Tag: Mike Pelfrey

Mets Drop Second Game To Reds 7-1

As usual, the double header was split between the Mets and Reds today. That’s exactly the reason that the Mets tried to get the game in despite the rain last night. Double headers are almost always split.

The good news in this game is that Mike Pelfrey pitched really well and kept the Mets in the game through six innings giving up only two runs. That’s something for Pelfrey to build upon.

The bad news was that the Mets only got four hits in the game. Bronson Arroyo was on tonight even though he’s had a terrible season. He’s had a few starts that were fair this season, but this was by far his best game yet. There’s not much that you can do when a pitcher is on like that.

Duaner Sanchez and Billy Wagner didn’t have it tonight. Wagner was hurt by some poor fielding though.

The Mets absolutely must win the rubber game tomorrow. They cannot lose a home series to the Reds. That would be a terrible sign if they did.

Box score

On Deck: Saturday May 10, 2008 Mets-Reds Twice

Cincinnati Reds (14-21) at New York Mets (17-15) 1:10pm 7:30pm

Matt Belisle (1-2) vs. Johan Santana (3-2)  1:10pm

Bronson Arroyo (1-4) vs. Mike Pelfrey (2-2)  7:30pm

TV: SNY Radio: WFAN (Both Games)

What to watch: Last nights rain out forced a dual admission double header today. Santana is keeping the day game and Pelfrey is moving to the night game. Ken Griffey was scratched from last nights lineup because he was sick. We’ll see if he can play today, he’s coming up on 600 home runs. The Reds are really bad this season so the Mets need to take advantage of that in this home series.

Tonight’s Mets-Reds Game Postponed

New York MetsImage via Wikipedia

They tried to get the game in tonight but there was too much rain. The original forecast was calling for the rain to end around game time but that didn’t happen.

The Mets and Reds will play a day-night dual admission double header tomorrow. The games will be at 1:10pm and 7:40pm. Johan Santana will keep the day game that he was originally scheduled for and Mike Pelfrey will pitch the night game.

On Deck: Friday May 9, 2008 Mets-Reds

Cincinnati Reds (14-21) at New York Mets (17-15)  7:10pm

Matt Belisle (1-2) vs. Mike Pelfrey (2-2)

TV: SNY Radio: WFAN

What to watch: The awful Reds come to town this weekend for a series that the Mets need for some easy wins. Matt Belisle has made three unimpressive starts for the Reds so don’t be surprised if the Mets get a good chance to heat up their bats tonight. The Reds do have some good young players but are just biding time until they can dump Ken Griffey and Adam Dunn at the trading deadline.

Pedro Martinez Isn’t Close To Returning

Pedro Martinez waves goodbye after signing some autographsImage via Wikipedia

I’ve been scouring the Internet today looking for an update on Pedro Martinez’ injury status. This is his sixth week on the disabled list since straining his hamstring in his first start of the season.

Finally, this evening MLB.com posted an update on what Martinez is doing. He’s still throwing side sessions from a bullpen mound in Port St. Lucie. He hasn’t faced live hitters yet but expects to as early as this week.

He’ll need to throw a simulated game or an extended spring training game first. Then he’ll need to make some rehab starts in minor league games. It could be a while before he’s back.

A month ago Pedro was making noise to Dominican newspapers about how he’s going to surprise everyone and be back in New York before the end of April. It’ll be interesting to see what the Mets do with the rotation when he gets back. Mike Pelfrey or Nelson Figueroa will be out. Pelfrey could go to New Orleans and work on his control. I’d prefer to see Figueroa stay in the rotation but he’s probably better suited to come out of the bullpen than Pelfrey.

Mets Drop Second Game To D-Backs 10-4

I never thought that the Mets would go into Arizona and sweep the D-Backs. They’re playing so well this season, it would seem almost impossible to win all three games there. So if the Mets were going to take two out of three, I figured that they wouldn’t be able to Brandon Webb. And they didn’t.

Webb didn’t pitch that well, so it’s a shame that the Mets couldn’t take advantage of a rare off day for him to get a win. Blame it on Mike Pelfrey, the bullpen, Carlos Beltran’s .208 average, or Endy Chavez’ non-existent bat. Blame it on all of them.

I’m just not seeing the tremendous upside of Mike Pelfrey that the Mets management does. The minor leagues are littered with guys who have great “stuff” but keep hitting bats and can’t throw strikes consistently. That’s what I see in Pelfrey. He was below average again today. His ERA is up to 5.27 now and that’s unacceptable in the rotation. He walked four and struck out one… that’s completely unacceptable!

Pedro Feliciano was pretty bad too, but his ERA was hurt by Scott Schoenweiss coming in and throwing a first pitch meatball to Augie Ojeda with the bases loaded. Ojeda hit it into the corner in right for a double for his 6th RBI of the game. How do you let a number 8 hitter beat you with six RBI’s?

The bullpen has been taxed far too much so far this season. The Mets really need the starters to get deeper into games badly. They can’t keep leaning on the bullpen to cover four or more innings in almost every game. There’s going to be a breaking point.

The Mets still have a chance to win the series tomorrow. Hopefully, they’ll be able to take this series before moving on to Los Angeles on Monday.

Box score

Video Highlights

On Deck: Saturday May 3, 2008 D-Backs

New York Mets (15-12) at Arizona Diamond Backs (20-9)   3:45pm

Mike Pelfrey (2-1) vs. Brandon Webb (6-0)

TV: Fox   Radio: WFAN

What to watch: Going against Webb is a really tough draw for the Mets. He won the Cy Young Award two years ago, and looks like he’s on his way to doing it again this year. If Carlos Beltran can wake up offensively the Mets will have a much better chance against Webb.