Mets(courtesy of mlb.com)
Mets shortstop and spark plug Jose Reyes wasn’t perfect in his first game for the Mets since last May 20, but he went 1-for-4 and looked healthy. Reyes, who batted leadoff, made an error in the field but otherwise showed no signs of the hamstring injury that kept him out for most of 2009. He should be back in the lineup Sunday. … Catcher Rod Barajas took his first day off of the season after playing every inning of the club’s first four games. Barajas appeared as a pinch-hitter in the ninth on Saturday, lining out to end the game
Meanwhile, Santana overcame questions about the health of his surgically repaired elbow during a shaky spring to best the Marlins on Opening Day, firing six innings and allowing a run on four hits while striking out five and walking two.
In other words, he looked like vintage Johan Santana.
“When you face one of the frontline guys, you’ve got to get him when you get him on the ropes,” Marlins outfielder Chris Coghlan said after the Opening Day game. “We had a couple of times when we put him in a difficult situation, and he pitched himself out of it.”
Lineup
Reyes, SS
Cora, 2B
Wright, 3B
Bay, LF
Jacobs, 1B
Francoeur, RF
Matthews, CF
Barajas, C
Santana, P
Nationals(courtesy of mlb.com)
Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman left Saturday’s game against the Mets in the bottom of the sixth inning because of a tight left hamstring and was replaced by Willie Harris at the hot corner. Zimmerman, who went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts in the game, is listed as day-to-day. … Hernandez, who was 9-12 with a 5.44 ERA for Washington last year, was added to the Nationals’ 25-man roster on Saturday.
Hernandez, who was a long shot to make the team, didn’t come into camp until late February and had to get into pitching shape. His first Spring Training start wasn’t until March 14, but that didn’t hurt him. He allowed two earned runs in eight innings.
“I feel really happy. I worked hard since I came to Spring Training,” Hernandez said. “I came to Spring Training knowing I could still pitch and help the team win.”
Lineup
Morgan, CF
Taveras, RF
Guzman, 2B
Dunn, 1B
Willingham, LF
Desmond, SS
Nieves, C
Kennedy, 3B
Hernandez, P
PLAY BALL
45 comments
stickguy
4/11/2010-1:11pm at 1:11 pm (UTC -4)
I hate Jacobs and Mathews in the line up.
And I am truly scared of what Livan will do to this line up if they get impatient. They don’t always handle junkballers well.
Hopefully Johan is dealing and Livan pitches like Livan pitches, and they cruise. Maybe even a full 7 out of Livan, then Vlades can pitch the last 2 to rest the usual guys.
ALthough Maybe Neive should come in for 1 batter to keep his 162 alive? I am sure Jerry will have him up even with a 10 run lead!
Kingman 26
4/11/2010-1:35pm at 1:35 pm (UTC -4)
2-4 against the Marlins and Nats with Johan pitching two games and 6 in COL and STL this week?
From a charter member of the Club of Catatonic Optimists and co-driver of the Parade Float of Partial Positiviality, allow me to be the very first to blow a kiss and wave bye-bye to 2010′s postseason aspirations.
Let’s get a NEW frigin manager in here ASAP, let’s start thinking about a reasonable schedule to ease the Junior Core in, and let’s watch and support the team as they struggle to play .500 ball.
gategem
4/11/2010-1:47pm at 1:47 pm (UTC -4)
The announcers pointed out that Johan was pitching with an extra days rest and this could possibly explain him not being sharp. Now giving Santana an extra days rest late in the season could be beneficial but does he really need it for the second start of the season? Jerry possibly put his ace out of sync to give Ollie a start. Unbelievable!
stickguy
4/11/2010-1:49pm at 1:49 pm (UTC -4)
I know most pitchers are babied head cases, but I never really thought of Johan that way.
And coming out of ST, no one is on a normal schedule anyway. So 1 extra day doesn’t seem like it should make a huge difference.
ANd if it did, logically it would make a way bigger difference to Ollie not pitching for 2 weeks!
Kingman 26
4/11/2010-1:55pm at 1:55 pm (UTC -4)
Stick, every day Johan is held back means he might start one less game over the course of the year.
After 2007 and 2008, does this not strike you as potentially important?
Kingman 26
4/11/2010-1:52pm at 1:52 pm (UTC -4)
Not to mention the fact that if one extrapolates thought over the entire season, not having Johan pitch every 5th day might mean that he starts 1-2 less games over the course of the year!
Not to mention what you are wisely pointing out!
I cannot believe I am so negative during the 6th game of 162, but holding back Johan a day, batting Jacobs 5th when he is the worst hitter in the lineup, etc, is making me crazy already!
stickguy
4/11/2010-1:55pm at 1:55 pm (UTC -4)
well, you know Jerry likes to get his guys going.
Of course, if you aren’t one of his guys, then you can rot in AAA or on the bench.
Hazmet
4/11/2010-4:03pm at 4:03 pm (UTC -4)
The only reason I can even think he’s stretching to 6 days rest is that at the end of the month it would line Johan up to be the 1st game starter in both series against the Braves and Phil’s. Not a terrible logic for a Manager to take but I myself don’t get it provided our ace pitches somewhere in both series against division rivals.
Pretty putrid start to the season. I was thinking 10-11 for April predicated going 4-2 in these first 6 games. Not good. This coming week could be big time ugly. Glad I’ll be on travel for half of it, that should keep me distracted.
saltygary
4/11/2010-2:17pm at 2:17 pm (UTC -4)
Muh hahaha come to the darkside kong everyone is welcome. Fongy get the door for the man and TK will show you to your seat. Know who the guest of honor is? It’s Bobby v. That SOB is ready to motivate the folks still on the bus, kick the ass of the losers and bring in the youngsters to let the vets know that no-one is safe.
stickguy
4/11/2010-2:33pm at 2:33 pm (UTC -4)
Bobby V by the end of April would be a major statement by the Wilpons.
And I don’t think they are that big on major statements.
Especially since it would likely mean Jeffy stepping back into the background, and giving up his shadow GM duties.
They could even bring in BObby as a Sr. VP type (jeffy’s job basically), while also letting him take over the bench for the time being.
Depending, of course, on which job he would rather have LT!
Kingman 26
4/11/2010-3:19pm at 3:19 pm (UTC -4)
LOL! Thanks Salty! Where’s my friend Mr Bill? I know he will welcome me.
I will remain an optimist at heart; I really believe that between Queens, Buffalo, Binghamton, and the saved money not spent on crap like Marquis and Pineiro, we will have greatness within 12–24 months.
And Bobby V would unquestionably get more wins from this group than Jerry the Joker, whose name is becoming increasingly difficult for me to write without a profane introduction.
Kingman 26
4/11/2010-1:48pm at 1:48 pm (UTC -4)
I know that we are all amateur experts, but having Jacobs bat in front of Francoeur is indefensible, and utterly ridiculous.
Jacobs belongs batting 7th or 8th.
njstuckintx
4/11/2010-1:50pm at 1:50 pm (UTC -4)
Yes, Jacobs belongs batting 7th or 8th, for the Bisons.
stickguy
4/11/2010-1:50pm at 1:50 pm (UTC -4)
jacobs never should have been on the team in the first place.
The fact that not only he is on the team, but in fact starting and hitting 4th or 5th, is mindboggling.
Kingman 26
4/11/2010-2:47pm at 2:47 pm (UTC -4)
+ Infinity.
metsfan4decades
4/11/2010-1:52pm at 1:52 pm (UTC -4)
Well, not a good start.
stickguy
4/11/2010-1:54pm at 1:54 pm (UTC -4)
made the mistake of checking the score. Dang it.
If they don’t raor back in this game and beat up on Livan, and instead fall to 2-4, I might have to agree with King that we should take the insurance off the float of PP and put it up on blocks in the garage.
Kingman 26
4/11/2010-2:00pm at 2:00 pm (UTC -4)
Stick, in all seriousness, I LOVED what you posted the other day when you said that every year without a World Series is not a disaster, and you follow and watch and enjoy as long as the players show effort, you enjoy young players’ development, and while you love the Mets, they are not the only thing or the most important thing in a normal person’s world. Or something like all that.
I agree with this 100%.
I think there are a lot of positives (Bay, Barajas, the pen, Pelf’s 1st start, Mejia/Tejada/the rest of the Junior Core) and that we are seeing the early version of a great team in 2011–2012.
So I WILL be watching, but there’s no way we can take seriously a team which loses 2 of 3 at home to the Marlins and Nats to start off…unless they win 4 of 6 in COL and STL. Anyone betting on that??
gategem
4/11/2010-2:11pm at 2:11 pm (UTC -4)
“every year without a World Series is not a disaster”
Isn’t that the motto of the Chicago Cubs?
stickguy
4/11/2010-2:20pm at 2:20 pm (UTC -4)
SUre, I will still watch. Some of my favorite teams never had a chance of sniffing the PS. It does not bother me that much, and I do not subscribe to the Yankee motto of every year without a championship is a failure.
I also am not writing off this team. They have a couple of holes that need to get plugged (from the minors, an incumbant stepping it up, or an outsider).
Problem is, I also lack faith in the manager no bolloxing things up, and the FO to make the right call on minors vs. outsider (or both or neither).
GUys stepping it up (Maine and ollie mostly) is all o nthem. Although having a decent PC might help with that too.
metsfan4decades
4/11/2010-4:10pm at 4:10 pm (UTC -4)
+1
I’m with you.
stickguy
4/11/2010-1:59pm at 1:59 pm (UTC -4)
OK, who had Johan in the “1st SP to get blown out of a game early” pool?
metsfan4decades
4/11/2010-2:01pm at 2:01 pm (UTC -4)
Sigh….
Kingman 26
4/11/2010-2:02pm at 2:02 pm (UTC -4)
LOL!
Not me, but damn, it sure must have paid off well!
stickguy
4/11/2010-2:22pm at 2:22 pm (UTC -4)
Oh, for everyone blaming the extra day of rest for Santana melting down?
I am pretty sure that CC last night was pitching on the same # of days rest. And it seemed to go OK for him.
gategem
4/11/2010-3:41pm at 3:41 pm (UTC -4)
What you should have done was check Santana’s record when he pitches on a extra days rest rather than say if pitcher A did it then pitcher B should be able to do it. I haven’t done that and it may or may not have supported your viewpoint. I believe it was Doc Ellis that said he pitched a no hitter while on LSD. Therefore using your reasoning every pitcher should be able to pitch a no hitter by simply taking LSD.
As I said in the comment I was relaying what the Mets announcing crew pointed out. And I would accept Ron Darlings pov over yours when it comes to pitching.
stickguy
4/11/2010-2:23pm at 2:23 pm (UTC -4)
Too bad it is a weekend and traffic is probably down. The game thread over at FWICG.com must be a riot today!
stickguy
4/11/2010-2:28pm at 2:28 pm (UTC -4)
love the booth discussing how long to stick with jacobs. Gary made me gag suggesting does Tatis get starts vs. RH pitchers too.
keith thinks Jacobs gets a month. I don’t know why, since he was a MiL signing, so IOW disposable. Not like he is Bay or Castillo starting slow.
biggest hurdle to overcome is probably Omar being stubborn, and not wanting to admit they screwed up this soon!
Will be interesting though. I say screw it and dump his sorry carcass right now, and bring Carter up. Murphy isn’t going to be back most likely until 5/1, and another 3 weeks of Jacobs and tatis ain’t appatizing.
Knowing these guys, they will probably start paly Cat over there instead.
Kingman 26
4/11/2010-2:32pm at 2:32 pm (UTC -4)
Sure glad I am not watching/listening….working today and have an ESPN Gamecast window open…just enough to keep me constantly nauseated.
metsfan4decades
4/11/2010-2:54pm at 2:54 pm (UTC -4)
Well, it was Ronnie that said Jacobs gets a month – ‘unless he’s not hitting at all’. Uh…he’s NOT hitting at all.
stickguy
4/11/2010-3:01pm at 3:01 pm (UTC -4)
after that last weak grounder, I noticed the boo birds were not happy with him.
The real scary thing though is if it gets so bad they can’t play him, he will just end up on the bench with Tatis starting every game.
ANd mad, I know the fans are frustrated, but now they are booing Frenchy for popping up. I guess hitting .450 with 8 rbis so far just isn’t enough!
metsfan4decades
4/11/2010-3:08pm at 3:08 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah, they’re booing everything and everyone today.
koose
4/11/2010-3:01pm at 3:01 pm (UTC -4)
Somehow I believe by the end of this upcomming road trip we will know jacobs fate possibly Matthews too.
metsfan4decades
4/11/2010-3:13pm at 3:13 pm (UTC -4)
Valdes big upgrade over Green.
metsfan4decades
4/11/2010-3:37pm at 3:37 pm (UTC -4)
Jacobs: it’s about dang time.
darknova306
4/11/2010-3:41pm at 3:41 pm (UTC -4)
This ineptitude with runners in scoring position seems to be a constant issue for this team. Francoeur is one of our hottest hitters right now and should be cleanup, but Jerry is a moron.
2-4 against bad baseball teams. I sincerely hope Jerry gets the axe soon. This is becoming dreadful to watch. I never expected us to make the post-season this year, but to be so incredibly flat and pathetic… wow.
koose
4/11/2010-3:50pm at 3:50 pm (UTC -4)
Jacobs needs to go he should of let a fight start go home jacobs
stickguy
4/11/2010-3:52pm at 3:52 pm (UTC -4)
about time jacobs did something. I still don’t want him playing, since the 5 games of suckitude in between HRs are a killer!
Nice to see the pen acquiting itself well again. wish they had this in 2007 and 2008!
metsfan4decades
4/11/2010-3:59pm at 3:59 pm (UTC -4)
Don’t mess with KRod.
dirtysanchez
4/11/2010-4:13pm at 4:13 pm (UTC -4)
somethings got to give…attendance at a very low im sure and the mets not going anywhere fast. Like gary said in the booth, patience has got to be running out from all areas…just wish there was an indication that they will be changes on the horizon if things dont change.
asod75
4/11/2010-4:20pm at 4:20 pm (UTC -4)
As I wrote in my blog, that certainly didn’t take long. Six games and I’m already thoroughly disgusted with this team. Jacobs came through, but in a pretty meaningless spot. He’s going to lay into one every now and again, but he’s pretty useless. But I could even take him playing (batting seventh or so) if Matthews wasn’t playing more than Pagan. If anyone should be starting over Pagan until Beltran comes back, it’s F-Mart, not Matthews. Has GMJ ever had a good season without pharmaceutical assistance? And even then, it was just that one year. Jerry, he sucks! But since Jerry is brainless, he’ll continue to trot him out there. Johan was pretty bad today, velocity was low, but it happens to the best of pitchers every now and again. I know it’s early, but if the Mets have a losing road trip, I would cut Manuel loose. The team doesn’t play all that inspired for him. Liked to see K-Rod’s fire in the ninth. Wish a fight would have started. Maybe it would have woke this team up….
gategem
4/11/2010-4:52pm at 4:52 pm (UTC -4)
It’s only a week into the season and we’ve seen teams start fast and then fade while others start slowly and then excel. With that said the Phillies, with Halladay pitching a complete game victory, have won 5 of 6, have a 3 game lead on the Mets, and haven’t played a home game yet.
At least the Mets will be out of town this coming week while the Yankees draw all the attention with the rings, etc. So the Mets will be out of the limelight.
What the Wilpons have to worry about is the fans becoming apathetic, attendance dropping sharply at Citi Field, sales of Mets merchandise taking a precipitous drop and SNY ratings falling and thus advertising rates dropping. When it comes to loss of revenue I don’t know how much patience the Wilpons have.
asod75
4/11/2010-4:56pm at 4:56 pm (UTC -4)
I realize that Gate, but this slow first week comes on the heels of last year’s monstrosity and the total collapses the two years before that. It was a big mistake to even bring Manuel back this year. Know the injuries weren’t all his fault, but sooner or later you need to change the culture of the team. Firing Manuel (and possibly Omar for that matter) might be necessary if this team doesn’t show some life fairly quickly this year….
stickguy
4/11/2010-5:23pm at 5:23 pm (UTC -4)
oh yeah, when Jerry goes, all the coaches need to go with him. Only possible exceptions are Chip Hale (since no one knows who the hell he is, and he does funny tricks falling on his ass) and maybe Hojo (since he is Hojo).
Warthen and SHines are joined at Jerry’s hip.
stickguy
4/11/2010-5:21pm at 5:21 pm (UTC -4)
well, that major shot in the pocketbook is probably what will get the owners to actually take action, and sooner rather than later.
Although they pretty much already know how weak ticket sales are. And who knows how many empty seats were actually sold for the game, but not sat in.
Still, I bet a dismal road trip will have the boulder pushed off the mountain top. How fast it gathers steam, and what it tramples, remains to be seen.
But if the wilpons are paying any attention, And if Omar has a clue, it should be apparent that Jerry is, at best, in the way. ANd at worst, a major part of the problem.
But like I have said before, managers are born scapegoats. And many perfectly fine, competant managers have been fired for other’s failures.
bottom line, whether you think Jerry deserves to be canned, I don’t think you can argue that the team wil lmiss him (or do worse) if he gets the ax.
the real question being, who gets to be the interim, or do they jump both feet into the deep end with Bobby V?
I go with someone like Teufel or Melvin for interim, no other reason maybe than to finish the string on Omar, and of course, save about $5mill this year!