TSTDIA: Mets 3 -- Dodgers 2

After looking hapless for most of the day, the Mets battled back in the 8th with a 2-run blast from Carlos Beltran to tie and a single up the middle from Fernando Tatis ended up being the game winner.

Mike Pelfrey made the start, and he barely looked like he was going to make it out of the 1st inning, ended up logging a solid start, allowing only two runs through seven innings.

I believe in Aaron Heilman (and the New York Mets)

The headline is a spoof on famous Batman character, and soon-to-be blockbuster movie villain Harvey Dent.

For The Dark Knight, the latest installment in Christopher Nolan's Batman series, Aaron Eckhart (one of my favorite actors) will play Harvey Dent, better known as Two-Face.

Take note of the first names. Aaron Eckhart will play Two-Face in the theaters, while for Shea faithful everywhere, Aaron Heilman is playing Two-Face on the Mets.

Just take a look at Heilman's season so far by heading to his Baseball-Reference page. Here's a quick rundown of how his season has gone:

• First two games, both against Florida, he pitches three innings and only allows one hit and one walk while striking out four.
• Over his next three appearances, against Atlanta and Philadelphia, Heilman allows six earned runs in three innings.
• Bouncing back, facing the Brewers and the Nationals, he pitches 4 2-3 innings, again allowing only one hit and one walk, striking out five.
• Over the next four appearances, Heilman doesn't log a full inning. Facing the Phillies, Cubs and Nationals, Heilman allows eight runs (four earned), while striking out four in 2 1-3 innings.
• Heilman then logged six quality outings, lowering his ERA each time. Over 8 1-3 innings, he let in only two earned runs on six hits and three walks. He struck out eight in that stretch.
• His next appearance did not fare so well, as Heilman allowed three earned runs on three hits in only 1-3 of an inning. He followed that up with a slightly better performance, allowing two earned runs in one inning of work. He followed that up with another better performance, allowing only one earned run on three hits.
• Recently, against Florida, Heilman logged four innings of one hit ball, striking out seven.
• He imploded again last night, getting tagged for four earned runs on four hits. He did not strike out any batters.

Heilman, as I've shown you before, is having an absolutely roller coaster season, just like the New York Mets.

Though my good buddy Dave over at Mets Lifers has a post claiming Heilman is this years Met villain, using a picture of Heath Ledger as the Joker, I think the Mets would be much more suited as Mr. Harvey Dent, a.k.a. Two-Face.

They have become the masters of inconsistency. They tease us with a three game win streak, where the show fire, fight, heart, and talent. Then they come out, fight a bit, surrender leads, and watch their bullpen implode in their face.

It's going to be a very long season. Unless this team can put together a 40-game win streak, I'm not going to stop worrying until the season is over.

Up and down, up and down, probably all season long. Mets fans, we must get used to this roller coaster season, now titled 2008: The Year of the Two-Face Mets.

12 games: 2-1

Game 1: Mets 7 -- Marlins 6 (12 innings).
Game 2: Mets 8 -- Dodgers 4.
Game 3: Dodgers 9 -- Mets 5.

Record in the 12 games: 2-1. 9 left to play.

TSTDIA: Dodgers 9 -- Mets 5

The theme of tonight: close but no cigar. The Mets left 11 runners on base. They had the bases loaded three times and got one run out of it.

Missed opportunities all around.

Clayton and I

Here I am, sitting on my butt, munching on pretzels and sipping some soda and watching the New York Mets take on the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Clayton Kershaw, the phenom starter for the Dodgers, is a mere 4 months older than me. So as I sit on my green couch, blogging away about the happenings at Shea, a guy four months older than me is on the bump in Shea Stadium in front of 40,000 fans.

A bit of disparity, no?

I mean, I'm no slouch, but I could not even begin to fathom the idea of being in the major leagues, pitching in New York at my age. Heck, at any age.

A hat tip must go out to him and his blossoming career. I think he's going to have a pretty stellar career. Didn't look like it in the first, as he gave up a first inning 2-run home run to Luis Castillo.

And who is this person masquerading as the Mets second baseman? Whoever he is, can this one stick around for a while, preferably the next four years?

Keith Hernandez and his love affair with camera angles

In another life, I think Keith Hernandez would have been either a photographer or cameraman. Or both.

Every single time, without fail, that SNY switches to a new or "exciting" camera angle, Hernandez swoons and exclaims his love for the newest video angle.

It's truly hilarious and is just another wonderful facet to the team of Gary Cohen, Ron Darling and Mr. Hernandez in the booth for SNY. They're the best in the biz (not just my personal opinion) and continue to keep us entertained through every game this year.

Kudos to you, SNY booth. Excellent stuff.

Early Morning Madness -- 5/30

I never worry about David Wright. Any time he looks like he's going into a slump, or actually goes into a bit of a slump, I know within a few days, he'll turn it around.

He's rumored to be the hardest worker on the team, and when he was in the minors, they had to stop him from doing drills, lifting, etc. because he was wearing himself down.

He's a stellar young player, only 24 and years away from getting into his prime.

#####

Scott Schoeneweis is having a stellar year. After stumbling through his first half year as a Met, he turned it on at the end of last year. That has carried over to this year, where he's been downright dominant against opposing batters. He's having a Carlos Beltran-esque sophomore explosion.

But feelings still linger, and as recently as 20 days ago, while Schoeneweis was still sporting a 1.74 ERA (down to a 1.25 ERA now) people were calling for his head.

#####

I think Howard Johnson has earned a raise. This team is hitting again, and some guys are looking like they're going to have career years. Ryan Church and Wright are his disciples, and he's teaching them very well.

That two finger handshake needs to happen more often.

12 games: 2-0

Game 1: Mets 7 -- Marlins 6 (12 innings).
Game 2: Mets 8 -- Dodgers 4.

Record in the 12 games: 2-0. 10 left to play.

TSTDIA: Mets 8 -- Dodgers 4

Another perfectly solid, all-around-contributed-to victory for the New York Mets. Three in a row now, dare I say they're getting hot?

What the heck?

So the 4th inning seemingly ended with a ground out from Caludio Vargas to short. SNY went to commercial, as usual.

They just cut back, with Vargas on base, and Jose Reyes on first. Luis Castillo promptly doubled to left, scoring Vargas. Reyes came around to score on an errant throw.

David Wright just hit his second 2-run home run of the game. It's 6-0 now, and four of them came after the inning was seemingly over.

Ah!!! Gary Cohen just updated us. It was a catchers interference call when Vargas was batting.

So crazy. Did that happen to anyone else?

The 2-for-1 deal for Willie

I'm not yet ready to pronounce this team ready to win the next few games, much less the World Series, but last night was good. Very good.

Here's one of my problems: Willie Randolph still cannot manage a starting pitcher (among other things).

Last night Oliver Perez struggled with the long ball after looking positively dominant his first two innings, striking out four. In the fifth inning, he began to show signs of wildness and fatigue. He made it through the inning, and Randolph trotted him out there for the sixth. After quickly working himself into a jam, Randolph left him in to face Cody Ross, who had already homered off of him earlier in the game.

With Perez still throwing, Ross blasted a pitch, seemingly out of the stadium, erasing the Mets lead and putting the Marlins up by a run.

In a nutshell, I still don't think Randolph is the right manager for this team, even after a nice two game win streak over a "first place team."

I would like to propose a 2-for-1 program for Willie Randolph and his managing tenure.

For every one (1) win the Mets pull off, Randolph earns himself two (2) more games as a manager. With that said, and with this two game win streak, the Mets have bought Randolph four more games as their manager.

If the Mets lose four in a row (and they easily could), Randolph should be fired. If they win another game, Randolph gets at least six more as manager, and so on and so forth.

Sounds good to me, but I thought of it, so I better like it. What are some of your thoughts? I'm very intrigued to hear your side or plans.

A pretty good night, no?

The Mets win in extra innings, taking the series from the NL East leading Marlins.

and

Pedro Martinez throws six innings (82 pitches) allowing two runs on four hits. He struck out six and walked none in his rehab start in A-ball. Pedro might return June 3 in San Francisco.

I'd say that's a pretty good night for the Mets, all around.

Early morning madness -- 5/29

Here are some random thoughts as I wake up on this fine Thursday morning...

I hate to be "that guy" but just remember how inconsistently this team has played all year, I'm not ready to call this the team's "turning point" and declare them ready to go. Every time this team has shown the slightest bit of promise, they've turned around and looked hapless the next few games before flaring up another brilliant effort just to string the fans along.

Yes, last night's win was emotional and wonderful, as they had to battle back mutliple times, but let's see how the next 11 play out.

*****

Fernando Tatis couldn't catch up with a fastball at all last night, but came through in the end with a 2-run double. When it counts...

*****

The bullpen has been absolutely stellar over the past few days. I'm excited to see Carlos Muniz (probably tonight) pitch. They've been lights out, and Aaron Heilman looked especially good, striking out the first four batters he faced.

12 games: 1-0

Game 1: Mets 7 -- Marlins 6 (12 innings)

Record in the 12 games: 1-0. 11 left to play.

TSTDIA: Mets 7 -- Marlins 6 (12 innings)

Fire, hunger and fight. This team showed all of them as they battled back, twice, to beat the Marlins and take the series over the first place Marlins.

Ya gotta believe!

Reyes' on base streak

Jose Reyes lead off the bottom of the first inning with a ground rule double to left field. Including tonight, Reyes has now been on base for the 28th straight game.

To me, it really doesn't seem like it. Everyone keeps talking about Reyes being in a funk when he's tearing it up and getting on base. The only reason we haven't heard anyone singing his praises is his miserable play in the field.

Reyes just stole third base and just scored on a Luis Castillo home run (I know!). Reyes is creating chances for the Mets, consistently. Let's celebrate his efforts instead of tearing him apart for plays in the field. Or at least let the two cancel each other out.

Still shaking

See this lineup? It's exactly the same tonight.

All the notes are the same too. Thank you for making tonight easy, Willie Randolph.

12 games: 0-0

The Mets next off-day is Monday, June 9th. Between now and then, the Mets will play 12 games. I feel the Mets season will be determined, for bettor or for worse, when these handful of games are complete.

The Mets play one game against the Marlins, then welcome the Dodgers for four, then head out west to play the lowly Giants for three and the even lowlier Padres for four more.

I can almost guarantee if the Mets go can't go 6-6 with these next 12 games, Willie Randolph will be a goner. I could be wrong, but we shall see.

12 games: 0-0.

Still feels like a loss; 12 games to determine the season

I woke up this morning feeling bitter about a Mets loss last night.

It didn't hit me until I started my morning ritual of browsing through all the articles published while I was asleep.

You know the team is in a funk, when even after a nice win with your ace on the mound and a bunch of bench players driving in the runs, you wake up the next morning and it still feels like they're losing. Because they are.

Obviously, you can't make a call where this team is going after one game, especially one where they really didn't play too well, and thanks to some clutch performances, they barely squeaked out a win.

The next Mets off day is Monday, June 9. Twelve games from here until that off day, one of which is supposed to feature Pedro Martinez back on the bump. I'm going to keep track of the next 12 games, see how they do, and make the call after that.

Build off the win, guys.

TSTDIA: Mets 5 -- Marlins 3

The bench comes through and they don't call him the stopper for nuthin' as the Mets win for only the second time in nine games.

The Mets won. What do we do now? I'm not quite sure how to react.

Johan is doubly good

Johan Santana just hit his fourth double of the year. Here's a little tidbit pointed out by my good friend Ryan P. on Mets Lounge:

Santana has tied the amount of doubles with Luis Castillo.

Santana has 4 doubles in 22 ABs.
Luis Castillo has 4 doubles in 143 ABs.

Santana also has more doubles than Moises Alou (43 ABs).

That's a good sign.

Shake it up

Lineup for Mets vs. Marlins tonight:
SS Jose Reyes
2B Luis Castillo
3B David Wright
CF Carlos Beltran
1B Damion Easley
RF Fernando Tatis
C Ramon Castro
LF Nick Evans
LH Johan Santana

Carlos Delgado hits the pine to "clear his head." To me, it should read like "ween into sitting on the bench more." Ryan Church is home after seeing a neurologist. Hope this game ends in nine innings (or less).

I'm worried about Church. Heck, I'm worried about the whole team. Very worried.

Very Un-Wise

Matt Wise is back on the shelf.

The Mets placed Wise back on the 15-day disabled list with, and I quote, "weakness in his throwing (right) shoulder."

I really don't think the bullpen will miss a beat, and actually, I feel it improves, as Carlos Muniz gets called up from AAA New Orleans. Muniz is 2-2 on the year with a 1.80 ERA in 16 games.

Wise is truly not performing up to snuff and earning his money. I thought he was going to be a nice, solid middle reliever for us this year, but his inability to stay healthy has pretty much put an end to any thinking of that nature.

Carter's flap shouldn't stand between him and the job (if it ever becomes vacant)

When Willie Randolph made his racially-sniffing remarks about SNY and the Mets organization last week, he apologized. The most boring press conference in the world reiterated the fact that Randolph is still the manager, and his "apology" has been "accepted" by the ownership.

If all it takes is a simple "I'm sorry!" to patch things up with The Wilpons & Co., why can't Gary Carter say he's sorry, and possibly get "back in the running" for the "managerial spot" if it ever becomes "available."

Sheesh. It seems like the New York media is really blowing this story out of proportion. Novel idea, right?

The story here should be Randolph and Omar Minaya on the hot-seat as the team continues to underachieve and go through the motions of playing baseball. "A few runs in the first inning should suffice, no?" They come out for one or two innings a game and then disappear back into the dugout "like a frightened turtle."

Minaya and Randolph should be in the spotlight, both as scapegoats, as it's really the players who are stinking up Shea Stadium in her final days. It's easier to fire a manager than it is to fire a player, and that's why Randolph has the giant bulls eye.

I think Omar is safe, for now. Great trades that brought quality players like Ryan Church and Johan Santana to Flushing should not be overlooked. I feel he's bought himself at least one or two more years as GM, even if they keep playing .500 ball.

Lay off Gary Carter. At least let him don the uniform and sit in the managers office before you start blasting him.
(Kidding, of course. Carter doesn't have a snowball's chance in Hell.)

Pedro return date set

According to Marty Noble at Mets.com, Pedro Martinez will make his return to the majors on June 3 in San Francisco.

I've said it time and time again, the Mets need a character and personality like Pedro in the clubhouse. He's a veteran, who knows how to talk with both the fellow old guys and the young guys.

Hopefully, he isn't a shell of his former self, but I'm not setting myself up for a big letdown. All he needs to do is pitch quality innings, nothing more.

Maybe Pedro will be the jolt this team needs, but I seem to be pinning that on everyone these days.

TSTDIA: Marlins 7 -- Mets 3

This team is in major trouble.

"Fire Willie!"

You know it's bad when the Shea Stadium crowd starts chanting:

"FIRE WILLIE clap clap clapclapclap FIRE WILLIE clap clap clapclapclap"

Oh man. This is rough stuff. I can't see Willie Randolph making it through the week at this pace. I know fans shouldn't be able to call the shots, but fans pay the bills.

Something is going to happen, and soon.

I hate snakes

This would be more fitting if the Mets were playing the Diamondbacks, I know.

The Mets will take on the Marlins tonight, but I'm going to see Indiana Jones (finally) so enjoy the game.

I hate fish.

Willie still employed

Willie Randolph is still the manager of the New York Mets.

Happy? Sad? Complacent?

Still talking

According to ESPNews, the meeting between Fred Wilpon, Omar Minaya and Willie Randolph is still in session.

The meeting was scheduled for 2 p.m. and it's now 4:37 p.m. I can't see them taking over two and half hours to fire a guy, so I think Randolph's job is safe for now. I could be wrong, but just a hunch.

Geremi Gonzalez killed by lightning

Geremi Gonzalez, who pitched in three games for the Mets in 2006, throwing 14 innings and amassing a 7.71 ERA was killed by lightning in Venezuela on Sunday.

That is really unfortunate and my thoughts go out to Gonzalez's family.

A few thoughts on this beautiful Memorial Day

First off, if you're inside reading this and you're not at work, go outside! The weather outside is spectacular.

Mercifully, the Mets road trip ended yesterday, as they fell to the Colorado Rockies by a score of 4-1. They're record on the latest road trip was a pitiful 1-6.

Today, Willie Randolph will meet with Omar Minaya and The Wilpons in their usual quarterly meeting. This meeting is now under the magnifying glass as the team is playing some uninspired baseball and currently sits two games under .500 on the season.

Everyone and their mothers is claiming Randolph most likely will not be canned today. I'd have to agree, but if the team continues to play at this level, I can't see him making it through this homestand.

*****

Adam Rubin in the Daily News is reporting there are whispers that the Mets are mulling a AAA sting for Aaron Heilman. The Mets would most likely call up Carlos Muniz, who is 2-2 with a 1.80 ERA in New Orleans.

Well I have to say, it's about time. He's young, struggling, and it cannot hurt to get out of New York right now to clear your head. I say pull the trigger, sooner rather than later.

*****

This guy seems pretty dead-set on Randolph's job security.

*****

Enjoy your Memorial Day. A huge "thank you" must go out to all the members of the military.

TSTDIA: Rockies 4 -- Mets 1

The Mets ran into another stellar pitching performance, as Aaron Cook pitched a complete game and the Mets e