Tagged: ra dickey
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.
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.
Thole and Jenrry
The Mets placed Jenrry Mejia on the disabled list earlier this week, because of a complete MCL tear which will require Tommy John surgery, keeping him out for up to twelve months. This is bad, for Mejia and the Mets. It’s a real shame about Jenrry. He was a good fall back option if someone got injured or wasn’t producing.
Also, the Mets had to place Pedro Beato on the disabled list with elbow tendinitis. Come on, can they catch a break? At this rate, the Mets will need to get someone if the injuries persist. The Mets called up Mike O’Connor.
After watching the last few Mets games, I am becoming increasingly worried about Josh Thole. For one, he isn’t hitting. He grounded into a 1-2-3 double play last night which resulted in zero runs and a loss.
But that isn’t the worst. Josh Thole cannot catch the ball. He has been dropping pitches left and right, including more than one last night that he should have caught. Granted, R.A. Dickey was pitching last night. But Josh was missing pitches he should normally catch and he appears to be lazy behind the plate. They (the Mets) need to find a solution to this problem…quickly.
Also, for Rangers fans, Im looking to go to the Mets v. Rangers game in June. Any tips on where to stay or what seats are best for autographs, that would be great.
Take a chill pill
I have been reading other blogs about the Mets and articles about the Mets and yesterday’s game versus the Nationals in the Mets’ first home game of the 2011 season. A lot of people are worrying about the Mets’ ability to get runners over, strike outs in huge spots, and walks. They have been saying things along the lines of, “the Jerry Manuel era is back.”
These people need to take a chill pill. For God sake, it was only the seventh game of the year. And, you have got to realize there will be times where you can’t get the runs in. This is Terry Collins’ team. He has control and the faith of the team. I have have faith in that. With over ten new players, most of the team didn’t interact with Jerry while he was here. Besides, I don’t think it was all Jerry’s fault.
As for the walks, a knuckle baller was pitching last night, in fifty degree weather will moisture in the air. Of course R.A. Dickey was going to walk guys. What did you expect? It’s obvious that a knuckle baller is going to walk people. Not to mention, he ripped his right index finger’s nail practically in half. R.A. uses his fingernail to throw the knuckler.
People need to give this team a chance. They’re only two games back and are going to play in their eighth game today. In about a month, we’ll see where the team is and how the pitchers are. Maybe the need to get someone, I wouldn’t deny that. But, it takes time to feel a team out and to get a read on how Terry handles situations.
Mets take rubber game
The Mets won today in Florida vs the Marlins by a score of 9-2. R.A. Dickey won for the Metropolitans while Javier Vazquez took the loss for the fish.
Dickey started for the Mets today and he looked great. He did struggle slightly with his command and walked a few uncharacteristically, but other wise worked well. Josh Thole did a pretty good job catching him except for a few passed balls.
Ike Davis and Willie Harris both hit home runs for the Mets.
The Florida Marlins committed three errors, eight hits, and nine, yes nine, walks. Also, Daniel Murphy played well in the field and hit a long ground rule double.
The Mets will be playing the Philadelphia Phillies starting Tuesday for a three game series with Chris Young, Big Pelf, and Jon Niese pitching for New York.
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 Hold On
The Mets beat the Florida Marlins at Citi Field this evening, 4-3.
R.A. Dickey pitched well, yet again tonight. He let up three runs in 6+ innings. And, to make his third win (he’s now 3-0), he collected two big hits tonight. Boy, from what Ive seen, he can do it all. The Knuckler was working for Dickey, fooling a lot of the Marlin hitters.
Elmer Dessens has become an important part of the Mets’ bullpen, and tonight he was great again, throwing over an inning of scoreless baseball.
Frankie Rodriguez continues to play with fire, up by one run, and tonight he allowed two guys to get on before Hanley Ramirez jogged out a grounder to end the game. I cant understand it. Why, on earth, would he throw Gabby Sanchez a 3-2 curve when Hanley is on deck? Absolutely unacceptable.
Ruben Tejada collected a big double tonight, his 2nd major league hit and first extra base hit.
Jon Niese returns tomarrow versus Nate Robertson on FOX
Put it in the Books! 