Tag: Gary Sheffield

Yankees 4 – Mets 2 June 28, 2009

A lot happened during the coarse of this game that could get your blood boiling as a Mets fan. The Yankees completed the sweep of the Mets at Citi Field. But honestly, the game was over in the first inning. The Yankees were putting up runs on Livan Hernandez before he even got an out. As usual, Hernandez’ total effort wasn’t bad as he gave up only 3 runs in 7 innings. But those runs were enough to lose the game.

Probably the worst moment of the game was in the ninth inning. Francisco Rodriguez was pitching in a non-save situation for some reason. I still can’t figure out why. He walks the bases after a questionable decision to pitch to Derek Jeter with a base open and Mariano Rivera on deck going for a four out save. After running a 2-1 count on Jeter, Jerry Manuel realizes that he should walk Jeter and go after Rivera for the third out. Of course, Rodriguez walks Rivera to plate a run! It was an embarrassing, ugly moment as a Mets fan.

As usual, there isn’t much Mets offense to talk about. They were 2 for 10 as a team with runners in scoring position. With this lineup they’re running out there now, they need to do a lot better than 2 for 10 with RISP. The only player of note was Gary Sheffield going 2 for 3 and raising his season average to .280.

And by the way, Rivera got the 500th save of his career.

6.28.09

Enhanced by Zemantahttp://static.zemanta.com/readside/loader.js

Yankees 9 – Mets 1 June 26, 2009

Although Mike Pelfrey didn’t have a bad game only allowing 2 earned runs in five innings, the Mets did the best they could to blow the game behind him. David Wright, Alex Cora, and Nick Evans committed the rare three errors in one inning during the second, that allowed 2 unearned runs to score during the 4 run inning. And that was pretty much it for the Mets.

The only offense of the night was a solo homer from Gary Sheffield in the fifth. Jerry Manuel was trying to get some more offense going by starting Ryan Church in center field. It didn’t generate any offense, but he did look good covering ground in the spacious area of Citi Field.

The bullpen didn’t help matter much last night behind Pelfrey either. Elmer Dessens got ripped for two homers in his second game as a Met, raising his ERA to 8.10, which is what I expected from him when he joined the team. Sean Green reverted to old form by giving up 2 runs in the ninth inning raising his ERA to an ugly 5.45.

6.26.09

Enhanced by Zemantahttp://static.zemanta.com/readside/loader.js

Yankees 15 – Mets 0 June 14, 2009

The score pretty much says it all for this game. The Mets got rocked! These games will happen during the season. But Johan Santana got demolished for 9 runs in 3 innings. He pitched in the fourth inning but didn’t get an out. The Yankees scored 9 runs in that inning.

Santana has been slipping since May 16 when he gave up 4 runs in San Francisco. He hasn’t been nearly as good as he was for the first month and a half of the season. I’m hoping that he isn’t injured. But you have to wonder what the reason for the drop off in performance is.

I won’t really get into the Mets offense because there really wasn’t any. The only good thing is that Gary Sheffield is back hitting again. He went 2 for 3 today and had 2 home runs in the series against the Yankees. He’s back up to hitting .270 for the season, which is about where I’d expect him to be.

6.14.09

Enhanced by Zemantahttp://static.zemanta.com/readside/loader.js

Mets 6 – Yankees 2 June 13, 2009

I think the biggest surprise for everyone in this game is that Fernando Nieve was outstanding in his first start as a Met. He hasn’t started a game in the majors since 2006. He really shut down the Yankees with a good mid-90’s fastball and a solid slider. Nieve went 6.2 innings giving up 2 runs to a really good Yankees lineup. He’ll certainly rival Tim Redding for his spot in the rotation when John Maine comes back from the disabled list if he can keep this up.

The Mets pounded the Yankees pitchers for 17 hits, 12 off Andy Pettite who only went 5 innings. Omir Santos and Gary Sheffield hit homers and Fernando Martinez went 3 for 4. David Wright was also 2 for 5 raising his average to and eye-popping .365.

It was a nice game for the Mets but the biggest factor is that they didn’t show any hangover from last night’s brutal loss. I think part of their ability to recover is due to Jerry Manuel’s openness about these things. He doesn’t sugarcoat tough losses or shut down to the media like Willie Randolph did. I’m sure he’s the same way with the players too.

6.13.09

Enhanced by Zemantahttp://static.zemanta.com/readside/loader.js

Mets Church Returns; Brown Designated

Church!
Image by team doster via Flickr

Ryan Church returns to the Mets today after coming off the disabled list for a strained right hamstring. Emil Brown was designated for assignment after his only start yesterday in Washington.

I’m glad the Mets chose not to send Fernando Martinez down and keep Brown with the team. From what I’ve seen, Brown doesn’t look like he adds much to the team other than a right-handed bat. It makes sense to keep Martinez playing every day for a while and let Church and Gary Sheffield split time in right field, at least for now.

From MLB.com:

“I think it was being at peace with things, and knowing I had some days to rest up,” Church said. “Basically it was getting treatment and staying off of it. But once I got down there, in the balmy 120-degree weather with the humidity, it loosened up real quick.”

Enhanced by Zemantahttp://static.zemanta.com/readside/loader.js

Link: Q&A Gary Sheffield

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia

The Posts Steve Serby does his Sunday Q&A with Gary Sheffield. It’s definitely worth a read. And Ihave to admit that when the Mets signed him I was concerned that he wouldn’t take to riding the bench more than he’s used to. But I’m glad to say that so far I’ve been wrong. Sheffield has a lot more left thanI thought he did. Kudos to Omar Minaya on that one.

Enhanced by Zemantahttp://static.zemanta.com/readside/loader.js

Mets 7 – Nationals 4 May 27, 2009

The Mets complete the 3-game sweep of the Nationals tonight that was an interesting game in several aspects. First, Johan Santana was struggling through 6 innings giving up 3 runs. Although he was struggling, he did have 11 strikeouts. But he also had 6 walks and gave up 3 hits. It wasn’t vintage Santana but it was enough to get the win and raise his record to 7-2.

Another interesting aspect of the game was Daniel Murphy at the plate. He was 3-for-4 with a homer a double and 5 RBI’s. The home run in the sixth inning appeared to go off the Subway sign that overhangs right field. Initially, the umpires called the ball in play and Gary Sheffield was thrown out at the plate. But the play was reviewed and the umpires called it a home run off the Subway sign. It was really hard to tell from the replays. I’d be curious to know what they saw in their replays.

Sheffield was 1-for-2 with 2 walks and a key 2-run double in the first inning. Luis Castillo was 2-for-2 with 3 walks as well. It was a good offensive night except for David Wright going 1-for-5 with 4 strikeouts.

The Mets move back into first place with a Phillies loss tonight after completing the sweep of the sad Nationals team.

52709

Enhanced by Zemantahttp://static.zemanta.com/readside/loader.js