Tag: Mike Pelfrey

Mets Pound Nationals 6-0

The Mets trounced the Nationals 6-0 amid the Jackie Robinson Day celebration at Shea Stadium. The biggest story of the game was Mike Pelfrey (2-0) pitching seven scoreless innings. He only gave up five hits and two walks to go along with four strikeouts. He threw 100 pitches, 65 for strikes and looked very confident on the mound.

The Mets offense was powered by Jose Reyes just back from a mild hamstring strain, and David Wright. Reyes was 4 for 5 and a home run shy of the cycle. He was caught stealing but looked good running the bases. Wright was 3 for 5 with 5 RBI’s and a home run. He was right on the ball all night.

Aaron Heilman pitched the eighth inning giving up a double and a walk but no runs. Duaner Sanchez returned to Shea for the first time since his car accident in July 2006. He pitched the ninth giving up only one hit. Sanchez got a nice reception from Mets fans when he was announced.

Paul LoDuca didn’t play because he was hit in the hand this weekend, so his serenade by Mets fans will have to wait until tomorrow night. Lastings Milledge got a mixed reception when he was announced.

I was surprised that Willie Randolph chose the bat Ryan Church second instead of Angel Pagan. Luis Castillo hit eighth in the order, which I’m afraid may be a common scenario over the next four years of his contract. I also probably would’ve let Pelfrey pitch the eighth inning considering this was only his second game of the season and he’s a young guy looking to build confidence.

Box score 

Video Highlights

On Deck: April 15, 2008

Jackie Robinson Day – Washington Nationals (4-9) at New York Mets (5-6)   7:10pm  TV: SNY Radio: WFAN

Odalis Perez (0-2) vs. Mike Pelfrey (1-0)

What to watch: The entire Mets team will be wearing Jackie’s number 42. Mike Pelfrey gets his second start and chance to prove that he belongs on the major league roster. Paul LoDuca and Lastings Milledge make their return to Shea Stadium. Brian Schneider and Ryan Church get to see some old friends on the Nationals.

 

Jackie Robinson
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Time To Get Real About Nelson Figueroa

Now that we’ve come down from the dream story that Nelson Figueroa was last night it’s time to get real about his roster spot. I’ve read and heard so much from the media and blogs about the “Hometown boy makes good” story. SNY went on ad nauseam about the tale.

If you read this blog regulary, you saw that I wrote that Figueroa pitched a wonderful game last night. I really like his stuff and composure on the mound. He’s obviously got terrific family and friends pulling for him (as were all Mets fans). I loved what I saw from him last night.

That being said, Figueroa’s spot on the roster is going to call for some decisions in the future. Part of his value is that he’s only working on a one-year minor league contract. That gives the Mets flexibility to move him up and down from the minors. There aren’t too many players on the roster with that flexibility.

When, and if, Pedro Martinez, Duaner Sanchez, and Orlando Hernandez come back to the team there will have to be some roster moves to make room. I would guess that Carlos Muniz would be the first player to go down to the minors when Sanchez comes back as early as Tuesday.

Martinez and Hernandez may not be back for quite some time. When they do come back, Figueroa’s roster spot will become much more precarious. The Mets management will be forced to make a decision between keeping Mike Pelfrey and Figueroa on the major league roster. Take a look at the Mets active roster here. Who do you think should leave when Martinez comes back?

It would seem that Figueroa and Pelfrey will be competing for the one open roster spot when Martinez returns. I like that Pelfrey has someone with some talent that’s pushing him to focus and throw strikes. Frankly, I like Figueroa for the swing man role better than Jorge Sosa but that’s not going to happen. Sosa’s got a one-year $2 million major league contract so he’s not going anywhere barring a performance disaster on his part.

The only flexibility outside of the pitchers on the roster is with Brady Clark. He’s also working on a one-year minor league contract but will most likely be sent down when Moises Alou comes back. If Alou has a setback returning from his hernia surgery, that could give the Mets some flexibility to keep Figueroa and Pelfrey when Martinez returns. But I doubt that the Mets would keep 13 pitchers.

The conclusion is that I like what I saw last night and believe that Figueroa can give Pelfrey a serious threat of being sent back to the minors if he doesn’t consistently pitch well.  Even though Pelfrey is one of the Mets top prospects, the Mets need to win games now and Figueroa might be a better option for this season.

Mets 8 – Phillies 2

We can all come off the ledge now… The Mets beat the Phillies behind a good effort by Mike Pelfrey. Maybe he needs to get 11 days between outings on a regular basis.

Fireworks

Creative Commons License photo credit: Blackangel?

 Although the Mets played a solid game offensively and defensively, with only one error by Jose Reyes, the game was decided by the Phillies playing horrible baseball. They had four errors including two by fill-in shortstop Eric Bruntlett. They’re a completely different team without reigning National League MVP Jimmy Rollins in the lineup. They really needed him in the field and at bat.

Carlos Delgado and Angel Pagan both had doubles in the game, the only extra base hits for the Mets. I’m starting to think that the Citi Field construction is making Shea even more of a pitchers park than it was before. It may just be the cold April weather but I think the wind patterns are impacting play. It’ll be interesting to see what happens as the season goes on.

The Mets needed to break the Phillies nine game win streak over them badly. The win tonight also gives the Mets a good chance to win the series with John Maine on the mound tomorrow night.

Box score

Audio: Baseball Links For Listening

There are plenty of baseball and Mets links for listening today. If you enjoy listening to baseball talk as much as I do, enjoy the links. Click the small play icon next to the link to listen.

MVN Radio’s “The Pitch” previews Week 2-The Pitch

Tim McCarver on WFAN’s “Mike and The Mad Dog” from April 7, 2008-Tim McCarver

Nelson Figueroa on WFAN’s “Boomer & Carton” from April 8, 2008- Nelson Figueroa

Jeff Wilpon on WFAN’s “Boomer & Carton” from April 7, 2008- Jeff Wilpon

Brady Clark on WFAN’s “Joe & Evan” from April 8, 2008- Brady Clark

Mike Pelfrey on WFAN’s “Joe & Evan” from April 8, 2008 – Mike Pelfrey

Revised Starting Pitching Order

The rainout in Atlanta last night caused the Mets to revise their starting pitching order. The new order is:

  • Sat. 4/5- John Maine vs. Tim Hudson
  • Sun. 4/6- Johan Santana vs. Tom Glavine
  • Tues. 4/8- Jamie Moyer vs. Oliver Perez
  • Wed. 4/9- Kyle Kendrick vs. Mike Pelfrey
  • Thur. 4/10- Adam Eaton vs. John Maine

After the Phillies series, the Brewers come to town next Friday. Everyone with tickets for opening day at Shea can breathe a sigh of relief that Oliver Perez is pitching instead of Mike Pelfrey. I agree with the decision to skip Pelfrey’s spot and keep Santana on his regular day tomorrow, and Perez for the home opener. It would’ve been too much pressure for Pelfrey to pitch the home opener. He needs to put in the least pressurized situations so he has the best chance of pitching successfully.

The rainout game yesterday will be played on May 20th as part of a double header. I’m sure it will be a dual entry double header, as most teams do now. The good old days of buying one ticket for a double header are gone.

Picture: Turner Field 

turner field
Creative Commons License photo credit: nate steiner

The Good News and The Bad News About Pedro’s Injury

At this point, we don’t know how severe Pedro Matinez’ hamstring injury is. He’ll have an MRI and we’ll know soon how much time that he’ll miss. I have to mention some concern that Pedro, Brian Schneider, and Ramon Castro have all had hamstring injuries over the last few weeks. Remember last spring when the Yankees were getting pulled hamstrings and they blamed on the strength and conditioning coach? If not, read here about how the Yankees fired Marty Miller last May after several players had hamstring injuries.I wonder if there’s anything to the strength and conditioning with the Mets this season. Rick Slate is the Mets strength and conditioning coordinator. I would think that he’ll receive some scrutiny over the coming days, especially if Pedro is on the disabled list for an extended period of time.

The good news about Pedro’s injury is that the Mets already have an extra starter on the roster, Mike Pelfrey. He’s currently slotted to be the fifth starter but the Mets don’t need him until April 12th because they have off-days on Thursday and next Monday before the home opener on April 8th. El Duque’s trip to the disabled list was retroactive to March 29th so he could make that start on the 12th.

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The bad news is that the Mets huge crowd for the home opener would be treated to seeing Mike Pelfrey instead of Pedro Martinez. What a let down that is! I wouldn’t be too happy if I had tickets for the home opener right now. Pelfrey is easily shaken as it is, having to pitch in front of a sold out home opening crowd is not a good situation for Pelfrey. That’s certainy not a good situation for the Mets or the Shea opening day fans.