Big Pelf, Marian and Donald

Around this time last season, Mike Pelfrey established himself as the number two starter we were expecting him to be this season. Although we would've liked to have seen it from the beginning of the season, hopefully we see a repeat performance. Yesterday was a good start.

The Mets were outhit 7-5. They struck out 12 times. Hey, a win is a win. Right now you take it.

I thought Pelf would get another batter or two in that eight inning, at least for the righties leading up to Prince Fielder, which is Feliciano time. It would've been a shame had Sean Green blown that one, but thankfully it didn't happen.

Fernando Martinez went 0-for-3. Send the kid down. The team should be fine alternating Ryan Church and Jeremy Reed in center.

The black and gold house of horrors is up next for yet another weekday afternoon game, which means more of MLB Gameday and the occasional radio call.

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As for Day 1 of Free Agent Frenzy regarding the Rangers:

Once you lose Colton Orr, you had to get an enforcer. Donald Brashear, at two years, 1.4 mil per? Not sure about that one. Maybe Colton wanted more years, after all he did get four from Toronto. As much as you hated Brashear (my last memory of him featured one of my rare Garden cussing outbursts) you have to like a guy like that on your team. Age is a concern and you wonder if he can keep doing what he's always been doing. Sather said he's a little quicker to the puck that Orr. Really Glen, did you factor age into this at all and wonder if he might lose a step? One year fine, but two, you can only hope for the best.

Marian Gaborik is now a Ranger. Bottom line is the guy is worth it if he's healthy. But all those groin injuries is A LOT to be concerned about. Sather can talk all he wants about the hip being 100%. It's not about the hip. It's the fragile groin, which is always under stress when skating.

They needed a pure 40+ goal guy. Heatley has attitude problems. Gaborik has injury issues. Hossa wanted 12 years. That's all that was available. I guess you take the best out of your options and hope the injury bug does not strike.

Now let's pick up a mean defensive defenseman and we're ready for training camp in September.

Brewhaha

Didn't that fourth inning just about sum up this losing streak, which is now at five?

Fernando Martinez hit his first career homerun. Too bad is came in the same game where he literally fell on his face in centerfield with the bases loaded, leading to a 4-run play capped by Johan throwing the ball away. Send the kid down.

Speaking of Johan, for how many starts in a row are we going to hear about him not having his best stuff? You wonder exactly how much of a pass he is going to get with every start in which he lacks his one-time pinpoint control, which are coming at an alarming rate. Walking a pitcher? Haven't we had enough of that after Sunday night? I guess some credit goes to Ryan Braun, who really went down to get that low pitch and hit it well to clear the bases.

I want my .300 hitting, 25+ HR David Wright instead of .350 slap hitter David. He hit one that was vintage David, outta here to right-center. The only positive of the night. The kid hitting the homerun in the ninth followed a double play- whoop-de-damn-doo at that point.

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Frankly, I though Scott Gomez was untradeable, but it happened. This is a great move, even if we got a bag of peanuts in return. No disrespect to Gomer, who I didn't mind in his time here, but the salary was just way too much in this cap era.

However, it's July 1. The worst day of the year. Who will the Rangers overpay this year now that they have a little cap room?

A Game Of Redeeming Features

After seeing this McGehee fellow, one had to wonder, "who the hell is this guy?" We got to know Mr McGehee very well last night. First he one-upped Luis Castillo on a dropped pop up- it was easier than Luis' attempt, although did not happen with two out in the ninth inning. Too bad Castillo's miscue did not happen in the top of the ninth a couple of weeks ago. Perhaps he would have had the chance to redeem himself with a grand slam in the bottom half. Sure. Luis Castillo? Never mind Luis, how about a MET homerun?

Granted, the Mets did come up with a nice little ninth inning rally last night. That was quickly snuffed by one pitch from Trevor Hoffman, who induced Brian Schneider (who seems to get juiced up when he finds two men on base) into a game ending double play.

Then there's news like this on Beltran. The Mets are overly optimistic when it comes to injuries, and the Post is doom and gloom. Can we find any middle ground here?!?

On a side note, while the Mets were being knocked around in Milwaukee, I was running the old Shea bases at Citi. I was at the Mets new home for a company party in the Caesars club, and I must say, if you have a special occasion and want to hold an event, the place works. How much it costs to rent for a few hours I have no idea. However, if you are in charge of ordering the food for your party, please do not pick Flan for dessert.