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IGT 05/25, Mets at Rockies

KC May 25 2008 10:37 AM

From USA Today: Ahead of what may be a critical series, the New York Mets look to close out a frustrating road trip with a second straight win when they meet the Colorado Rockies on Sunday at Coors Field. New York (23-24) lost the first five games of the trip, encouraging speculation that manager Willie Randolph may be fired. The Mets won 9-2 on Saturday to end their slide and even this three-game series, but the next few days could go a long way towards determining the status of their beleaguered manager. ''We were able to get the 'W', just to get these guys feeling good about themselves again,'' Randolph said. ''There's no doubt in my mind that we're going to play well and win our share of games.'' After Sunday's game at Colorado (19-30), the Mets return home for a three-game series with surprising Florida, which leads the NL East. A poor showing by Randolph's club against the Marlins could bring further questions about his job, especially after general manager Omar Minaya made the trip to Denver for this series. ''It's good to get a win with the week we had,'' Minaya said. ''It gets you laughing and looking forward to playing tomorrow.'' Randolph got help from some unlikely sources Saturday as catcher Ramon Castro went 3-for-4 in his fourth start of the season and Nick Evans made his major league debut a memorable one. Evans, who had three doubles and two RBIs, arrived at Coors Field about three hours before game time after New York purchased his contract from Double-A Binghamton. The 22-year-old left fielder is the first player to get three extra-base hits in his debut with the Mets since Kaz Matsui on April 6, 2004 David Wright and Carlos Delgado each added a homer for New York, which also ended a seven-game losing streak to NL opponents. Colorado fell to 4-4 on its nine-game homestand after placing shortstop Clint Barmes (knee) and right fielder Brad Hawpe (hamstring) on the 15-day disabled list. The Rockies also played without third baseman Garrett Atkins, who was scratched with a stiff neck. Atkins is batting .357 (10-for-28) on Colorado's homestand. ''At this level, nobody feels sorry for you,'' Rockies manager Clint Hurdle said. ''Half the people don't care.'' John Maine (5-3, 3.29 ERA) looks to take over the staff lead in victories for New York. He's tied with Johan Santana in wins and has the lowest ERA of any New York starter. Maine had his four-start winning streak snapped Tuesday at Atlanta when he gave up four runs over four-plus innings in a 6-1 loss. The right-hander is making his first appearance at Coors Field. Maine won his lone appearance against Colorado on April 23, 2007, by giving up one run over 7 2-3 innings in a 6-1 victory. The Rockies counter with Aaron Cook (6-3, 3.06), who looks to improve to 4-0 in day outings this season. He's posted a 2.91 ERA in winning his first three day starts. Cook, though, has lost back-to-back starts overall after winning six in a row. He gave up four runs and 10 hits over seven innings in a 6-5 loss Tuesday to San Francisco. The right-handed sinkerballer is 2-0 with a 2.45 ERA in six career appearances, including four starts, against the Mets.

metirish May 25 2008 10:59 AM

Lets Go Mets

John Cougar Lunchbucket May 25 2008 11:08 AM

The roadtrip included the MFY series too, so actually they are 3-5 with a chance to be 4-5 which ain't great but not an unmitigated disaster either.

Rockin' Doc May 25 2008 11:37 AM

Good point JCL. One that the writer conveniantly omitted. Of course, some writers don't let facts stand in the way of the point they wish to make.

batmagadanleadoff May 25 2008 11:46 AM

Gary Carter phoned Willie Randolph this morning to suggest that Vargas be given another start today. He also told Willie to keep on sac bunting in the first inning in Colorado because it's the smartest thing a manager could ever do.

Gwreck May 25 2008 11:51 AM

Anytime you want to give it a rest, you just go right ahead and do that. Thanks.

batmagadanleadoff May 25 2008 11:52 AM

Gwreck wrote: Anytime you want to give it a rest, you just go right ahead and do that. Thanks. Give what a rest?

batmagadanleadoff May 25 2008 11:57 AM

Gary Carter just phoned Willie Randolph again. This time he told Willie that if he's got the worst starting player in all of baseball, Willie should bat that guy leadoff every single game.

Zvon May 25 2008 01:19 PM

OOO, nice. Schneider throws out Podsednik trying to steal second after a lead off walk. OOO, not nice. Delgado boots a routine grounder.

Nymr83 May 25 2008 01:27 PM

I'm sick of derek jeter commercials during met games.

Zvon May 25 2008 01:41 PM

Maine with a nice smooth second inning. Ks two. No score after two. My first look at Nick Evans today.

AG/DC May 25 2008 01:42 PM

Prediction: bunt.

Fman99 May 25 2008 01:44 PM

Nymr83 wrote: I'm sick of derek jeter commercials during met games. I agree in full.

bmfc1 May 25 2008 01:44 PM

Nymr83 wrote: I'm sick of derek jeter commercials during met games. They should make some commercials with Nick Evans! I'm driving north on the NJ Turnpike Thursday night as the Braves took over the game. I'm steaming, I look up to my left, and see the billboard w/Jeter's face plugging some watch. That was a horrible moment.

Zvon May 25 2008 01:48 PM

Mets score playing small ball. Chavez singles, Maine bunts him over, Reyes bloop single drives him in AND REYES IS PICKED OFF!

OlerudOwned May 25 2008 01:48 PM

Reyes picked off as Cohen and Hernandez lay into Gary Carter from the booth.

bmfc1 May 25 2008 01:51 PM

OlerudOwned wrote: Reyes picked off as Cohen and Hernandez lay into Gary Carter from the booth. Please tell us what they are saying... EI has the Rockies feed. I just noticed my post number matches up with Gil hodges. A thrill. He should be in the HOF.

Frayed Knot May 25 2008 02:00 PM

Nymr83 wrote: I'm sick of derek jeter commercials during met games. God invented the TV remote so you wouldn't have to watch that type of stuff. I've yet to see one of his spots.

Zvon May 25 2008 02:02 PM

OlerudOwned wrote: Reyes picked off as Cohen and Hernandez lay into Gary Carter from the booth. I think Mex wasn't as "strong" as he could have been. "Unconscious"? Thats rather vague. His way of saying Gary don't have a clue I guess. He could have called him assidiotic, like I did when I read about Carter. I thought what a shame too, cause maybe someday he would have gotten that shot to manage the Mets (still could, I suppose), and I don't think that would have been a bad thing. I have no idea if he is a good manager or not, just figure he knows the game and I like any links to the Mets past in the present.

AG/DC May 25 2008 02:04 PM

Ten.

Nymr83 May 25 2008 02:09 PM

reyes boots a double-play ball so of course the next guy hits a 3-run HR

AG/DC May 25 2008 02:09 PM

Damn. Rockies announcer was just telling Maine and Schneider not to go back inside again.

TransMonk May 25 2008 02:11 PM

Walks, errors and base running costing another lead. Noose tightening...

Zvon May 25 2008 02:13 PM

I was out of the room for the Reyes error. Was that a head up his ass kinda play? I guess Ill see a replay. I walked in just in time for the Smith 3 run bomb. Gah. Keith said Carter was unconscious. When they came back from break they did not elaberate any further.

bmfc1 May 25 2008 02:16 PM

"Was that a head up his ass kinda play? Rushed, lifted up too soon, trying to get a DP. Another sucky play from Reyes. Picked off again, a big error... it may be time to give him a day on the bench.

Frayed Knot May 25 2008 02:20 PM

Mets challenging Seattle for worst fielding display of the day. The Ms just turned several cheesy Yanx "hits" into a 3-run 8th and a blown lead are now down to their last out in an attempt to not get swept.

Zvon May 25 2008 02:22 PM

Cohen was much more specific in saying he could not believe Carter said what he said and just fell short of calling him an asshat, but of course I was much more interested in what Keith said and thought, having played with Gary when the Mets didn't wear those away uniforms that he drools over.

AG/DC May 25 2008 02:31 PM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on May 25 2008 02:36 PM

See, I have no problemo believing what Carter said.

Zvon May 25 2008 02:35 PM

Last thing I expected to happen there was a double play. Aint baseball amazin'?

AG/DC May 25 2008 02:44 PM

I kind of blame the offense for that three-run homer. He mightn't have been coming inside if he wasn't aggressively going for the strikeout in order to cling to the one-run lead.

Zvon May 25 2008 02:45 PM

Maine stays in.....they even went to commercial for the switch.

AG/DC May 25 2008 02:46 PM

You ever before see a starter offer the ball to the manager and the manager reject it?

AG/DC May 25 2008 02:48 PM

That's 121 pitches for John Maine.

Zvon May 25 2008 02:49 PM

And he gets the K to end the inning. Nice. 8 Ks. 3 hits. 4 walks. 121 pitches.

Zvon May 25 2008 02:52 PM

Utley just hit a 2 run homer in Houston and the Phils lead the Astros 15-6 .

AG/DC May 25 2008 02:57 PM

Tying run at the plate, and his name is Brian Schneider. Good chance to get Maine off the hook. Bob Apodaca at the mound. That's always welcome. Maybe he can manage.

Nymr83 May 25 2008 03:07 PM

schoenweis reminds us all why we dont like as he walks the opposing pitcher to lead off the inning, intolerable.

Zvon May 25 2008 03:10 PM

Schneider's swing at the third strike was just feeble. Church pinch hitting for Evans didn't look much better. Am I the only one concerned that Church does not recall a recent at bat? And was all woozy on the flight? I saw that play where he got kneed and It just made me sick to watch it. I figured he was out for 2 weeks easy.

AG/DC May 25 2008 03:13 PM

Yeah, I suspect he's still not oriented. That call for the second strike was jive, though.

Zvon May 25 2008 03:14 PM

Show gets the DP grounder followed by a ground out to short and ends up with a tolerable inning.

Zvon May 25 2008 03:14 PM

AG/DC wrote: That call for the second strike was jive, though. Agreed.

AG/DC May 25 2008 03:15 PM

Good time to get off the interstate here, ND.

Zvon May 25 2008 03:16 PM

Cook pitching into the 8th.

Frayed Knot May 25 2008 03:19 PM

The always exciting 'no balls out of the infield' attempt at a comeback.

Zvon May 25 2008 03:21 PM

And the Mets get Cooked 1,2,3. I put on my lucky '69 Seaver jersey that I only wear on my birthday, so I've done all I can do.

Zvon May 25 2008 03:23 PM

Matt Wise will spell Show.

Zvon May 25 2008 03:26 PM

Wise gets Spilborghs to hit a mile high pop up. Thats two miles high to us at sea level.

Zvon May 25 2008 03:29 PM

Castillo, Wright and Beltran for the 9th.

Rockin' Doc May 25 2008 03:36 PM

Well, that sucked. Another game, another loss.

TransMonk May 25 2008 03:36 PM

I hat baseball. This team is pathetic.

AG/DC May 25 2008 03:37 PM

Outlplayed by a team behind us in the standings. Tomorrow may not be enough to save you, Willie.

TransMonk May 25 2008 03:38 PM

I see no reason for Willie to come back with the team. I've seen too many games just like this one over the past 12 months.

Zvon May 25 2008 03:39 PM

Wright was badly fooled on that 3rd strike sinker, and I'm not thrilled with the way he walked away before the appeal was made. Yea, that sucked, but I've seen suckier. Cook gets a complete game 4 hitter, which just boggles my mind.

Zvon May 25 2008 04:31 PM

I had to hang around til I saw the replay on the error by Reyes. Just saw it on ESPN. It went RIGHT THRU HIS LEGS! The description posted here was apt, but it did not serve the image I just saw of the ball going right through the whickets. Amazin'. If the Mets go when Reyes goes, and Reyes is gonna go on playing like this, we are in trouble.

DocTee May 25 2008 05:14 PM

Closer to last than to third in our division. I'd hate to look back on this season and wonder why we kept WWSB longer than we did--axe him now.

John Cougar Lunchbucket May 25 2008 05:27 PM

It's almost as if Reyes is working to undermine Willie. I know he's not but he probably couldn;t have done a better job of it were he trying. Anyway, I'm certain it's curtains for Willie, and I feel shitty about that. This will be a sadder firing than most.

metirish May 25 2008 06:23 PM

Yeah there is nothing fun is seeing a person lose his job if it comes to that , it's hard to believe how far things have gone down since 2006 .

Grote15 May 25 2008 07:10 PM

Willie..we hardly knew ya...I just can't understand how the team has gone steadily down since the 2006 Glavine inning. Then again..a 7 game winning streak can lighten many moods.... It's a long, long season... s Omar just gambled on aging vets which is what is so tempting to do in building a "win now" team. And with Citifield Mets Omar or whoever will have put out a win now team for a long, long time.

batmagadanleadoff May 25 2008 10:07 PM

A Met fan at yesterday's game in Denver:

AG/DC May 25 2008 11:34 PM

I have few rules to live by. "Don't listen to guys in pullovers is definitely one.