Jorge Sosa the Met looked a lot like Jorge Sosa the Brave. In fact, I'm not entirely sure he wasn't playing for the Braves. Maybe it was some prowrestling style treachory. Him looking at the Met dugout ripping off his uniform to reveal a Braves uni wouldn't really surprise me. Sosa's final line: 4IP, 5 ER, 3BB.   Braves game winner Davies hit a homerun off of Sele, a three run shot, and the best Met pitching of the night came from the Amburglar. 

I don't know what happens at the Ted, but it tends to be ugly.

The sole plus for Sosa, he hit a single. Good for you Jorge, your pitches were high and you couldn't get anyone out, but you did better than four starters.

Paulie Lo Duca went 3 for 4, Beltran 2 for 4, and Green scored the sole Met run courtesy of Newhan. A few nice double plays helped keep this game from getting really out of hand. Hard as that is to imagine.

Leftie battle tommorow, Ollie Perez vs Chuck James. Lets forget tonight, and focus on that.

The Chicago Cubs defeated the New York Mets by a final score of 10-1.

- John Maine pitched 5.1 innings and gave up three earned runs. He showed a lack of control and walked two batters in the first inning, which led to a two-run first for the Cubs.

- Scott Schoeneweis took over for Maine and gave up a grand slam to Aramis Ramirez in the 6th inning.

- Shawn Green brought the Mets the only offense of the day. He went 2-3, just missing a home run in his first at-bat by about a foot. His next at-bat, he took Zambrano deep over the right field wall.

- Carlos Delgado got hit by a pitch on his left pinky. The x-ray was negative and he is listed as day-to-day.

The Mets will send Jorge Sosa (2-0, 2.77 ERA) to the mound to play the Cubs tomorrow with first pitch at 7:10pm. The Cubs will counter with left-hander Rich Hill (4-2, 2.51 ERA).

…I for one hope Scott Schoeneweis has short memory…

If there was a question towards why the Brewers own the best record in baseball, its been answered.

The good: Green had his first hit the first game of the Giants series, which went for his first triple of the season. Beltran had his first multihit game of May going 2 for 4. Dave Newhan had his first Met homerun, a two run shot in the fifth.  And…thats really about it.

The Mets continue to seemingly be unable to provide run support to Pelfrey.  His outing was…well, fifth starter like. Nothing to write home about, but honestly nothing so bad as to be calling for his demotion, though I'm sure that won't stop many a fan from doing so anyway.  He pitched himself into trouble, and at times even out out of trouble. He loaded the bases and escaped with just one run scored in the first.  He left after 5 IP, having given up four runs, eight hits, 3 K and 3 BB. 

The bigger news, the bullpen. After seeming untouchable and dominant for most of the season so far, the bullpen was responsible for the vast majority of the Brewers runs today. Pedro Felciano and Joe Smith both entered with 0 ERAs, and left with…higher ones. With no outs in teh 8th, Smith gave up a grandslam to Hardy.  Smith had been inserted after the inning had started.  After a scoreless 7th in which he kept two inhereted runners from scoring, Feleciano started the 8th by giving up a single and hitting Counsel, getting the pull.

Show finished out the 8th after Smith made two outs, but gave up three more runs in the 9th, two on a Hart triple.  The runs raise Smith's ERA to 1.69 and Feleciano's to 1.23.  Though not 0, both are still respectable. The Brew Crew clearly dominated this game on both sides, destroying the Mets pitching while at the same time keeping the mets offense severly limited. Four everyday players went hitless, with a 1/3 of our hits coming from Beltran and another 1/3 from off the Bench (Newhan and Endy). The way the Brewers are playing they will continue to run away with the Central division, so if the team has plans on making the postseason they will need to figure out a way to dominate them.

Tough loss.  Pelf struggled, but for a fifth starter was about what one would expect.  He gave up three runs in 5 and 1/3.  He was up and down.  He got himself into trouble. He found his way out of trouble.  He hit a few batters.  He was…he was a fifth starter.

Mr Infinity lost the ability to use his nickname. He pitched 2/3 of an inning, giving up a hit. Show finished out the game going a little over an inning, keeping it tense, giving up a hit, but keeping the score at just 3.

This game should have been winable. Livian Hernandez kept the Mets at bay. Delgado had a double, Endy went 2 for 4, and Green had a hit and two walks. But the Mets for the most part were quiet. Wright seems to have fallen back.  Reyes went just 1 for 4. He bobbled a play at second off a throw from Gotay.  The bench, subbing in for Beltran, Lo Duca and Easley, just didn't quite perform. Perhaps it was just time for the Diamondbacks to finally get a win in their own stadium.  Newhan drew another walk, but went hitless to fall to .111.

Hopefully the rest given to Beltran and Paulie will have them ready to re-energy the rest of the lineup when the roadtrip out west continues in a new city tommorow.

The New York Mets defeated the Colorado Rockies 2 to 1 in 12 innings.

A pitching duel between starting pitchers Aaron Cook and Orlando Hernandez with the game winning run coming in on a bunt in the 12th inning. El Duque pitched a gem of a game tonight allowing only 4 hits in 7 innings. Aaron Cook pitched a very similar line but allowed 6 hits in 7 innings.

Billy Wagner came in to pitch the ninth after Aaron Heilman pitched a successful 8th. Wagner walked Jamey Carroll to lead off the 9th. After a Garrett Atkins fly out to center, the Mets turned a double play to retire the side.

Fast forwarding down to the top of the tenth inning where the action finally started. With Billy Wagner pitching, after Yorvit Torreabla hit a two-out double, the Rockies sent in Willy Taveras to pinch run. Troy Tulowitzki then tripled to deep right-center field that brought in Taveras from 2nd. Wagner limited the damage by striking out pinch hitter Chris Iannetta to end the top of the 10th.

Shawn Green came to the plate in the bottom of the tenth and grounded out to second to leadoff the inning. Jose Valentin then flied out to left field. The Mets sent up utility infielder Damion Easley to pinch hit for Billy Wagner. With a 2-2 count against Rockies closer Brian Fuentes, Easley hits a deep home run to left centerfield to tie the game at one.

Scott Schoeneweis relieved Billy Wagner in the top of the 11th and pitched a 1-2-3 inning.

 In the bottom of the 11th, the Mets got things started with Paul Lo Duca leading off the inning with a single against Rockies reliever Jeremy Affeldt. The Mets then pinch ran for Lo Duca, sending out Endy Chavez. Carlos Beltran followed with a big fly out to deep centerfield. Next up was Carlos Delgado who hit a rocket to first baseman Todd Helton who knocked it down with his glove. Helton got the out at first but was unable to get Chavez who advanced to second. After Affeldt walked David Wright, the Rockies brought in Ryan Speier to pitch. Moises Alou came to the plate with a chance to send the Mets home, but failed to come through, grounding into a fielder's choice to end the inning.

In the top of the 12, the Mets sent Schoeneweis back out to start the inning, moved Endy Chavez to play left field and Ramon Castro behind the plate. After Schoeneweis got out the lefty Helton, Willie went to the bullpen and brought in Joe Smith to face a pair of right handed hitters. He retired both hitters and we went to the bottom of the 12th.

Shawn Green lead off the inning with a walk. Jose Valentin was asked to drop down a sacrifice bunt to move Green over to 2nd and did just that. With only one hitter left on the bench, David Newhan pinch hit for pitcher Joe Smith. Newhan had the chance to win drive the winning run in from second, but struck out swinging. After the Rockies walked Reyes intentionally, he took 2nd in the defensive indifference. Endy Chavez came to the plate for his first at bat of the game. With a runner on 2nd and 3rd and 2 outs, Chavez on an 0-1 count drag bunted the ball past the pitcher to the right side and Shawn Green came home and scored the game winning run.

Notes:
- The Mets bullpen gave up just two hits in five innings of relief tonight.

- The top four hitters in the lineup when a combined 1-19.

- David Wright saw a two hit game tonight with one walk. He had a very nice at bat during the 11th inning. He showed a lot of patience drew a walk in the process.

- In 10.0 innings, Joe Smith has yet to allow a run and is averaging a strikeout per inning.

Preview:
The Mets will send young Mike Pelfrey (0-1, 5.86 ERA) to the mound against the Rockies in which the Mets will go for the sweep. The Rockies will counter-strike righty Josh Fogg (0-1, 6.61 ERA). The game is set for a 1:10PM start.

TV: SNY
Radio: WFAN

Sorry for the late postgame, I caught tonights game at the bar.

The story of the game: Oliver Perez, who had poor control and lasted less than 3 innings (as mentioned in the previous post).  Only 32 of his 73 pitches were for strikes, and he finished his night by hitting Barajas.  His three ER in less than three innings bump his ERA to 3.72, which for a 4th starter isn't terrible. Though a  3.72 ERA would be better if it involved lasting till the 6th inning. Sele replaced Perez, finishign the 3rd then pitching the next four innings. He gave up four hits, two runs, two walks and has an ERA of 3.38.  Pedro Feliciano added another hit batsmen and a balk, and Joe Smith continued his streak of not allowing a run to score, finished up the game.  Smith faced five batters, striking out one and walking one.

Offensivley the Mets failed to deliver with runners in scoring positions on mulitple occasions.  Jose Reyes went two for three with a walk and an RBI. After advancing to third he was stranded in the 1st.  He stole his fourth base of the season in, and got caught for the 2nd time. In the fourth, the Mets loaded the bases with no outs, then scored just one when Alou grounded into a double play. The Mets offense had just five hits, one each from Beltran, Wright and Valentin.  David Wright commited his first fielding error of the season, extended his hitting streak, and was hit by a pitch from winning pitcher Eaten.

The Mets are now 5-3.  There next game is Thursday night.  Tom Glavine (1-1, 2.38 ERA) is scheduled to pitch.

Final: The Mets defeated the Cardinals by a final score of 4 to 1, Tuesday night.

Pitching: Orlando “El Duque” Hernandez tossed shutout ball in the first six innings before giving up a solo home run to Scott Rolen in the 7th.  Scott Schoeneweis came on in relief in the 8th inning to giving up one hit and walking one before being pulled when Albert Pujols came to the plate. The Mets called on Aaron Heilman to get the superstar out and he did just that, getting Pujols to pop flied to center to end the inning. Billy Wagner came in for the 9th and shut down the Cardinals 1-2-3 for the save.

Batting: Oddly enough, the only man to have two hits tonight was the pitcher Orlando Hernandez, who first singled to right and later on sent a double down the left field line that put the Mets ahead 4-0 in 6th inning. Jose Reyes went 1-4, with a walk and scoring two runs. Carlos Beltran went 1-4 with an RBI. David Wright was on base three times tonight with one hit and two walks.

Notes:

The Mets did not strike out anyone in the Cardinals lineup tonight.

The Mets left 19 runners on base, with corner outfielders Alou and Green combining to leave 11 on base collectively. In Sunday's game, the Mets left 14 on base.

The Mets turned three double plays tonight putting their season total up to seven, just two games into the season.

Looking Ahead:

With not enough painkillers in the world to fix this headache he once caused, the Mets square off against former Met reliever Braden Looper. Making the switch from the bullpen to the starting role this season, Looper was announced as the #3 starter for the Cardinals this opening series as the Mets will send John Maine to the mound. Maine went 1-0 with a 2.89 ERA in two starts against the Cardinals in the NLCS this past October.

First pitch is at 8:10PM on SNY and WFAN.

Bring it on Looper!

Big loss today, as the Mets went down 11-3 on a poor start by Pellfrey.  Pellfrey gave up 4 runs, all earned, three of which came in the third.  Overall, he pitched five innings giving six hits while striking out two. Though not his best outing, he did manage to keep most of his outs on the ground (an 8-5 ground/fly out split).  Of more concern is Sosa, who played only a partial inning during which he walked two and gave us six runs on four hits.  Nall finished out the 7th for Sosa, facing 3 batters but keeping any from scoring. Heilman and Wagner each added one scoreless inning, facing 3 batters each.

It was also another slow day for the Mets offense, with just four hits.  Lastings Milledge reached on a run scoring error, and left the game in the 9th after being hit by a pitch. Jose Valentin is credit with both Met RBI's, off a double in the 3rd.

Not a great, but not a horrible outing from Pellfrey. He did go five innings, and considering he's a 5th starter, we're going to see him have days where he gives up five runs. The bullpen today is where we should have been focused as far as fears and the such.  Wagner threw a scoreless inning despite having pitched yesterday, and Heilman pitched a quick inning as well. The rumors since yesterday are that Sosa is being shipped down to AAA, and todays performance pretty much shows us why.  Adkins did ok, which is good in the sense that its likely he's on the trading block since he's out of options.

Hopefully Milledge is not seriously hurt, one would assume he is being x-rayed at the moment to check for damage. Some nice work by Franco today, aside from some confusion early on between him and Pellfrey concerning who was fielding a ball. That was arguable Pellfrey's fault, and it appeared the two briefly discussed it. Wright had another day batting second, I understand the logic of getting him more at bats, but I still liked him further down the order and Lo Duca batting 2 instead.

Chan Ho Park was pulled after 3
innings today, and the SNY and WFAN broadcast teams were both reporting
that Park is no longer in consideration for the 5th starter spot, but
for one in relief.

From John Delcos, this statement from Park:

There is no word yet on if Park will request a release, though he is
scheduled to pitch again Monday.  He pitched 3 innings, gave up no
runs, though the wind provided some assistance in his performance. 

Both teams did lose however today.  The B team put up a good fight however, Lastings Milledge went 2 for 3 with an RBI double and two stolen bases, both of which came in the first.  Anderson Hernendez also went 2 for 3, both singles, with a stolen base bringing his ST average up to .186.  On the mound, John Maine had his worst outing of the spring giving up 4 earned runs and 12 hits while striking out 4 and walking 1 in 5 2/3 innings pitched. The team lost 5-6.

From the A team in St Lucie, Smith, Burgos, Wagner and The Show contributed 1 scoreless inning each as the Mets fell 2-1 to Baltimore.  Feliciano gets the lost, and Sosa contributed one unearned run.  The Mets sole run came off a David Wright single, who then scored off an single by Feliciano, that was misplayed in the outfield.  The offense for the most part didn't produce for the Mets, with just three other singles.  Shawn Green went hitless and is now batting .140 for the spring.