Tag: Claudio Vargas

On Deck: May 24- Mets At Rockies

New York Met (22-24) at Colorado Rockies (19-29) 3:55pm

Claudio Vargas (0-2) vs. Jeff Francis (1-4)

TV: Fox Radio: WFAN

What to watch: The Mets have turned into a train wreck on this road trip, finding every possible way to lose. Vargas pitches on short rest this afternoon. His last start in Atlanta was pretty bad going five innings and giving up four runs. Jeff Francis has been pretty bad this season as well. He’s been the Rockies ace but hasn’t had a good season. After losing the first game of the series last night, the Mets need to take the next two games if there’s any chance of staving off the vultures over Willie Randolph’s career with the Mets.

Braves Sweep Double Header With 6-2 Win

Claudio Vargas didn’t look anything like the pitcher we saw in his last start tonight. He gave up four runs over five innings. Pedro Feliciano got through the sixth despite hitting two batters. And Matt Wise gave up a two run homer to Mark Kotsay in the eighth inning.

The Mets mounted a minor comeback attempt in the eighth inning scoring two runs but Kotsay’s homer ended their good chance to match the Braves.

The big news is that Ryan Church was injured on the final out of the game. Yunel Escobar tried to jump Church on a take out slide at second. Church appeared to be hit in the head by Escobar’s knee or foot. Church’s head then hit the ground as he went down limply. It looks like it might be another concussion for Church who already had one in spring training. More to come on his condition.

The Mets drop a double header to the Atlanta Braves which almost never happens. A vast majority of double headers are split.

Box score

Glavine, Braves Top Mets 6-1

You won’t read this here very often: the Mets scored their only run of the game on a Luis Castillo home run. How about that?

The most disappointing thing about this game is how well Tom Glavine looked. John Maine couldn’t keep up with him. The Mets scored their only run in the first inning and left the bases loaded. They never mounted a threat after that.

Maine only made it through four innings giving up four runs on eight hits and three walks. Scott Schoenweis relieved him in the fifth and then Aaron Heilman let things get out of reach in the seventh inning. Brian McCann hit a two run homer off Heilman. He just can’t figure out how to get through a clean inning.

They’ll do it again tonight at 7:00pm with Claudio Vargas going against Jorge Campillo.

Box score

Video Highlights

On Deck: Mets In Atlanta Play Two

New York Mets (22-19) at Atlanta Braves (22-21)   1:00pm and 7:00pm

First game: John Maine (5-2) vs. Tom Glavine (1-1)

Second game: Claudio Vargas (0-1) vs. Jorge Campillo (0-0)

TV: SNY    Radio: WFAN  (both games)

What to watch: The Mets play four games in Atlanta over three days before moving on to Colorado. The best part of the road trip will be getting a chance at revenge on Tom Glavine in the first game. John Maine hasn’t given up more than two earned runs in a game since his first start on April 5th. Claudio Vargas was terrific in his first start against Washington on May 14th. He didn’t deserve a loss. Now that Pedro is joining the team in Atlanta for a bullpen session, Vargas is just keeping Pedro’s seat warm until he gets back.

Mets Lose Another Game To Nats 5-3

Pitching was the story of this game. Claudio Vargas had a terrific first start for the Mets going 6.1 innings and gave up only only two runs. That was much more than the Mets expected from the journeyman pitcher just up from Triple-A New Orleans.

On the other end of the spectrum, Aaron Heilman was horrible again. I was dumbfounded when Willie Randolph brought in Heilman in the seventh with one out, one runner on base, and a tie game. Randolph said after the game that Scott Schoenweiss and Matt Wise were unavailable. Wise because he just pitched two days in a row, and Schoenweiss was sick.

Heilman threw gallons of gas on the fire by pitching .1 innings and gave up three runs plus let the inherited runner from Vargas score. He was booed mercilessly by the crowd throughout the inning. Randolph heard a lot of booing from the crowd too.

Earlier in the game Moises Alou was ejected for slamming his bat after being called out on strikes.

I feel like we’re watching this job slip away from Randolph before our eyes. The best that the Mets can do now is a split of a four game home series with the last place Nationals. There doesn’t seem to be any spark with this team. It’s becoming a problem.

Box score

Video Highlights

On Deck: Wednesday May 14, 2008 Mets-Nats

Washington Nationals (16-24) at New York Mets (20-17)  7:10pm

Tim Redding (4-3) vs. Claudio Vargas (0-0)

TV: SNY   Radio: WFAN

What to watch: Vargas makes his first start for the Mets after getting cut by the Brewers in spring training. His numbers weren’t very good last season in Milwaukee, so I’m leary about what kind of performance we’ll see tonight. It couldn’t be much worse than Nelson Figueroa’s last few starts though. I hope…

Flurry Of Roster Moves Shakes Up Mets

WFAN’s Mike and the Mad Dog just discussed several roster moves for the Mets today:

  • Mets purchase the contract of Claudio Vargas
  • Mets purchase the contract of Fernando Tatis
  • Mets activate Matt Wise from the disabled list
  • Angel Pagan was placed on the 15 day disabled list
  • Nelson Figueroa was designated for assignment
  • Jorge Sosa was designated for assignment

The purchase of Fernando Tatis’ contract is a bit of a surprise. Luis Castillo must be hurt enough so that the Mets feel like they need some infield insurance. Tatis can provide that if Castillo is out for a week or more.

Claudio Vargas will pitch Wednesday against the Nationals. Who knows what we’ll get from him? He was released by the Brewers for a reason, so don’t expect miracles from him. We should be thrilled to get five innings out of him. He was on the street a month ago.

The Nelson Figueroa dream comes to an end for now. He was a great story but just couldn’t get major league hitters out consistently. He was fantastic the first time through the order and may have been more suited for a relief role.

I’m ecstatic that Omar Minaya designated Sosa. This is best for the team despite the fact that they may have to eat $1.5 million of his salary if he doesn’t accept a minor league assignment. Joe Smith earned the right to stay on the team. I would’ve been livid if Minaya kept Sosa instead of Smith. It would have displayed a lack of concern for winning now. Not to mention the fact that it may have adversely affected Willie Randolph’s ability to keep his job. Good job Omar!