Audio: Jose Reyes on Hamstring Injury

NEW YORK, NY - MAY 22: Jose Reyes #7 of the N...
Image by Getty Images via @daylife

Here’s a link to some audio from Jose Reyes talking to reporters about the hamstring injury he suffered during yesterday’s game against the Yankees. He hurt it running to first base in the first inning. Reyes stayed in the game for an inning before being replaced by Ruben Tejada.

Reyes tells reporters that the hamstring doesn’t feel too bad but he didn’t want it to “blow up” so he came out of the game. He may have chosen some odd words when he said that but, hopefully, it isn’t that serious.

There are so many implications that this injury can have on the Mets and Reyes from his impending free agency to the Mets plans at the trading deadline later this month. Reyes will be in for an MRI today, so we’ll know more soon about the severity of the injury and the direction that this could take the Mets and Reyes.

Join us at 7pm tonight for “Sunday Night Mets” as Kerel Cooper of On The Black and I talk to you and other Mets fans about the Jose Reyes injury.

Jose Reyes audio

Mets 16 – Tigers 9 June 29, 2011

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 05: Ronny Paulino #9 of t...
Image by Getty Images via @daylife

The Mets are going crazy on offense right now. 14 runs last night and 20 tonight. Who knew the Mets had it in them? Scott Hairston’s bases loaded triple in the first inning got the party started and it never stopped. They assaulted the Tigers with 20 hits and 7 walks in the game. Ronny Paulino hit cleanup and went 4 for 6 with 4 runs scored. Angel Pagan also chipped in 4 hits, 3 runs, and 4 RBI’s. The offensive numbers are just silly.

The Mets pitching wasn’t anything to brag about. Chris Capuano gave up 5 runs in 5 innings and ended his run of excellent starts. Without the silly offense, he would’ve lost most games. Pedro Beato didn’t look great giving up 2 runs. And there was a bizarre incident like I’ve never seen before in the seventh inning. Terry Collins brought in Tim Byrdak even though he wasn’t warming up in the bullpen. Byrdak promptly gave up a homer to the first batter he faced, and had some words for Collins on his way out of the game.

The Mets won’t have it so easy against Justin Verlander tomorrow. Mike Pelfrey will need to bring his “A” game.

Box score

Mets 14 – Tigers 3 June 28, 2011

DENVER, CO - MAY 12: Jason Bay #44 of the New...
Image by Getty Images via @daylife

The Mets jumped on Rick Porcello right from the start scoring 2 runs in the first and they were off an running from there. It was a complete blowout and, surprisingly, the second time they scored 14 runs in a game on this road trip. R.A. Dickey was solid for 7 innings only allowing 3 runs and that was all the Mets needed.

The story of the game was offense and more offense. The Mets had 18 hits and 5 walks including two grand slams from Carlos Beltran and Jason Bay. Light-hitting Josh Thole even hit a home. Of course, Jose Reyes went crazy going 4 for 4 with 3 runs. It was just an incredible offensive display.

The Mets are 3-1 on this road trip and a game over .500. They’re undermanned but not giving up on this season that’s for sure.

Box score

Preview: Mets at Rangers June 26, 2011

New York Mets (38-39) at Texas Rangers (41-37) 3:05pm

Dillon Gee (7-1 3.21) vs. Derek Holland (6-2 4.69)

TV: SNY             Radio: WFAN

What to watch: The Mets can win the series today and get to .500 in the same game. It would be a big psychological victory for this team if they can do it. Gee will have to stay focused pitching in front of a big contingent of friends and family near home today. His last start against the A’s was the worst of his brief career going 4 innings and allowing 4 runs.

Holland has a winning record this season, more because of the great team he plays for than his own performance. The league is hitting .275 against him and his 1.46 WHIP isn’t anything to brag about. So the Mets have a chance to put up some runs today if Gee can keep them in the game.

Mets 14 – Rangers 5 – Turning Point of the Year?

NEW YORK - MAY 12: Jose Reyes #7 of the New Y...
Image by Getty Images via @daylife

Here’s a quote from one of my favorite movies, Rocky Balboa: “It ain’t about how hard ya hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done!”

Yes. I just quoted a fictitious character but it’s so relevant and true.

You saw the Mets take a beating at the hands of the Rangers on Friday night losing ugly by a lopsided score of 8-1. They then come right back to clobber the Rangers in game 2 of this series by a score of 14-5 and they never let up. This team has been pushed just under .500 for the last few weeks but they keep finding ways to take the hits and keep moving forward and within reach of .500.

This game may have been the turning point of the year. This team is now starting to show some serious character. I can now see this team staying in the wild card hunt and holding onto all their players (except maybe Carlos Beltran) for a potential playoff run. It’s not hard to see how, if the kids stay this productive and give the superstars a reason to come back, this could be a successful season.

Even Jose Reyes may want to stick around if the team manages to become a winner this year. We can only hope. But this I saw, this team can come back from a bad loss. They know it. The league knows it and now, thanks to this being a nationally televised game on FOX, most of the country knows it too.

Previously Met teams would have choked under similar circumstances. This one isn’t. Let’s just hope they can continue to take the hits for the rest of the season, because that’s how winning is done.

Mets 14 – Rangers 5 June 25, 2011

PORT ST. LUCIE, FL - FEBRUARY 24: RY 24: RY ...
Image by Getty Images via @daylife

The Mets put a beat down on the Rangers today right from the start. They put up 3 runs in the first inning and never let up. Jon Niese was pitching really well going 5.2 innings and allowing only 2 runs when he was removed for a rapid heartbeat. I’m sure we’ll be hearing more about his condition in the next day.

On offense, everyone was killing today. They had 17 hits and 2 walks in the game. The amazing thing is that they scored 14 runs without a home run in a hitter’s park. Lucas Duda was the star going 4 for 5 with 4 RBI’s with 3 doubles.

The Mets and Rangers play the rubber game of the series tomorrow. The Mets can get to .500 with a win tomorrow too.

Box score

Preview: Mets at Rangers June 25, 2011

New York Mets (37-39) at Texas Rangers (41-36) 4:10pm

Jon Niese (6-6 3.70) vs. Alexi Ogando (7-2 2.66)

TV: Fox             Radio: WFAN

What to watch: The Mets are going to have a tough time today against Ogando. He was in the bullpen last season but he’s been pitching really well as a starter this season. He’s stumbled a couple of times including against the Yankees when he allowed 6 runs in 1.2 innings on June 14. Otherwise, he’s had some great starts.

Niese really stumbled too in his last start against the Angels when he allowed 4 runs in 4 innings. He’ll be looking to get back on track in a tough park for pitchers this afternoon.