Month: May 2008

Mets Finally Get Win Over Rockies 9-2

Rookie Nick Evans was the story of the day playing in his first game as a Met. He went 3 for 4 with three doubles and two RBI’s. Now that’s the way to start your career! He played a solid left field, getting six putouts as well.

Claudio Vargas was excellent for seven innings today pitching on short rest. He only allowed 2 runs on four hits and a walk to go along with three strikeouts. Two of his first three starts have been really good. He could give Mike Pelfrey a run for the fifth starter spot when Pedro Martinez comes back next week.

Carlos Beltran had the big hit in the first inning; a three run double that set the tone for the Mets. Carlos Delgado also chipped in with his third home run in as many games. His average is still at .222 but at least he’s showing some power. His homer came in the ninth inning off Josh Newman in garbage time after looking silly against lefty starter Jeff Francis.

David Wright also had a solo homer in the second, went 1 for 3 and had a stolen base. Nice comeback game for him after looking pretty bad last night.

Ramon Castro went 3 for 4 with one RBI as well.

The Mets losing streak comes to an end after five games. Uhhh.

Box score

Video Highlights

On Deck: May 24- Mets At Rockies

New York Met (22-24) at Colorado Rockies (19-29) 3:55pm

Claudio Vargas (0-2) vs. Jeff Francis (1-4)

TV: Fox Radio: WFAN

What to watch: The Mets have turned into a train wreck on this road trip, finding every possible way to lose. Vargas pitches on short rest this afternoon. His last start in Atlanta was pretty bad going five innings and giving up four runs. Jeff Francis has been pretty bad this season as well. He’s been the Rockies ace but hasn’t had a good season. After losing the first game of the series last night, the Mets need to take the next two games if there’s any chance of staving off the vultures over Willie Randolph’s career with the Mets.

Report: Anderson On Disabled List And Evans Called Up

According to the NY Post Marlon Anderson’s strained hamstring, suffered in last night’s game in Colorado, has forced him to the disabled list.

The Mets have called up 22 year old first basemen Nick Evans from Double-A Binghamton. He’s hitting .292 with 8 HR’s and 31 RBI’s in 171 at-bats. He’s also played a little outfield.

It’s telling that the Mets aren’t calling up an outfielder with Ryan Church still not starting because of his concussion in Atlanta and Moises Alou on the disabled list. Clearly, they’re trying to evaluate if they have someone that can play first base if they unload Carlos Delgado. Presumably, Delgado has no trade value so the roster move would have to be designating him for assignment.

That may be one of the roster shake up’s that we see after Willie Randolph is fired this coming week.

Rockies Drop Mets 6-5 In 13 Innings

A lot happened for the Mets in this game and today:

  • Willie Randolph may be on the verge of being fired
  • Omar Minaya showed up in Colorado and gave Willie cautious support
  • Gary Carter threw his hat in the ring to become the next Mets manager
  • Marlon Anderson left the game with what appeared to be an injured hamstring
  • Billy Wagner blew his second save of the season, and gave up his first earned run of the season to send the game to extra innings
  • Jose Reyes inexplicably got picked off second base after hitting a double in the tenth inning
  • More inexplicably, Yorvit Torrealba got caught trying to steal third in the bottom of the tenth inning; he’s overzealous in his attempt at revenge on the Mets for not signing him this off-season
  • Oliver Perez walked eight batters but managed to pitch into the sixth inning
  • Scott Schoenweiss looked good for two innings
  • Aaron Heilman takes the loss in his second inning of work
  • The Mets lose their fifth straight game

The losing continues for another day. At least Omar Minaya is in Colorado to figure out what exactly is going wrong for this team. I’m sure that we’ll hear a lot more about this when the team gets back to New York. Hopefully, the Mets won’t embarrass themselves on regional Fox coverage of the game tomorrow.

Box score

Video Highlights

Minaya In Denver

New York Mets general manager Omar Minaya before a Mets/Devil Rays spring training game at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Image via Wikipedia

Adam Rubin of the Daily News is reporting that Omar Minaya is making an unscheduled trip to Denver for the Rockies series this weekend. Willie Randolph can’t be happy about that. Minaya wouldn’t do that unless it was an emergency situation, which it is.

I’d be shocked if they fired Randolph while the team is on the road. So Minaya must be there to gauge what’s going on in the locker room. He’ll probably have to file a report with the Wilpons on Monday, when they’re back in town, on the state of the team.

Video: Olney And Kernan On Mets

ESPN’s Buster Olney and NY Post writer Kevin Kernan talk about Major League Baseball news. The Mets topics include Willie Randolph’s job is in extreme jeopardy barring a huge success in Colorado this weekend. They also talk about Johan Santana and his diminished fastball.

http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/player.swf?mediaId=3409565