Pre-Game: Mets at Padres Aug. 9, 2009

PadresNewLogoNew York Mets (51-59 Road: 29-28) at San Diego Padres (47-65 Home: 30-29) 4:05pm

Johan Santana (12-8 3.10) vs. Tim Stauffer (1-3 3.12)

TV: WPIX

What to watch: The Mets are trying to avoid the dreaded four game sweep to a last place team today. They’ll rely again on Santana to get a win when nobody else seems to be able to. He gave up 5 runs over 8 innings in his last start, a no decision. Stauffer has made five starts over the last month for the Padres and hasn’t allowed more than 3 runs in any of them.

Don’t forget to visit The Mets Report Live Game Chat during the game to chat with other Mets fans!

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Padres 3 – Mets 1 Aug. 8, 2009

Bobby Parnell
Image by Keith Allison via Flickr

The big news in this game was that Bobby Parnell was making his first big league start. It turned out to be a pretty rotten one. He only went 2.1 innings 2 runs on 4 hits and 3 walks. It took him 68 pitches to get into the third inning. He’ll get stretched out in future starts but this first one wasn’t pretty.

The Mets non-existent offense only managed 1 run on a solo homer by Alex Cora in the first inning. They only put together 5 hits and 3 walks as a team. Unbelievably bad.

Luis Castillo did make a pinch hitting appearance but Gary Sheffield didn’t play again.

The Mets drop their third straight game to a pitiful Padres team and try to avoid the sweep tomorrow afternoon.

Box score

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Pre-Game: Mets at Padres Aug. 8, 2009

PadresNewLogoNew York Mets (51-58 Road: 29-27) at San Diego Padres (46-65 Home: 29-29) 10:05pm

Bobby Parnell (2-3 3.74) vs. Mat Latos (3-1 2.66)

TV: SNY

What to watch: The Mets try to pick themselves up from the floor after last night’s devastating loss. They need to win both remaining games in San Diego just to split the series. Parnell makes his first Major League start after being rushed into the rotation after Mike Pelfrey left the team for the birth of his first child. Latos has made four starts for the Padres and hasn’t allowed more than 2 runs in any of them. Don’t expect this game to be an easy one.

Don’t forget to visit The Mets Report Live Game Chat during the game to chat with other Mets fans!

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Audio: Manuel, Perez, K-Rod Aug. 7, 2009

Here’s the post-game audio from last night’s devastating loss. It’s ironic that Oliver Perez had such a terrific start and the Mets end up losing one of their more stunning losses of the season. And that saying something for this team.

Jerry Manuel:

Oliver Perez:

Francisco Rodriguez:

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Padres 6 – Mets 2 Aug. 7, 2009

NEW YORK - MAY 13: Oliver Perez #46 of the Ne...
Image by Getty Images via Daylife

The Mets found another stunning way to lose which they specialize in doing, especially in San Diego. Tonight they got an astoundingly good start from Oliver Perez. He cruised through the first 6 innings only allowing 1 hit and no walks. But he started to lose it in the seventh giving up a hit and two walks to score a run. Overall, it looked like a real breakthrough start for Perez. He was using a new pause during his windup that seemed to really help him.

The Mets didn’t do much on offense again, only getting 7 hits and 3 walks. They scored both runs in the first inning. Then nothing for the rest of the game. For the second straight game they only had one extra base hit in the game, a double by David Wright. Very poor hitting against a sub-par Padres team.

The ninth inning is when things got crazy. Francisco Rodriguez blew his second straight save opportunity. As a matter of fact, he didn’t even get an out in the ninth. The Padres scored the tying run on a bad call at the plate. But that wasn’t the real issue. K-Rod loaded the bases on 2 hits and 3 walks (1 intentional), then gave up a grand slam to light-hitting shortstop Everth Cabrera of all people. And that was the game.

Another stunning loss for this team.

Box score

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Waiver Claim On Alex Rios, May Be Mets

Alex Rios
Image by Keith Allison via Flickr

In a report for ESPN, Buster Olney writes that Alex Rios didn’t make it through waivers. He was claimed and the Blue Jays have until Tuesday to decide what to do. They can work out a trade with the claiming team, pull Rios back from waivers, or just let him go for nothing.

Olney speculates that the claiming team is likely the Giants or Mets. Rios has six years left on his original seven year contract worth $69.35M. It’s a hefty contract to take on for any team but the Mets have several big holes to fill for next year and left field is one of the biggest.

For Rios’ career, which began in 2004, his 162 game averages are .285/ .335/ .449 39 doubles, 7 triples, 16 HR, 79 RBI’s, 23 SB, 7 CS. He was an all-star in 2006 and 2007. I saw Rios play when he was a minor leaguer and he was head and shoulders above his competition.

I know that everyone has seen this video of him acting like an idiot:

But it wouldn’t be a terrible move to take on Rios’ contract for the Mets. Let’s face it, despite the poor economy, the Mets are in a new stadium will all sorts of new revenue streams. They can afford this contract. By taking him off waivers, the Mets can still hold onto their prospects that they weren’t willing to give up at the trading deadline this year.

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