Tagged: jon niese

Pelfrey struggles, Mets begin Subway Series part II

The Mets lost to the Detroit Tigers yesterday afternoon by a score of 5 – 2.  While the Mets didn’t sweep the Tigers, they did win the series.  The Mets have won their last three interleague series versus Oakland, Texas, and Detroit.  These last three series have put the Mets above the .500 mark, and 5.5 games back in the wild card race. 

I’ve been super impressed with the Mets the last week, week and a half.  They’ve shown that they have what it takes to stay in the hunt for the playoffs.  All the Mets need to do is keep playing well pitched, solid baseball.  If they can do that, they can make the playoffs.  They can’t worry about what the other teams are doing, just what they are doing. 

The Mets’ offense lately has been super, scoring loads of runs over the last four of five.  Yes, the Mets only scored two runs yesterday, but they still were in the game and had opportunities.  No, you won’t score double digit runs every night.  There will be days where you just can’t get that run in.  Its incouraging though, because they have had opportunities and were in the game the whole way.  Unfortunately, Pelf wasn’t on his game last night and wasn’t effective.

That’s been the problem.  Pelfrey just cannot remain consistant over an extended period of time.  He has shown time and time again that he has the stuff to be a top of the line pitcher, but he cannot remain on task mentally and he then falls behind hitters and let’s the game get away.

If only Mike had the mental toughness of someone like Dillon Gee.  If Mike could get that mentally tough, he would be a dominant pitcher. 

Mike was that pitcher the first half of the 2010 season.  If he can find a way to get back there, that would change the Mets’ rotation completely.  But unfortunately, I don’t see that happening.  He is just too much of a head case.  Maybe not like A.J. Burnett, but he is a head case.

And for that reason, when or if Johan Santana comes back, Mike Pelfrey has to be the odd man out.  Of the five current starters in the rotation: Mike, Chris Capuano, R.A. Dickey, Dillon Gee, and Jon Niese, Mike has been the least effective.  It’s obivous that R.A., Jon, and Johan will be in the rotation.  The three that would be competeing for two spots would be Mike, Dillon, and Chris.  Chris has been very effective this season and because he’s a lefty, he’s a valuable option to have in the rotation.  in regards to Dillon, he has been way to effective to take out, so he’s almost sure to remain.

So, it’s not between Chris Capuano and Mike Pelfrey.  I would pick Mike to be out, but some people may make the case to take out Capuano because he’s a lefty and could be vaubale in the ‘pen. 

Whatever is done, the Mets need to do what’s best for the team to win.  Maybe that’s cutting ties and trading Pelf in season or in the offseason.  I don’t know, but whatever happens, the Mets can’t afford to risk ruining this potentially positive season. 

Speaking of pitching, Jon Niese was cleared by doctors regarding his rapid heartbeat and will start tonight versus that Yankees.  The will be toe-ing the rubber against Ivan Nova for the Yankees. 

Mets’ pitching struggles

As I’m sitting here, watching the Mets getting creamed by the Phils and Roy Halladay in the 6th innings, I’m not very happy.  Yes, it may be because the starting pitching has sucked the last two days. 

The Mets starting pitching has been rotten the last two days, especially Mike Pelfrey.  Mike gave up seven runs last night, six of which were earned, and he couldn’t get out of the third.  Mike Pelfrey capped off his forgettable performance with a bloop that he let drop in front of the mound.  That was the correct play.  Throw to second and then to first for the double play.  Or, at least get the lead runner and then Blanton would be running the bases.  But Pelfrey threw to first, which you cannot do, and he threw it away! 

Pelfrey seems to get up tight and lose his confidence and concentration.  That cannot happen.  I mean, when you have been in the league since 2006, you need to get your head together.  I have been hard on Pelfrey, but come on.  He needs to find it quickly. 

One positive from yesterday’s game was the offense.  They came back, which was a great sign.  Just as long as the Mets fight hard and do the little things, they will be o.k.  I believe this is more important than wins in the first couple weeks. 

But, speaking of the little things, the Mets committed two errors today (so far) and Niese failed to get a bunt down, and in pro baseball, that is not excusable and that cannot happen.  Niese must be more prepared next time. 

Jon Niese gave up six runs today, and looked ‘not a so good.’  Jon had a little problem with his pitches, but he didn’t man up today.  He needed to buck up and get the guys out he needed to.  That’s the main difference between Halladay and Niese.  When Roy doesn’t have good stuff, he gets people out. 

I think the Mets need to look seriously into acquiring another arm for the rotation.  Maybe to put some pressure on them.  Yes, I’m overreacting. Once the Mets get on another streak and they start pitching well, things will be fine and I’ll be calm.  That’s what’s good about baseball.  There are games everyday. 

I’m also concerned about Lucas Duda.  He’s only got one hit and he has a tendency to slump.  I think he needs to find a way to avoid a major slump if he wants Beltran’s job next year.  Maybe the Mets should recall Evans, who I personally believed should have made it.  Scott Hairston has also been a concern.  I really thought that he would be strong, but he hasn’t so far.  It is still really though, and the Mets open at home with the Nats manana.

 

First win and today’s game

Yesterday

The Mets won their first game last night of the 2011 season at the Marlins’ Sun Life Stadium.  The final score was 6-4 and the game lasted into the tenth inning.

Jon Niese was stellar yesterday, throwing 87 pitches over seven innings, and only allowing one hit after the 2nd inning.  Jon had a blip on the radar in the first, but settled down nicely after.  The Mets needed this from Niese, considering Pelf’s poor start Friday. 

David Wright had three hits last night, including the go ahead RBI single in the tenth inning after the Marlin’s outfielder Cousins let a fly ball in foul territory drop.  David also hit his first homer of the 2011 season, and the first for the Mets.  He hit the Mets’ first homer last season as well.

Josh Thole had an RBI single to put the Mets ahead in the 9th last night, only to have Francisco Rodriguez give up a single to former Phillie Greg Dobbs to tie the game.  The positive I can take from this is that Frankie’s appearence didn’t count as a game finished, which helps the Mets’ cause for preventing his 17.5 million dollar option to vest.  Blaine Boyer ended the game, although giving up one run.

Beltran played all ten innings last night, and looked great in the field and hit well, too.  It’s good to see him healthy. 

Today

The Mets are going to take on the Marlins again, with R.A. Dickey on the mound.  Pitching in the rubber game for Florida will be Javier Vazquez.  The lineup will be…Reyes, Harris, Wright, Ike, Angel, Lucas Duda, Daniel Murphy, and Thole with R.A. batting ninth. 

Following today’s game the Mets will travel to Philly. 

Standings

Here are the early N.L. East standings. 

Phillies 2-0 — GB

Mets 1-1 1.0 GB

Braves 1-1 1.0 GB

Marlins 1-1 1.0 GB

Nationals 1-1 1.0 GB

Mets in Houston

The Mets won their first game in Houston versus the Astros Monday night, by a score 3-1.  Jon Niese to-ed the hill for the Mets and was good yet again, allowing one run in seven innings and keeping the Astros at bay while runners were in scoring position. 

The Mets’ offense looked a little better tonight.  Beltran hit his second homer of the season, while also collecting another hit and making playing good defense in the outfield.  I was at the game, and I really loved that he went deep, considering how badly he gets booed in Minute Maid.  I still dont know why he keeps getting booed.  I mean, didnt Astros fans realize thatt he was probably a rental player and that he hasnt been great in New York?  They, for $19 million, should be happy they didnt sign him. 

David Wright collected three singles, and made some great defensive plays, including a diving catch on the line to save an extra base hit. 

Pedro Feliciano got the win tonight as he came in and got out of a bases loaded, two out jam.  Although he allowed the runner on first to reach on a terrible error.  Hisanori Takahashi came in and collected his first save, a 1-2-3 inning. 

Just to mention, Jeff Francoeur had an RBI triple and was thrown out at home on a ball to first, buut he was clearly save at the plate.  It was surprising thatt the home plate umpire made the error and not  the second or third base umpires.  Those two were Angel Hernandez and Joe West.  Francoeur also just missed a three-run homer. 

I had a great time at the game, and I advise anyone who is in the Houston area to go see a game.  I was happy to get an autograph from the ‘animal’ Chris Carter and one from David Wright.  Frenchy was also nice enough to throw me a baseball.

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In the paragraphs above, I mentioned that Hisanori Takahashi collected the save for the Mets.  That was because the Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez will likely miss the rest of the season with a tron ligament in his finger. 

He reportedly injured it when he punched his father-in-law at Citi Field.  He was arrested and charged with third-degree assult. 

The Mets are reportedly attempting to void K-Rod’s contract, I hope it happens.

Kudos to David Wright and Carlos Beltran tonight, great game guys.

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Mets Take on Tigers; Make Roster Moves

The Mets are going to be taking on the Detroit Tigers starting tomarrow night at Citi Field.  The first game of the series will feature Jon Niese and Justin Verlander.  The Mets, after losing two tough subway series games, will be looking to get on the right track.

I really think the Mets could end up struggling against Verlander.  Especially David Wright.  He cant catch up to a 92 MPH let alone a 100 MPH fastball.

The Mets optioned Jenrry Mejia to Double-A and recalled pitcher Bobby Parnell from Triple-A.  They will put Mejia into the starting rotation.

Also, John Maine will visit his doctor due to a ‘discomfort’ in his shoulder.

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Mets Win Again

The Mets won again last night, pushing their record to nine games over .500.  The first time their record has been this good since 2008.

The Mets’ bats were working again, scoring eight runs and five in one inng for the third straight game.  Jon Niese was on his game again last night.  Although he didnt dominate, he got guys out and he is really coming into his own.

Niese complained of problems with the mound, just as Stephen Strasburg did the previous week.

David Wright had another hit and two RBI so that still keeps him atop the National League lead.  David has been in one of his hotstreaks and he has been on fire, which is one reason why the Mets are doing so well right now.

 

The Rotation, Pagan, Trades

The Mets need to rethink their rotation.  Maybe, its time to remove Livan from the rotation and callup Niese.  They should also callup Figueroa and get rid of Nieve because Figueroa is a better pitcher and has proven he can win.  Angel Pagan is on the verge of returning and maybe, the Mets need to trade Tatis, and other veterans.