http://www.yardbarker.com/content/team/19 Recent articles about the New York Mets en-us Last night, Phillies radio analyst Larry Andersen took his mouth off his cousin's cleavage long enough to say the following abouts Jose Reyes' home run celebration yesterday: "Somebody ought to put one in his neck." This followed up a less inflammatory, but still inane set of comments from the Phils' TV B-team.  As dumb as they were, [...] Thu, 24 Jul 2008 17:03:46 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/295114 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/295114 With no help from a benched MVP, the Phillies offense completely wasted a solid pitching performance. Jamie Moyer pitched 7 strong innings and gave up only one run, but the Phillies couldn't solve Oliver Perez, who pitched 7 and 2/3rds innings, struck out 12 and also gave up only one run. The Mets rallied to win in the 8th inning when Carlos Delgado doubled in a pair of runs in the 8th inning off of J.C. Romero, dropping the Phillies into second place after the 3-1 loss. Jimmy Rollins was a late scratch from the game, getting benched for showing up late to the game. Rollins got to the game one hour before it started, breaking Charlie Manuel's rule about showing up on time. Click the link for more on the game, including highlights. Thu, 24 Jul 2008 17:02:14 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/295112 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/295112 Carlos Delgado's two-run double broke an eighth-inning tie, and Oliver Perez struck out a career-high 12, as the Mets dumped the Phillies 3-1 to take over sole possession of first in the National League East. On a day that ended with the Mets making it their division to lose, Jimmy Rollins was scratched for showing up late to the game, according to multiple reports. That's twice this season that the reigning MVP has been benched for disciplinary reasons. Are you... Thu, 24 Jul 2008 17:00:28 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/295110 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/295110 In a game that only took two hours and 18 minutes to play. The Mets defeated the Phillies by a score of 3-1. They are now alone in first place for the first time since April 19th. The Mets are 9-4 against Philadelphia this season, and have won all four series against them. Jamie Moyer and Oliver Perez were a contrast in styles, but each pitched a classic. There hasn't been a Mets-Phillies pitcher's duel like this since 1971, when Tom Seaver took on Jamie Moyer. Perez dazzled, only allowing one run (a Jason Werth solo shot) in 7.2 innings pitched, while striking out 12 with one walk (and one HBP). In his last five starts, he's only given up five earned runs. Werth's homer ended Perez's 24.1 inning scoreless streak against Philadelphia. The ageless, classy Moyer also tossed a gem, by going seven innings, with one earned run, six K's, six hits and three walks. Carlos Delgado (batting cleanup for the second game in a row) had the game-winning hit when he belted an opposite field double off of old-time nemesis J.C. Romero in the eighth scoring Robinson Cancel (another clutch pinch hit) and David Wright. Wright drove in the first run with an RBI single in the third. The Mets only had four hits, but that's all they needed. Aaron Heilman relieved Perez in the eighth and wiggled out of a bases loaded jam by getting Werth to fly out to deep center. That was the only batter Heilman faced as he picked up his first win of the season. Billy Wagner notched his second save in two days (and 26th of the season) with an easy ninth inning. Chase Utley went 0-12 in the series. It looks like he's created a "F*** You New York" curse for himself. The Mets next take on the Cardinals with three games at Shea this weekend. Thu, 24 Jul 2008 14:54:06 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/295043 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/295043 With Pedro Martinez back in the Dominican Republic on bereavement leave, Brian Stokes is expected to get promoted and start Saturday against the St. Louis Cardinals. Thu, 24 Jul 2008 14:11:08 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/295021 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/295021 With the trade deadline looming and injuries to several players, bullpen situations remain in flux throughout baseball. Jonathan Lee takes a look at recent moves and ranks all of MLB's closers. Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:51:08 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/295001 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/295001 For the first time since April 19, the New York Mets (55-47) have sole possession of first place. The Mets have won four consecutive series against Philadelphia and have a 9-4 record against the Phillies. Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:33:41 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294985 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294985 Jose Reyes has Charlie Manuel seeing red. Manuel criticized Reyes for celebrating after hitting a three-run home run Wednesday. Manuel told Philadelphia Daily News beat writer ... Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:15:48 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294975 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294975 As the trade deadline looms, baseball writers everywhere have been consuming themselves with the seemingly endless list of players that could be on the move before it is all said and done. Since dealing CC Sabathia, the Indians have fallen out of the trade spotlight a bit, since names like Matt Holliday and Mark Teixeira have vaulted to the top. But while we do not have any power sources like the two aformentioned, we do have a few names that have apparently continued to stir interest among the MLB ranks. From Tim Brown's recent article at Yahoo!: After moving Sabathia, the Cleveland Indians remain in sell mode and are listening to offers for Blake, Paul Byrd and Jamey Carroll, and they could be convinced to discuss shortstop Jhonny Peralta. The Dodgers, who would prefer to acquire a true shortstop and move Nomar Garciaparra to third base, are in on Blake and McPherson, the former Angels prospect who is healthy again and has hit 32 home runs in Triple-A for the Florida Marlins. The Dodgers also need help in the bullpen but are not believed to be interested in Street. The Tampa Bay Rays would love to have Blake cover right field for them, but so far no one has met the Indians' price. Now given the recent play by Peralta (as well as his very, very friendly contract), I would assume that it would take one heck of an offer to pry the (gulp) shortstop from our fingers. But the one part of the above that caught me by surprise is that no one has "met our price" for Casey Blake thus far. What could our price be? Aside from the Rays, the Mets have reportedly expressed interest in the third baseman/right fielder/first baseman. We're obviously not asking for an Evan Longoria in return here, but if the demand for Blake's services continue to rise (read: Twins, Dodgers), we could be seeing a case of last-minute moves with this one even though he did not play in yesterday's game. But given the fact that Blake will be a 35-year old free agent at the end of the season, and would likely demand something more than his current deal of $6.1 million, what sort of market is there? If we hold him, and he walks, we get a first-round supplemental draft selection. But so would any team that would acquire him - increasing his value. He sees over four pitches per plate appearance - something teams love. He can play a bevy of positions - always a plus. Focusing on Tampa Bay, their rotation is going to be full of young, very good arms. Perhaps they would be willing to give up one of their minor league arms? I doubt we can nab Jeff Niemann for Blake, given the whole one-year thing. Other names that have been floated around message boards and rumor mills have been Reid Brignac (a 22-year old shortstop) and Justin Ruggiano (a 26-year old outfielder with speed). Ruggiano fits the "lower level prospect" mold that could garner someone like Blake. Brignac is typically considered a top-five prospect within the Rays' system, so that may be a bit tougher to pull off without adding a few more pieces on our side. What's good to see is that Shapiro isn't just shelling out chips to anyone who makes a phone call. While the Indians are definitely on the sell-side of things, we continue to look for the best offer out there. Thu, 24 Jul 2008 10:52:49 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294906 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294906 Welcome back, Billy Wagner. There were no ninth-inning meltdowns, fireworks or ulcers in last night's game. The Mets shrugged off Tuesday's loss by defeating the Phillies, 6-3, so routinely it seemed like an old Seattle Pilots–Washington Senators matchup. They're back in a tie for first place, and have an 8-4 record against the Phillies so far this season. Jose Reyes had the big blast, hitting a three-run homer (his 11th of the season) off Ryan Madson in the sixth, breaking a 3-3 tie. The Mets scored two runs in the first when Brett Myers walked four batters in a row and Marlon Anderson grounded out to drive in a run. They added a run in the third on a Damion Easley infield single (Easley had three infield hits, after getting hit by two pitches the night before?he's due to get struck by lightning today). Carlos Delgado (two walks, HBP, single) moved up in the order, batting cleanup. He was so happy that he logged an extra-long entry in his diary, even including a few smiley faces. And he taunted Carlos Beltran about it the whole game. Speaking of Beltran, why was he bunting in the eighth inning with runners on first and second and no outs? Swing the bat, Carlos. You're just leaving it to your teammates to get the job done (in this case, Robinson Cancel, who grounded out without getting a run home). In all, the Mets left 13 runners on base, and were three for 13 with runners in scoring position. They left the bases loaded in the third and seventh innings, and stranded runners on second and third in the eighth. They could have easily blown this game wide open. And Marlon Anderson looks completely dumbfounded at the plate, and he's so lost out in left field, on one fly ball he pulled a map out of his back pocket and asked a fan for directions to the ball. It was a nice, solid comeback game for John Maine. He went seven innings (for the first time since May 7th), giving up three runs, six hits, two walks and struck out five. His control was much better than in recent starts, as he attacked the strike zone all game. Myers, on the other hand, was all over the place, having no idea where the strike zone was. He only lasted five innings, walking five and giving up three runs. Maybe he was called up from the minors too soon?he's only 27, after all. Scott Schoeneweis and Joe Smith pitched a scoreless eighth. And Billy Wagner returned, putting the Mets bullpen world back on its axis. He threw a one-two-three ninth, and he and Delgado combined on a nice play at first to get Shane Victorino for the first out of the inning. The two teams are back at Shea this afternoon at 12:10 for the rubber match of the series. Jamie Moyer takes on Oliver Perez. Thu, 24 Jul 2008 10:36:44 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294895 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294895 New York Mets starting pitchers have not recorded a complete game this season. If I'd have told you in Spring Training the Mets will not have a single complete game 101 games into the 2008 season, you'd have told me I'm crazy. Thu, 24 Jul 2008 10:35:16 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294892 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294892 Yesterday, Mets CEO Fred Wilpon admitted that he regretted the manner in which he dismissed former manager Willie Randolph, saying, "I screwed up." Sage words from the Grand Puba. Though he did not regret firing Willie; or that he made the man fly 5,000 miles across the country to lose his job; OR the fact that every [...] Thu, 24 Jul 2008 10:26:15 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294884 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294884 Injured reliever Tom Gordon may not have been sharp before his June 6 trip to the DL, but his absence means more innings, more mismatches and more heat on the back of the Phillies' bullpen. Lost in the Brett Myers shuffle was Ryan Madson's three-run sixth inning, which put the Mets ahead for good 6-3. Madson served up a level pitch for Jose Reyes to wail on for a three-run jack, equaling the number of runs Myers allowed through five,... Thu, 24 Jul 2008 10:23:41 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294882 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294882 Mets' shortstop Jose Reyes came through with a clutch three run home run off reliever Ryan Madson in Wednesday's game against the Phillies. It was a beautiful hit and probably the most important hit of the season for Reyes. Despite a very shaky outing by Phillies' starter Brett Myers, which included four walks in the first inning and the bases loaded twice, the Mets were only able to muster three runs against him. The game was tied at three when Madson relieved Myers to start the sixth inning. Madson gave up consecutive singles to Damion Easley and Brian Schneider. He then struck out the pitcher John Maine, which brought Reyes to the plate. Reyes then drove Madson's first pitch to right for his 11th homer of the season. As Reyes rounded the bases, he had his right index finger stuck up high in the air, waving it around. Upon reaching the Mets' dugout, Reyes did his arm waving, high fiving dance with a teammate. While I do not like the dancing in the dugout, I understand lots of players do it. It was an exciting hit and I don't fault him for celebrating with his team. What really bothers me is the waving of his finger around the bases, taunting the Phillies and their pitcher Ryan Madson. It is completely and unequivocally unacceptable and classless. An arm pump or two is one thing, but to celebrate the entire way around the bases is jive and immature. Not to mention that Reyes in large part contributed to his team's humiliating collapse from the night before. For those that didn't catch the game, in the ninth inning of Tuesday night's game with the bases loaded, Phillies' catcher Carlos Ruiz grounded to Reyes. Instead of flipping to the second baseman to start the double play, or throwing to first to get the sure out, Reyes tried to beat speedy Shane Victorino to second base and got there late. Everyone safe all around. Instead of having two outs and a man on third, there were no outs and the bases loaded. Pinch hitter So Taguchi then proceeded to hit a double, scoring Victorino and Gregg Dobbs, with Ruiz moving up to third. Everyone knows that the number of outs how many guys are on base and who those runners are will dictate how the pitcher approaches his batter. It is certainly not a foregone conclusion that Taguchi hits a double with only Ruiz at third. If Reyes doesn't blow the play then it might have been a completely different game. It takes a lot of balls, nerve, and a complete lack of respect, class, and humility to be showboating just the next day after you screwed up so royally the day before. Just as much to blame are the gutless Phillies. Instead of intentionally walking Reyes the following inning, the Phillies should have put him on notice that that kind of behavior would not be tolerated and beamed him in the ribs, or the back. Instead they allow him to dance and showboat like the immature four year old that he is and respond by not pitching around him. Thursday's starting pitcher Jamie Moyer, while not known as a hard thrower, has been around for almost 22 years and is from the old school. He should put Reyes on notice that that kind of behavior is not going to be tolerated by those players who are the symbol of class and tradition. Jose Reyes is an immature, jive, classless tool and he needs to be taught a lesson. If it's not the Phillies, then maybe it will be the Marlins, who have expressed a grave dislike and disgust with Reyes' behavior. Last year the Marlins were open about the fact that Reyes' cocky and immature behavior was the motivation they needed to keep the Mets out of the playoffs by beating them in the final series of the year. Reyes' behavior is going to eventually come back to bite him and the Mets right where it hurts. If not the Phillies or the Marlins, then it will eventually be some other team. Jose Reyes, look out. Thu, 24 Jul 2008 10:14:02 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294875 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294875 Let me lead off with a quote from the Miami Herald: Yes, it is a bummer for this pennant contender that folks aren't in the stands. But it also is a blessing the few sets of eyes on them are either looking through a rosy prism or not really paying attention. That is an advantage only the Marlins enjoy. This seems so absolutely foreign to me, I don't even know where I'd begin to break this down. Not every Mets game is a sellout, but it's pretty close. Tickets for the good seats are tough to get, and if you do land them, they'll cost you. Thu, 24 Jul 2008 09:30:58 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294853 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294853