The Mets were victimized by a very solid complete game by Jon Garland. I won’t dwell the fact that the Mets should have signed Garland in the offseason instead of Oliver Perez. Garland only gave up 7 hits and 2 runs, but this is the Mets weak offense that he did it against.
Mike Pelfrey struggled through 5 inningsĀ giving up 3 runs on 107 pitches.
Gary Sheffield made his return to the lineup as a pinch hitter in the bottom of the fifth and stayed in to play left field. He told reporters that he wasn’t thrilled about not starting today, and this is after he wasn’t thrilled about going on the disabled list in the first place.
The Mets are in a bad spot now after losing two of the first three games to the D-Backs. Tomorrow night they go up against Dan Haren. Bad news.
The Mets are bringing Gary Sheffield back from the disabled list for today’s game against the D-Backs. To make room on the roster, Robinson Cancel has been designated for assignment.
Sheffield hasn’t played in two weeks due to a right hamstring strain. Initially, it was referred to as a cramp. But when he didn’t play for a week the Mets put him on the DL.
The most interesting thing about him coming back is the talk of keeping light-hitting Cory Sullivan in left field. We’ll see how long that lasts. Sullivan is a quadruple-A player that’s only on the roster due to the numerous injuries the Mets have sustained. Starting him over Sheffield in left shouldn’t last long. I’ve been surprised that he’s been playing over Jeremy Reed.
The Mets had a rare offensive explosion, and even more surprising it came on a day when Gary Sheffield was put on the DL. They even had three home runs from Jeff Francoeur, Omir Santos, and David Wright. Yes, Wright actually hit a home run.
Jon Niese was very good in his first start back from the minors. He looked shaky at first, giving up a run and a couple of walks in the first inning. But he calmed down and got through 7 innings giving up only the one run. Overall, it was a great job by Niese.
Francisco Rodriguez pitched the ninth to get some work in during the blowout game. He ended up giving up 3 hits including a big home run to Hunter Pence. K-Rod seems to struggle in these games where the outcome appears to be decided.
The Mets finally have a game to be happy about. Hopefully, that will continue tomorrow afternoon before the Mets return home.
The Mets finally put Gary Sheffield on the disabled list with a strained right hamstring. This is after a week of sitting on the bench and taking up a roster spot without playing. Sheffield said that he felt fine and was dressed to play about two hours before the game today. At least they’re able to make the DL retroactive to July 18, so he can come back in a week.
Jon Niese was added to the roster taking Sheffield’s spot to make the start in Houston tonight. Of course, he’s starting because Fernando Nieve tore a muscle in his quad in his last start.
The Mets suffered a brutal and embarrassing defeat in Atlanta tonight. Watching this game it felt as if the season was disappearing before my eyes. Mike Pelfrey was absolutely putrid tonight giving up 9 runs in 4.1 innings. Once Pelfrey gave up 3 runs in the first inning, the game was all but over. The Mets don’t have the offense to overcome an early deficit like that.
Speaking of the Mets offense, they managed 2 hits and 3 walks in the entire game. Gary Sheffield left the game in the bottom of the fifth inning after chasing down a fly ball. He appeared to have a hamstring problem. But it was later diagnosed as just a cramp.
The Mets get beaten down in their first two games out of the All-Star break. The second half of the season is getting ugly.
Surprisingly, it was the Mets offense that came up big today with 16 hits and 2 walks including two home runs. Luis Castillo led the charge going 3 for 4 with 3 runs scored. Gary Sheffield was supposed to have the day off, but played and had a terrific offensive game going 2 for 5 with 3 RBI’s and 2 runs scored. The big difference in the game was in the seventh inning Brian Schneider hit a solo homer off the porch in right. Then Fernando Tatis hit a pinch hit solo homer to left, both homers were off former Met David Weathers.
Mike Pelfrey rebounded to have a nice start going 7 innings giving up 3 runs on 5 hits and 2 walks. Pelfrey gave up all 3 runs in the fifth inning and still appears to get out of sorts with runners on base. He balked again today in the fifth. Jerry Manuel let him work his way out of trouble to the tune of 115 pitches in the game.
Sean Green was horrible in the eighth inning giving up 3 straight hits without getting an out. All of the runners would come around to score in the frame. Francisco Rodriguez was shaky again in the ninth giving up a run on 1 hit and 1 walk. But he got the job done.
The Mets take two out of three from the Reds heading into the All-Star break.
There’s been so much talk, as there always is this time of year, about the Mets trade possibilities. I’m as guilty as the next person is about writing and talking about it. But I started thinking today that the Mets could get some much needed offensive help right off the street. There are two players that could walk in and start on this team right now that are unsigned. Omar Minaya needs to get creative before the non-waiver trading deadline and here’s how to do it.
Richie Sexson– Sure, his ’07 and ’08 seasons were forgettable. And I know he got a reputation as a locker room problem in Seattle. But didn’t Gary Sheffield come with baggage? And he’s worked out pretty well so far to say the least. Sexson is 34 years-old and a lifetime .261 hitter with 306 home runs. I’d much rather see him at first base until Carlos Delgado gets back than Daniel Murphy/Fernando Tatis. Big Sexy for first base.
Barry Bonds– I know, I know. I keep advocating for Bonds. But he could fit in nicely for the last 90 games of the season as an outfielder/pinch hitter. A Bonds/Sheffield platoon situation in left field would keep both players fresh and provide some more power in the lineup.
As much as the Mets are trying to showcase Fernando Martinez for a trade, he needs to hit to be traded. And that hasn’t happened, not even close. The Mets don’t need to empty the farm system and trade Bobby Parnell (the most attractive trading chip the Mets have) to get some help. Both Bonds and Sexson would definitely play for the prorated minimum salary that gives the Mets the flexibility to cut them if they don’t work out. It’s a win-win situation that will keep this team moving in the right direction until the injury situation resolves itself.
Murphy clearly isn’t a major league player yet, in the field especially or with the bat. He should be optioned to Triple- A Buffalo. Unfortunately, Fernando Tatis just hasn’t worked out this season. It’s time that the Mets eat the rest of his $1.7 million contract and let him go. That clears two roster spots for Bonds and Sexson.
The Mets Report 