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.

Painful

The inflatable raft that's been holding us up has a hole. We are not going to be able to stay afloat much longer. This weekend has brought us a reality check. You can only go so far with a bunch of backups comprising your starting lineup every night. Talk about a weak end to the homestand.

The thing to be worried about all of this is the mental errors. Backups or not, some of the stuff we have seen recently just should not happen. I know Daniel Murphy is learning a new position. But I believe his situation is hopeless. He is a third baseman. We have one. Trade him. Ike Davis is making his move in the minors and could be ready to play here in 2011. Get something for Murph now while he is young. The window to deal him might have passed, if it has not already.

Have I asked to send Fernando Martinez down? It's painful to watch him fall behind 0 and 2. You know what's going to happen. Swing and a miss at ball 1. Send the kid down. I don't care if he hits the occasional double and looks good in centerfield. Send him down.

Do you think K-Rod wanted to pitch to Jeter because he knew he was at risk of walking Mariano Rivera? As lights out as he's been as our closer this season, you have to look at that walk rate and wonder how much longer he can keep it up. There will be more blown saves in the near future.

Chien-Ming Wang gets his first win of the season. Of course that was going to happen. Although how funny would it have been to see him get injured running to first? Steinbrenner would not have the team play another game unless the DH was mandatory in the National League.

Our savior, Fernando Nieve, is pitching tonight. When are we going to get the reality check on that one?

Gutless, part II

You are being outscored 29-1 in the last three games vs a team. You get a hit to break up a no-hitter in the sixth inning. Will anyone throw at somebody now? I'm still waiting. We'll be waiting for a while.

And why the hell is Argenis Reyes hitting second??

David Wright should have smacked that Yankee photographer in the front row in the first inning after missing a chance at that popup. He wouldn't. He's David Wright. Mr. Nice Guy. Mr. I pat everybody's behind when they join me at third base.

Jorge Posada needs to just age and retire already. Enough is enough. And to think, in this series, we would have been better off had Derek Jeter been playing instead of Ramiro Pena.

To the person who bought my tickets for last night's game at 200% above face value, I quote the great Mark Messier at his retirement ceremony: "Thank you, thank you, thank you!!"

A Yankee Islander Night

Two Fridays ago we had an unimaginable loss against the Yankees and the Penguins winning the Stanley Cup. Last night we had a Yankee blowout against the Mets and the Islanders taking significant steps to rebuild their franchise, while the Rangers continue to swim in mediocreville.

Aside from some walks here and there this game was not on Mike Pelfrey. You had to feel bad for him in that second inning when bloop after bloop followed error after error.

This game was so in the bag that I feel asleep at 4-1 in the 7th. The eyes opened at 9-1 in the 9th; what a surprise. Early in the game at 4-0 all you wanted was a hit off C.C. Sabtathia, who was perfect through four.

Brett Gardner is slowly ascending the hate list.


As for the NHL Draft (another night of channel flipping during a Met-Yankee game), this was the first time in years you saw some joy from Islander fans. I like it- it's good for the rivalry. If the Islanders move to Kansas City, where's the fun in that? What would become of Ranger-Island- rather, Rangers-Chiefs games then? It would be no different than Rangers-Nashville.

Stay away from Dany Heatley. The guy run himself out of two cities AND has a bonus payment of four million due in addition to his seven million salary this season? Leave Ottawa with that headache unless they want Wade Redden back.

Guaranteed

If my ass was in the Promenade yesterday, that ball hit by Yadier Molina goes over Jeremy Reed's head for a two-run double and a 4-3 Cardinal lead. Ryan Franklin comes in and gets the Mets 1-2-3 in the bottom of the 9th. If that happened it was only fitting that Pujols got clearly picked off at second base (how can the third base umpire not overrule that play- you could be leaving the bathrooms on the third base side of the Promenade and see that he was clearly out). However, the blown save did not happen. 7/10/08, 7/24/08, 8/7/08, and now 6/25/09. Four weekday matinees I missed or sold, 4-0 record. When I go, 0-6. As of now, I am scheduled to go to camp days 7/30 and 8/5. Anyone want tickets?

How about Fernando Martinez's play in centerfield? Unfortunately he went 0-for-3 to drop his average to .167. Bite the bullet with Jeremy Reed in center for the next week or so (besides, let's see what he can do when given a string of consistent at bats) and send the kid down before his confidence goes down the toilet.

K-Rod just refuses to throw strikes if he does not have to. Sure, he made it scary, putting two men on after striking out the first two batters in the 9th, but it's all part of the master plan. Worked great against the Yankees, until- let's forget about that one- wait, we can't. They're next on the schedule. Can someone please drill Robinson Cano at some point this weekend?

Finally An Easy One

It's been a while since the Mets had a laugher in their favor. Laugher was the appropriate term, because the Cardinals looked like a little league team the entire second half of the game.

Fernando Nieve continues to throw zeroes and now there should not be any question about him leaving the team or moving to the bullpen once John Maine or Oliver Perez return. He's bought himself at least a few more starts.

Nick Evans looked very comfortable in Citi Field. After all, he was one of the few players invited to take batting practice in the park when it was still a construction site. It's fitting that he hit a homerun in his first start there.

Brian Schneider just missed yet another three-run homerun. Anywhere else that ball would have probably been out. Speaking of robbed by the park, that shot by Pujols late in the game in garbage time- that's outta here anyplace else.

As for more good news, I have sold my tickets to today's workday game. My record in attending these has been less than stellar. I'd have to double-check, but in the last two seasons I believe the Mets have won any weekday home game I missed to complement the 0-fer in those I attended. No blowout or blown saves today, just a good old fashioned victory, guaranteed.

Look, It's Another Met Grounding Out

Change the backdrop of the game to a splash of orange and blue and last night you have a clone of a game from that fateful final week in September 2007. Being out of the country, I did not know that was Joel Pinero who started that makeup game at Shea. Hell, the only thing I knew about him was the fact that he throws strikes, which is why I picked him up for my fantasy team a few weeks back. The strikeouts were not there, but the sinker was out in full force and the Mets did nothing with it.

The game featured a one-hour rain delay and still ended before most other 7pm starts around the league. Maybe we'll get by tonight without a delay. It has rained in parts of every day this month of June. The Mets have been relatively lucky. This homestand, not so much- we have gotten to know the Citi Field Grounds Crew very well, enough to see them fail to cover the entire field on first attempt last night. That's a tough job.

Elmer Dessens was very efficient in his Met debut, pitching the final two innings as the main guys in the bullpen were able to get a much needed couple of days. That's about the only positive in this one.