Entries tagged as ‘Billy Wagner’
Jamie Moyer 9-0 against he the Marlins.
I don’t how to describe him anymore - old, wise, crafty. All cliches. Let’s just say: 8 innings, 2 hits, 3 strikeouts, 1 walk. And a no-hitter into the 6th. Moyer has 237 career wins. I don’t think he’s a first-ballot Hall of Famer, but I bet he makes it in eventually. He’s a great guy, and I think he deserves it. Never underestimate a player’s personality and how that affects voters.
The Phils offense just wasn’t getting the breaks against he Marlins. 22 men left on base last night! 12 on Wednesday and 14 on Tuesday. Considering the explosion they had the week before, I’ll let it slide. But I hate streaky teams. Consistency is key to success. Explosive or anemic won’t take you very far.
Scott Olsen pitched great for the Marlins. But his best play of the night was probably breaking up Moyer’s no-no with a liner off of Chase Utley’s glove.
Brad Lidge pitched a much more Lidge-like save, only letting one man on base. Make that 18/18. What’s that Billy?
-Greg Berlin
Categories: Marlins · NL East · Phillies
Tagged: Billy Wagner, Chase Utley, Jamie Moyer, Marlins, Phillies, Scott Olsen
Not that it matters so much now that Billy Wagner blew his third consecutive save, this one of the starting the ninth inning variety, but I still researched the split I referenced in yesterday’s rant post criticizing Willie Randolph’s decision to have Mike Pelfrey start the ninth inning.
Wagner with no men on base in 2008: 60 PA, .158 BA, .446 OPS, 9 H, 3BB, 18 SO
Wagner with men on base in 2008: 43 PA, .244 BA, .670 OPS, 10 H, 1 BB, 13 SO
These numbers don’t include the blown save yesterday, by the way. So there you have it, the statistical basis for why Willie almost blew it in Wednesday’s game, only to be saved by Carlos Beltran’s bat.
-Jonathan Kraft
Categories: Mets
Tagged: Billy Wagner, Carlos Beltran, Mets, Mike Pelfrey, Willie Randolph
What a game last night, as Mike Pelfrey (8.0 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 8 SO) outdualed Arizona ace Brandon Webb, in a 13-inning thriller that should have ended calmly in the ninth. Instead, due to what I believe was a poor decision by Willie Randolph, Billy Wagner gave up a three-run home run to Mark Reynolds that tied the game. In my view, Pelfrey should have been pinch-hit for in the bottom of the eighth, which would have let Wagner come on in the ninth with the bases clear. I’m not sure what Billy’s percentage of blown saves is with baserunners already aboard when he enters the game, but I’m sure when I look it up later I’ll find that it’s much higher than without baserunners aboard.
Pelfrey was through 110 pitches (a career high) in the 8th. He led off the bottom of that inning. Now, obviously, there are two conflicting schools of thought here. One would let the starter bat so that he could finish off his gem of a game, and go for the complete-game shutout. The other would play it safe for the team, and pinch-hit for the pitcher, trying to stimulate a rally and buy more insurance runs, letting the elite closer finish out the game, giving the starter what should be an automatic win.
It’s incredible how two fans can disagree about such a thing. MetsBlog’s Matt Cerone takes the first approach, even going so far as to say that Willie shouldn’t have pulled Pelfrey after he allowed a baserunner in the top of the ninth with no outs. I completely disagree, and think that it was a terrible idea for Willie to let Pelfrey bat in the eighth. Sure, I understand that it’s great to go for the complete game shutout for Pelfrey, a guy who’s arm is integral to the team’s future success. But Pelfrey is only one of twenty-five, and, in this situation, you have to play it safe. Sure, it’s Wagner who ultimately allowed the home run, but that lead baserunner would never have been aboard if Pelfrey hadn’t started the ninth inning.
The good news is that Carlos Beltran bailed everybody out, walking off with a long ball to end the game in the 13th. The bad news is that the Mets take the field this afternoon, with very little rest for an already banged-up team.
By the way, I now agree that Mike Pelfrey belongs on this team. He’s shown flashes in the past, but this year, despite a few roadblocks, his flashes have been closer and closer together. I think he’s finally turning the corner. Good for you, Big Pelf.
-Jonathan Kraft
Categories: Mets
Tagged: Billy Wagner, Carlos Beltran, Mark Reynolds, Mets, Mike Pelfrey, Willie Randolph
I’ve always been a cynical sports fan. That’s what happens when you root for the Mets and Jets. But I think I sank to a new low last night when, watching David Wright poke a two-run shot in the second inning, my first reaction was “this isn’t going to be enough.” And after the tornado rain delay in the seventh, the Mets went on to prove me right, as Joe Smith and Duaner Sanchez shit a collective brick to give the game away to the struggling D-Backs. By the way, John Maine needs to figure out a way to get his pitch count down. There’s no excuse for having to turn to the bullpen so early when the team’s elite young pitcher is on the mound.
As a Mets fan, last night’s game was hard to watch. But as a baseball fan, there was something very refreshing that happened in the seventh inning. As Pedro Feliciano took the mound, Shea Stadium became the stage for a revival of the Wizard of Oz, with everything and anything swirling around the field. My experience in the last few years with impending weather at ballgames is that umpires will assume nothing until it becomes impossible to play the game. Everyone knew that the heavens were about to open on Flushing. Everyone expected to get wet. But instead of letting this happen, the umpires decided to stop the game right then and there. It turned out to be a great decision, as the grounds crew (with the help of Scott Schoeneweiss and Billy Wagner) got the tarp out there just in time.
MLB’s handling of rain delays has really bugged me this year. Baseball is so inclined not to postpone or cancel games due to so many factors that players are often put in harm’s way as a result. Recently I saw Odalis Perez leave a soaking wet Washington mound injured after it started pouring at a Nationals Cardinals game. The injury, no doubt, was a result of the conditions on the field. It just isn’t worth the risk.
-Jonathan Kraft
Categories: Mets
Tagged: Billy Wagner, Cardinals, David Wright, Duaner Sanchez, Joe Smith, John Maine, Mets, Nationals, NL East, Odalis Perez, Pedro Feliciano, Scott Schoeneweiss
This year’s New York Mets have shown flashes of brilliance, but have quickly slid back into mediocrity. The Mets limped home to Shea Stadium last week having gone 2-5 on the week, including a four-game sweep by the Braves at Turner Field. But they came home and made a statement, winning important series against the Marlins and the Dodgers.
Leading the way for the Mets was good starting pitching, including a great performance by Mike Pelfrey and, of course, an awesome outing by Johan Santana. Backing those efforts on the mound were superb weeks by Mets hitters, led by David Wright. David hit .407, .515, .741 with 2 HR and 6 RBI on the week for an OPS of 1.256. Jose Reyes hit .367, .457, .767 with 3 HR and 4 RBI on the week for an OPS of 1.224. Luis Castillo emerged from mediocrity, hitting .348, .464, .652 with 2 HR and 4 RBI for an OPS of 1.116. And Carlos Beltran woke up, hitting .320, .438, .600 with 2 HR and 5 RBI for an OPS of 1.038.
Of course, there are still problems. Carlos Delgado is still not hitting. The starting rotation is still sketchy behind Santana and John Maine. Any reliever not named Billy Wagner, Scott Schoeneweiss, or Joe Smith terrifies me. But Ryan Church has returned to the lineup, as has the swagger of 2006. The question is, will this Mets team continue to play to its potential and win these important games, or will it go lose a series to a terrible San Francisco team and continue its slide from grace? Will Willie Randolph be redeemed by his club’s performance, or will he become a scapegoat yet again? It’s time for the Mets to step it up and prove that this last week was not a fluke, and that the 12th inning victory against the Marlins was a true turning point, not a rare glimpse of what could have been.
-Jonathan Kraft
Categories: Mets
Tagged: Billy Wagner, Carlos Beltran, Carlos Delgado, David Wright, Joe Smith, Johan Santana, John Maine, Jose Reyes, Luis Castillo, Mets, Mike Pelfrey, NL East, Ryan Church, Scott Schoeneweiss, Willie Randolph
When people speculate what can spark a team’s turn-around, they often look to an extra-innings win as a catalyst. It’s impossible to say that one game can remedy a season of mediocrity, but the New York Mets certainly made a statement Wednesday night, winning in the 12th inning on a Fernando Tatis walk-off double.
On the back of Tatis, an unlikely hero, the Mets take the series from first-place Florida, making a strong statement in the first series of the homestand after a roadtrip to forget. Of course, taking two from the Yankees elicited the same sort of “turn-around” talk from Mets fans.
But what was different last night was the fact that every part of the Mets team contributed to the victory. Oliver Perez wasn’t dominant, but still struck out seven despite giving up four earned runs in six innings. Aaron Heilman looked brilliant in two innings of work, striking out four in two innings. Scott Schoeneweiss and Billy Wagner were phenomenal in an inning each. Endy Chavez forced extras with a pinch-hit home run. Luis Castillo and Jose Reyes also homered. David Wright walked twice. And then there was Tatis, the forgotten star, who is to the Mets right now what Angel Pagan was in Spring Training–invaluable.
Sure, there were faults. The Mets left ten on base, to start. That’s been a problem all year, and it continues. The Mets are a talented team. What they have needed all year is a spark, something to start the engine of a lineup that should be producing a heck of a lot more than it has. Only time will tell, but a win like last night’s, a series win like this one, might be what it takes to jump-start this team.
-Jonathan Kraft
Categories: Marlins · Mets
Tagged: Mets, Marlins, David Wright, Aaron Heilman, Billy Wagner, Jose Reyes, Oliver Perez, Luis Castillo, NL East, Angel Pagan, Endy Chavez, Scott Schoeneweiss
Nationals 5-Brewers 1
Jeff Suppan pitched well for Milwaukee until the sixth, when the [long-absent] Washington offense came alive. After J.J. Hardy mishandled a double-play ball, the Nats broke through, scoring on doubles by Ryan Zimmerman and Jesus Flores and on a Lastings Milledge sacrifice ground ball. Wily Mo Peña his his first home run of the year earlier in the first inning, and Suppan drove in the Brewers’ only run of the game.
Odalis Perez pitched well for the Nationals (5.0 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 SO, 84 P) but left with a no-decision. Brian Sanches, just called up from Triple-A Columbus, struck out the side in the sixth and was credited with the win. Saul Rivera, Luis Ayala, and Jon Rauch closed the door for Washington.
Rockies 5-Mets 4 (F/13)
The Mets dropped their fifth straight game as Matt Holliday hit a walk-off single in the 13th off of Aaron Heilman after homering off of Billy Wagner in the ninth to tie the game (Wagner’s second blown save of the year). It was a back and forth game as neither team dominated on the mound.
Oliver Perez was all over the place for the Mets, going 5 innings allowing 6 hits for 4 earned runs, walking 8 and striking out only 2, and allowing a home run on 110 pitches (just 56 for strikes). Rookie starter Greg Reynolds never dominated for the Rockies, going 6 full innings allowing 4 earned runs on 4 hits, walking 3, striking out 5, and allowing 2 home runs on just 84 pitches thrown. He left the game after allowing back-to-back home runs to Carlos Delgado and Fernando Tatis (who replaced the injured Marlon Anderson) in the 6th.
Driving in runs for the Mets were Luis Castillo, Delgado, Tatis, and Jose Reyes, who got in the home plate umpire’s face after being called out on a very low strike three in the 13th. Garrett Atkins, Clint Barmes, and Holliday drove in runs for the Rockies.
Astros 5-Phillies 4
Brandon Backe was superb for the Astros, giving up just one run in 7.1 innings pitched, striking out 6 and walking one. Adam Eaton didn’t pitch terribly for the Phillies (7.0 IP, 8 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO,2 HR, 96 P), but couldn’t keep the ball in the park, giving up two home runs to Hunter Pence.
Also driving in runs for the Astros were former Phillie Michael Bourn (who also stranded three on base), and Carlos Lee (his 36th of the season). For the Phillies, Pat Burrell homered in his second-straight game and Pedro Feliz and Jimmy Rollins also drove runs in.
Diamondbacks 11-Braves 1
Doug Davis returned from cancer surgery in unbelievable fashion, shutting the hot-hitting Braves lineup down for 7 innings, allowing just one earned run on 5 hits, walking 2 and striking out 4 on 89 pitches. His team responded, taking batting practice off of Jo-Jo Reyes (5.0 IP, 6 H, 7 ER, 3 BB, 4 SO, 3 HR) and Chris Resop (2.0 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 SO, 1 HR).
Homering for the D-Backs were Stephen Drew, Eric Byrnes, Conor Jackson, Chris Young, and Mark Reynolds. Whew. Kelly Johnson drove in the only Atlanta run of the night.
Giants 8-Marlins 2
Scott Olsen finally came back down to Earth, surrendering 5 earned runs off of 8 hits in just 3.1 innings pitched, walking 3, striking out 2, and allowing a home run on 81 pitches. Olsen drops to 4-2. He was relieved by Doug Waechter, Renyel Pinto, and Tyler Tankersley, who all pitched much more effectively. Dan Uggla homered for Florida (his 15th of the year) in the ninth, driving in both Marlins runs of the evening.
Barry Zito finally got his first win of the season, giving up just one earned run in 6.1 innings of work, walking 4 and striking out 5. Bengie Molina and Jose Castillo homered for the Giants. Aaron Rowand drove in three runs, and Rich Aurilia drove in two more for San Francisco.
Brett Carroll had to leave the game in the fourth inning after separating his right shoulder. He’ll be placed on the 15-day disabled list.
Categories: Braves · Marlins · Mets · NL East · Nationals · Phillies
Tagged: Mets, Nationals, Phillies, Marlins, Braves, Carlos Delgado, Pat Burrell, Adam Eaton, Pedro Feliz, Diamondbacks, Ryan Zimmerman, Aaron Heilman, Billy Wagner, Jimmy Rollins, Lastings Milledge, Kelly Johnson, Saul Rivera, Luis Ayala, Jon Rauch, Jose Reyes, Oliver Perez, Chris Young, Jo-Jo Reyes, Odalis Perez, Stephen Drew, Eric Byrnes, Giants, Aaron Rowand, Luis Castillo, Dan Uggla, Bengie Molina, Doug Waechter, Marlon Anderson, Wily Mo Peña, NL East, Doug Davis, Brewers, Jeff Suppan, Scott Olsen, Conor Jackson, Astros, Jesus Flores, Carlos Lee, Fernando Tatis, Renyel Pinto, Rockies, JJ Hardy, Brian Sanches, Matt Holliday, Greg Reynolds, Garrett Atkins, Clint Barmes, Brandon Backe, Hunter Pence, Michael Bourn, Chris Resop, Mark Reynolds, Tyler Tankersley, Barry Zito, Jose Castillo, Brett Carroll
What a horrible game, what a horrible series, what a mediocre season. Sure, the Mets had some “momentum” coming out of the Bronx, but, at the end of the day, they beat a Yankee team mired in even more mediocrity. Take that series away, and you find a Mets team that, in the last week, has dropped three of four to Washington and at least three of four in Atlanta. Now the Braves are playing good baseball, but there is no reason why the Mets should have scored only seven runs in the past three games against Atlanta.
The Mets are a team whose offense is often stagnant if Jose Reyes doesn’t hit, a team whose pitching is atrocious if Johan Santana isn’t on the mound and a team with no heart. They take the field every night making baseball look like a job. Once a week, maybe, you’ll see the joyful atmosphere of two years ago, with the Mets scoring 12 runs and Reyes running around dancing with everyone in the dugout. The rest of the time, either David Wright is “embarrassed” of the team’s performance, Billy Wagner is calling someone out for blowing the game, or Willie Randolph is making excuses for why his job should not be on the line.
Something has got to give here. This team has far too much talent to continue to under perform to the degree that it has. I’m not jumping on the Fire Willie bandwagon…yet, but I’m not far away. If this team loses today and loses the series against lowly Colorado, that all might change quickly.
Ladies and gentlemen, your 2008 Mediocre Mets.
-Jonathan Kraft
Categories: Mets
Tagged: Billy Wagner, David Wright, Jose Reyes, Mets, NL East, Willie Randolph
Johan Santana surrendered three home runs, but got the job done, combining with Billy Wagner to shut down the Yankees bats in Game One of a shortened Subway Series. Santana pitched 7.2, giving up 4 earned runs on 7 hits, walking three and striking out five on 100 pitches. Billy got the final four outs, racking up his ninth save of the year.
For the Mets, Jose Reyes and David Wright homered. Carlos Beltran, Brian Schneider, Luis Castillo, and Carlos Delgado also drove in runs.
For the Yankees, Derek Jeter, Jason Giambi, and Bobby Abreu homered. Andy Pettite took the loss, going 6 innings and giving up 3 runs on 7 hits, walking 2 and striking out 7. Yanks goat Kyle Farnsworth gave up three runs in an inning of relief on two home runs.
Game two today features Oliver Perez against Chien-Ming Wang on Sunday Night Baseball at 8:05.
-Jonathan Kraft
Categories: Mets
Tagged: Mets, Yankees, Carlos Delgado, Johan Santana, David Wright, Billy Wagner, Brian Schneider, Jose Reyes, Oliver Perez, Carlos Beltran, Luis Castillo, Jason Giambi, Derek Jeter, Andy Pettite, Bobby Abreu, Kyle Farnsworth, Chien-Ming Wang
Every Mets blog seems to be publishing a novel today on the State of the Mets, so why not add my two cents. I understand that we just lost 3 of 4 at home to Washington (so much for that 5 for 7 in the homestand) and that we’re going in the Bronx as a .500 team, but all is not lost here. Sure, this was a hiccup. Sure, this was a missed opportunity. Sure, we’re in third place right now, 2.5 games behind the Marlins of all teams, but come on, all is not lost here. It’s only May. I understand that at some point the “it’s only [insert month here]” mantra turns into “yeah, but when are we going to start playing well,” but this team has nowhere to go but up at this point.
(more…)
Categories: Mets
Tagged: Aaron Heilman, Billy Wagner, Brian Schneider, Johan Santana, John Maine, Jorge Sosa, Jose Reyes, Mets, Nationals, Pedro Martinez, Yankees
After today’s loss to the Nationals, Mets closer Billy Wagner was being interviewed in the locker room when he went batshit on the media, his teammates, etc.
Per Adam Rubin:
He looked over toward the area of Carlos Delgado’s locker and blurted: “Someone tell me why the (expletive) you’re talking to the closer. I didn’t even play. They’re over there, not being interviewed. … I got it. They’re gone. (Expletive) shocker.”
Billy, Billy Billy…I love your intentions, but you have to calm yourself down. If you’re going to be an outspoken leader on this team, good, they need leadership, but you can’t criticize your teammates in front of, well, everyone. I’m frustrated by the loss, everyone is frustrated by the loss, but that’s no excuse for pulling this. Why are the media talking to the closer? Because they know that there’s a 50/50 shot that the closer will flip out and say something ridiculous. The media are ruthless, but come on man, control yourself.
-Jonathan Kraft
Categories: Mets
Tagged: Billy Wagner, Mets
Much better game for the Mets tonight, as John Maine pitched very well from the start (6.0 IP, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 SO, 1 HR). Ryan Church picked up his 30th RBI and 8th HR of the season. Brian Schneider and Jose Reyes also drove in runs.
For the Nationals, Ryan Zimmerman homered off of Maine in the third for his sixth of the season. Rob Mackowiak also drove in a run. John Lannan wasn’t great tonight, going 6 innings with 4 earned runs off of 12 hits, with a walk, two strikeouts, and a home run. Luis Ayala continued to struggle, surrendering an earned run in the eighth on two hits and a walk.
Matt Wise allowed a run in the 7th, but was still credited with a hold, as was Duaner Sanchez, who apparently still has the confidence of Willie Randolph. Billy Wagner notched his eighth save of the year.
Maine continues to be the Maine man, as the rest of the Mets pitching staff remains a wild card. Other than Johan Santana, there’s no one I’d rather see on the mound for the Amazin’s. Should be interesting tomorrow as Claudio Vargas goes against Tim Redding.
-Jonathan Kraft
Categories: Mets · Nationals
Tagged: Mets, Nationals, John Lannan, Johan Santana, Ryan Zimmerman, Billy Wagner, Duaner Sanchez, Matt Wise, Tim Redding, Brian Schneider, Luis Ayala, Jose Reyes, Ryan Church, John Maine, Claudio Vargas, Willie Randolph, Rob Mackowiak
Hard decision here, but the Mets Beast of the Week is CF Carlos Beltran. The Mets’ cleanup slugger had been hitting .181 over his last 28 games before this weekend, when, apparently, something clicked. Over his last three games, Beltran has gone 5-11 with 8 RBIs, 2 BB, and a homer. Beltran is key to the success of the Mets lineup, and even if he has gotten hot off of two ineffective Reds pitchers (Matt Belisle, Johnny Cueto), it’s about time that Mets fans have seen some life out of the cleanup spot.
Runners-Up: John Maine, Carlos Delgado, Ryan Church
I hate to do this, because I love the guy, but I have to give the Least of the Week distinction to RHP Duaner Sanchez. Having “earned” the set-up role (after the implosion of Aaron Heilman), Sanchez was clearly expected to show the same flash as he had in 2006, before his tragic, season-ending shoulder injury. It’s a miracle that Duaner is pitching at all, much less in his current role. But with a fastball that tops off at 89, he’s clearly not capable of being a set-up man. After a horrible performance last Saturday (when he gave up five earned runs), Sanchez continued to struggle. His line on the week: 1.2 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO. That contributes to a 2.40 WHIP and 10.80 ERA for the last 7 days. Duaner might be a decent middle reliever this season, but he is not a quality set-up man for Billy Wagner.
Runners-Up: Johan Santana, Luis Castillo, Endy Chavez
-Jonathan Kraft
Categories: Mets
Tagged: Aaron Heilman, Billy Wagner, Carlos Beltran, Carlos Delgado, Duaner Sanchez, Endy Chavez, Johan Santana, John Maine, Johnny Cueto, Luis Castillo, Matt Belisle, Mets, Ryan Church
Great week for the division. The NL East is hot; only the Marlins came in at under .500 for the past 10 games. The last-place Nationals are just 4 games out, and are 8-2 in their last 10. The Phillies may still lead the division, but the Mets and Marlins are just a half a game out.
Some of the league’s finest talent plays in the division, and this cream of the crop is setting the pace in 2008. Chipper Jones leads the league in Batting Average with a whopping .421 so far. Chase Utley leads in home runs, with 13; Pat Burrell is tied for second with 9. Burrell is also second for RBIs, with 28. Utley and Jones lead the league in OPS, with 1.193 and 1.189 respectively. Marlins starter Mark Hendrickson is second in the league for wins, with 5 so far. Of the pitchers with WHIPs in the top 10, 4 are in the NL East: Johan Santana, Tim Hudson, Jair Jurjjens, and Cole Hamels. Billy Wagner leads the league in Batting Average Against (.070). And Wagner, Brad Lidge, and Jon Rauch are tied for fifth in the league for saves, notching 7 to this point.
As expected, the division is shaping up to be extremely competative down the stretch. Look for the Marlins to cool off as their young pitching exhausts itself, and for the Braves to heat up as key players such as John Smoltz and Mike Hampton return. The Mets have nowhere to go but up, the Phillies continue to be led by career years by both Chase Utley and Pat Burrell, and even the Nationals are playing good baseball at present.
Here are the standings through Monday May 5:
Philadelphia: 18-14
New York: 16-13, 0.5 GB
Florida: 17-14, 0.5 GB
Atlanta: 15-15, 2 GB
Washington: 14-18, 4 GB
-Jonathan Kraft
Categories: Braves · General · Marlins · Mets · Nationals · Phillies
Tagged: Billy Wagner, Brad Lidge, Braves, Chase Utley, Chipper Jones, Cole Hamels, Jair Jurjjens, Johan Santana, John Smoltz, Mark Hendrickson, Marlins, Mets, Mike Hampton, Nationals, NL East, Pat Burrell, Phillies, Tim Hudson
Mets 5-Diamondbacks 2
One of the better pitching matchups of the year as Johan Santana squared off against Dan Haren in a pitchers’ dual that exploded in the 9th for the Mets. Santana was his classic self, going 6 full innings striking out 8 and walking 4, giving up just 1 earned run. Haren was almost as good, going 6 full giving up 2 runs on 2 hits (one a homer to David Wright in the 4th), striking out 7 and walking 1.
Jorge Sosa picked up the win for the Mets (he’s 4-1, unbelievably) and Billy Wagner notched his seventh save of the season after Arizona 1B Connor Jackson made a crucial throwing error in the top of the 9th that started a 3-run rally for the Mets. Bringing in runs for the Mets were Jose Reyes, Wright, and Marlon Anderson. Chad Qualls took the loss for Arizona. What a statement for the Mets, as they take the series off of the NL-leading D-Backs.
Phillies 6-Giants 5.
Charlie Manuel got his 500th win as the Phils took the game on a San Francisco error in the bottom of the ninth that brought in the winning run. Carlos Ruiz tied the game up in the 8th, allowing Brad Lidge to pick up his first win of the year. Cole Hamels allowed 4 runs on 7 hits through 6 innings, but he did have 5 strikeouts and no walks. Young Giants starter Tim Lincecum was better, surrendering no earned runs in 6 innings of work, striking out 5 and walking 2. But it was errors that would prove costly to the struggling Giants, who drop to 14-18. The Phillies remain a half-game up on New York and Florida.
Marlins 10-Padres 3
The big bats came to play today as Dan Uggla hit an RBI double and a home run to keep the Marlins tied with the Mets for second place in the division. Hanley Ramirez was 2-4 and scored 2 runs, and Matt Treanor was 2-4 with 2 RBIs. Young southpaw Andrew Miller finally pitched well for the Fish, getting his 2nd win and allowing 2 runs on 6 innings of work, striking out 4 and walking 2. Greg Maddux dropped to 2-3, allowing 11 hits for 5 runs, 4 earned, for 5.2 innings of work.
Braves 14-Reds 7
The Braves had 19 hits on the day, outhitting the Reds almost 2:1 and surviving a rocky outing by Tom Glavine. Chipper Jones contributed his fair share with a 3-run home run and a 2-run single. Also coming through big for the Braves were Mark Kotsay who homered and had 3 RBIs and Kelly Johnson, who was 4-6 with 2 RBIs. Glavine lasted just 4.2, surrendering 6 earned runs on 7 hits, striking out 3 and walking 5. Royce Ring picked up his first win of the season for Atlanta. As bad as Glavine was, Reds starter Bronson Arroyo was far worse, pitching just an inning and a third, giving up 7 earned runs. Josh Fogg came in for mop-up duty and didn’t pitch much better, giving up 5 earned runs on 6 hits in 2.2 innings.
Nationals 5-Pirates 2
Tim Redding continued his dominant streak, picking up his 4th win and allowing just 1 earned run on 6 innings of work, striking out 5 and walking 1. He was opposed by Pirates ace Ian Snell, who dropped to 2-2 after allowing 4 earned runs on 10 hits with 2 strikeouts and a walk. Aaron Boone hit his first home run as a National, filling in at third for the day as Ryan Zimmerman ended his Major League leading 205 consecutive game streak. Also driving in runs for the Nats were Nick Johnson, Austin Kearns, Felipe Lopez, and Wily Mo Peña. The Nats are red-hot, having gone 8-3 on the last homestand.
-Jonathan Kraft
Categories: Braves · Marlins · Mets · Nationals · Phillies
Tagged: Mets, Nationals, Phillies, Marlins, Braves, Andrew Miller, Hanley Ramirez, Chipper Jones, Tom Glavine, Johan Santana, Charlie Manuel, Brad Lidge, Diamondbacks, Dan Haren, Greg Maddux, Cole Hamels, Padres, Ryan Zimmerman, David Wright, Billy Wagner, Ian Snell, Tim Redding, Felipe Lopez, Carlos Ruiz, Nick Johnson, Mark Kotsay, Kelly Johnson, Jorge Sosa, Jose Reyes, Austin Kearns, Giants, Reds, Dan Uggla, Connor Jackson, Marlon Anderson, Chad Qualls, Tim Lincecum, Matt Treanor, Royce Ring, Bronson Arroyo, Josh Fogg, Aaron Boone, Wily Mo Peña
Great Q & A with Billy Wagner in the Post today…and he didn’t even say anything controversial, how about that. He says that he’s “99% sure” that next year will be his last year pitching, as he wants to spend more time with his family. We’ll see how that goes, but I for one am very happy that the Mets are grooming Eddie Kunz to take over when Billy’s done. Billy also says some nice things about Mets fans, and, not surprisingly, takes a few swipes at Philadelphia.
-Jonathan Kraft
Categories: Mets
Tagged: Billy Wagner, Eddie Kunz, Mets
We all knew that Billy wouldn’t be able to keep his mouth shut for very long on his weekly segment on 1050 ESPN Radio. Yesterday, he unloaded on Oliver Perez. “You’ve got to have that willpower to go back out there and fight,” Wagner said. “Perez has got to honestly step up and realize that we’ve just used every guy in our bullpen the night before. He can’t come out there and decide that gee, he hasn’t got it today, and so be it.“
There are two sides to this. For one, I agree with Billy about Oli’s performance yesterday. We all know that once Oli gets into trouble he loses it mentally and breaks down on the mound. I said in my pregame report yesterday that Oli needed to go 6 innings to take the stress off of the pen. 1.2 is not getting the job done by any means. Without these mental lapses, Perez is a great pitcher. I don’t know what the Jacket needs to do to fix this, but something has to be done–we can’t have these breakdowns every 5th start.
But as frustrating as this is, Billy should not have said this on the radio. As a leader in the clubhouse, your job is to support your teammates, not vocally criticize them on air. Maybe this isn’t a surprise, since Billy has always been known to think out loud, but it’s disappointing and classless.
-Jonathan Kraft
Categories: Mets
Tagged: Billy Wagner, Mets, Oliver Perez, Rick Peterson
Mets 5-Pirates 4 (11)
W: Sosa (3-1) L: Van Benschoten (0-1)
With their ace Johan Santana on the mound, the New York Mets did not score enough runs to finish off the mediocre Pirates in nine, waiting until the bottom of the 11th before walking off on a David Wright shot to deep right field.
Santana pitched well but couldn’t keep his pitch count down, going only 5.2 (2 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 7 SO), giving up both runs on solo shots to Nate McLouth (on the first at bat of the game) and Jason Bay.
Pirates starter Ian Snell wasn’t great, going 4.1 (5 H, 4 ER, 5 BB, 2 SO) before getting into a jam. The Bucs pen held up very nicely until the 11th when John Van Benschoten (who?) gave up the winning hit to David.
Jose Reyes broke out of his slump, going 3-3 with 3 walks and a triple and providing the momentum the Mets needed on the bases, especially late in the game. This is what the Mets need–like I’ve said time and time again, when Reyes gets on base, the Mets win.
Ryan Church continued his hot streak, homering off of Ian Snell in the 4th. Carlos Delgado received a huge ovation for his first at-bat but was booed for the rest of the game as he went 0-5 and killed many a rally. Delgado continues to look dead at the plate. He has flashes of his old self, which was clearly evident the other day. But he is clearly just a shadow of what he used to be.
The real story tonight is the Mets bullpen, which blew this game for Johan. Sure, Billy Wagner takes the bulk of the heat with his first blown save of the year. But each reliever tonight got into a sticky situation before getting bailed out. Duaner Sanchez is obviously Willie’s new choice for a set up man, but could barely get the ball over the plate tonight. Aaron Heilman continues to struggle mightily and got a nice round of boos tonight. Joe Smith was nowhere to be found, even though he has been the team’s second most consistent reliever this year. It’s not my intention to go on a rant, but I’ll say this. Willie needs to understand that relievers are inconsistent. If they were more consistent, they’d be starters (or elite relievers like Wagner, who is the only elite reliever on the team). Therefore, when you’re in a tight situation, you go with your “hot” relievers. Also, why Willie didn’t bring Wagner in for the 8th when Duaner was stuck in a tight situation in the middle of the Pirates order, I have no idea. It’s incredibly frustrating.
Oh and by the way, Raul Casanova’s defense is subpar, to say the last. Get well soon, Brian.
Check out the Liveblog I kept for more information on the game (until I got too frustrated to write, anyway).
-Jonathan Kraft
Categories: Mets
Tagged: Aaron Heilman, Billy Wagner, Carlos Delgado, David Wright, Duaner Sanchez, Ian Snell, Jason Bay, Joe Smith, Johan Santana, Jorge Sosa, Jose Reyes, Mets, Nate McLouth, Pirates, Ryan Church
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette highlights players who the Pirates might try to unload at some point this year, including 1B/OF Xavier Nady.
I’ve talked about getting Nady back a lot, maybe too much, but he really would be such a perfect addition to the Mets this season. MLB Trade Rumors suggests a possible Nady-Aaron Heilman swap, saying that Heilman could be converted into a starter for the Pirates (they could really use one right about now).
I’d personally be surprised if Pirates GM Neal Huntington would want to try and convert Heilman to a starter, but obviously every team has a different philosophy on player development. As far as the Mets losing Heilman, I wouldn’t lose too much sleep–it’s time to move on from Aaron. I would support using Joe Smith or Duaner Sanchez to set up Billy Wagner (assuming each continues to be effective), looking for the possible promotion of Eddie Kunz later this season. As far as the extra roster spot, Matt Wise or Carlos Muniz would be more than adequate candidates.
-Jonathan Kraft
Categories: Mets
Tagged: Aaron Heilman, Billy Wagner, Carlos Muniz, Duaner Sanchez, Eddie Kunz, Joe Smith, Matt Wise, Mets, Neal Huntington, Pirates, Xavier Nady
