Braves 3 – Mets 2 May 18, 2010

New York Mets batter Wright reacts after striking out in seventh inning against Colorado Rockies in their MLB baseball game in Denver

http://cdn.pis.picapp.com/IamProd/PicAppPIS/JavaScript/PisV4.jsThe Mets got a great start from Johan Santana, as usual, going 7 IP and giving up 2 ER’s on a homer by Troy Glaus in the third inning. Santana seemed to get stronger as the game went on. Pedro Feliciano took over in the eighth and started the ninth out by giving up a hit to McCann that would eventually be the winning run.

The Mets had only five total hits in the game. The two runs were solo homers, both in the fifth inning by Ike Davis and Jeff Francoeur.

The Mets lost on a horrible bottom of the ninth. Jenry Mejia relieved Feliciano and looked scared. He fell on the mound after a pitch and walked Escobar when he was trying to bunt with a man on base. The game was lost when Melky Cabrera chopped a ball to third, David Wright picked it up and threw wide of first allowing the runner on second to score. It wasn’t a terrible throw and looked like Davis could have come off the base to get it.

Wright’s wild throw capped off a terrible night for him going 0 for 4 with 3 strikeouts. It’s a rough way to lose a game.

The Mets split the two game series in Atlanta and head to Washington for two games.

Box score

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Preview: Mets at Braves May 18, 2010

New York Mets (19-20) at Atlanta Braves (18-20)  7:10 pm

Johan Santana (3-2 3.88) vs Kris Medlen (1-1 2.35)

TV: SNY   Radio: WFAN

What to watch: The Mets go for the sweep behind Santana whose last start was excellent in a 2-1 loss in Florida. He went 7 IP and gave up 1 unearned run. Medlen has been pitching out of the bullpen mostly, only making one start this year. But he’s been pitching really well. I wouldn’t expect him to last long though. The Mets should get into the Braves bullpen pretty quickly.

Don’t forget to visit The Mets Report Facebook page during the game to chat with other Mets fans! Connect with The Mets Report on Twitter too.

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Mets’ Howard Johnson Should Go

New York Mets first base coach Howard Johnson ...
Image via Wikipedia

With the team struggling, Jerry Manuel is on the hot seat, and rightfully so! Manuel and Mets management had a 90 minute meeting before Monday’s game at Atlanta. Manuel’s job insecurity is one that is expected. One thing that hasn’t been looked at is the hitting coach position. Howard Johnson should be on the hot seat at well and many of the teams struggles should be placed on him.

Yet the offense as a whole has been struggling, especially with runners in scoring position. Coming into Thursday’s game against the Florida Marlins the Mets are batting a dismal .247 as a team which ranks 23rd in the majors. Over the offseason they brought in Jason Bay who is hitting a whopping .277 with one homer and just 16 RBI’s so far in 2010. It seems for the last few seasons the Mets have been lacking the “big hit.” The fans and the media have been quick to blame the players, yet I think the philosophy at the plate with RISP is the problem. That problem is placed on the shoulders of Howard Johnson the New York Mets hitting coach. Has Howard Johnson worn out his welcome as New York Mets hitting coach?

I understand Johnson was an outstanding player in his hay day and Omar Minaya has stated that having Johnson around is a link to Mets history. Yet the offense has been down this season. Is it time to replace Howard Johnson as the hitting coach? I think it’s a legitimate argument!

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Mets Owner Jeff Wilpon In Atlanta… Why?

Colorado Rockies vs New York Mets at Citi Field in New York

http://cdn.pis.picapp.com/IamProd/PicAppPIS/JavaScript/PisV4.jsOk, first we find out Omar Minaya is in town for the Atlanta series to “Support his team”. Now we find out Mets owner Jeff Wilpon has also strolled into town right behind him. NOT a good sign.

Somewhere, Willie Randolph is smiling.

Somebody’s got to go and if I had my way it would be both Omar and Jerry Manuel. In the beginning of the season I stated that if the Mets had a slow start that these two would have to go. I would consider last place, six weeks into the season, a slow start.

On top of that here come the Yankees and Phillies who could bury them in last place for a long time. It’s not looking good, my fellow Mets fans, but I have always followed an age old rule, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results“. Continue reading “Mets Owner Jeff Wilpon In Atlanta… Why?”

Mets 3 – Braves 2 May 17, 2010

Mets batter Barajas watches his double scoring two runs in the second inning of MLB baseball action against the Braves in Atlanta

http://cdn.pis.picapp.com/IamProd/PicAppPIS/JavaScript/PisV4.jsThe Mets won in front of Jeff Wilpon behind a really strong start by Mike Pelfrey. He went 7.2 IP and gave up only 2 ER’s on 7 hits and 2 walks. His velocity was great, at times throwing his fastball in the high 90’s. This kind of start is exactly what the Mets needed right now.

The offense wasn’t great again. Surprisingly, Chris Carter started in right field and hit cleanup again for the second day in a row. The team only had 5 hits. But Rod Barajas was 2 for 4 with 2 big RBI’s.

The game got tight in the eighth when Pedro Feliciano came in and gave up a hit and a walk. But he managed to get out of it with a big strikeout of Brian McCann. K-Rod closed it out pretty cleanly. He only gave up one walk in the ninth but got the job done.

Nice win for the Mets to break their five game losing streak.

Box score

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Video: Jeff Wilpon With Mets In Atlanta

Jeff Wilpon spoke to the media before tonight’s game about the reason he’s in Atlanta. Nobody is getting fired. At least not today. He wouldn’t be there if he wasn’t really ticked off. I’m sure he expressed that in his meeting with Jerry Manuel, Dan Warthen, Omar Minaya, and John Ricco.

Here’s the video from ESPN.

http://espn.go.com/videohub/player/embed.swf

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Preview: Mets at Braves May 17, 2010

New York Mets (18-20) at Atlanta Braves (18-19)  7:10 pm

Mike Pelfrey (4-1 3.14) vs Derek Lowe (5-3 5.73)

TV: SNY   Radio: WFAN

What to watch: The Mets go into Turner Field at 1-8 on the road in May and 4-12 this season, the worst in the National League. The Mets swept the Braves at Citi Field at the end of April. This is the first time the Mets will face Lowe this season. The Braves won their last two series against the Brewers and D-Backs.

Don’t forget to visit The Mets Report Facebook page during the game to chat with other Mets fans! Connect with The Mets Report on Twitter too.

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