I was lucky enough to acquire the Mets seating chart for their trip to Arizona.
Here's where the players and staff will sit as they head to Phoenix.
Don't ask me how I got it, because I'd have to make you disappear.
I know people.
I know people.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Mets seating chart to Arizona
I was lucky enough to acquire the Mets seating chart for their trip to Arizona.
Here's where the players and staff will sit as they head to Phoenix.
Interview at Phillies Flow
I was asked by Erik Grissom to participate in a quick little Q&A on the Mets for his excellent Phillies blog, Phillies Flow. You can find my interview here.
"Really advanced scouting," as he calls it. Good stuff.
Game Recap: Pirates 13 -- Mets 1
Where to begin? The Mets got absolutely trounced by the Pirates, to the tune of 13-1. Oliver Perez had one of his terrible starts, the type that Mets fans have gotten way too used to.
Perez only lasted 1 2-3 of an inning, giving up five runs while on the bump, and having another two charged to him after he left the game. Of the seven runs Perez allowed, only two were earned due to a Luis Castillo fielding error. Perez walked one in the first, and only faced four batters. In the second, it was an entirely different story.
12 Pirates came to the plate in the second, and only three of them picked up a hit. Perez walked four in the inning, and allowed five runs before being removed for Nelson Figueroa. Figueroa allowed a single to the first batter he faced, allowing two runs to score, both charged to Perez.
No comment.
OK, I'll comment. Honestly, it just does not look like he's focused. Maybe the delay hurt him, but he just looks lost on the mound. He fools with his mechanics, which must bother the living heck out of the coaching staff. I'm far from closing the book on him for this season, but on the track he's running so far, it looks like it's going to be a long season and an even more interesting offseason for him as he most likely tests the free agency market. Good luck Scott Boras.
Figueroa allowed a RBI single in the fifth inning for the only run charged to him. Jorge Sosa pitched the sixth, allowing five runs (one earned) on four hits while striking out one. Sosa was on the wrong end of two errors in the field, one by David Wright and the other by Angel Pagan.
Figueroa pitched because he was skipped in the rotation yesterday, due to the rainout. Not a great performance, but decent when you look at the situation. This is probably Sosa's last day in a Mets uniform for a while, as Matt Wise could be activated by Friday. Again, when Sosa is on, he's great, but that occurrence has become more and more rare this season.
The Mets broke up the shutout in the bottom of the sixth inning as Carlos Beltran walked to lead off. Ryan Church followed that up with a double to center field, driving in Beltran all the way from first. Carlos Delgado picked up the only other Mets hit today, singling in the fourth inning.
Church is the bright light amongst the dark. That last sentence is not supposed to sound like some religious banter, but after this game, some Mets should consider it.
Pedro Feliciano turned in a scoreless inning, allowing one hit. Aaron Heilman pitched a perfect eighth and ninth, striking out one batter.
Poor Heilman. The one day he turns in a six up-six down performance, the Mets are down by two touchdowns (without the extra points).
The Mets committed three errors in the game, allowing nine unearned runs to score.
Numbers: Mets: 2 hits...Pirates: 12 hits...Walks: 16 combined...Strikeouts: 15 combined...Perez: 55 pitches, 28 for strikes...40 Minutes: Time the game was delayed due to a water main break, courtesy of the construction on Citi Field...Team LOB: 10...Xavier Nady: 3-3, 2 BB, 3 RBI, 2 runs...
Game Ball: Church
I'm sorry John Maine
As the Mets get spanked by the Pirates, I bring you some sad news for John Maine.
Jennifer Aniston has been romantically linked to John Mayer.
She's got the wrong John! Mr. Maine loves you more. Never give up though, Maine, you never know what could happen.
Water main break delays game
A water main break near Shea Stadium has delayed the start of the Mets / Pirates April 30th game until 1:50 p.m.
I'm not kidding.
Schneider out of the hospital
Bart Hubbuch is reporting that Brian Schneider has been released from the Hospital for Special Surgery after being treated for a staph infection in his thumb.
Schneider may be able to return to the Mets lineup within the next few days, but Hubbuch points out he still might land on the DL if the Mets want to activate Moises Alou by Friday. If Schneider goes on the DL, Gustavo Molina would be able to stay on the team while Alou can join the team for the first time this season.
I don't want to hurry Schneider, as Raul Casanova and Molina have been decent behind the plate, but Brian, if you could get back to the team ASAP, I know the pitching staff misses you.
Game Preview: Pirates @ Mets -- 4/30
The Mets wrap up April with a day game against the Pirates today, a 1:1o p.m. start.
Lineup:
SS Jose Reyes
2B Luis Castillo
3B David Wright
CF Carlos Beltran
RF Ryan Church
1B Carlos Delgado
LF Angel Pagan
C Gustavo Molina
SP Oliver Perez
Perez vs. Tom Gorzelanny
Perez, an ex-Pirate, has pitched against Pittsburgh three times, posting a 0-2 record through 14 innings, with an ERA of 5.14.
Gorzelanny has appeared in three game against the Mets, also going 0-2, with an ERA of 10.45
Least emphatic walk off ever
I love when the Mets have a walk off hit. It's one of the most exciting things in all of sports, to come down to one player with the power to end the game and pick up a win for his team.
Last night, David Wright was that man, coming to bat with the bases loaded in the bottom of the 11th inning. First pitch swinging, Wright cracks one deep to right field. Here I am, standing on my couch, begging the ball to stay fair. The SNY camera crew tracks Xavier Nady in right, as he watches the ball sail over his head. He had no chance on the ball, so it all came down to whether the ball was fair or foul.
Gary Cohen had no idea, the SNY camera crew had no idea, and therefore I had no idea.
Finally, and thankfully, they got a read on the ball as we all saw it bounce up and off the wall in foul territory to hear Cohen quickly pick up some inflection and excitement as he realized it wasn't just a long foul ball, but rather a game winning hit.
I didn't get to see where it landed, or even how it landed fair, but a win is a win. So last night was easily the strangest walk off win ever, as I was sure that ball was foul and Wright would have to take another crack at it, only to find out he already won the game. Good enough!
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Game Recap: Mets 5 -- Pirates 4
After a very rough start to the day, going 0-4 with two strikeouts, David Wright comes up in the bottom of the 11th with the bases loaded and delivers with a game winning single just fair down the right field line to put the New York Mets on top over the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-4.
Johan Santana made his sixth start for the Mets, and left with the lead, but ended up receiving a no decision after the bullpen blew the lead in the eighth and ninth. Santana had his shortest outing of the season, lasting only 5 2-3 of an inning.
Santana allowed a solo home run to Nate McClouth on the second pitch of the game. McClouth is absolutely tearing up opposing pitchers so far, as this is his seventh home run of the season. In the fourth, Santana was taken deep again, also for a solo shot this time by Jason Bay. Santana left with the bases loaded in the top of the sixth inning, but Pedro Feliciano came in and got Adam LaRoche to check swing a ball to short to end the threat.
Not his best stuff today, as his pitch count was way up there early in the game. I believe he was up to 80 or so pitches through four innings, and ended up throwing 114 overall. Again, not his best outing, but he rarely gets off to hot starts and he's used to pitching in a dome, so just give him time before he really shines.
The Mets tied up the game in the bottom of the fourth inning. Wright began the inning with one of his two strike outs, which was followed by a Carlos Beltran walk. Ryan Church came to the plate and drove a low and inside pitch deep to right field, just to the left of the Mets bullpen.
I'm officially in love with Church. He's such a solid player. Just awesome.
Endy Chavez, who was batting 1.000 against Pittsburgh starter Ian Snell coming into the game, led off the fifth inning with a single to left. After a Santana strike out, Jose Reyes crushed a ball off the wall in right. Chavez came all the way around to score and Reyes slid in headfirst to third base with an RBI triple. Luis Castillo followed that up with a walk, putting runners at the corners. Wright then grounded what looked like an easy double play ball to short, but Freddy Sanchez couldn't handle the toss and everyone was safe as Reyes scampered home on the play.
Beltran then walked to load the bases for Church. After he worked the count full, Snell delivered a pitch well outside the strike zone, and Church thought he picked up another RBI with a walk. Home plate umpire Hunter Wendelstedt saw it differently, and wrung up Church. Church was livid, jumping off the ground and mouthing off to Wendelstedt, and rightly so. Delgado struck out looking to end the inning.
Unbelievable call by Wendelstedt. The ball crossed the inside of the right hander's batter box, and was not even close to home plate. Ever. Crazy. The Mets have been getting lucky, getting some lucky breaks against some teams that are not that good. They need to start doing the runs scoring by themselves.
Aaron Heilman began the seventh inning, allowed a leadoff single to Jose Bautista and walked Ronny Paulino before retiring his first batter. Heilman was removed for Scott Schoeneweis who got a fielders choice for the second out. Schoeneweis then threw a ball in the dirt, which Raul Casanova could not handle. The ball got away and Bautista took off for home. Casanova pounced on the ball and made the fall away throw to Schoeneweis who came in to cover the plate. Schoeneweis applied the tag and ended the inning without allowing any runs.
It was a close play at the plate, and he looked pretty safe to me. They claim his hand went over the plate, but I'm not too sure. I'll take it though. Great play by Casanova. He's deceivingly quick on his feet.
Duaner Sanchez came on to bridge the game to the ninth inning with a two run lead. Sanchez allowed a single and a double to start the inning before getting Bay to strike out swinging for the first out. After an Xavier Nady walk to load the bases, Sanchez then walked LaRoche to drive in a run. Sanchez rebounded nicely, getting a fielders choice and a pop out to end the inning.
Again, not his best stuff. Sanchez should take the eighth inning role, but no one seems to be sitting pretty there. My only hope is that they don't overwork Sanchez.
Billy Wagner entered the game with a one run lead, looking to close it out and earn the save. Ryan Doumit pinch hit, and grounded one to Reyes at short. Reyes bounced the throw to Delgado, who couldn't handle it and Doumit was safe at first on Reyes' throwing error. Brian Bixler (great name) pinch ran for Doumit and moved to second on a Wagner wild pitch. Wagner then picked up two outs and looked like he would get out of the inning with the save. Freddy Sanchez then hit a single to center which tailed just out of Carlos Beltran's diving reach to drive in Bixler and tie the game. Wagner got Bay to strike out to end the inning.
Very surprised the error came back to bite Wagner, even though it was an unearned run. I thought he was going to get out of it, but the ball tailed away just enough. Nice recovery though. He still has not let in an earned run this season.
Wagner pitched the 10th inning, as the Mets could not get on the board and walk off in the ninth, allowing a one out double to LaRoche. The ball hit off the top of the wall in left, missing a home run by about a foot. Wagner escaped the inning without and damage being done. Jorge Sosa pitched the top of the 11th, allowing a one out single before retiring the side.
Chavez led off the bottom of the eleventh with his third hit of the day, a single to center field. After a balk by John Van Benschoten, Marlon Anderson sacrificed Chavez to third. The Pirates then intentionally walked Reyes, keeping his "perfect game" intact. Reyes went 3-3 at the plate, walking three times, driving in one and scoring once. Castillo walked again, his third of the game, loading the bases for Wright. Wright delivered off the first pitch, singling the game winner deep into the corner in right field, driving home Chavez and winning the game, the Mets third in a row.
Numbers: Reyes: 3-3, 3 BB, RBI, run, SB...Chavez: 3-5, 2 runs...Church: 2 RBI...Reyes/Castillo/Wright/Beltran: 9 walks combined...Team LOB: 9...
Game Ball: Reyes
Santana's final line
Johan Santana: 5.2 IP, 2 hits, 2 earned runs, 3 BB, 7 K, 2 HR.
Santana's only two hits went for solo home runs, one coming on the second pitch of the game. Santana leaves with the bases loaded and Pedro Feliciano comes in to relieve and on his third pitch gets a check swing pop out to close the book on Santana.
Game Preview: Pirates @ Mets -- 4/29
The Mets will take on the Pirates tonight, after postponing last night's game due to rain. It's a 7:05 p.m. start.
Lineup:
SS Jose Reyes
2B Luis Castillo
3B David Wright
CF Carlos Beltran
RF Ryan Church
1B Carlos Delgado
C Raul Casanova
LF Endy Chavez
SP Johan Santana
Santana vs. Ian Snell
I like this lineup. Santana has only faced the Pirates twice, going 1-0 and pitching eight innings, posting a 1.13 ERA. Not quite sure how you post a ERA just over one and only get one decision. Maybe he came out of the bullpen?
Snell has faced the Mets four times, holding a 0-1 record with an ERA of 6.11. Chavez is batting 1.000 against Snell, going 3-3 with two doubles.
No fracture for Alou
Adam Rubin is reporting that Moises Alou will be activated in Arizona on Friday. The MRI showed no fracture in Alou's ankle.
Alou is working out with the team at Shea.
I take this to also mean the Mets expect Brian Schneider back by Friday, but the same article points out that he is still in the hospital.
Well, I'm shocked. I've been taught to expect the worst with Alou, and for once, he's actually not injured. Give him time, I'm sure he'll be hurt sooner or later.
Poll results: Phillies are the most disliked
In my latest poll, and one that landed this site in the newspaper, I asked "Which team do you dislike more?"
80 votes were cast, and here are the results:
Philadelphia Phillies - 65% (52 votes)
Atlanta Braves - 30% (24 votes)
Florida Marlins - 2% (2 votes)
Washington Nationals - 2% (2 votes)
The Phillies leading the way was not surprising in the least, especially after last season. I really thoughts the Braves would be closer, but I guess not. And finally, I really expected the Marlins and the Nats to get zero votes, so I have a feeling that some of, if not all of those votes were placed as a joke. All in all, the best poll so far.
Next question: Where do you stand on Carlos Delgado?
Notes: Santana day, Schneider almost out, Alou MRI today
After last night's rain out, Johan Santana is slated to pitch today, facing off against Ian Snell.
Tonight should be a good game, and it looks like the weather will cooperate tonight.
---
Brian Schneider should be released from the hospital today, and should be back with the Mets within a day or two and will head right back into the lineup.
Thank goodness. The pitchers (sans: Nelson Figueroa) seem to miss Schneider behind the dish. You can see how much of a better game he calls.
---
Moises Alou will receive his MRI today, after getting rained out of New York, as noted yesterday.
Fingers crossed, but definitely expecting the worst. It is Alou.
What's wrong with the outfield?
I have another rant today...
I continue to hear more and more about the Mets wanting to trade for Xavier Nady to sure up the Mets outfield.
Um...why?
What is wrong with the outfield? Has Angel Pagan already fallen so far out of favor with Mets fans since he won the game over the Phillies in the 12th inning? Has the Angel Wave already run it's course in New York?
With Ryan Church surprising Mets fans everywhere, though I must toot my own horn here and say I've been supporting him from the start, and Carlos Beltran has been his usual self so far. With Pagan and Endy Chavez splitting time waiting for Moises Alou to come back, which as you all must know might be a while, have done a decent job so far.
They haven't visibly lost the Mets any games, so theres no need to get on them for that, and Pagan has already had a game winning hit, over the Phillies no less, so what's the need to deplete the already thin minor leagues or trade away a bullpen arm for Nady?
First base, that's why.
Before Sunday's game, I wouldn't have been surprised if Carlos Delgado wasn't run out of town within a few days. Curtain call or no curtain call, he seems to have bought himself a few games. I'd much rather see an internal guy come up from the minors or have a hungry player in the AAA take a few reps at first to see if they can work there, if need be.
Right now, I want the Mets to stick with Delgado. Talk to me in 30 games, and if he's still struggling, I'll probably be singing a different tune.
To: Media and Mets fans everywhere Subject: Stop whining
Dear all media outlets and Mets bloggers, commenters, and fans,
Please, for the love of everything holy, please stop making a story out of this Carlos Delgado curtain call snub. This is the most inane story about a complete non-story. Why does it matter if he took a curtain call or not? He didn't feel it was right, and that's that.
He claims he only took two in his career, though Adam Rubin found out he's done more, but why in the world do we care? He hit two home runs, something he's done plenty of times before. The amount of crap I've read on this topic is insane.
Two days later, I can't believe more and more stories are coming out about Delgado's curtain call. OK, there was no game yesterday, so you need something to write about, but this?! I'm at the point where I just skip by anything with the words "Delgado," "Curtain," and "Snub."
Just stop. It's stupid. Delgado can do whatever he wants, and if he didn't feel it was the right time for a curtain call, then that's the end of the story right there.
Sincerely,
Andrew Vazzano
The BobCatch
That's the kind of play every kid dreams of making when they play tee ball at young age. Up and over the wall, bringing back a home run. How cool is that?
Update (4/28): This play was the #1 Top Play on SportsCenter for April, 28. This is QU's second top play this year. Here is the first, DaShot, when Demario Anderson hit a half-court buzzer beater to beat CCSU.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Rain postpones more than the game
Not only was Monday night's game between the Mets and Pirates, but Moises Alou's MRI was also postponed.
Alou couldn't get into NYC on time, so the MRI on his right ankle will be performed tomorrow.
Tonight's game rained out
Tonight's Mets game against the Pittsburgh Pirates has been rained out.
The game has been rescheduled for 1 p.m on Monday, August 11.
Aug. 11 was originally a travel day, as the Mets would be ending a series with the Marlins at home on Sunday and heading to Washington to start a three game series against the Nationals on Tuesday.
Instead, the Bucs will make a Pitt. stop (get it?) for one game on Monday, moving the travel time to after that game. The Mets and Pirates will meet again three days later as the Mets head to PNC Park for a series starting that Friday.
Weather update: It's pouring
If the teams get this game in, somehow, don't be surprised if there is a very lengthy delay. It is absolutely pouring here in Connecticut, and it looks like the worst is yet to come.
I'm calling for a day/night doubleheader tomorrow!
Marty Noble lays down the law
Just read the first question and answer from Marty Noble's latest mailbag:
With Carlos Delgado struggling, Ryan Church and Angel Pagan playing well and giving the outfield some speed, Endy Chavez on the bench and Moises Alou due back, why not give Alou a shot at first base?
-- John D., St. Albans, N.Y.Your e-mail arrived before the developments of Sunday -- Delgado hit two home runs and we got word from the Mets that Alou might have a broken bone in his left foot. But if all matters had remained as they were -- Delgado not hitting and Alou moving closer to a return -- the notion of Alou playing first base, now or ever, is unsound.
You want to take a veteran who has played every one of his 15,900 big league innings in the outfield, a veteran who is prone to injury, and put him at a position that is completely foreign to him? Wow! Maybe you didn't see Mike Piazza try first base. Maybe you don't recall -- or you never knew -- that Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays and Henry Aaron hardly prospered when they were moved to first. It is a difficult position to play and, for a veteran 41 years old, a position even more difficult to learn. The footwork alone could put Alou at risk.
The Mets haven't given that a thought. And they shouldn't.
This question is then posed with varying players, such as Ryan Church, a few more times throughout the article, and Nobles stands pat on his views. Very funny. A few deal with first, others want Aaron Heilman to sit in the bullpen for eternity, and again Noble tells them what's up. Funny stuff.
Santana could win the Cy Young (duh)
John Donovan, at SI.com, looks at the early contenders for the NL Cy Young. Obviously, Johan Santana ranks in high on the list.
From Donovan:
3.) Santana. He might well end up with this hardware. Santana (3-2, 3.12) has gone at least 6 2/3 innings in every one of his starts, with four quality starts in five outings. Santana is second in the league in walks per nine (1.30), first in strikeout-to-walk ratio (6.40) and third in runners per inning (0.92).As long as the Mets win a ring, I don't care who wins what.
Weather at Shea tonight
Tonight's weather outlook does not look good. Tonight is supposed to be Jets Night at Shea, but with the rain coming down all day and night, I doubt tonight is going to happen.
Hope you don't have tickets for tonight, and if you do, bring your umbrella!
Minaya coins a new word
From Joel Sherman:
I wish I could tell you that this nonsensical version of “Who’s on First?” ended here. But it didn’t. [Omar] Minaya kept referring to the condition in [Moises] Alou’s ankle as “swellingness.” When asked how Alou incurred that injury, Minaya initially said he did not know and that reporters should ask Alou."Swellingness"? Is that like "strategery"?
Sherman goes on to tear into Minaya for Alou, Pedro Martinez, and a myriad of other things. Don't bother reading, there's really nothing there.
After all that, Delgado wins a Metsy
Mets Merized Online, run by one of the coolest cats around, and contributed to by some of the best Mets bloggers, has a weekly award called a Monday Morning Metsy. Adam Baker hands out this Metsy to a very strange recipient, Carlos Delgado.
From Baker:
Because I’m grateful to Carlos for helping to take 2 out of 3 from the Bravos, I would like to honor him with this weeks “Monday Morning Metsy” award. So here’s to you Carlos Delgado, slugger extraordinarie... Be prepared for more booing if you don’t keep improving.Is this some ploy by Baker to give Delgado some reassurance to build off of? Is this a cruel joke? I don't know, but I like it.
Delgado has seen more than his fair share of booing so far this season. Sure, he probably deserves it for his poor batting average and power outage, but we're not even through 25 games. Let the guy get his stride before we rain down upon him. If after 40 or so games, he's still struggling, then, by all means, let the guy have it. But right now, hold off.
Heck, he has a Metsy and I'm sure if he hurled it at you, it would hurt.