Mets @ Nationals April 27-29 Thread

[Beamen]

Well, Pelfrey was awful again today, and thus we were pounded by Colorado. Last time with the Nats we split 1 game to 1 with one rain-out. This time around we'll be looking for the sweep, starting Friday with Olliver Perez facing Matt Chico. Perez was untouchable last time out, so I fully expect a lousy performance out of him this time around.

Let's go Mets!

[JoeJet]

Mets will continue to take 2 out of 3.

[Carl Spacklers Grass]

Nats always play us tough

I'd be very happy with 2 out of 3

I got a feeling we'll drop the first game with Perez on the mount but you gotta feel confident with Glavine and Maine against that Nats lineup.

Just bought 2 Field level tix on ebay for 30 dollars for Monday nights game

Lets hope for some production in the middle of the lineup because thats going to have to change if we're going to stay on top of the division

[Cakes]

Nats always play us tough



The Mets are 15-4 in Washington.

[davecrazy]

I'm going to predict a sweep.

why not.

we're good and the Nats suck.

[Beamen]

I'm going to predict a sweep.

why not.

we're good and the Nats suck.

Ballsy..........

[davecrazy]

Ballsy..........

yeah but pelfry dosent get a start during this series.

Ballsy would be calling for a sweep of the Braves. Or the Red Sox, you know...good hitting teams with solid pitching.

[MSUJet85]

Delgado's average continues to plunge

[statjeff22]

Mets waste a Lo Duca single in the top of the first.

[statjeff22]

Well, Perez hasn't walked anyone this inning, anyway.

[MSUJet85]

Sigh, looks like bad Ollie is here to start the game

[Beamen]

Not a good start for Perez.... At least we can count on him to be automatic his next start

[vinsjets]

i saw this coming...

[statjeff22]

i saw this coming...

You and every other Mets fan in the world ....

[Beamen]

The Nationals' broadcast is awful

[statjeff22]

Yet another umpire with a ridiculously large strike zone. Whatever happened to umpires who actually call balls and strikes the way they're supposed to? If this is happening all over major league baseball, it has a lot more to do with the drop in hitting than the cold weather.

Reyes with a pop fly double to right.

[statjeff22]

Reyes should steal third off this guy.

[statjeff22]

Reyes steals third off this guy.

[MSUJet85]

Reyes steals 3rd!!

[MSUJet85]

Sac fly scores Reyes!
3-1 gNats

[statjeff22]

Lo Duca brings him in on the sac fly.

Gary gives the number we've been talking about - coming into the game, the Mets have only gotten 44% of runners in from third with less than two outs, where the league average is 58%.

[vinsjets]

Ill take it!

[Beamen]

Jose scores on the sac fly after stealing 3rd...

[statjeff22]

Nice shots of the monuments and memorials around DC before the starts of innings.

[statjeff22]

Delgado with another pop fly hit for the Mets.

[MSUJet85]

We have a 1 out rally going!

[statjeff22]

The pathetic play of Wright continues.

Ron just referred to what he's going through as a "mini kind of slump." Is he kidding? Wright has been absolutely HORRIBLE all year, including during his hitting streak. Why is that so difficult to say?

Alou continues to hit.

[MSUJet85]

Bases loaded for Valentin!

[statjeff22]

Green with the seeing-eye grounder to right, but Delgado is held at third. Bases loaded, one out, Valentin up.

[statjeff22]

Valentin gets a break as the grounder is hit by the pitcher, so no DP. 3-2 Nats.

[MSUJet85]

We get a run on a fielder's choice
3-2 gNats

[MSUJet85]

Perez gets his 4th K

[MSUJet85]

Perez gets his 5th K

[statjeff22]

Have to give Ollie some props here - a rough first inning, but he has kept the team in the game for the last three innings, as the Mets have gotten some runs back.

[3rdAnd15Draw]

The pathetic play of Wright continues.

Ron just referred to what he's going through as a "mini kind of slump." Is he kidding? Wright has been absolutely HORRIBLE all year, including during his hitting streak. Why is that so difficult to say?

Alou continues to hit.

It's a testament to how good this Mets lineup is that with Wright playing badly(he's looked pretty awful as far as power goes at the plate but at least he's still getting on base) and Delgado posting an Anderson Hernandez-esque .538 OPS that the Mets are still scoring runs and winning games. I mean, their 4 and 5 hitters have a combined nine extra base hits. That's just pathetic.

[kevin68]

Was Delgado's fly ball as close as it seemed on the gamecast?

[MSUJet85]

#6 for Perez

[MSUJet85]

Leadoff walk for Wright

[statjeff22]

It's a testament to how good this Mets lineup is that with Wright playing badly(he's looked pretty awful as far as power goes at the plate but at least he's still getting on base) and Delgado posting an Anderson Hernandez-esque .538 OPS that the Mets are still scoring runs and winning games. I mean, their 4 and 5 hitters have a combined nine extra base hits. That's just pathetic.

Well, there's an example of what you mean, I guess, since Wright manages to work out a walk.

[statjeff22]

Alou with the infield hit when Belliard tries to get cute on a flip-from-the-glove DP. The Mets have to make the Nats pay for that bad decision.

[MSUJet85]

Alou singles!

[MSUJet85]

We get the bases loaded

[statjeff22]

Valentin with the single to load the bases. Ollie being left in to hit for himself. This is a tough decision, but I think I would pinch hit here.

[3rdAnd15Draw]

one on the one hand, you've got to PH here. on the other hand, i don't have any great confidence in anyone the Mets would bring up here.

[MSUJet85]

Time for Perez to help himself

[MSUJet85]

one on the one hand, you've got to PH here. on the other hand, i don't have any great confidence in anyone the Mets would bring up here.

And I don't have confidence on who is coming into pitch if we PH here

[3rdAnd15Draw]

Maybe we'll see a PH now that Acta has made the first move.

[3rdAnd15Draw]

And I don't have confidence on who is coming into pitch if we PH here

Best case scenario you get one more inning from Perez. Now it's up to Reyes to get the Mets some runs here.

[statjeff22]

Need a big hit here from Jose.

[3rdAnd15Draw]

Interesting that Reyes hasn't been bunting for hits this year. As Ron noted any kind of bunt that went past the pitcher there would've been an easy hit.

[statjeff22]

Well, the decision not to pinch hit doesn't work out. At a minimum, Ollie needs to get through this inning with no additional runs.

[MSUJet85]

Best case scenario you get one more inning from Perez. Now it's up to Reyes to get the Mets some runs here.

1 more inning for Perez > 1 inning for Burgos

[3rdAnd15Draw]

1 more inning for Perez > 1 inning for Burgos

If the Mets lose 3-2 who cares. You've got to make the most out of your scoring opportunities.

[3rdAnd15Draw]

and now the Mets are down 4-2 and Willie looks even dumber.

[MSUJet85]

Well that turn out to completely burn Willie

[statjeff22]

Well, there you go. I said it was a tough decision, but this is pretty much exactly what I was afraid would happen.

[3rdAnd15Draw]

Well, there you go. I said it was a tough decision, but this is pretty much exactly what I was afraid would happen.

It'd be alot less tough of a decision if your "best" PH wasn't a 50 year old who can't hit anything over 80 MPH to the left side of the field and isn't an automatic GIDP on a ground ball.

[davecrazy]

we can come back.

[MSUJet85]

It'd be alot less tough of a decision if your "best" PH wasn't a 50 year old who can't hit anything over 80 MPH to the left side of the field and isn't an automatic GIDP on a ground ball.

That is exactly why I wasn't opposed to giving Perez a shot

[MSUJet85]

#7 for Perez

[statjeff22]

It'd be alot less tough of a decision if your "best" PH wasn't a 50 year old who can't hit anything over 80 MPH to the left side of the field and isn't an automatic GIDP on a ground ball.

This is also what happens when you carry 12 pitchers and you have three guys on the roster (Franco, Easley, and Newhan) who you apparently feel are incapable of ever starting a game (meaning that basically the only guy on the bench who is any good is Endy).

[davecrazy]

Easley and Newhan have done a good job when they've been givin an opertunity.

Also, the season isin't even a month old, not really time to get into the bench spell your regulars.

[MSUJet85]

#8 for Perez

[MSUJet85]

#9 for Perez to end the inning

[davecrazy]

I hope we can bring it even or take the lead so we can put wagner out there and get him some work in the 9th.

guy hasent pitched that much this year.

[MSUJet85]

Wright gets a leadoff double!

[3rdAnd15Draw]

This is also what happens when you carry 12 pitchers and you have three guys on the roster (Franco, Easley, and Newhan) who you apparently feel are incapable of ever starting a game (meaning that basically the only guy on the bench who is any good is Endy).

I get the feeling that hitting Endy in that situation never even entered Willie's mind. I don't think he sees him as a "pinch hitter" but he's who I would've liked to see hit there.

[statjeff22]

Easley and Newhan have done a good job when they've been givin an opertunity.

Also, the season isin't even a month old, not really time to get into the bench spell your regulars.

That's my point - neither has even 15 plate appearances in 20 games, so they've hardly been given much of an opportunity. Given that Delgado and Wright have been awful all year, and Valentin was terrible at the beginning of the year, they had plenty of opportunities to get chances, but Willie just won't do it.

I'm a big believer in using your bench, even early in the year, to find out if they're any good. If they aren't, you dump them and bring up someone else.

[davecrazy]

you cant sit delgado or wright just because they're off to a slow start...come on.

[3rdAnd15Draw]

alou is really good

[Cakes]

That was a good hit right there.

[MSUJet85]

Alou doubles Wright home!!

[statjeff22]

you cant sit delgado or wright just because they're off to a slow start...come on.

Of course you can - the goal is to win every game. The idea that you can't sit a starter when he's playing poorly is ridiculous. I'm not suggesting that they never play again, but Wright has started every game this year, and he has hurt the team plenty.

Happily he doubled here, and a guy who IS playing well, Alou, brings him in. Notice that I've never complained about Endy not playing, even though he is by far the best player on the bench? That's because Alou and Green have been great since opening day.

[3rdAnd15Draw]

Green is really operating under the ARod rule this year, his numbers are good but I can't remember one big spot he's come up with a hit.

[statjeff22]

Well, I think Alou should have gone on the first fly ball, but I accept that it was a close decision. On the other hand, he absolutely should be on third base now, where he could score on a wild pitch, error, or infield hit.

[davecrazy]

Of course you can - the goal is to win every game. The idea that you can't sit a starter when he's playing poorly is ridiculous. I'm not suggesting that they never play again, but Wright has started every game this year, and he has hurt the team plenty.

Happily he doubled here, and a guy who IS playing well, Alou, brings him in. Notice that I've never complained about Endy not playing, even though he is by far the best player on the bench? That's because Alou and Green have been great since opening day.

You give your everyday players opportunities to play their way out of their slumps. you cant start giving them days off, especially when the team is winning irregardless.

[MSUJet85]

Very Lousy job with RISP there!

[statjeff22]

Green is really operating under the ARod rule this year, his numbers are good but I can't remember one big spot he's come up with a hit.

I'm not going to go through each game, but his OPS with RISP is .899, his OPS with RISP and two outs is 1.333, his OPS with runners on base is .908, and in late inning pressure situations it is .802. Not superstar numbers, but I think he has come through more than occasionally.

[statjeff22]

You give your everyday players opportunities to play their way out of their slumps. you cant start giving them days off, especially when the team is winning irregardless.

We obviously disagree completely on this. I believe that you never give away at bats, and you never give away games. A win in April is worth just as much as a win in September.

[3rdAnd15Draw]

I'm not going to go through each game, but his OPS with RISP is .899, his OPS with RISP and two outs is 1.333, his OPS with runners on base is .908, and in late inning pressure situations it is .802. Not superstar numbers, but I think he has come through more than occasionally.

This is why small sample sizes are fun, off the top of my head I can recall the 2 out bases clearing double when the Mets were down 11-0 to the Rockies the other day and the 2 out HR B9 against the Braves when the Mets were losing 7-1.

Obviously if he keeps up these overall numbers over the course of a full season he'll have some big hits, but over these few games most of his numbers have occurred in either blowout wins or losses.

[MSUJet85]

Mighty Joe Smith is good.

[MSUJet85]

Top of the order against a guy that loves baserunners

[3rdAnd15Draw]

Gary is really starting to bug me, any moderately deep fly ball hit by the Mets(in any park they've played in this year) and he goes into his excited HR voice.

[statjeff22]

Sorry, but you're wrong, Carlos - you called time too late on that pitch.

[statjeff22]

Well, that was a disappointing loss.

[3rdAnd15Draw]

21 games into the season before Willie costs the Mets a game, certainly could be worse. I think my sig counter was in full swing by this time last year.

[MSUJet85]

A very lousy way to lose a game

[MSUJet85]

21 games into the season before Willie costs the Mets a game, certainly could be worse. I think my sig counter was in full swing by this time last year.

Didn't you get rid of it before now last year?

[davecrazy]

very winnable game.

oh well.

[3rdAnd15Draw]

Didn't you get rid of it before now last year?

I thought I had it pretty much from the start last year, and only lost interest once the Mets started really running away with the division in the summer.

[FITM]

Willie Randolph is the worst manager in the history of baseball.

[3rdAnd15Draw]

Willie Randolph is the worst manager in the history of baseball.

I can think of a few worse. Dusty Baker, for one. These are Dusty's thoughts on OBP.

"On-base percentage is great if you can score runs and do something with that on-base percentage," Baker said. "Clogging up the bases isn't that great to me."

"I think walks are overrated unless you can run. If you get a walk and put the pitcher in a stretch, that helps, but the guy who walks and can’t run, most of the time he’s clogging up the bases for somebody who can run.”

[MSUJet85]

Willie Randolph is the worst manager in the history of baseball.

Phil Garner and Manuel are both a lot worse

[FITM]

How the hell do you leave the pitcher in to bat when you have the bases loaded with only one out, down a run in the 6th inning. Willie is ultimately given two opportunities to score, one in which all the guy needs to do is hit the ball in the outfield, but no Willie sticks with Perez to bat. Cost us the game.

[Barry the Baptist]

Phil Garner and Manuel are both a lot worse

I'll disagree with the Garner as at least he took a less talented team to the WS and beat the same Cardinals team we lost to last year.

I missed the game tonight anybody wanna clue me in on what happened?

[MSUJet85]

I'll disagree with the Garner as at least he took a less talented team to the WS and beat the same Cardinals team we lost to last year.

I missed the game tonight anybody wanna clue me in on what happened?
Garner's Astros team had potentially 3 Cy Young candidates starting for him nearly every game for him that year in the playoffs with Pettitte, Oswalt and Clemens along with a (pre-Pujols) Brad Lidge, any moron can win with that if they have an ounce of hitting

As for last night, FITM's post is basically the jist of what happened

[HCoftheNYJ]

Phil Garner was one of the worst managers in baseball with the Tigers. Nothing changed when he got the Astros job.

[3rdAnd15Draw]

How the hell do you leave the pitcher in to bat when you have the bases loaded with only one out, down a run in the 6th inning. Willie is ultimately given two opportunities to score, one in which all the guy needs to do is hit the ball in the outfield, but no Willie sticks with Perez to bat. Cost us the game.

I know I've been one of the leaders of the "Willie sucks" movement but the more I watch not only the Mets but around the league the more I realize it really doesn't matter.

Sure, he didn't do the team any favors last night with this move, but if Perez doesn't give up a run the next half inning maybe its a different game. Or if they are able to get Alou in from 2nd down 1 with no outs. What the Mets do and how far they go this year is going to be determined by the players on the field, not what Willie does.

There are too many bad managers in recent history with too much success to think any differently. I mean, Ozzie freakin Guillen won a WS because of a ridiculously overachieving pitching staff and bats that got hot at the right time. By all rights the guy should be in a mental institution.

[statjeff22]

I know I've been one of the leaders of the "Willie sucks" movement but the more I watch not only the Mets but around the league the more I realize it really doesn't matter.

Sure, he didn't do the team any favors last night with this move, but if Perez doesn't give up a run the next half inning maybe its a different game. Or if they are able to get Alou in from 2nd down 1 with no outs. What the Mets do and how far they go this year is going to be determined by the players on the field, not what Willie does.

There are too many bad managers in recent history with too much success to think any differently. I mean, Ozzie freakin Guillen won a WS because of a ridiculously overachieving pitching staff and bats that got hot at the right time. By all rights the guy should be in a mental institution.

Statistical studies support what you're saying. Any reasonable analysis shows that there is more randomness in baseball than in any other sport, and that naturally means that the manager has less effect on the outcome of games than coaches do in other sports.

I do have to say, however, that I said exactly the same thing two years ago when I first joined the board and saw you trashing Willie in every Mets game thread!

[statjeff22]

Reyes walks, steals second, goes to third on a Lo Duca GB, and once again the Mets fail to get a runner in from third with less than two outs.

Up to Carlos II.

[statjeff22]

And the horribleness of Wright continues, as he grounds out on a 2-1 pitch out of the strike zone.

[Beamen]

Nice start so far for Glavine

[Beamen]

Reyes got a hole of one, but not quite enough

[statjeff22]

Mets continue to stink it up with runners on base (who are only getting there via walks, by the way).

[3rdAnd15Draw]

This board is a good indication of when the Jets are about to pick in the draft, I figured they must've traded up when I was unable to refresh this topic for about 30 seconds.

[statjeff22]

Valentin suddenly pulled from the field in the bottom of the fourth, with something apparently wrong with his knee. Easley replaces him.

[statjeff22]

This board is a good indication of when the Jets are about to pick in the draft, I figured they must've traded up when I was unable to refresh this topic for about 30 seconds.

I noticed that too, and wondered what was going on until I realized the same you thing you did, and went to the Sportsline site and saw what happened.

A lot of people aren't too happy over in the NFL Forum, by the way.

[statjeff22]

Quite the pitcher's duel so far

[statjeff22]

Easley thrown out on a ridiculous play by Zimmerman, although it looks like he beat it out.

[3rdAnd15Draw]

this 1b umpire is a clown. sorry, those were 2 very nice plays by zimmerman but both guys were safe.

[Beamen]

It's a snoozer so far, with out O being non-existant

[statjeff22]

And now Zimmerman makes another absurd play, this time on Reyes, although he might have beat it out too.

[statjeff22]

That commercial with Rachel Ray is annoying.

Well no, actually, it's Rachel Ray who is annoying.

[statjeff22]

Beltran gets the first hit of the night for the Mets. Too bad he didn't do that in the first inning.

[statjeff22]

Yet another awful at bat for Delgado. How many rallies is he going to kill before he finally sits for a game or two?

[statjeff22]

Well, Willie clearly wanted to get run here, and I applaud him for it. I don't care if the runner was actually out there, given the earlier horrible calls, he should have been called out.

Edit: he was also out by a mile. That's three awful calls against the Mets at first base.

[3rdAnd15Draw]

and it turns out he WAS out. good ejection there.

[3rdAnd15Draw]

what a fucking joke. this umpire should be fired.

[statjeff22]

And now the Mets are losing thanks to that blown call. Unbelievable.

[statjeff22]

Williams now apparently hurt - hopefully whoever replaces him won't do as well.

[statjeff22]

Green with the single, and then Zimmerman makes an error on the ball hit by Easley.

This is probably bad - now Glavine gets hit for, and what are the chances that Newhan gets the big hit?

[3rdAnd15Draw]

david newhan? come on, give endy a chance.

[3rdAnd15Draw]

wow, a wild pitch ties the game

edit: passed ball

[statjeff22]

That's okay! Wild pitch brings in the tying run!

[statjeff22]

david newhan? come on, give endy a chance.

Wow, Willie is in my head too - I completely forgot about Endy. Why wouldn't he be the choice here?

[3rdAnd15Draw]

where are you, make up call?

[statjeff22]

Well, at least Glavine doesn't get the L, but he deserved better.

Like I said, what were the chances that Newhan would get the big pinch hit?

[statjeff22]

Heilman almost gives me a heart attack, but gets through the seventh.

[statjeff22]

Jose with the leadoff walk. Time to steal second.

[3rdAnd15Draw]

a little quick on the sacrifice there, especially when the next few guys up haven't exactly been tearing the cover off the ball

edit: and acta wisely walks beltran, setting up not only the DP but bringing up the 2 coldest hitters in the mets lineup.

[statjeff22]

Lo Duca sacs him to second. No, that was not the play - Reyes trying to steal was. Now Beltran gets walked and Delgado, currently living below the Mendoza line, has to come through.

[statjeff22]

Well, that was just awful - Reyes is thrown out trying to steal third. You can't do that with a lefthanded hitter up unless you're sure you can get a good jump.

[3rdAnd15Draw]

With the swings Delgado had that AB it wouldn't have mattered even if he was able to steal 3rd. He just looks unbelievably awful at the plate.

[statjeff22]

And now the horrific Delgado strike out.

Okay, maybe I'll take back the criticism of Reyes - he probably planned on stealing third and then stealing home, since there was no way Delgado or Wright was going to bring him in.

What did I say earlier about the number of rallies Delgado will kill before someone finally sits him down?

[statjeff22]

I have a real bad feeling about this inning and this game.

[statjeff22]

I have a real bad feeling about this inning and this game.

Like I said ....

[3rdAnd15Draw]

the mets have just been heilmaned. again, he gave up a bomb to blow it, but like his last loss against the braves it was bad defense that put him in the position to do it.

[statjeff22]

Heilman has made a whole lot of bad pitches in many of his outings this year. People thought starting pitching was going to be the problem for the Mets this year, but if the Mets don't come back this is going to be the third game he has cost them.

[statjeff22]

Unbelievable - Alou once again hits into a DP to kill the possibility of a rally.

[statjeff22]

Zimmerman tries to make another ridiculous play, but Green gets it past him.

I will note that that's two straight hits for him at important times.

Endy makes an appearance, thereby meaning that he once again won't get a chance to hit.

[statjeff22]

Easley gets the call at first to extend the game.

And look, the best hitter on the bench can't hit, because he was brought in to pinch run! Father Time with another chance to be a hero.

[3rdAnd15Draw]

great, now we have julio franco up instead of endy chavez

[3rdAnd15Draw]

ok, i guess that move worked out, although why you would throw franco an outside fastball is completely beyond me

[statjeff22]

Franco with the hit, and Endy barely scores!

Okay, okay, Willie (or whoever is making these decisions) looks like a genius, and I look like an idiot. I'm very happy about that.

[statjeff22]

Reyes robbed of an extra base hit.

[Learn To Swim]

Motherficker.

[statjeff22]

Might Joe Smith in again. Hope he can do it one more time.

[The Dark Knight]

The Chief blows a save? Rare for sure.

[Cakes]

You guys like pet names.

How about one of these for Aaron Heilman?
Douchebag
El Sucko
Hellman
The White Mel Rojas

[statjeff22]

One batter outing for Smith. In comes Feliciano.

[3rdAnd15Draw]

Interesting that Smith only gets one batter in a tie game about to go into extra innings when the Mets have already used a couple guys out of their pen.

[statjeff22]

Wonderful - Feliciano doesn't seem to have any command tonight.

[3rdAnd15Draw]

feliciano does what he does best, walk lefties.

[statjeff22]

feliciano does what he does best, walk lefties.

Actually, he's averaging more walks against righties than against lefties.

Delgado botches the DP opportunity. Nice that he's not only killing the Mets with his bat.

[3rdAnd15Draw]

nice to see delgado stinking it up in the field as well.

[Cakes]

I don't like Fick. I hope he strikes out.

[Cakes]

He did!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[3rdAnd15Draw]

one thing to be said for feliciano is that he doesn't let many of his own runs score, no matter how many he puts on base.

[statjeff22]

You know, it isn't only that Delgado is awful, it's that his swings are so unbelievably bad that you don't believe that he'll even get lucky and get a hit.

[3rdAnd15Draw]

delgado-5, what do you think?

[statjeff22]

Mets 4-5 hitters 0 for 7 tonight.

[statjeff22]

Not really feeling the "Aaron Sele as extra-inning pitcher" thing here.

[vinsjets]

Not really feeling the "Aaron Sele as a pitcher" thing here.
agreed...:wink:

[3rdAnd15Draw]

With only 2 guys left in the pen I don't think you have much choice.

[Cakes]

Not really feeling the "Aaron Sele as extra-inning pitcher" thing here.

If he wants to take Tongue Boy's job, it would behoove him to pitch well for a couple innings tonight, if needed.

[statjeff22]

Nice job by Sele.

How about some runs and then Wagner, boys?

[Yisman]

Sele was falling behind every hitter. He was lucky to survive the inning.

[statjeff22]

With only 2 guys left in the pen I don't think you have much choice.

That's why I didn't say "Sele shouldn't be in there" - there really wasn't anyone else. I just expected the Nats to score.

Now, if they can score here, you bring in Wagner, and hope for the best.

[3rdAnd15Draw]

damion easley is magic!

i think this is a pretty strange PH spot for castro.

[statjeff22]

Easley with the leadoff double!

Castro brought in to pinch hit. That's a strange decision - is Sele incapable of laying down a bunt?

[statjeff22]

Well, this is certainly a more interesting game than could legitimately be expected for an April game against the Nats.

[3rdAnd15Draw]

you almost have to bunt here, chances are loduca isn't going to K

[statjeff22]

I don't bunt here.

[MSUJet85]

Come on Jose!

[3rdAnd15Draw]

and there we go

[MSUJet85]

Bunt base hit!!!!

[statjeff22]

Okay, if I knew he would bunt THAT well I would have said to do it! That was an amazing bunt.

[Yisman]

GREAT bunt by Reyes. Let's tee off on Wagner now.

[3rdAnd15Draw]

wow, what a miserable job by loduca

[3rdAnd15Draw]

carlos I gets it done

[statjeff22]

Carlos I does it! A two-run double!

[Beamen]

This game has been incredible..... I take back my snoozer comment from earlier

[Beamen]

Mets take the lead 4-2!!!

[3rdAnd15Draw]

intentionally walking delgado? ok, whatever

[vinsjets]

To face wright, why not put the force on, not like David does anything.

[MSUJet85]

2 run double!!

[statjeff22]

intentionally walking delgado? ok, whatever

Wright actually comes through! 6-2 Mets.

[MSUJet85]

Wright gets a 2 run hit!!!

[Beamen]

Make it 6-2!!!

[statjeff22]

Alou hits into another DP, although this one wasn't his fault.

[3rdAnd15Draw]

there may be a new DP king in town.

[Yisman]

Alou: 0 for 5 with 3 double plays.

but a huge inning there

[Cakes]

there may be a new DP king in town.

Alou didn't want to prolong the game and for that I appreciate it.

[davecrazy]

lets see if wagner can close it, or if he goes all "it's not a one run game, so im gonna suck" headcase on us.

[statjeff22]

Wagner finally ends the game. A surprisingly happy ending given where things were in the 9th inning.

[3rdAnd15Draw]

a wins a win, but it sure wasn't pretty

[davecrazy]

leave it to bill to make it intresting.

good win.

[Beamen]

Game over... what a thriller!

[Yisman]

the bullpens are going to be a mess for tomorrow afternoon.

[Cakes]

leave it to bill to make it intresting.

good win.

That's from the Jack Morris school of smart pitching. You have a big lead, so you give up a few hits, big deal.

[statjeff22]

That's from the Jack Morris school of smart pitching. You have a big lead, so you give up a few hits, big deal.

Interestingly enough, that's probably the biggest reason why he won't make the Hall of Fame - voters see a 3.90 ERA (when the league average was 4.08), add in that he always gave up lots of hits, and figure he wasn't all that good.

[FirstTimeCaller]

I'll take a win like this over an 11-3 romping anyday.

[vinsjets]

I'll take a win over a loss.. anyday.

[3rdAnd15Draw]

Day off for Delgado, finally.

[Cakes]

StL-Chi Sunday night game cancelled. Does anyone know what ESPN will air instead? I guess my full attention will be on the Nets and Warriors games.

[3rdAnd15Draw]

Don't like the bunt, but at least he didn't do it with Delgado behind him.

[3rdAnd15Draw]

What an absolute joke. I don't think Maine is going to be getting his customary 7 or 8 runs today, he better be on.

[statjeff22]

Just turned the game on. Happy to see that Delgado is finally sitting, but sorry to see that Alou's superfast start is obviously fading.

[statjeff22]

This home plate umpire has a ridiculous strike zone - he's calling balls strikes, and strikes balls. It is mind-boggling to me how awful the calling of balls and strikes is in the major leagues.

[statjeff22]

Reyes hurts his hand on the idiotic headfirst slide. Why is it that players today refuse to slide feetfirst, which is a uniformly better choice? Why don't coaches at every level force it?

(My first headfirst slide rant of the season.)

[3rdAnd15Draw]

They probably don't want to "mess with Reyes' style". I remember there was discussion about this a year or two ago and that was the only semi-answer I ever heard.

[statjeff22]

Wow, Green is slow - Endy makes that catch without even breaking a sweat.

[statjeff22]

They probably don't want to "mess with Reyes' style". I remember there was discussion about this a year or two ago and that was the only semi-answer I ever heard.

As I said, this needs to be addressed far below the major league level. Every high school, college, and minor league manager should insist that players learn to slide feetfirst, but they don't have the guts to buck what the players see on TV.

[statjeff22]

Carlos I goes yard! 1-0.

[nyscene911]

Carlos I-1
Washington-0

[3rdAnd15Draw]

carlos I gives the mets a 1-0 lead

[statjeff22]

Anybody else hate these Jeep commercials where people can magically pick up big objects and move them around just because they look small from far away? What's the point?

[FrankTheTank]

Carlos Beltran: "fuck you, tim russert."

[statjeff22]

Leadoff double for Nats. I'll be surprised if Maine gets through this inning unscathed.

[FrankTheTank]

bring in bazooka jooooooooe

[3rdAnd15Draw]

old man franco flashing the leather

[statjeff22]

Franco does a Keith hernandez play to get the runner at third on the bunt! WTF?

[Carl Spacklers Grass]

Julio Franco....so wise

[OJDidIt]

haha! Julio!

[statjeff22]

Smith should be warming up here.

[3rdAnd15Draw]

maine gets out of trouble in the 7th

[statjeff22]

Wow, Maine with the big strikeouts to get out of it.

[OJDidIt]

Remember the MAINE!

[statjeff22]

Oh God, Heilman is coming in to pitch the 8th. Mets need to score here.

[statjeff22]

Oh God, Heilman is coming in to pitch the 8th. Mets need to score here.

Leadoff single. I hate it when I'm right about these things.

[Beamen]

As usual, Heilman sucks

[statjeff22]

And now another single. Heilman really is useless these days.

[nyscene911]

Heilman=teh suxxorz!

[Beamen]

God do I hate Heilman... Even the most perfecty pitched game can go up in flames when he's called on in relief

[statjeff22]

And Heilman once again doesn't do the job.

Time to move him back to the 7th inning and consider giving Mighty Joe Smith a shot at the setup role?

[Beamen]

Let's go Shoenweis!

[3rdAnd15Draw]

schoenweis bails out the white mel rojas

[FrankTheTank]

And Heilman once again doesn't do the job.

Time to move him back to the 7th inning and consider giving Mighty Joe Smith a shot at the setup role?
I would say so. Heilman continues to be bitter because he isn't in the starting rotation yet he never shows us anything that would help him make a case for a spot.


Nice play by Franco to get the out.

[statjeff22]

Schoeneweis gets the out as Father Time almost screws it up at first.

[Beamen]

Good work by Shoeneweis..... Saves us from Heilman's crappiness

[statjeff22]

Green with another hit late in a close game.

[statjeff22]

Okay, let's not go overboard on the wonderfulness of Franco - he's still just an okay pinch hitter who is 0 for 3 in his first start of the year.

[statjeff22]

Well, Wags is going to get his shot at a high pressure save situation.

[statjeff22]

Lovely - yet another leadoff hit.

[Beamen]

Damn... Flores leads off with a base hit

[FrankTheTank]

strike 3, 1 out 1 on.

[statjeff22]

Wagner makes Wilson look bad.

[statjeff22]

And now Restovich pops out on the first pitch.

[statjeff22]

Put it in the books! Nice 1-0 win for Maine.

[3rdAnd15Draw]

put it in the books, the mets bats were asleep all series but they manage to take 2 out of 3