Mets Bucs 5/31

Angel Pagan is the best alternative to Reyes at the top of the batting order and its good to have him back. Our sincerest condolences go out to Reyes and his family on the loss of his grandmother.

In the eighth inning you let your pitcher who had a shut-out an opportunity to become the losing pitcher. Then the tying run scores. Then with second and third he walks a batter and you still leave him in there- What are you thinking?

Logically speaking, if your starter has a 1 run lead with 2 outs in the 8th, and you replace him with anyone other than your closer, you don't have a closer.

Why Bother- Mets Phils 5/29

Somebody should remind the Mets that baseball is a nine inning game. The new part-owner Einhorn is good with numbers.

Inning 1: Niese shows his reflexes and smarts going to second on the comebacker. Mets bat around and score 4- the Phillies must feel like they've got the Mets right where they want them.

Another 4 in the second and yet the Mets managed to make it a close game

Mets Phils 5/28

I can never trust the score on Fox. Remember- Throw strikes Mike!

Inning 1:Good start for Mike Pelfrey. The bottom of the inning is what the formula is supposed to be. Reyes gets on base (in this instance a double), steals a base and Turner singles him home. The RBI people didn' anything, but Turner stole second.

Inning 2: another solid inning for Pelfrey, but you don't win in the first 2 innings. Pagan cannot get caught up like that- Tejada's hit would have been an RBI.

Inning 3: The Mets scored another formula run.

Inning 8: Great performance by Mike and the bullpen can't throw strikes- 2-1 mets turns into 4-2 bad guys. As Yogi would say, it's deja vu all over again.

Mets Phils 5/27

Oswalt V Capuano would seem like a miss match.

Inning 4: After playing 9 holes of golf I'm back- a good bunt by Oswalt led directly to the Phillies run in the third. Capuano is pitching well.

Inning 5: The Phillies lead off pop-up triple was an embarrassment, but I guess par for the course- great D by Justing Turner for the first out and the double play was executed well. The collision between the shortstop and second baseman looked like a Mets error maybe we're contagious- but hey we got a run.

Inning 6: Capuano really impressed in the top half of the inning. I must admit that I never would have sent Pagan on Paulino's single but they got the job done and tied the score.

Side note: Chip Hale, the Mets coach hit the ball that led to Rodney Mcray running through the outfield wall in Portland 20 years ago tonight.

Inning 7: I can't fault Turner for trying to steal second- he got the lead RBI. For years people were calling Reyes great- i always said- talk to me when he's batting .300- He's batting over .300

Flash trivia: Not counting K-Rod name 3 Mets relievers- can't do it.

Inning 8: Phillies tied it up against Izzy. not much more to say.

K-rod was less than effective tonight

Mets Cubs 5/25

Inning 1: Maybe I just shouldn't bother.

Inning 2: I think the Mets and Cubs may be bipolar. So the Mets benefited from a train wreck here and Dillon Gee had a good inning.

Inning 6: Gee settled down after the first. Beltran gets a leadoff triple and stays there.

Rain Delay: It's gonna be past my bedtime- Mets lead 7-4

Met's Cubs 5/24

Jon Niese against Ryan Dempster in the first game since Fred Wilpon opened his mouth to reveal his feet.

Inning 1: Reyes singles and then gets caught stealing before Murphy walks. Has Jason Bay swung at every first pitch he's ever seen? Solid first for Niese.

Inning 2: The bottom of the inning has made me blank on the top. 5 runs in an inning that never should have happened. Tejada drops the over the shoulder catch, Wright with the "Matador D" to quote Clyde Fazier- if they re not on base they can't score. With a runner on second Murphy then gets the second out at first instead of throwing to Paulino who drops the ball. Are we celebrating the 25th anniversary of 1986 or the 39th anniversary of 1962?

Had to refocus after that unwatchable 2nd inning

Inning 4: Not much to comment on, but did I see that the Mets had 1 error????? I've counted 3.

Inning 5: Niese's bunt is directly responsible for Reyes' RBI. Castro hit a triple???? C'mon if Beltran takes a step to his left he fields the ball on one hop and its a single- yeah no error there- smart play by Tejada to pick him off 3rd on the fielder's choice.

Inning 6: A 2-out pick-off attempt when Murphy was nowhere near position to accept the throw leads to yet another Cubs run. Color this game over. If I'm wrong i'll have my crow braised with faa beans and a nice chianti.

Rubber game

Inning 1: I blinked during the Mets half Granderson homers, and Pelfrey faces an extra better due to quick reflexes- if he doesn't deflect A-rod's ball he's out #3.

Inning 2: The Mets put up 3 with the help of the Yankees. Fernando should have scored on Willie Harris' single. The broadcast said he held-up at second. He didn't hold up he turned around when nobody was there to catch the ball. he eventually scored so no harm no foul. Pelfrey gave up to homerun length strikes but was otherwise unscathed.

Inning 3: Two more hits for the Mets- I thought ball 3 to Turner hit him. Pelfrey threw a pitch right down the middle that was called a ball and Jeter inches closer to 3,000.

Inning 7: do you need a better example of how this site got its name. unbereavable. After 6 innings, you don't let Pelfrey absorb the loss.

Subway Series part 2

Madison Square park set up a big screen and had some promos going and I tried to live blog from there, but I couldn't log in. It's a nice set up but the guy who's working mike- the MC asked some Mets trivia and he went to people wearing Yankee gear to answer them. I don't have a problem with Yankee fans winning prizes for knowing Mets stuff but he referred to them as Mets fans. Sorry but not being able to distinguish between the two NY logos is unpardonable.

Then again Delta, the sponsor is an acronym for Doesn't Ever Leave The Airport.

Subway series game 1

Inning 1: Beltran worked out a walk from an 0-2 count nice job! Tejada probably should have thrown to Reyes for a traditional 4-6-3 double play but when Jeter is standing in front of you temptation takes over.

Inning 2: Creative hitting with the bunt by Turner- Hit it where they ain't. Good job by Dickey after the leadoff double by A-rod. Things happen 5 seconds sooner on the Yankees broadcast than they do on the Mets channel.

Inning 3: Don't blink- I think Garcia's pitch count might have been 2. If Beltran were an inch taller we'd still be scoreless.

Inning 4: It was important to get the run back quickly- Justin Turner with another big hit after yesterday's lone RBI. Good inning for Dickey.

Inning 5: No comment on the Mets half. Does calling a Yankee safe at first when he was out make up for calling a Nat out at first when he was safe? Does anyone know the Baseball rule for Karma?

Inning 6: Murphy with the homer to take the lead. The Yankees caught a break- If Swisher deflects Turners fly and it stays in play it could have been an inside the park home run. Another good inning for Dickey.

Inning 7: No comment on the Mets half again. Mike O'Connor in to pitch for the Mets- this season he's still not given up a run I wonder if Pedro Beato still has an ERA of 0.00 too.

Inning 8: So I'm nursing a beer as the Mets nurse a 1 run lead into the ninth.

Inning 9: K-rod's got an impressive scoreless streak going on and the Mets reach .500! Woohoo!

You are Here X

I thought it might be funny to live blog the rerun of this afternoon's Mets game against the Nats, but I thought better of it. With this afternoon's win, the Mets are 21-22, one game under .500. That is really not bad when you consider their 2-9 start and a few other factors I thought I'd mention here:

They started the season without their Ace, Johan Santana, who is still inactive.

The Starting Left Fielder, Jason Bay, began the season on the DL.

The Starting Center Fielder, Angel Pagan, has been out since April 22.

The Starting 2nd baseman was demoted on April 21

The Starting 1st baseman went on the DL May 11th

The Back-up 2nd Baseman who became the starting 2nd baseman became the starting 1st baseman.

I could go on, but suffice it to say that half their everyday line-up and 40% of their starting rotation has spent significant time on the DL.

Met's fans, we're just one game under and it gets better.

Nats v Mets 5/18

Happy Birthday, Larry! (My brother)

So the Mets decided they needed a rainout yesterday.

Last week they moved their second baseman to first.

Yesterday, the move the replacement second baseman to third to make room for the shortstop of the future.

Inning 1: the first inning was better for Niese than the 2 hits suggest- the second was a seeing eye single. Reyes and Turner set up the table 2nd and 3rd with none out. Turner can't get picked off on the sac fly. Rookie mistake there- Gorzelanny got a gift with that.

Inning 2:Niese was very strong after the leadoff double. The popup for out #2 was key.

Inning 3: Not much to say here strong pitching from both sides.

Inning 4: More strong pitching. I actually called Niese's at bat. I said I'd show bunt on the first pitch- then shot it on the second and swing away.

Inning 5: Since the leadoff double in the 2nd, Niese has retired 12 straight. The Mets strand more people than airlines.

Inning 6: I would normally acept the blame for the leadoff hit against Niese because I jinxed it. However, SNY broadcast the fact first, and nobody is reading this. 2 runs added in the bottom of the inning and either Justing Turner is in a groove or even a blind squirrel finds an acorn every once in a while.

Inning 7: You cannot let a pitcher with a 3 run lead after 6 2/3 face the potential go ahead run. He had done his job. Sure we got away with it but that doesn't make it right. Bay swings at the first pitch with a 3 run lead and a steady rainfall. The doppler radar says it is getting more intense.

Inning 8: The puddles were getting huge. I was surprised they didn't bring out the tarp.

Inning 9: K-rod allows the tying run to come to the plate but denies him a meal as the Mets shut out the Nats for the win.

Note: I will not be live blogging tomorrow's game- it is a day game and I don't py myself enough to miss work.

Rainout

Harmon Killibrew, who entered hospice care a few days ago has succumbed to his esophageal cancer.

Tonight's Mets game is rained out and it is not raining.

So, I missed the last inning last night- it was past my bedtime. What's with the pitchers and their bats? The game winning RBI from a guy who was 1 for 23, and a 2 out triple from John Niese?

Florida at Mets 5/16

A stress fracture in Wright's back. Pelfrey going tonight. He needs to throw strikes. I know pitchers always need to throw strikes. However, I have always felt he tries to get hitters to swing at bad pitches, and when they don't he's behind in the count and they sit on his fastball.

If the rain delay goes on much longer I may have to give up on waiting it out.

Inning 1: An economical 10 pitches for Mike- the Mantra is "Throw strikes Mike!" One thing that drives me crazy is when a a pitcher throws 4 straight balls to walk a guy (Beltran) and the next hitter (Bay) swings at the first pitch he sees!

Inning 2: Another solid inning from Pelfrey. Johnson responds in kind.

Inning 3: So far this is shaping up as a classic pitching match-up. Pelfrey was a highly touted prospect and Johnson can be unhittable at times. Just wondering- is an inning the opposite of an outing?

Side Note: I just noticed on the crawl at the bottom of the screen that the Mets announced successful surgery on Chirs Young and Jennry Mejia. Ho do they know the surgery was successful before the guy throws another pitch?

Inning 4: Willie Harris ends the inning with a run saving catch that should be a web gem. 3straight hits that have a caught stealing (Bay) and a wild pitch lead to the first run of the game- Murphy on a double by Justin Turner that would have brought in Bay.

Inning 5: Another spectacular defensive play ends a Florida threat Beltran to Reyes double play! Pelfrey has been terrific. Johnson gives up a couple of hits, including one off his back but escapes unscathed.

Inning 6: Pelfrey is cruising. Johnson came out as a result of the ball hit off him.

Inning 7: Just as I was typing "Pelfrey is cruising" Stanton's ball was heading over the wall- ah well. Good outing for Mike. 1 all heading into 8.

Inning 8: A thought occurred to me half of the Mets lineup tonight and probably for the next couple of weeks are not the players they thought would be in there.

Inning 9: There is always debate when you bring in your closer during a tie game- K-rod needs a new nickname. A man on 2nd with none out and we don't score that's rough.

Inning 10: Words fail me.

Mets At Astros 5/15

coming live from Fitzgerald's- Capuano going for the Mets

Inning 1: Read Terry Collins reasons for moving Thole to the 2 hole and they make sense as a temporary move. Capuano ensured that the Mets no no-hitter streak would continue right from the outset.

Inning 2: Don't blink when the Mets are at-bat- you can miss the entire inning. Back in 1986 (25th anniversary btw), to beat the Mets you had to score early and often. This team you just have to score. The Mets offense often reminds me of a soccer game.

Inning 3: Nothing worth commenting on.

Inning 4: The Mets offense, well there is no "O" in M-E-T-S. Jason Bay made a top play nominee or Web gem to end the inning after the 'stros doubled their lead.

Inning 5: Usually, the Mets are on the wrong end of that dropped pop-up. Then like the army corp of engineers the floodgates seemed to open. Great heads up by Pridie to score on Reyes' steal. preventing the 'stros from regaining momentum in the bottom half of the inning was big for Capuano.

Inning 6: The 3 runs added by the Mets made the solo shot in the bottom of the inning absolutely meaningless. Justin Turner is batting close to .300 and he's the back-up to Daniel Murphy starting at first in place of injured Ike Davis and yet the opening day starter at second was Brad Emaus?????? Whodathunkit?

Okay I misplaced an inning somewhere- it is probably going to turn up in the last place i look for it- but nothing happened of consequence.

Inning 8: nothing of note offensively. The bullpen has been impressive, though there were some scary moments here giving up a 4th run and having 2nd and 3rd occupied with little margin for error.

K-Rod pitched a 1-2-3 inning wow.

Mets At Astros 5/14 live blog

1st Inning: Before last night's game, I would have told you that this game is already over. 4-0 Astro's. The entire line-up came to the plate. The Mets had displayed a glass jaw during the first weeks of the season. getting leads and then seeming to fold the second the other team came back. Last night, however, the Mets seemed lifeless and beaten until the 8th inning. This is also the first time this season that J.A. Happ, the Astro's starter hasn't given up the first run of the game- can he pitch with a lead?

2nd Inning: Bottom of the order for the Mets and we had a Fernando Martinez sighting- Can you hear the drums? He hit double with 2 outs and the pitcher up next- Oh well. Dickey cut his ERA for this game in half.

3rd Inning: A Reyes lead-off double leads to the Mets getting one back. Dickey has another calm inning. Surprising that a ball hit off his glove still got to Reyes in time for him to make the throw to first.

4th Inning: Murphy parks one. I love this kid. Three years ago he has a good call-up. Two years ago they ask him to fill the hole in Left Field- a position he never played, and he was an adventure, which is a euphemism for liability. With Delgado out they had a hole at first so they move him there and he's better. Last season he was injured and Ike Davis arrived to take first base. This spring he was in the 2nd base competition which was won essentially by default by rule 5 draftee Brad Emaus. That didn't work out well, and Murphy got the job hitting well and playing defense at a level that exceeded expectations. Ike Davis goes down for a couple of weeks after colliding with David Wright and Murphy moves to first playing well in the field and for today providing some pop.

5th Inning: Okay, I wasn't expecting the Mets to score a run every inning for the rest of the game.

6th Inning: Nothing to talk about offensively. Dickey gave up 2 solo shots prompting me to do a shot. People wondering why he was still in the game- He hadn't given up a run since the first inning. the first solo HR you say stuff happens- the second, its the 6th inning and its time to go.

7th Inning: At 7-2 I'm ready to color this game over. Unless something noteworthy happens this i my last post of the game. A friend told me earlier that the Mets needed to win this game and I said they didn't. They won yesterday, they can try to win tomorrow. They don't absolutely need to win today. It reminded me of the Abbot and Costello bit where Costello is boxing and Abbot says, "give 'em the old 1-3, 1-3" Costello asks what happened to 2? 2 you get.

Liveblogging Mets Astros

Coming to you live from Fitzgerald's pub, this is my first ever attempt at live blogging-

My goal is to sum up my impressions of each inning.

A true Bereavement pause to mention that Harmon Killebrew has entered hospice care and acknowledged his battle with esophageal cancer will soon end.

Reyes at the plate see ya in a bit.

UPDATE1: Thole in the 2 hole? Really? Reyes can't get picked off- very sloppy. Dillon Gee with the start on the mound. I had hoped he would make the staff out of the spring. All things being equal, I'd rather a young pitcher that has been developing in my system than a reclamation project.

UPDATE2: Don't blink- quick top of the second there-and the Mets quest for a No-hitter continues-I was surprised the third base coach ave the green light there- NAILED. There is an old adage about not making the first or third out a third base- how bout the plate? Reyes bobbled a double play. Gee pitches out of trouble.

UPDATE3: Another quick inning at the plate for the Mutts, um, er Mets. Norris keeping his pitch count low. Lead off walks can be killers- 39.9% score. I swear nobody knows what a balk actually is- they may know the rule- but the application, I don't think so. Someone needs to give Gee a TomTom so he can find the plate. And the lead-off walk scores.

Gotta make room for more beer.

UPDATE4: I wonder if local broadcasters refer to Carlos Beltran as a former Astro. It's accurate, but he only spent a half season there. Great catch to keep the Mets scoreless. A strong inning for Gee.

UPDATE5: Norris answers Gee's strong inning. A good inning for Gee, but his pitch count must be getting up there.

UPDATE6: After another don't blink because there is no "O" in "Mets" 2 on for the 'stros- I don't think Gee survives the inning- 3 up no outs and out he goes. 2nd and 3rd with none out this is a bad way to come into a game. I'm not saying the bottom has dropped out of this game, but okay maybe i am thinking it- Here's a rule of thumb- you cannot win a game if you do not score. The Astros have scored 3 in this inning alone- the Mets? we're waiting.

A most unusual double play ends this inning.

UPDATE7: Home runs- even solo are nice. Down 4-1 the bullpen holds the fort.

UPDATE8: Fernando Martinez parks one to bring the Mets within one. but for injuries he would have been with the club a year or two ago- instead he is a puppy, albeit a puppy with a huge homerun tonight. Beltran had 3 Homers yesterday and the last Met to do that was surprisingly Jose Reyes who now represents the tying run on 1st. And Norris is done for the night for Houston.

Wright at the plate- 8th inning- tying run on I feel like saying "Davey"- and just like that he comes through.

With 2 out and a runner on 2nd it looks like a double switch.

K-rod is going for the save- this is a tenuous situation

UPDATE9: Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there with an insurance run.

Question: when was the last time the Mets had a shut down closer?

Answer: What's a shut down closer?

1 out to go- I hope there's no msg. Mets win!

Wait Till Next Year

It's early, but the Mets actually came into this season with the slogan Wait Till Next Year. Just look at the starting pitching- No Ace. Mike Pelfrey has been consistently inconsistent, John Niese is a puppy, R. A. Dickey is a journeyman knuckleballer, and the pair of Chris' Capuano and Young are coming off injury. Now Young is done and replaced by Dillon Gee. Gee has pitched well, but he makes Niese look like a veteran.

Offensively, who in this lineup scares you? Sure you don't want to see Reyes get on base if your an opposing pitcher, but Beltran was still hurting coming into the season, so you were able to avoid Wright, who is now sore himself. Ike Davis is a promising slugger, but he, too is a puppy, as is Josh Thole who is suffering through what is the second half of his rookie season.

Sandy Alderson and Terry Collins must be wondering what they were drinking, um er, I mean thinking when they took their jobs. However, if they manage to end up not supremely sucking this year, they do have the makings of a decent nucleus for a team beginning in 2012. Just in time for the world to end. That is the next date for the Apocalypse if May 21st turns out to be wrong.