Tagged: justin turner

Boys, that’s how it’s done

I took a huge sigh of relief just minutes ago when the Mets and Francisco Rodriguez closed out the game in the Bronx, a 2 – 1 win, and that win puts the Mets at the .500 mark and keeps them at only five games back of the Philadelphia Phillies. After their 5 – 13 start, who would have thought the Mets would be here?

The Mets played a great game tonight, as did the Yankees (and yes, it isn’t easy for me to admit it). R.A. Dickey started tonight for the Mets, allowing only one run in six innings pitched tonight. The only run that R.A. allowed was a cheap home run that Texieira hit into not even the first row of the right field stands. To be honest, a high school kid could have hit one out there, as I’ve seen it done myself. That wall is ridiculously short. When first hit, I thought for sure that it was an out, and when I saw Carlos retreat, I thought he was gonna reel that one back in. Although he couldn’t, it’s nice to see that Beltran has the ability to attempt that catch.

Dickey did encounter baserunners quite frequently tonight, but was able to make the pitches necessary to work his way out of the jams. This is a good sign for Dickey, because he didn’t appear to have great stuff, but he was able to get it done.

Also, Jose Reyes played great once again. His diving stop on a ball hit by A-Rod likely saved the game. With two out, Jose sparked the club and got R.A. out of the inning. When Murphy came off the bag, and the error was charged to Jose, that was a terrible scoring call. Not Jose’s fault at all. Great game played by Jose.

What more can Justin Turner do? Since he arrived here from Buffalo all he has done is hit. Since arriving, he has had 14 RBI in about 55 at-bats. That’s not too shabby. He has been such a spark, and a team player. He does what needs to be done, and isn’t worried about anything but winning. That’s the kind of guy you want, and need to have to be a player who can sustain a career in the Major Leagues. Three hits tonight, and the game tying RBI. This shows that the Mets have a different mindset because of Terry Collins. He pushes and instills confidence in his players, and with that gets 110% out of them.

Thanks to Daniel Murphy’s solo shot down the right field line, the Mets went ahead for good. While that was great, I was psyched about how well Jason Isringhausen pitched. He was straight out dominant tonight. Izzy has really stabilized the bullpen and helped out the younger guys, and that has clearly shown. Good job by K-Rod also. He pitched a great inning and closed the door. Franky has been a great comeback this season.

Just as a quick side note, I love the comment that Pedro Beato has regarding the Yankees. He said, “I hate the Yankees.” Pedro did grow up a Mets fan here and I love his honesty, and his opinion.

They’re gaining ground

The Mets won their second consecutive game this afternoon, beating the Nationals by a score of 1 to nothing at Citi Field. The Mets now find themselves at 5 1/2 games back of the Phillies. The Mets can gain another 1/2 game tonight if the Phillies lose. In the Mets’ last 25 games, their 16-9, a pretty respectable number for the amount of injuries they’ve had to overcome.

Jason Bay had a great game, collecting three hits for the first time since the middle of last season. Although this is a great sign, as Gary Cohen and Ron Darling pointed out during the game, he hasn’t been able to lift the ball as he has done throughout his career. Bay needs to take it slow and just collect hits. If he can get hits and raise his average, the home runs will come. Plus, hitting in Yankee Stadium this weekend could boost those power numbers. Terry Collins also added that he may bat Jason in the second slot to hopefully get him some fastballs and balls to hit with Beltran and Turner behind him.

Dillon Gee, Dillon Gee! Boy, he couldn’t have been much better today, pitching 7 2/3 innings allowing just two hits, one of which was collected by Livan Hernandez. Gee lasted 5 2/3 innings without allowing a hit. Yet again, the Mets will not have a no hitter. Dillon Gee is a good, solid starting pitcher who can get it done on the mound. Gee may not have the best stuff, but he has the ability to locate his pitches and get the job done. I think it was a mistake to put him in the ‘pen, because of how well he does when starting. He has been proving he deserves to be here. In ten career Major League starts, he has an ERA under 2.50. Can’t get much better than that.

Justin Turner has come through yet again, driving in the sole run of the game. In just over 50 at-bats this season, he has 13 RBI. He has been a key piece to this lineup and his proving himself that when the regulars come back, he needs to stay with the big club.

While Turner has been hitting the snot out of the ball, Daniel Murphy is in the completely opposite direction. He is batting below .240 and as Keith pointed out, he’s “letting the ball get too deep.”

The Mets are headed to Yankee Stadium tomorrow to start a three game series with the Bronx Bombers. The Yanks have been struggling and the Mets will avoid C.C. Sabathia. Go get ’em boys!

Opening Day roster

With the season only two weeks away, I began to think about who the Mets will cut and keep.  First, lets start with Oliver Perez.  No.  He shouldn’t be on the team.  Granted, he recently got ONE left handed batter out by making him pop up on the infield, but I don’t have confidence in him and neither should the coaches, front office, or the players.  What has he done to be given a roster spot?

Secondly, Scott Hairston needs to be on this team and will.  Though it is spring training, he has killed the ball.  He’s hit I think five home runs now and has had two seperate games with two.  He can help lead this team and provide consistency from the bench or in the lineup.  It’s good to have such a versitile player on your team.  The Mets have been lacking that for a few years, because he can play infield, outfield, and maybe pitch?

The large question that the Mets have to answer is who will be man-ing second base in Florida on April 1st.  Daniel Murphy, I wouldn’t go with him for the fact that his bat this spring has been below what I expected and his glove, well we know about that already. I think he should be on the team as a bench player because he does have the ability to play third, second, first, and dare I say it left field.  The only problem is that the team has a large number of players that could be on the team off the bench, so that someone who I think should make it will be cut.  Luis Castillo, well I have more simpathy for him now that he is playing better and he hasn’t been any worse than the others trying out.  He is the best defense the Mrets have avalible besides Hu, but his bat limits him in my eyes from ever being a long term starter.  And Castillo’s expirence helps his cause.  Justin Turner, I dont think he’s better than Murphy, Eamus, or Castillo so he is out by default.  I never really thought that he would be given a real chance.  I dont know a lot about Brad Eamus, but the problem with him not getting the job is he is a rule 5 player, so the team will have to offer him back to his previous team befor ethey can send him to the minors.  He hasn’t hit particularly well, either.  I like Luis Hernandez.  He has hit well during spring and his glove is good.  He is my personal favorite and I think he should get a chance, a real chance. 

As for pitchers, Jason Isringhausen should make it, providing expirence in the closers role and Pedro Beato should also be there.  I am also rooting for Pat Misch to make the club.