Mets Links: Lee, Koosman, Perez, Delgado

NEW YORK - AUGUST 22: Jerry Koosman looks on ...
Image by Getty Images via @daylife

Here are some links to review as we head into the last series before the All-Star break. The Mets are currently 3 games back of the Braves so a sweep would leave the Mets in a tie for first place in the NL East. I think any of us would’ve taken this position for the Mets before the season started.

Here are the links:

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Mets and Phillies – Moves Impacting The NL East

Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Cliff Lee pitches against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the 1st inning of game three of the National League Championship Series in Philadelphia on on October 18, 2009. UPI/Kevin Dietsch Photo via Newscom

http://view.picapp.com//JavaScripts/OTIjs.jsIn 2009, the Mets and Phillies made two decisions which have been debated with fervor throughout baseball. The moves have helped to shape the current state and, quite possibly, the future of the NL East. As the NL East race continues to remain tight, these transactions find themselves subject to dissection.

Move #1: Phillies decline to pair Cliff Lee with Roy Halladay

In December of 2009, frightening reports were coming in all over the baseball world. The rival Phillies were putting together the right package to acquire the the dominant  Halladay from Toronto. One of the most feared offenses in baseball would now have a rotation which would feature Doc Halladay and Lee. Lee was just off a run which included blanking the Yankees in Game 1 of the fall classic. Just as Mets fans were reaching for double shot of something strong, the final details of the deal came through. The deal was a three-way move which had the Phillies flipping Lee to Seattle to bring in their top pitching prospect in an attempt to replenish their farm system.

The deal had many Mets fans breathing a sigh of relief and likewise scratching their heads. There is no doubt that having Halladay in our division was a nightmare, but the idea that Ruben Amaro resisted the temptation to make the ’08 champs the outright favorite to grab another ring was startling. If the Phillies did not intend to sign Lee to an extension, they still had the ability to retain him through the season. They would also receive picks in the offseason for his signing elsewhere. The Phillies signed Doc to an extension and declined to keep Lee for the 2010 season. Amaro explained his reasoning for the three-way deal as not only preparing his team for 2010, but the future as well. Continue reading “Mets and Phillies – Moves Impacting The NL East”

Reds 3 – Mets 1 July 7, 2010

New York Mets starting pitcher Jonathon Niese throws a pitch in the first inning against the Detroit Tigers at Citi Field in New York City on June 22, 2010. UPI/John Angelillo Photo via Newscom

http://view.picapp.com//JavaScripts/OTIjs.jsThe Mets lost the game and the series tonight despite another solid performance by Jon Niese. The problem was that Bronson Arroyo was better. Niese went 7.2 IP giving up 3 runs on 6 hits and 1 walk. He also had 8 strikeouts but did give up 2 home runs.

The Mets offense did put together 8 hits and 1 walk but just couldn’t make it translate into runs. Once again, Angel Pagan had a big game with the bat. He was 2 for 4 with a solo homer in the first off Arroyo and that was all of the Mets scoring. Josh Thole was 2 for 3 also.

The Mets lose two out of three to the Reds and, unfortunately, the Braves won again tonight over the Phillies.

Box score

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Preview: Reds at Mets July 7, 2010

Cincinnati Reds (48-37) at New York Mets (46-37) 7:10 pm

Bronson Arroyo (8-4 4.25) vs Jon Niese (6-2 3.62)

TV: SNY, ESPN   Radio: WFAN

What to watch: The Mets and Reds play the rubber game of the series tonight at Citi Field. Arroyo has generally been pitching well since the beginning of June. The Reds have won three of the last four games he started. In his last start against the Cubs he threw 6 shutout innings. The Mets have won six straight games that Niese started. In his last two starts he’s given up only 1 run over 13 innings.

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’ Beltran and Perez Recovering

St. Lucie Mets
Image via Wikipedia

Last night Carlos Beltran and Oliver Perez played a rehab game for St. Lucie. For Beltran it was the second straight game he played the full game since his knee surgery. He’s expected to return to the Mets on July 15 in San Francisco. He hasn’t played for the Mets since Oct. 4, 2009.

Perez pitched for St. Lucie going 5.2 IP for the win. He allowed 2 hits and 2 runs while getting 7 strikeouts. He’s been on the Mets’ DL since June5 with knee tendinitis. It’s unclear when he’ll be returning to the Mets and whether he’ll be headed back to the bullpen or not.

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Mets 3 – Reds 0 July 6, 2010

Mar. 24, 2010 - Port St Lucie, FLORIDA, United States Of America - epa02090870 New York Mets starting pitcher Johan Santana warms up prior to the game against the Houston Astros during a spring training baseball game in Port St Lucie, Florida, USA , 24 March 2010.

http://view.picapp.com//JavaScripts/OTIjs.jsTonight was the Johan Santana show. In his last start before the All-Star break, Santana went out on a high note. He threw a complete game shutout only allowing 3 hits and 3 walks. He also hit the first home run of his career in the third inning into the right field foul pole. It looked like Jerry Manuel might pull Santana in the top of the ninth. There were two on with one out and Manuel came out to the mound. He quickly went back to the dugout leaving Santana in to finish off the game and it was a good decision.

The Mets didn’t have much offense tonight with 7 hits and 2 walks. But they didn’t need much behind Santana. Jose Reyes was 2 for 4 with a run in his first game back from straining a muscle in his side. Jason Bay was 1 for 4 but had a big 2-RBI single in the sixth inning that was all the insurance the Mets would need tonight.

The Mets and Reds play the rubber game of the series tomorrow.

Box score

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Preview: Reds at Mets July 6, 2010

Cincinnati Reds (48-36) at New York Mets (45-37) 7:10 pm

Undecided vs Johan Santana (5-5 3.41)

TV: SNY   Radio: WFAN

What to watch: The Mets need to take the tonight’s game and tomorrow’s to win the series at home after losing the opener. Santana was excellent in his last start in Washington going 7 IP and allowing 1 run. He had four poor starts prior to that. Hopefully, he’s on the right track permanently. The Reds haven’t announced their starter yet after Aaron Harang couldn’t go yesterday and Travis Wood filled in for him.

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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