Here’s the SNY video from the post game interviews after yesterday’s 3-1 win over the Phillies in the final game of this weeks series. I wish that I had some video of Jimmy Rollins stuck in traffic and showing up late for the game. But I’ve only got Carlos Delgado, Oliver Perez, and Jerry Manuel.
Audio- Mets GM Omar Minaya Talks Trades and More
Omar Minaya joined WFAN’s Boomer & Carton show (minus Carton on vacation) this morning. He discusses the team’s recent success, Ryan Church, Luis Castillo, and the Mets needs in the trade market.
Audio- Billy Wagner Fired Up On ESPN Radio
Billy Wagner does his weekly spot with Michael Kay on ESPN Radio. He talks about his shoulder injury and the Mets big win over the Phillies today. But he also gets into a beef that he has with NY Times writer William C. Rhoden over a column that he wrote yesterday that you can read here.
Basically, Wagner says that he was misquoted by Rhoden in the column. He says that Rhoden was supposed to meet him after the game in the locker room to talk about the column today but no-showed for the meeting. Wagner also says that his post game comments were heard by all of the reporters in the room and nobody else heard him say that he should have pitched in the first game of the Phillies series when Duaner Sanchez and the rest of the bullpen got roughed up in the ninth inning.
Billy’s always got something good to say but this one is especially good.
Video- Mets And Phillies Pitching
Fox Sports Rob Dibble and Kevin Kennedy talk about the Mets and Phillies pitching this season. They discuss the need for Mets pitchers to go deeper into games, which I agree with. I think that’s something that Jerry Manuel needs to do differently. He needs to trust that the starters can go to 110 or 120 pitches.
The Fox guys also talk about the Phillies acquisition of Joe Blanton.
Manuel’s Mets Can Take A Punch…And Punch Back
I’ve talked up Jerry Manuel on this blog before. But I have to say that the most impressive thing, in my mind, about his tenure with the Mets is the team’s resilience. Clearly, the motivation for this post is the Mets series this week against the Phillies. Losing the first game in dramatic, ninth inning fashion was devastating. Coming back to win the next two games showed incredible ability to be down but not out.
There are several other examples of this during Manuel’s tenure as well. On July 2nd the Cardinals left the Mets on the field in St. Louis. Troy Glaus hit a home run with two outs in the ninth inning off Carlos Muniz to win 8-7. The next day the Mets came back to beat the Cardinals 11-1.
On July 4th the Mets got left on the field again with two outs in the ninth inning against the Phillies. Shane Victorino hit a 1-2 pitch off Duaner Sanchez to right field to score Pedro Feliz and top the Mets 3-2. The next day the Mets beat the Phillies 9-4 and the Mets took the last three games over the Phillies.
The best quality this team has shown under Jerry Manuel is the ability to pick themselves up after extremely difficult loses and live to fight another day.
Perez Dominates Phillies As Mets Win 3-1
The Mets claimed first place in the NL East with a 3-1 win over the Phillies today. The story of the game was Oliver Perez. Perez went 7.2 innings giving up only six hits and one intentional walk. He struck out 12 in the game including three apiece for Chase Utley and Ryan Howard.
Carlos Delgado came through in the clutch with a huge two-run double in the bottom of the eighth that broke the tie and led the Mets to victory.
Jimmy Rollins was scratched right before the game started and Eric Bruntlett took his place at shortstop for the Phillies. Rollins didn’t appear to be injured, and even pinch hit in the ninth inning. There was no word on why Rollins didn’t start.
On Deck- July 24- Phillies at Mets- Game 3
Philadelphia Phillies (54-47 Road: 27-24) at New York Mets (54-47 Home: 29-19) 12:10pm
Jamie Moyer (9-6 3.90) vs. Oliver Perez (6-6 4.36)
What to watch: The Mets and Phillies play the rubber game of the series on camp day today. So for everyone stuck at work, make sure you get to a TV at lunch or put your MLB.com subscription on when the boss isn’t looking. Moyer has had a great year for the Phils for a 45 year old, or any age for that matter. He hasn’t lost a game since June 29th. Perez has “found himself” under new pitching coach Dan Warthen and he hasn’t lost either since June 24th.
The Mets Report 