Tag: Carlos Beltran

SI’s Heyman On The Mets

Jon Heyman’s Daily Scoop column has tidbits of information from around the major leagues. I’ll give you the Mets related stuff below or you can read the full column here.

  • While Moises Alou may be as close as 10 days away for the Mets, that four-to-six week estimate for Pedro Martinez‘s hamstring appears to have been a very optimistic scenario.
  • Mets outfielder Angel Pagan (.381 so far) has earned more playing time with his superb start. Pagan, a favorite of the front office, could find himself in a four-man outfield rotation once Alou returns. Carlos Beltran would miss less time than the others, but Mets people appear to like the way Cleveland’s four-man rotation works.
  • Manny Acta is treated like returning royalty by some members of the Mets front office when he comes back to Shea as Nationals manager — a little awkward considering he’s managing the competition. Imagine how great they’d think he is if his team didn’t have the worst record in the league at 4-10 (tied with the Tigers).

Reyes Handshakes Are Back Again!

Jose Reyes said in the SNY post game show tonight that Carlos Beltran talked to him about the handshakes that he swore off in spring training. Beltran told him that the team misses the shakes and they want Reyes to be himself.
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I love the handshakes and think it’s great energy for the team. Reyes’ game is all about energy, on the field and in the dugout. I was really disappointed when I read this spring that he wasn’t going to continue the handshakes and switch to an “all business” persona.

The argument against the handshakes is that it provokes other teams that think Reyes is embarrassing them. I don’t buy that major league players are any more motivated by seeing Reyes behavior. Even if they are, Reyes should be true to himself and keep up the shakes!

Mets, Maine Beat Nats 5-2

New York- John Maine (1-1) got his first win of the season pitching 6.2 innings giving up five hits, four walks, and two earned runs to go along with four strikeouts. He wasn’t quite as sharp as we saw in spring training but it was good enough for a win tonight. Joe Smith finished off the seventh and the eighth innings. Billy Wagner closed out the ninth for his second save.

The Mets had an unusual power surge with home runs from Carlos Beltran, Jose Reyes, and Ryan Church against his former team. Luis Castillo also had a quiet 3 for 4 night.

The Mets secured the series by taking the first two games of the three game set. They’ll finish the series tomorrow night at Shea Stadium with John Lannan (0-2) up against Nelson Figueroa (1-0).

Box score

ESPN Video Highlights 

MLB.com Video Highlights 

Braves, Johnson Slam Mets 11-5

Atlanta- Kelly Johnson’s grand slam off Jorge Sosa in the seventh inning capped an 11-5 win for the Atlanta Braves over the New York Mets. John Maine (0-1) took the loss after giving up four runs in four innings in his first start of the season. He had good velocity but lacked command in giving up eight hits and three walks to go along with five strikeouts.

Carlos Beltran went 2-4 with his sixth double of the young season but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Braves offensive barrage. Angel Pagan continued to hit well bringing his average to .385 and adding two more RBI’s today.

The Mets send ace Johan Santana to the mound tomorrow to  try to tie up the rain shortened series against John Smoltz.

See the full recap and box score at CBS Sportsline.

Post Game: Mets 3 White Sox 2

John Maine looked good again today. Carlos Beltran had a big two-run homer.More importantly, Major League Baseball and ESPN did a great job presenting the Civil Rights Game. I really hope that baseball can turn things around in the African-American community and start attracting the best athletes in that community to the game again.

I read a good story from CBS News about the Nationals new stadium being located in a predominantly lower class African- American neighborhood. It’s worth a read.

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Oliver Perez Inconsistent

The Indians won 5-2 today as Oliver Perez gave up four homers in five innings. Perez was consistently high with his pitches and paid the price. Carlos Beltran hit a bomb to center field and Damion Easley was 2 for 3. Read the full recap at MLB.com.

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John Maine: Save Something For The Regular Season

Maine has looked good this spring and appears to be building on last years 15-win season. Bart Hubbach has a good column in today’s edition of the Post.

Maine has pitched 10 consecutive scoreless innings now and has a 2.63 ERA this spring. As I’ve said before in my posts “Don’t get too excited about spring training performances”. But I think Maine has a chance to have a very good, long career in baseball. I like his calm demeanor and his stuff is above average. I can’t remember seeing him look rattled on the mound. Continue reading “John Maine: Save Something For The Regular Season”