Atlanta Braves (56-69 Road: 22-38) at New York Mets (68-57 Home: 36-23) 7:10pm
Jo-Jo Reyes (3-9 5.33) vs. Oliver Perez (9-7 3.91)
What to watch: Perez has turned into a consistent winner in the second half of his contract season. The Braves are just playing out the string this year after trading Mark Teixeira away. Reyes has lost five of his last six starts for the Braves. Look for the Mets to take this one.
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It’s still amazing to me that Oliver Perez has become a consistently good pitcher. He got another quality start in tonight going 6.2 innings for the win. He only gave up three runs on six hits and three walks with eight strikeouts.
Brian Schneider and Carlos Delgado both homered in the game. The Mets put together a nice rally in the ninth inning to add four insurance runs. That was key to reduce pressure on Aaron Heilman closing out the game.
The Mets complete the sweep in Washington and fly to Pittsburgh tonight for a four game series starting tomorrow night.
New York Mets (64-56 Road: 28-33) at Washington Nationals (44-77 Home: 23-35) 7:10pm
Oliver Perez (8-7 3.90) vs. Colin Balester (2-4 4.66)
What to watch: The Mets go for the sweep against the lowly Nationals. Perez has been astounding since working under the tutelage of pitching coach Dan Warthen. Balester has been decent for a rookie playing for a bad team. Let’s get the sweep and get out of town.
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Mets manager Jerry Manuel told reporters before today’s game that Oliver Perez or John Maine may go to the bullpen. The Mets beleaguered bullpen is in desperate need of help. Manuel wants a guy that can get swings and misses.
Most likely Jon Niese would be called up from Triple-A New Orleans to take over a spot in the rotation.
Oliver Perez resumed his brilliant second half pitching against the Florida Marlins going seven shutout innings. He gave up only two hits, three walks, and had eight strikeouts. Aaron Heilman pitched the final two innings flawlessly for his first save of the season. He actually looked completely dominating.
Gary Cohen said during the TV broadcast that pitching coach Dan Warthen had been working with Heilman on standing more straight up. Hopefully, Heilman can replicate the type of performance he had last night.
The Mets runs were scored on a pair of home runs by David Wright and Carlos Delgado.
Florida Marlins (61-54 Road: 28-28) at New York Mets (60-54 Home: 34-21) 7:10pm
R. Nolasco (11-6 3.91) vs. Oliver Perez (7-7 4.12)
What to watch: The Mets get a chance to do some damage in the NL East this weekend against the Marlins. Nolasco has pitched two good games in a row now. Perez took the loss in Houston in his last start but has pitched very well over the last two months.
The Mets get swept in Houston by a sub-.500 team and finish their road trip at 1-5. It feels like Willie Randolph never left. The Mets will have to do a lot better than this if Jerry Manuel wants to keep this job next season.
Oliver Perez went six inning giving up all four runs on a solo homer to Ty Wiggington in the 2nd inning and a three run two-out rally in the fourth. He gave up eight hits but didn’t walk any, and he didn’t give up after the fourth inning rally. He came back strong in the fifth and sixth innings. Not that there are any moral victories when you get swept though.
The Mets had a lot of opportunities on offense, leaving 11 runners on base. Carlos Delgado continued his hot hitting going 3 for 4.
Eddie Kunz made his big league debut in the seventh inning. He gave up only one hit and did make a throwing error over Delgado’s head. Overall, he looked like he’s got the right stuff.
Nick Evans had two outfield assists from left field in the game. Although he did misplay a ball when he stumbled on a ball he should have caught. That led to an Astros run in the fourth inning.
The Marlins lost today and the Phillies play tonight on ESPN Sunday Night Baseball.
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