Tag: Oliver Perez

Manuel’s New Strategy Pays Early Dividends For Mets

New York Mets shortstop José Reyes during a Mets/Devil Rays spring training game at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Image via Wikipedia

For three and a half years we’ve been watching Willie Randolph bring in his closer, Billy Wagner, to pitch the ninth inning of tied or close games.  Jerry Manuel’s second game as manager of the Mets showed us a much needed strategic shift.  Manuel’s intestinal fortitude was tested by his star shortstop in his first game as well, and he passed with flying colors.

Willie Randolph followed the modern “book” for closers as Mets manager. Billy Wagner nearly always pitched the ninth inning of games that the Mets led or were tied. I always disagreed with pitching Wagner in the ninth inning of a tied game. I wondered: Why not hold onto that weapon until you really need it? Apparently, Jerry Manuel agrees with me. Duaner Sanchez pitched the ninth inning, and when the Mets took the lead Billy Wagner shut the door in the tenth inning. That’s the way to play that situation! Wagner is the pitcher to close out a win, not hold over a tie.

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Easley Homer In 10 Caps 5-4 Mets Win

image The Mets made Jerry Manuel’s first win as manager a dramatic one. David Wright tied the game in the ninth inning with an RBI single scoring Jose Reyes.  It was only K-Rod’s second blown save of the year.  Damion Easley won it in the tenth inning with a solo home run off Justin Speier.

Oliver Perez had what’s come to be a typical start for him.  He was pitching well until giving up three runs in the fifth inning.  The middle innings seem to be a problem that he can’t overcome.  His final line was six innings pitched giving up four runs on nine hits and three walks to go along with two strikeouts. He was wild at times and doing some crazy hesitation motion like Asian pitchers in the sixth inning.  It’s hard to understand what’s going through his head sometimes.

Reyes had a huge offensive game going 3 for 5 with three runs scored, one of those hits being a triple.  Carlos Delgado also had a solo homer in the fourth inning off Jon Garland.  Wright was 2 for 5 with 2 RBI’s including the critical RBI hit in the top of the ninth.

The bullpen was clean through the last four innings of the game. Joe Smith, Scott Schoenweiss, Duaner Sanchez, and Billy Wagner all looked very good tonight.

The Mets win 2 of 3 in Los Angeles against a very good Angels team. The team has an off day tomorrow before beginning a weekend series with the Rockies in Colorado.

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On Deck: June 18- Mets At Angels

New York Mets (34-36 Road: 14-22) at Los Angeles Angels (43-29 Home: 22-17) 10:05pm

Oliver Perez (5-4 4.98) vs. John Garland (6-4 4.13)

TV: SNY  Radio: WFAN

What to watch: Jerry Manuel is still looking for his first win as Mets manager. As usual, you never know what you’ll see from Perez. It will be interesting to see if new pitching coach Dan Warthen has any words of wisdom for Perez before the game tonight.

Oliver Perez Great As Mets Win Big 7-1

Manager Willie Randolph needed a win tonight and he got one thanks to Oliver Perez. He went seven innings giving up one run on three hits and three walks with eight strikeouts. The bullpen actually did the job tonight too. Scott Schoenweiss pitched a scoreless eighth inning and Duaner Sanchez a perfect ninth.

Things were dicey early when Josh Hamilton hit a long homer to left field off Perez in the first inning. But Perez recovered nicely.

The offensive stars were Jose Reyes who went 2 for 4, scored two runs and had a stolen base. Perez also had a two RBI single to left in the sixth inning that drew applause from the Mets dugout.

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On Deck: June 13- Rangers At Mets

Texas Rangers (34-34) at New York Mets (31-34)   7:10pm

Scott Feldman (1-2 4.31) vs. Oliver Perez (4-4 5.37)

TV: SNY   Radio: WFAN

What to watch: The reeling Mets welcome the Texas Rangers and bench coach Art Howe to town for a three game series this weekend. Oliver Perez is the most inconsistent pitcher that I’ve ever seen. So we have absolutely no idea what we’ll get from him tonight. It could be a no hitter, or he might not get out of the first inning. Who knows?

Bartolo Colon And Missed Opportunities

Back on February 25th when I was looking at the Mets potential Quadruple-A starters, I wrote that I was disappointed that the Red Sox signed Bartolo Colon. At the time, the Mets were put off by his excessive weight.

Well, tonight Colon beat the Orioles to bring his record to 4-1 with a 3.41 ERA. I know that hindsight is 20/20. I know that you should look forward and not back, but this was a big mistake by Omar Minaya.

Colon would’ve given the Mets a great insurance policy in case someone (let’s say Oliver Perez) blew up during the season or someone was hurt for a significant period of time (Pedro Martinez). Perez is 4-4 with a 5.37 ERA. Martinez is 1-0 with a 6.91 ERA is three starts.

Who knows if Colon will make it through a long hot summer? He is obese. But he sure looks good for Boston so far.

Padres Over Mets 2-1 For Third Consecutive Game

Oliver Perez improved greatly over his last start in San Francisco but it wasn’t enough to beat the lowly Padres. For the third consecutive game the Padres beat the Mets by a score of 2-1. This time it was in ten innings on a home run by Scott Hairston off Pedro Feliciano.

The Padres only other run in the game was also a solo homer by Michael Barrett in the fifth inning off Perez.

The Mets left 11 men on base and just can’t seem to come up with a big hit in this series despite missing Greg Maddox, Jake Peavey, and Chris Young the Padres three best pitchers.

Surprisingly, Carlos Delgado went 3 for 4 in the game to raise his average to .237 for the season.

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