a strong throw in the top half. With Chris Johnson in second base with a double, Sanchez looped a two-out single to right and Francoeur, coming in, scooped the ball up and unleashed a relay home that was caught by Henry Blanco just up the third base line. Sanchez was caught in a rundown. It was Francoeur’s NL-leading 10th assist.

The New York Mets today announced they selected the contract of infielder Luis Hernandez from Buffalo (AAA) of the International League and optioned outfielder Jesus Feliciano to the Bisons.  Hernandez will wear #3 and will be available for tonight’s game. The 40-man roster now stands at 39.

Hernandez, 26, appeared in 47 games for the Bisons, hitting .280 (53-189) with 25 runs scored, 10 doubles, four triples, no home runs and 12 RBI. Hernandez played 41 games at shortstop and six at second base.  The 5-10, 182 pound switch hitter also spent time with Binghamton (AA) of the Eastern League this season, compiling a .298 batting average (67-225) in 57 games.

Hernandez signed with the Mets as a minor league free agent on Feb. 4 after splitting last season between Kansas City and Omaha (AAA) of the Pacific Coast League.  The native of Quibor, Venezuela hit .205 (15-73) for the Royals in 37 games.

A .244 career hitter, Hernandez signed with Atlanta as a non-drafted free agent on Sept. 16, 2000.  He made his major league debut with Baltimore in 2007, and spent 2008 between the Orioles and their Triple-A club at Norfolk.

Feliciano, 31, is hitting .275 (19-69) with eight runs scored, four doubles, one triple and two RBI in 31 games with the Mets this season.  The 5-10, 190-pounder had his contract selected from Buffalo on June 8 and was optioned to the Bisons on July 11.  He was recalled on July 30 before he was optioned back on Aug. 7.  The Mets recalled him again on Aug. 22.

NEW YORK (AP) – Hanley Ramirez, back in the No. 3 spot, had four hits and Alex Sanabia won his second consecutive start since he was recalled from the minors as the Florida Marlins held off the New York Mets 5-4 on Wednesday night.

With the bases loaded in the ninth inning, Leo Nunez retired Jose Reyes on a game-ending groundout.

Logan Morrison added three hits and scored twice on his 23rd birthday with his cancer-stricken father in the stands. Gaby Sanchez had a pair of sacrifice flies to back Sanabia (3-1), who took a two-hitter into the seventh inning.

Ike Davis’ first career triple and an RBI single by Jeff Francoeur cut it to 5-3 and chased Sanabia, who allowed one run in 7 2-3 innings last Thursday at Pittsburgh.

Jose Veras escaped further damage and Clay Hensley worked a perfect eighth before handing a two-run lead to Nunez, who got through a shaky ninth for his 29th save in 36 chances.

Nunez gave up David Wright’s leadoff homer and consecutive one-out singles to Francoeur and Josh Thole. Pinch-hitter Mike Hessman grounded into a force play at second, beating the relay to first, and Luis Castillo walked to load the bases.

Reyes, who finished 0 for 5, bounced a grounder to Sanchez at first base and he shoveled to Nunez covering for the final out.

Before the game, Marlins manager Edwin Rodriguez moved Ramirez from the leadoff spot to his familiar No. 3 hole, where he’s excelled as a run producer in the past.

Sporting a colorful new hairstyle, the All-Star slugger responded – and new leadoff man Cameron Maybin had two hits as well.

Ramirez tried to dye his dark hair blonde before the game, but it didn’t quite turn out that way. His short, curly locks wound up a reddish-orange rust color after the salon experiment in his hotel room.

Ramirez said the new look had nothing to do with baseball – he just wanted to try something different.

Maybin had the first of three straight singles to begin the game against Pat Misch (0-3). After a force play at the plate, Sanchez delivered a sacrifice fly.

The rookie, who had four RBIs in Tuesday night’s loss, has knocked in at least one run in six consecutive games. He has 13 RBIs during that span.

Maybin hit an RBI single with two outs in the second, but his error in center field allowed the Mets to cut it to 2-1 in the bottom half.

Ramirez singled in the third, stole second and went to third on Thole’s throwing error before scoring on Sanchez’s second sacrifice fly.

Brett Hayes had a two-out RBI double in the sixth and Morrison tripled in the seventh before scoring on Ramirez’s single to make it 5-1.

NOTES: Mets rookie 2B Ruben Tejada is 1 for 34 since he was recalled from Triple-A Buffalo on Aug. 7 for his third stint with the big league club. … The Mets threw out three runners at the plate. … The grounds crew did some major manicuring of the wet infield before the game, pushing batting practice for both teams indoors. Rodriguez described the infield as “spongy” on Tuesday following heavy rain in New York that caused streets to flood not far from Citi Field.

NEW YORK (AP) – Luis Castillo hit a game-ending single with two outs in the ninth inning, lifting the New York Mets to a 6-5 victory over the Florida Marlins on Tuesday night.

Castillo, a late-inning replacement, looped a hit to the opposite field off Will Ohman (0-2) to score Ike Davis and help the Mets move into third place in the NL East.

Davis led off the ninth with an infield single that sent second baseman Dan Uggla flipping to the turf trying to make a play. After Jeff Francouer flied out to center, Josh Thole hit a broken-bat single. Pinch-hitter Mike Hessman struck out before Castillo completed the Mets’ rally after they blew a two-run lead in the seventh.

Hisanori Takahashi (8-6) pitched a scoreless ninth for the win.

I’m posting this because I like to see good guys who are ex-Mets have success. Alex Cora didn’t end up being a great offensive presence, but he still has a good glove and is a great clubhouse presence.

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) – The Texas Rangers have purchased the contract of infielder Alex Cora from Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Cora joined Texas for its game Tuesday night, a week after signing a minor league contract. The New York Mets released him earlier this month.

To make room on the 40-man roster, Texas designated infielder Joaquin Arias for assignment.

Arias was the player to be named later in the deal that sent Alex Rodriguez to the New York Yankees for Alfonso Soriano before the 2004 season. Texas has 10 days to trade, release or outright Arias to the minor leagues.

Cora is in his 13th major league season, having played 1,178 games for the Los Angeles Dodgers (1998-2004), Cleveland (2005), Boston (2005-08) and the Mets (2009-10).

The New York Mets today announced that catcher Rod Barajas was assigned on a waiver claim to the Los Angeles Dodgers and outfielder Jesus Feliciano was recalled from Buffalo (AAA) of the International League.  Feliciano will wear uniform #27 and will be available for today’s game at Pittsburgh.

Feliciano, 31, is hitting .292 (19-65) with eight runs scored, four doubles, one triple and two RBI in 27 games with the Mets this season.  The 5-10, 190-pounder had his contract selected from Buffalo on June 8 and was optioned to the Bisons on July 11.  He was recalled on July 30 before he was optioned back on Aug. 7.

The Bayamon, Puerto Rican native played in 1,271 minor league games and 22 Mexican League contests before making his major league debut earlier this year on June 10 vs. San Diego.

Feliciano hit .342 (100-292) with 53 runs, 17 doubles, one triple, one home run and 26 RBI in 78 games with Buffalo. His .342 batting average would be leading the International League if he had enough plate appearances to qualify for the title.

Barajas, 34, hit .225 (56-245) with 30 runs, 11 doubles, 12 home runs and 34 RBI in 74 games with New York this year.  Barajas was activated from the 15-Day Disabled List on August 19.  He was placed on the DL on July 26 with a strain of his left oblique.

It’s sad to see Barajas go as he is such a great clubhouse presence and provided the Mets a spark at the beginning of the season. He led the club with home runs in the first third of the season, but his production really tailed off, especially after a stint on the disabled list.

His release means Josh Thole will continue to get the starts with Henry Blanco backing him up. This will give Thole more major league experience and primes him for the starting job next season.

The New York Mets today announced that they have activated catcher Rod Barajas from the 15-Day Disabled List and optioned outfielder Fernando Martinez to Buffalo (AAA) of the International League.  Barajas, who has been on the Disabled List since July 27 with a strained left oblique, will be active for tonight’s game in Houston.

The 34-year-old catcher appeared in five games with St. Lucie (A) of the Florida State League and the rookie-level Gulf Coast Mets as part of his major league rehabilitation assignment. He combined to hit .238 (5-21) with two runs scored, one home run and five RBI.  The Paradise Valley, Ariz., native last played for the Mets on July 24 and is hitting .228 (56-246) with 30 runs scored, 11 doubles, 12 home runs and 34 RBI in 73 games with the Mets.

Martinez, 21, hit .167 (3-18) with one run scored and two RBI in seven games with the Mets since being recalled from Buffalo (AAA) on Aug. 7.  The Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, native returns to the Bisons where he hit .255 (63-247) with 38 runs scored, 16 doubles, 12 home runs and 33 RBI in 68 games earlier this season.

ESPNNewYork.com sent me a link to this video of “The Pretty Good Sports Show” and their take on what every Mets closer needs.

It’s too bad they didn’t come up with this before the Mets signed Francisco Rodriguez.

NEW YORK (AP) – The players’ union has filed a grievance against the New York Mets and the commissioner’s office, protesting how the team has handled Francisco Rodriguez after he was injured in a fight at Citi Field.

The Major League Baseball Players Association is challenging the Mets’ decision to place the closer on the disqualified list and their effort to convert his contract to a non-guaranteed deal.

The union announced it was filing a grievance Wednesday. If the case isn’t settled, arbitrator Shyam Das would decide whether the team’s actions were justified.

Rodriguez tore a ligament in the thumb of his pitching hand while punching his girlfriend’s father outside a family lounge at New York’s ballpark last week.

HOUSTON (AP) – Hunter Pence had a three-run homer in the first inning and his go-ahead solo shot in the eighth inning propelled the Houston Astros to a 4-3 win over the New York Mets on Tuesday night.

The game was tied at 3-3 before Pence’s shot to left field put Houston on top.

David Wright hit a solo home run in the eighth inning for his first RBI since July 31st to tie it at 3-all. Wright’s homer, off Mark Melancon (1-0), was to left field.

Pence gave Houston an early lead with a three-run home run to left field in the first inning. That home run broke a streak of 16 1-3 scoreless innings for Mets starter Johan Santana (10-7).

Santana allowed nine hits and four runs with seven strikeouts in his first outing since throwing a four-hitter in a 4-0 win over the Rockies. It was the left-hander’s second straight complete game.

Wilton Lopez got his first save, retiring Jose Reyes on a foul out down the left field line with the tying run on second.

Michael Bourn and Angel Sanchez hit back-to-back singles to set up Pence’s first homer. Carlos Lee doubled when Fernando Martinez missed his fly ball to left field, but Santana retired the next three Astros to get out of the inning.

Josh Thole singled in the second before a double by Santana with one out in the second inning. A groundout by Reyes sent Thole home to get New York within 3-2.

Reyes hit a leadoff single and advanced to second on a passed ball. He scored on a single to center field by Martinez to make it 1-0 in the first inning.

Nelson Figueroa, who had his start pushed back from Saturday because of migraine-like symptoms, allowed four hits and two runs in five innings.

Santana gave up a double to Geoff Blum with one out in the fourth inning before retiring the next nine batters. The next hit came on a double by Jason Castro that landed just inside the right field line with one out in the seventh inning. He walked Jason Michaels before Bourn grounded into a double play to end the inning.

The New York Mets today announced that they have placed pitcher Francisco Rodriguez on the Disqualified List for conduct in violation of his Uniform Player’s Contract. In addition, the Mets notified the player, his agent, and the MLB Players Association that it has exercised its right to convert Rodriguez’s contract with the club to a non-guaranteed contract.

The Mets’ decision follows the season-ending injury to the thumb on Rodriguez’s right pitching hand as a result of an altercation following last Wednesday night’s game at Citi Field.

Rodriguez will not be paid or accrue major-league service time while on the Disqualified List.

Dr. Andrew Weiland of the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan this afternoon performed successful surgery to repair the torn ligament in Rodriguez’s thumb this afternoon.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) – The Texas Rangers have agreed to terms on a minor league contract with infielder Alex Cora.

The team made the announcement before tonight’s game at Tampa Bay.

Cora, 34, is expected to join Triple-A Oklahoma City tomorrow. He appeared in 62 games for the New York Mets this season, hitting .207 with 20 RBIs.

The Mets released Cora on Aug. 7.

HOUSTON (AP) – Carlos Beltran homered and the New York Mets took the lead in the ninth inning on a wild pitch by Houston closer Matt Lindstrom in a 3-1 win over the Astros on Monday night.

Hisanori Takahashi worked a perfect ninth for his first save, filling in as closer on the day the Mets learned Francisco Rodriguez will miss the rest of the year.

The All-Star reliever needs season-ending surgery on a torn thumb ligament in his pitching hand sustained during a fight with his girlfriend’s father at Citi Field last week.

The New York Mets have announced that they have signed right-handed pitcher Matt Harvey, the seventh overall pick in the 2010 First-Year Player Draft.

Harvey, 21, was 8-3 with a 3.09 ERA in 14 games this year with the University of North Carolina.  In 96.0 innings, the junior righthander allowed 80 hits, 42 runs, 33 earned, with 35 walks and 102 strikeouts.  Harvey held opponents to a .224 batting average.

The 6-4, 225-pounder struck out nine batters over 6.0 innings on June 4 against California in the Norman Regional during the NCAA Tournament.  Harvey was named to the Normal Regional All-Tournament team.

Harvey, who was born in New London, CT and resides in Mystic, CT, ranks ninth all-time in UNC history in strikeouts (263) and 10th in wins (22).

Harvey was 22-7 with 3.73 ERA in 54 games, 43 starts during his three years with the Tar Heels.  In 238.2 innings, he allowed 220 hits, 142 runs, 99 earned, with 124 walks and 263 strikeouts.

He was named the Atlantic Coast Conference Pitcher of the Week for his 15 strikeout performance on April 23 vs. Clemson.

Harvey went 6-1 with a 0.64 ERA with 112 strikeouts in 54.2 innings of work during his senior year at Fitch High School in Groton, CT and was named the Connecticut Player of the Year by the Hartford Courant and Gatorade.  He was a 2007 third-round selection (118th overall) by the Los Angeles of Anaheim but elected to attend the University of North Carolina.

Harvey is the highest Mets draft pick since the club selected righthanded pitcher Philip Humber with the third overall pick in 2004.