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…
WFAN’s Mike and the Mad Dog just discussed several roster moves for the Mets today:
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!
Nelson Figueroa didn’t solidify his position on the team tonight at all. He was wild giving up five walks and made a costly throwing error with the bases loaded. Figueroa gave up six runs, four were earned after his own error and a sloppy fielding error by Carlos Delgado.
Jorge Sosa came into the game in the sixth inning and threw some gas on the fire. He was just as awful as he’s been all season long, giving up four runs in the inning. Joe Smith struck out the side in the eighth making it more difficult to send him to the minors when Matt Wise comes back. The SNY team reported that Wise was sent back to Florida even though he’s healthy and ready to pitch.
The Washington Nationals were hitting everything from Figueroa and Sosa. When they weren’t hitting, they were taking walks. It was an ugly game for the Mets to lose to the lowly Nats. Odalis Perez, the pitcher, went 3 for 3. That’s how bad the Mets pitchers were tonight. Need I say more?
I have to comment on Elijah Dukes chanting in the dugout when the Nats were batting. I haven’t seen anything like that since Little League. I was hoping Billy Wagner would put one in his rib cage when he pinch hit in the ninth inning. That was completely Bush League.
Washington Nationals (15-23) at New York Mets (19-16) 7:10pm
Odalis Perez (0-3) vs. Nelson Figueroa (2-2)
What to watch: The Mets start a four game home stand against the Nats before going to Yankee Stadium for a weekend series. This series is another chance for the Mets to beat up on the weak sisters of the National League. Winning at least three out of four games would be the idea here for the Mets. We’ll see if the weather holds up for tonight, the forecast is calling for rain today.
Nelson Figueroa pitched well enough to keep the Mets in the game although his line doesn’t show it. He was victimized by Ryan Church sitting on the ground while the winning run went around the bases for an inside the park home run and adding two more earned runs for Figueroa.
Blake DeWitt hit a ball off the top off the wall in right field. Church made a play on the ball but couldn’t come up with it. Mistakenly, Church sat on the ground while DeWitt rounded the bases. It turned out to be a huge blunder that cost the Mets the game. It’s the first time this season that I’ve seen Church make a big mistake so I won’t go crazy about it.
Moises Alou is a freak of nature. He keeps hitting going 2 for 5 last night. He took an extra base on Gold Glover Andruw Jones, and he stole home plate. The guy is 41 years old, coming off hernia surgery and an ankle injury. It’s incredible. The guy plays harder than anyone. I’m so happy that he’s on the Mets even though he’s frequently injured. When he’s in the game he’s making an impact.
The Mets need to take the third game to avoid a sweep and a losing road trip.
New York Mets (16-14) at Los Angeles Dodgers (18-14) 10:10pm
Nelson Figueroa (2-1) vs. Hiroki Kuroda (1-2)
What to watch: The Mets need to take both games in LA to win the series. It would be a huge boost for the Mets to win both series’ in Arizona and LA on this road trip. Kuroda hasn’t pitched well recently so tonight’s game is a good opportunity for the Mets. Carlos Beltran even had two hits last night, so his bat is starting to come alive.
Image 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.
The Mets Report 