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IGT 09/27, Birds on the Bat vs. Metropolitans

Kid Carsey Sep 27 2007 02:40 PM

STL: J. Pineiro (5-4, 4.53) NYM: P. Martinez (3-0, 2.57) By ANDY LEFKOWITZ, STATS Editor Pedro Martinez has pitched well after surgery nearly a year ago wiped out all but the final month of his 2007 season. The New York Mets need his rebuilt shoulder to help stop a free fall that is threatening their postseason hopes. The Mets turn to the three-time Cy Young Award winner to preserve their slim division lead and continue a drive toward their unprecedented second straight NL East title when they meet the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday night in a makeup game. New York (87-71) has been in first place since overtaking Atlanta on May 16, but a 9-6 loss to Washington on Wednesday finished a three-game sweep and reduced the Mets' division lead over surging Philadelphia to one game. "It's late in the season, guys are tired, we're running on fumes," Mets third baseman David Wright said. "It's not an excuse. We need to go out there and finish strong and dig down deep and really do some soul-searching because we're going to have to finish with a flurry." New York has dropped six straight at home and nine of its last 13 overall - a stretch that started when it was swept in a three-game set by the Phillies at Shea Stadium - and can place the blame squarely on its pitchers. Mets starters have recorded a 6.29 ERA in the last 13 games, and a beleaguered bullpen has blown three of five save opportunities in that span while posting a 6.75 ERA. "We're not scared of losing. What the problem is, is just how bad we're playing," closer Billy Wagner said. "As good as our bullpen was early, we're that bad right now." Martinez (3-0, 2.57 ERA) will try to stay unbeaten since returning from rotator cuff surgery. Facing Florida on Friday, the right-hander gave up four runs and eight hits, walked two and struck out seven in a 9-6 victory. "He looked sharp again," Mets manager Willie Randolph said. "I love his progress and the way he's looking." Martinez was helped by the Marlins, who committed a franchise-record six errors. Since coming back, though, Martinez has seen the number of hits he's allowed increase with each start. He's given up 26 in 21 innings. Martinez has won his last two decisions over the Cardinals, and is 3-1 with a 2.87 ERA in nine career starts against them. He will face St. Louis for the first time since Sept. 11, 2005. Joel Pineiro (5-4, 4.53) will try to close out his season on a positive note for the Cardinals (74-84). The right-hander, acquired at the July trade deadline from Boston, was 3-1 with a 3.86 ERA in his first five starts with his new team. But he's battled inconsistency since falling on Aug. 30 at Houston, alternating wins and losses in five starts with a 5.20 ERA. Pineiro lost to the Astros for the second time in just over three weeks when the Cardinals dropped a 6-3 decision at home on Friday that eliminated last season's World Series champions from postseason contention. He threw 111 pitches in 5 2-3 innings, allowing three runs and eight hits. In 55 2-3 innings since joining St. Louis, Pineiro has given up 66 hits, including 11 homers. This will be his first appearance against the Mets. New York got two homers from Carlos Beltran and one from Moises Alou en route to an early 5-0 lead on Wednesday. Alou extended his franchise-record hitting streak to 30 games, the longest by any New York player since Joe DiMaggio's major league record 56-game run for the Yankees in 1941. Alou is hitting .403 (48-for-119) during the streak, raising his overall average 34 points to .347. St. Louis snapped an 11-game road losing streak with a 7-3 win over playoff-hopeful Milwaukee on Wednesday. Albert Pujols, recovering from a strained left calf, hit his 32nd homer to become the first player to start his career with 30 home runs and 100 RBIs in seven straight seasons. Pujols was hit in the elbow later in the contest by the Brewers' Seth McClung. The 2005 NL MVP is batting .347 (26-for-75) with seven homers and 16 RBIs in 21 career games in New York, but is 0-for-6 with a walk lifetime against Martinez. This contest is a makeup of a June 28 rainout. Following this game, the Mets play host to Florida while St. Louis heads to Pittsburgh to close out the regular season.

Benjamin Grimm Sep 27 2007 02:52 PM

Wow, this fifth start of Pedro's could be his last of 2007. Seven innings Pedro! Or eight! If you do well, your reward could be another three or four starts this year.

Farmer Ted Sep 27 2007 02:53 PM

I have to go to a wine tasting event until 8 pm. I hope I'm good and drunk for this game like I shoulda been last night.

Edgy DC Sep 27 2007 03:01 PM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Sep 28 2007 07:12 AM

Attending to the second job last night, I came home in time to cheer the Mets from a 6-2 lead into the eventual 7-6 defecit. Tonight, I go to a fundraiser and expect to bring my curse upon them in an even later inning. O wo.

sharpie Sep 27 2007 03:05 PM

Last night watching a Yankee-bathrobe-wearing singer didn't work to break the curse, I guess I'll just go back to watching the game tonight.

Valadius Sep 27 2007 03:11 PM

We all feel like crap right now, but we've gotta get our shit together, as well as the Mets. Do it for the kids! Like, for example, this kid: And this one:

Kid Carsey Sep 27 2007 03:12 PM

Wine tastings, fundraisers ... I need to get a life if it kills me. After the baseball season.

Gwreck Sep 27 2007 03:13 PM

St. Louis Cardinals David Eckstein SS Rick Ankiel CF Albert Pujols 1B Ryan Ludwick RF Skip Schumacher LF Miguel Cairo 3B Kelly Stinnett C Joel Pineiro P Aaron Miles 2B New York Mets Jose Reyes SS Luis Castillo 2B David Wright 3B Carlos Beltran CF Moises Alou LF Carlos Delgado 1B Paul LoDuca C Shawn Green RF Pedro Martinez P

DocTee Sep 27 2007 03:16 PM

How shitty must Aaron Miles feel to bat after the pitcher?

Benjamin Grimm Sep 27 2007 03:25 PM

Hopefully he'll pitch as shitty as he must feel. It will take a 15-run first inning to give me any level of comfort, I think.

Nymr83 Sep 27 2007 03:41 PM

Piniero is on my slumping roto-team, he's pretty much gauranteed not to get me a much needed W tonight. Of course, my ERA is a lost cause so if he wants to strike out 10 and allow and equal number of runs that will help too.

holychicken Sep 27 2007 03:49 PM

Kid Carsey wrote: Wine tastings, fundraisers ... I need to get a life if it kills me. After the baseball season. I have a feeling this baseball season might get you first.

Valadius Sep 27 2007 03:52 PM

You know what we need? You know what Pedro needs? Some inspiration from the late Nelson de la Rosa!

Nymr83 Sep 27 2007 04:34 PM

i didnt even know that guy died

DocTee Sep 27 2007 05:03 PM

It's scary that not only did Val know he died, but knew his name.

A Boy Named Seo Sep 27 2007 05:10 PM

Kick some ass, Mets.

Zvon Sep 27 2007 05:16 PM

TransMonk: You hit the nail on the head. This is the playoffs. Losers go home. Unbelievably as I type this, Rollins singles to lead off the Phils/Braves game, Victorino goes to sac him over, a great bunt that is thrown away and Rollins scores from 1st. !!!@@$%^**^%#

Zvon Sep 27 2007 05:18 PM

And here Castillo, the experienced vet, makes an error in the 1st and the Cards have 2 on, 1 out.

Zvon Sep 27 2007 05:19 PM

Another Brave error leads to the Phils second run, and then..... Howard goes yard and its 4-0 Phils.

Nymr83 Sep 27 2007 05:20 PM

bottom 1, 4-0 Phillies. You didn't expect help from the braves did you?

Zvon Sep 27 2007 05:20 PM

Get outta this Pedro. Please. 2 out, 1st and 2nd.

Zvon Sep 27 2007 05:22 PM

Some guy named Schumaker singles in a run for the Cards.

Zvon Sep 27 2007 05:25 PM

Coulda been worse. 1-0 Cards Well, we knew going in that we are gonna need more than 2 runs to win tonight. So lets go get em guys.

Zvon Sep 27 2007 05:31 PM

Wright doubles with two out in the 1st, but is stranded.

Valadius Sep 27 2007 05:35 PM

Let's Go Mets!

Zvon Sep 27 2007 05:36 PM

Good inning for Pedro! Yes!

DocTee Sep 27 2007 05:39 PM

Here's a switch: rather than blowing leads, we'll be coming from behind.

Zvon Sep 27 2007 05:46 PM

Ha. Not unless we get some hits and score some runs, not necessarily in that order. Who is the Card pitcher, J. Pineiro? Ill answer that: NOBODY!

A Boy Named Seo Sep 27 2007 05:50 PM

Me, now.

Methead Sep 27 2007 05:52 PM

Way ahead of you, Seo. Yet, I can't take my eyes off the screen. It's almost intervention time.

Zvon Sep 27 2007 05:53 PM

Pat Burrell, 2 run dinger in Philly. That place is goin crazy.

Zvon Sep 27 2007 05:54 PM

I'm not really a drinker, but I may be joining you guys tonight.

Methead Sep 27 2007 05:54 PM

It's almost as if the Braves don't want us winning the division.

DocTee Sep 27 2007 05:56 PM

It's almost as if the Mets don't want us to win the division.

metsguyinmichigan Sep 27 2007 05:58 PM

Just getting here. Oh. My. Goodness. I'm just stunned. And the freaking Braves are rolling over.

metirish Sep 27 2007 05:59 PM

Down on seven pitches to end the third innning.....

Centerfield Sep 27 2007 06:00 PM

My time after work shouldn't be the worst part of my day. I wonder what else is on TV.

metsguyinmichigan Sep 27 2007 06:05 PM

Kelly Stinnett still has a job?

metsmarathon Sep 27 2007 06:07 PM

time to watch earl...

metsguyinmichigan Sep 27 2007 06:11 PM

One stinking hit in a do-or-die game???

metirish Sep 27 2007 06:18 PM

Alou is still giving every play his all,nice catch.

Zvon Sep 27 2007 06:26 PM

I haven't had a drink yet, but I am seeing double already.

Zvon Sep 27 2007 06:27 PM

I meant in avatars, not outs! Damn!

Centerfield Sep 27 2007 06:38 PM

Top of the order. Ten run inning coming up.

Methead Sep 27 2007 06:41 PM

"Quality Start" for Pedro. WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

metsguyinmichigan Sep 27 2007 06:43 PM

Braves got three back.

Nymr83 Sep 27 2007 06:49 PM

Pedro or Sosa to face Pujols? I'd leave Pedro in.

A Boy Named Seo Sep 27 2007 06:53 PM

LETS

DocTee Sep 27 2007 06:53 PM

GO

A Boy Named Seo Sep 27 2007 06:56 PM

METS. California knows how to party.

Zvon Sep 27 2007 06:57 PM

We are united, we are assembled. We have done all we can. The rest is up to them.

DocTee Sep 27 2007 07:03 PM

]California knows how to party. Ain't no party like a West Coast party.

Benjamin Grimm Sep 27 2007 07:04 PM

What's RED BAMBOO anyway?

Zvon Sep 27 2007 07:08 PM

Yancy Street Gang wrote: What's RED BAMBOO anyway? foiled by reverse technology

Zvon Sep 27 2007 07:12 PM

Edgy DC Sep 27 2007 07:18 PM

Get Cairo out off that field.

Johnny Dickshot Sep 27 2007 07:18 PM

13 straight scoreless innings. Looks like surrender to me.

Zvon Sep 27 2007 07:18 PM

We allow Pineiro to go 8? Cripes, not even 90 pitches yet, he may go 9. We only have 3 hits, 0 runs? Disgraceful. Just utterly disgraceful.

Edgy DC Sep 27 2007 07:24 PM

And crazy Tony La Russa pulls him.

Kid Carsey Sep 27 2007 07:26 PM

Top o' the order, bottom of the ninth ... I'll take a glass of that Makers Mark and a glass of ice water please.

Johnny Dickshot Sep 27 2007 07:27 PM

One for me too sir.

Johnny Dickshot Sep 27 2007 07:28 PM

Jose Josejosejose Jose Jose

Zvon Sep 27 2007 07:32 PM

Kid Carsey Sep 27 2007 07:32 PM

Oh well.

Farmer Ted Sep 27 2007 07:34 PM

Just in from the wine tasting event to catch the final three outs. I'm calling a cab to take me BACK to the bars.

Edgy DC Sep 27 2007 07:34 PM

Hey, Jeff Francouer just showed some heart.

Zvon Sep 27 2007 07:45 PM

Philly looks like a world series game 7 crowd. They go crazy as Myers delivers a K to end that game. We are in a tie for 1st. Unfuckinbelieveable.

Methead Sep 27 2007 07:50 PM

Fuck Maker's Mark in a glass. Hook up the IV.

cooby Sep 27 2007 08:07 PM

I work with enough Phillies fans that tomorrow could be uncomfortable. One of them is my bosss.

Zvon Sep 27 2007 08:12 PM

cooby wrote: I work with enough Phillies fans that tomorrow could be uncomfortable. One of them is my bosss. I can't say what Philly fans will be saying tomorrow, but I find it very ironic that up until game time today, they all say the same thing. The Phils are just teasing them, and they will fail to bring home the bacon for dinner. The ones I know aren't even watching. All sports talk with them is about last weeks Eagles game.

cooby Sep 27 2007 08:15 PM

Well, there's that too. My Phillies fan friends are all still saying "fold". But their smiles get ever wider. (Sigh).

Mr. Zero Sep 27 2007 08:16 PM

So...uh...shouldn't someone, like say, maybe the MANAGER, read these guys the riot act already?

Nymr83 Sep 27 2007 08:19 PM

i doubt they need to be "read the riot act" by anyone, these guys are professionals and mostly veterans, not some high school team at half time that needs chewing out

Zvon Sep 27 2007 08:20 PM

Paul Lo Duca's latest sound bite: "We are a team that's waiting to lose."

Mr. Zero Sep 27 2007 08:23 PM

well, not necessarily a chewing out but something to rouse these guys. they may be professionals but they're still a sports team.

metsmarathon Sep 27 2007 08:24 PM

on the bright side... we are still in first place... well, until tomorrow at least.

Benjamin Grimm Sep 27 2007 08:26 PM

There's still hope. Mets sweep the Marlins. Phils take 2 of three from Washington. Tall order for the Mets, I know, but they did win three straight from Florida just last week. However, I'm fully expecting my baseball hibernation to start on Monday.

Zvon Sep 27 2007 08:32 PM

What we need, in my mind, is something as simple as : Next game, 1st inning, Reyes leads off, gets on, and comes around and scores. I don't care how he gets on, I don't care how he gets around the bases to the plate. But thats what we need. I'm not laying this all on Reyes. I'm not saying he is the reason we have fallen so far. But I'm saying that's what we need, and we need it next time out.

Frayed Knot Sep 27 2007 09:09 PM

At least this one was shorter. That's all I got.

Rockin' Doc Sep 27 2007 09:37 PM

Got home from a charity fundraiser for Duke's Childrens Hospital around 9:30 PM this evening. Fixed myself a good stiff drink of Crown Royal with a splash of ginger ale and started reading through the CPF. Saved the Baseball Forum for last. Saved this thread for last a let the loss unfold before my eyes. I wish I could say I was surprised by what I read. I pretty much expected to read that the Phillies defeated the Braves while the Mets crashed and burned against the Cardinals. Willie doesn't need to read the riot act on this team, he needs to perform the Heimlich maneuver on them.

Edgy DC Sep 27 2007 09:47 PM

I"m OK with a riot act. Give them something to think about besides "waiting to lose." Yuck.