Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Final Score: Mets 6, Orioles 4

Mike Pelfrey was great last night, retiring 14 of his first 15 batters, but was pulled after giving up a two run homerun and allowing the next three to get on base. He threw 109 pitches in 5 2/3 innings, gave up two earned runs on five hits, with 3 walks and 2 Ks.

The Orioles' pitching wasn't as effective. Jeremy Guthrie gave up four runs in the fourth, but righted himself enough to throw 6 1/3 innings. However, out of the 6 runs the O's gave up, only three were earned. This was thanks to a few errors by Brian Roberts, Aubrey Huff, and Nolan Reimold in very key situations. On two of these errors, the Mets scored at least a run.

David Wright continued his hitting streak, extending it to 11 games. He also gave what looked like a very motivating pep talk to Pelfrey in the 7th. This is good for David, as he is stepping up for his team. Hopefully, his words will get through to Pelfrey.

Wednesday's game is at 7:05 PM with Tim Redding taking on Koji Uehara.

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Final Score: Yankees 15, Mets 0

Today was an awful day for Mets' pitching. Johan's ERA rose from 2.39 all the way up to 3.29. If my math is correct, it almost rose a whole run. Brian Stokes' ERA also jumped, from 2.49 up to the high-3s, 3.80. Stokes gave up 4 runs in less than a third of an inning after Alex Cora turned a double play in the fourth (the runs scored before the double play were Johan's) and Johan gave up all of nine earned runs, the first time in his career he has ever done that. On the other hand, A.J. Burnett pitched in and out of trouble, but was very efficient.

After the game, Johan said he had been pitching with aches and pains (especially in his back) and blisters, but otherwise he was healthy.

This is not good for the Mets. Only two days after losing a game on a dropped pop up, they get blown out, 15-0. It was an ugly game to watch and/or listen to, and I stopped when the Mets were losing 11-0 in the fourth. It was just an awful performance overall.

The Mets start a three game series in Baltimore on Tuesday, with Mike Pelfrey facing off against Jeremy Guthrie at 7:05 PM.

What's happening to Johan Santana?

In his first seven or eight starts, Johan Santana had the lowest ERA in the NL, won 6 out of the 8, and was the most consistent pitcher in the majors, next to Zack Greinke. But today, with his awful performance against the Yankees, giving up nine runs in less than four innings, and with his ERA for his previous six starts now in the high-3s, low-4s, there is definetley cause for alarm. Johan has given up 4 or more runs in his past five starts, something he rarely does. I'm sure that the Mets are concerned about their ace, and hope he improves soon.

I think, with all the injuries the Mets are suffering from lately, that Johan is simply stressed with the state of the Mets. Also, last year Johan didn't pitch that well in June, and according to his stats last year, you can't tell. However, I still think that the Mets should have Johan get an MRI on his pitching arm, just to be sure nothing is wrong. This is probably the safe move, and I hope the Mets take my advice (if they read my blog).

Final Score: Mets 6, Yankees 2

The rain didn't stop the Mets from erasing painful memories. They went straight out there, showed the Yankees what they were made of, and gained a game on the Phillies.

Fernando Nieve was amazing in his first start as a Met, only allowing 4 hits in 6 2/3 innings. Luis Castillo made a nice defensive play to end the 2nd, but he's still a bum for dropping the ball.

As for offense, Omir Santos and Gary Sheffield both hit homeruns. This is a good sign for Sheff, as it means he is probably out of his slump. Tatis also had an RBI on the day.

Sunday's game had Johan Santana go up against A.J. Burnett, at 1:05 PM.



Saturday, June 13, 2009

Final Score: Yankees 9, Mets 8

Last night's game was a complete see-saw. The Yanks led 1-0, Mets 2-1, Yankees 3-2, Mets 6-3, Yankees 7-6, and Mets 8-7. But last night's game ended in the most peculiar fashion. With runners on first and second, two outs in the bottom of the ninth, Alex Rodriguez hits a routine pop-up to Luis Castillo. Castillo is ready to catch the ball...and it falls out of his glove. Both runners score, the Yankees win, 9-8.

I was absolutley disgusted, frustrated, and at a loss for words last night. It seems like whenever someone makes a fielding goof on the field to lose the game, it's always the Mets. And that is something I hate: dropping a ball or missing a grounder or giving up a homerun that costs your team the game.

Saturday's game starts at 4:10 PM with Fernando Nieve taking on Andy Pettite.

Friday, June 12, 2009

Mets Game Preview: 6/12 - Mets at Yankees

Tonight, the 31-27 Mets take on the 34-26 Yankees at the new Yankee Stadium. Both teams were shaken in their last series, with the Mets losing two close games against Philly and the Yanks getting swept by the BoSox. The probable pitchers for tonight are Livan Hernandez (5-1, 3.88 ERA) for the Mets and Joba Chamberlain (3-1, 3.79 ERA) for the Yankees.

The Mets haven't faced the Yankees yet this year, but I am very confident the Mets can pull of a series win against their crosstown rivals. Livan has pitched well in each of his starts this year, except for two or three, baffling hitters with his slow curveball and 89 mph fastball combination. Joba has been solid for the Yankees, keeping his ERA below 4 for most of the season.

My Prediction: This game will be a pitcher's duel throughout, but the Mets will break the game open late in the game. I think the Mets will win 7-3.

The game starts at 7:05 PM EDT

Bobby Valentine's Chiba Lotte Marines

Update, 6/12/09: According to ESPN.com, supporters in Japan have created a petition for Valentine to stay with the Marines after the 2009 season and have collected more than 100,000 signatures. They will submit the petition to Marines officials, who have said that they cannot afford Valentine, later this Friday.

Original Post, 6/11/09:
Earlier today, Bobby Valentine's Japanese team, the Chiba Lotte Marines, set a new Japanese record by scoring 15 runs in the sixth inning against the Hiroshima Carp.

Personally, I think this is a great milestone for Valentine and his team, as the Marines have the lowest team batting average in the Pacific League with a lowly .250.

Valentine managed the Mets from the late 1990s until 2002, leading the Mets to a National League Pennant in 2000. He also led the Marines to a Japanese Series Title in 2005. His contract as manager for the team will not be renewed at the end of the season.

I think this is great for Valentine achieving milestones both in Japan and the MLB. It is a shame that he will be let go though. He is adored by the Japanese, but the time comes for every manager when the team has to move on, no matter how much their manager has done for them.

Billy Wagner Recovering Quickly; Mets promote Switzer

According to MetsBlog.com, Billy Wagner has started throwing off a mound as fast as 90 mph. I think this is great news for the Mets. They need Wagner to recover as quickly as possible to fill the spot left vacant by J.J. Putz. Also, they need more than one person who can retire lefties besides Pedro Feliciano.

So, to temporarily fill that spot, the Mets promoted Jon Switzer up from AAA earlier today. I've never seen Switzer pitch, but his 2.13 era at Buffalo will hopefully make him a fine addition to the bullpen.

Lastly, Fernando Nieve will start tomorrow against the Yankees.

Maine to DL

Last night, John Maine had an MRI on his right shoulder. The MRI revealed no structual damage, but revealed shoulder weakness. Basically, Maine has a dead arm.

This is a huge setback for the Mets, who have been plagued with injuries all season. Jon Niese, who has an era of about 8 in triple-A should be called up, in my opinion. Omar Minaya said he doesn't know who will start this Saturday against the Yankees.

Maine had won 5 of his last 7 starts, but was pulled out of a game a few weeks ago with a stomach bug.

Final Score: Phillies 6, Mets 3 (10 innings)

The Mets lost to the Phillies last night by a score of 6-3 in 10 innings. Raul Ibanez hit a 3 run homerun off Ken Takahashi in the 10th, though Parnell got the loss because he was responsible for the lead runner.

This is truly frustrating for all Mets fans, as it looks like a repeat of last season. The Mets have an early lead, the Phillies come back to tie the game and win in extras.

Redding was sharp until the sixth, when he gave up a run and another one in the seventh. David Wright continued his hot streak going

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Subway Series

With the first Subway Series of the year just around the corner, many people are getting ready for this exciting event. This year, the Yankees and Mets are both in the chase for first place in their respective divisions, which will make this year's games even more exciting than it normally is. I have always loved watching the Subway Series, as it is a clash between my two hometown teams. Now, even though I'm not a Yankees fan, I still admire the Yankees for their courage to go out and literally pluck, one by one, each top free-agent to bolster their roster. Even though some of their signings haven't lived up to expectations, (*cough cough* A.J. Burnett) the Yankees are still contenders. The Mets on the other hand, have received news of injury after injury, illness after illness, it's a wonder why the Mets are contenders. However, it is because the Mets are able to make their way through all the injuries, that I am picking the Mets to win this year's Subway Series. [Of course, since I am a Mets fan, I was going to pick them anyways :-)]

Hamels' comments

Last year, after the 2008 season was over, Cole Hamels called the Mets 'choke artists'. Last night, when the Mets faced Hamels for the first time since he made those comments, they clobbered 11 hits and managed only 4 runs off the Phillies' ace. However, after the game, Hamels said that he thought the Mets weren't motivated by his choke artist comment.

"I don't think it's a big deal because they're comments about 2007-08...This is 2009. They're going to play as hard as they can and I'm going to play as hard as I can against them".

The Mets eventually lost last night's game 5-4 in 11 innings off a Chase Ultey solo homerun.