Video: Post Game April 24, 2008

The depressing post game video contains comments from Oliver Perez, Aaron Heilman, and Willie Randolph.

Oliver Perez wasn’t terrible. It wasn’t his best night but he should’ve been given the opportunity to get through the sixth inning. That’s Willie’s mistake. The poor performances of Jorge Sosa and Heilman, and the over-work of Joe Smith, and Pedro Feliciano should force Willie to re-think his strategy.

Willie needs to give the starters more leeway to work out of trouble. The best pitchers on the team are the starters (except for Billy Wagner). He needs to keep his best pitchers in the game longer considering the state of the bullpen.

Nats Smoke Mets 10-5

Oliver Perez didn’t pitch well but it certainly wasn’t as bad as his line shows. He went 5.2 innings and gave up three runs but left two on for Aaron Heilman in the sixth. Heilman promptly walked Lastings Milledge and then gave up another grand slam to Felipe Lopez, and the game was over.

The Mets bullpen has given up three grand slams now. The entire National League has only had four grand slams.

Jorge Sosa got knocked around again in the seventh inning giving up three runs but only one was earned. Jose Reyes made an error and then Carlos Delgado let one go right past his glove on the ground in what should’ve been scored an error too.

Delgado went 0 for 4 again and his average is down to .198 now. There have been so many columns and blog posts about what the Mets can do with him. This is now his second season of not hitting. I think he may be “done”.

Box score

Video Highlights

Cubs Rip Heilman, Mets 7-1

John Maine (1-2) had a pretty decent game. He pitched six innings only giving up two runs, five hits, two walks, and had six strikeouts. He deserved to lose the game only because Carlos Zambrano was really on tonight for the Cubs. He went seven innings giving up only one run. That can happen at times during the season.

Duaner Sanchez pitched a flawless seventh inning and looks like he’s getting back to his old form. He doesn’t have the blazing fastball that he had before the shoulder injury a year and a half ago. But it looks like what he’s got is good enough to get hitters out.

Now we get to the eighth inning, when the wheels came off for the Mets. Once again, Aaron Heilman was the goat of the game. That’s appropriate since they’re playing in the home of the curse of the goat. Heilman only got through two outs in the inning giving up two hits and hitting Aramas Ramirez. Four runs scored but Heilman’s ERA was bailed out by Jose Reyes making an error on a grounder. He was able to actually reduce his ERA to 4.97. Continue reading “Cubs Rip Heilman, Mets 7-1”

Mets Win 4-2 in Philly

Philadelphia, PA- Seven Met pitchers combined to finish the game and get the win for starter Oliver Perez (2-0).  Perez pitched 5.2 innings giving up no runs with seven strikeouts, but allowed five walks.  This was a classic Perez game, brilliant and unhittable at times and completely losing his command at others.Once again, David Wright was the offensive catalyst going 2 for 4 with 2 RBI’s in the first inning off Jamie Moyer. Jose Reyes hit a two run homer in the seventh, his second of the year as part of a 2 for 4 day, scoring  2 runs, and stealing a base. His home run was celebrated in classic Reyes style with extended handshakes and a dance in the dugout. It’s great to see the “old” Reyes back!

Chase Utley hit a solo homer in the  seventh off Scott Schoenweiss. The eighth inning was pretty intense with Aaron Heilman coming in with one out and two men on. He gave up a hit to left by Carlos Ruiz to load the bases. I was hoping that Heilman wouldn’t implode in a key situation again. He came through with flying colors striking out pinch hitter Geoff Jenkins and Jayson Werth to leave the bases loaded.

Watching on TV it sounded like there was a pretty sizable Mets contingent in the stands. The game was halted briefly in the ninth inning while a scuffle in the right field stands was dealt with by stadium security. Of course, Fox didn’t show any of it on TV so I’ll have to check YouTube to see if there’s any video of what actually happened.

The Mets win the first two games in Philly to win the series and go for the sweep tomorrow. They’ve got a five game winning streak going and really look to be hitting their stride early in the season.

Box score 

Video Highlights 

Mets Take First Game in Philly 6-4

Philadelphia, PA- The Mets held on to win 6-4 in front of over 45,000 in Philadelphia tonight. Johan Santana was stellar, pitching seven innings with 10 strikeouts, no walks, and giving up three runs. It would’ve been only one run if Aaron Heilman hadn’t come into the game in the eighth and promptly given up a pinch hit home run to Greg Dobbs.

Can we all agree now that Johan Santana shouldn’t be boo’d? If you feel the compulsion to boo a home player, make it Aaron Heilman. He gave up the big bomb tonight. Granted, he’s pitched three good games prior to tonight. Maybe there isn’t anyone that deserved to be boo’d at home right now. How about that?

David Wright was 4 for 4 with two doubles and a triple. He’s on fire right now. Brian Schneider had a nice offensive game as well going 3 for 4. He’s hitting .306/.306/.375 so far.

Jose Reyes stole second and took a header into Chase Utley’s knee. He stayed in the game but I think Willie Randolph should give him the day off tomorrow considering his hamstring kept him out of a couple games this week. He could use a day right now.

The Mets and Phillies do it again tomorrow on Fox at 3:55pm.

Box score 

ESPN Video Highlights 

Duaner Sanchez is Back!

Mets reliever Duaner Sanchez is back on the roster today. Carlos Muniz was optioned to Triple-A New Orleans to make room for him. It’ll be interesting to see how Willie uses him. I suppose he’ll need to build some trust that he can get outs consistently. Hopefully, before long he’ll be back to his old (really old) role as the eighth inning set up man, and move Aaron Heilman up to the seventh inning.

Duaner Sanchez Preps For Return

Duaner Sánchez 02:48, 19 July 2007 . . Metsfan7 . . 557×700 (386,180 bytes)Image via WikipediaDuaner Sanchez is pitching tonight and tomorrow for Triple-A New Orleans in Round Rock, TX. Sanchez may return to the Mets next week if his arm responds to pitching in consecutive days. His return would be a welcome addition to the bullpen and mean a return trip to the minors for Carlos Muniz. Sanchez could reclaim the eighth inning role and move Aaron Heilman up the seventh inning.