Die Hard Mets Fan

As we mentioned previously, Billy Wagner suffered a stiff left forearm last Tuesday in Florida. Wagner had an MRI this morning, and Marty Noble of Mets.com reported that “Wagner had no structural damage in his elbow.” The Mets placed Billy on the 15-Day DL anyway to be “precautious”, and it was made retroactively to Sunday. So he won’t return until Aug. 18.

In the meantime, Jerry Manuel said the void would be filled by committee. However, Manuel pointed out that every committee needs a chairman. Aaron Heilman is expected to be the chairman until Wags returns. Heilman only has 6 career saves, but he is the man of the hour. I have never been a huge fan of Wagner, but I would prefer him to Heilman. Actually, I don’t think I’m a fan of anyone in the Bullpen. Maybe that’s because they keep blowing games. The Mets are in a tough spot here. The good thing is that Manuel tends to use who’s hot. Maybe somebody will stay hot until Billy comes back.

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John Maine got placed on the 15-Day DL with a mild strain of his right rotator cuff, according to Anthony DiComo of Mets.com. Billy Wagner suffered a stiff left forearm last Tuesday in Florida which created a need for another bullpen arm. Wagner will have an MRI on the forearm this Tuesday in New York, and he isn’t expected to pitch again before at least Wednesday. The Mets filled the hole by selecting the contract of Double-A closer Eddie Kunz from Binghamton. To make room, they placed John on the disabled list. The move is retroactive to July 29 and will force Maine to miss his scheduled start on Aug. 8. But he will miss only one start.

DiComo lists these as options for the Mets to fill Maine’s spot in the rotation, “Though the Mets could pitch Oliver Perez on Friday and use a spot starter for Saturday’s game against the Marlins — a sequence that would allow them to call up top pitching prospect Jonathon Niese — manager Jerry Manuel said that he would be more inclined to give Perez an extra day of rest and use a spot starter Friday. Claudio Vargas is the likely candidate to take Maine’s spot in the rotation.”

I agree with Manuel wanting to give Ollie an extra day because Ollie was moved up a spot in the rotation to take Maine’s place today. Otherwise, you are looking at having Perez moving up a spot in the rotation for two consecutive starts. It’s better that Vargas starts even though you never know what to expect, but you don’t know with Ollie either. I can’t wait till Johnny’s back.

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I thought the Mets had this game locked early on until the Reds took an 8-6 lead in the Bottom of the 7th. The Mets looked so flat in the 8th so I began to think that the winning streak was coming to an end. Jose Reyes struck out to begin the 9th Inning which wasn’t a good sign. All of a sudden, Argenis Reyes came in and got a pinch hit single. David Wright hit a 2-run dinger that barely made it over the right field wall to tie the game at 8-8. Beltran singled, and then Easley singled so Beltran went first-to-third. Carlos Delgado hit an opposite field RBI single to give the Mets a one-run lead. Fernando Tatis lined a two-out RBI double into the corner in left field to give the Mets a 10-8 lead after the rally came to an end. In the Bottom of the 9th, Billy Wagner pitched a 1-2-3 inning to seal the deal which extended the winning streak to 10 games. The 10-game winning streak tied a club record. Let’s see if the Mets can set a new record tomorrow.

Final: New York Mets 10 - Cincinnati Reds 8.

PS - The Mets are in a 1st Place tie with the Phils. (52-44)

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So I watched the All-Star Game last night. The first time I ever watched one was last year once we created Die Hard Mets Fan. Growing up, I never cared because the game never meant anything. I know that they changed it so the winner gets home field advantage in the World Series, and that decision just pissed me off as a baseball fan. It bothers me because the managers are concerned about playing everyone. It’s a joke, and where the World Series is played shouldn’t depend on a joke.

I just wanted to comment on the Mets who played last night. David Wright ended up going 1-3 with a walk which isn’t bad, and Billy Wagner blew a 3-2 lead in the 8th Inning which resulted in a tie until the AL won 4-3 in the 15th Inning. I heard a lot of people bashing Wagner for not being a big game pitcher, but I wouldn’t consider a game that doesn’t count a ‘big game’. Overall, I thought the starting pitching was great. After that, the game was played very poorly. Dan Uggla of the Marlins went 0-3 and committed 3 Errors which didn’t help the NL at all. I thought the game was very boring.

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Well folks, MLB.com released the roster for the 2008 All-Star Game. Unfortunately, Billy Wagner is going to be the only player representing the Mets. It’s the sixth time that Wagner has made the All-Star team so hats off to him. There is some hope that another Met can make the All-Star team, but he needs your help. Mets.com pointed out that there is one final spot on the roster so the fans can vote for one of five players on the NL Final Vote ballot. The five players are: Mets third baseman David Wright, Phillies left fielder Pat Burrell, Astros left fielder Carlos Lee, Giants center fielder Aaron Rowand, and Brewers right fielder Corey Hart. I already voted for David. If you didn’t vote for Wright yet and you want him to represent the Mets then go to MLB.com to vote for him.

American League

Pos	Player	B/T
C	Joe Mauer, MIN	L/R
1B	Kevin Youkilis, BOS	R/R
2B	Dustin Pedroia, BOS	R/R
SS	Derek Jeter, NYY	R/R
3B	Alex Rodriguez, NYY	R/R
OF	Josh Hamilton, TEX	L/L
OF	Manny Ramirez, BOS	R/R
OF	Ichiro Suzuki, SEA	L/R
DH	David Ortiz, BOSº	L/L

Pos	Player	B/T
P	Justin Duchscherer, OAK	R/R
P	Roy Halladay, TOR	R/R
P	Scott Kazmir, TB	L/L
P	Cliff Lee, CLE	L/L
P	Joe Nathan, MIN	R/R
P	Jonathan Papelbon, BOS	R/R
P	Mariano Rivera, NYY	R/R
P	Francisco Rodriguez, LAA	R/R
P	Ervin Santana, LAA	R/R
P	Joe Saunders, LAA	L/L
P	George Sherrill, BAL	L/L
P	Joakim Soria, KC	R/R

Pos	Player	B/T
C	Dioner Navarro, TB	S/R
C	Jason Varitek, BOS	S/R
1B	Justin Morneau, MIN	L/R
2B	Ian Kinsler, TEX	R/R
SS	Michael Young, TEX	S/R
3B	Joe Crede, CWS	R/R
3B	Carlos Guillen, DET	S/R
OF	J.D. Drew, BOS	L/R
OF	Carlos Quentin, CWS	R/R
OF	Grady Sizemore, CLE	L/L
DH	Milton Bradley, TEX	S/R

National League

Pos	Player	B/T
C	Geovany Soto, CHC	S/R
1B	Lance Berkman, HOU	S/L
2B	Chase Utley, PHI	L/R
SS	Hanley Ramirez, FLA	R/R
3B	Chipper Jones, ATL	S/R
OF	Ryan Braun, MIL	R/R
OF	Kosuke Fukudome, CHC	L/R
OF	Alfonso Soriano, CHC	R/R

Pos	Player	B/T
P	Aaron Cook, COL	R/R
P	Ryan Dempster, CHC	R/R
P	Dan Haren, ARI	R/R
P	Brad Lidge, PHI	R/R
P	Tim Lincecum, SF	L/R
P	Ben Sheets, MIL	R/R
P	Edinson Volquez, CIN	R/R
P	Billy Wagner, NYM	L/L
P	Brandon Webb, ARI	R/R
P	Brian Wilson, SF	R/R
P	Kerry Wood, CHC	L/L
P	Carlos Zambrano, CHC	S/R

Pos	Player	B/T
C	Russell Martin, LA	R/R
C	Brian McCann, ATL	L/R
1B	Adrian Gonzalez, SD	L/L
1B	Albert Pujols, STL	R/R
2B	Dan Uggla, FLA	R/R
3B	Aramis Ramirez, CHC	R/R
SS	Cristian Guzman, WAS	S/R
SS	Miguel Tejada, HOU	R/R
OF	Matt Holliday, COL	R/R
OF	Ryan Ludwick, STL	R/L
OF	Nate McLouth, PIT	L/R

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So Willie managed to make it through the weekend after the Mets won the series against the Rangers two games to one.  Now the Mets are in Cali to take on the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim or something like that.  Not really sure what that means…lol.  That would be like the New York Jets of East Ruthersford.  No matter how you slice it or dice it, it just sounds dumb.  The Angels went from representing the state to representing Anaheim to representing L.A. and Anaheim in my lifetime.  Who knows what they did prior to that.  Anyway, here’s the pitching probables for the series.

• 06/16/2008 - Mike Pelfrey (2-6) - Jered Weaver (6-6)
• 06/17/2008 - Johan Santana (7-4) - John Lackey (3-1)
• 06/18/2008 - Oliver Perez (5-4) - Jon Garland (6-4)

Mets.com:

Mets heave sigh of relief with split - Marty Noble summarized the second Rangers-Mets game yesterday.

Team cycle becoming a factor for Mets - Jon Blau wrote up a pregame analysis for tonight’s game between the Angels and the Mets.

Late-inning heroics not enough - Jon Blau summarized the first Rangers-Mets game yesterday.

Church itching to be back with Mets - Ryan Church stated, “It’s progressing every day, it’s getting better. I haven’t had any spells or anything like that. It’s just one of those things now, waiting out time on the DL.”

Newsday:

Willie deserves better from Jeff Wilpon - Wallace Matthews wrote that,

No one with the Mets has told Randolph he’s in trouble, not to his face, anyway. He must read it in the papers, leaked through Wilpon’s media lapdogs, hear it on the radio, discern it in the lukewarm votes of confidence from his general manager and the ominous inaccessibility of his bosses.

Randolph gets on plane, going day to day - Mark Herrmann pointed out that,

Minaya was asked by reporters if Randolph and the coaching staff will be working when the team plays the Angels in Anaheim, Calif., tonight, and gave only this vague response: “Willie is our manager. That situation is always under evaluation.”

When he was pressed again about the manager and the coaches, Minaya kept repeating the same basic theme. “You know my feelings on it,” he said. “I think we’re not playing to our potential and I would like to leave myself room to evaluate these things.”

Nine years since last hit, Cancel gets a big one - Katie Strang covered Robinson Cancel’s big pinch hit two-run single off Texas starter Kason Gabbard to break a 2-2 tie in the sixth inning.  Strang also pointed out, “Before his at-bat, fans were chanting Martinez’s name in hopes he’d get another at-bat during his first home start of the season, but fortunately for embattled Mets manager Willie Randolph, he did not oblige.”  That was a gutsy move by Willie, and he’s lucky it worked out.

New York Daily News:

Rick Peterson, Tom Nieto facing ax but Willie Randolph safe - for now - Adam Rubin wrote,

Sources have told the Daily News that principal owner Fred Wilpon and chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon have authorized Minaya to make the call on whether to fire Randolph, pitching coach Rick Peterson and first base coach Tom Nieto. Bench coach Jerry Manuel would ascend to manager if Randolph is ousted, while Triple-A New Orleans manager Ken Oberkfell and pitching coach Dan Warthen would join the major league staff.

A team insider speculated that Randolph could survive a first round of firings, saying: “I think the coaches are in trouble. That may be the compromise for now.”

I have no idea how firing the first base coach is going to get this team rolling.  Minaya has to realize that his players are the problem.

Mets bullpen finds a way to save face in second game vs. Rangers

Slow-footed Brian Schneider easily out at the plate - Now that was some poor base running by Brian Schneider.

Brooklyn Cyclones & Staten Island Yankees get farms up & runnin’

The Star-Ledger:

Hola from the OC

Monday Morning Mets Thoughts

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So pretty much everybody in New York knows that John Heyman of SI.com broke the story about how Willie could be run out of Flushing in the very near future, but not as soon as today.  Heyman stated the same thing on WFAN a few hours ago, and on the Mets pregame show on SNY.  Here’s part of the article:

Willie Randolph’s status as Mets manager is extremely tenuous now. General manager Omar Minaya is seriously considering changing managers and at least a couple of the team’s coaches, sources told SI.com.

A Mets official indicated that nothing was expected to be decided today regarding Randolph’s status. But that doesn’t preclude something from happening later this weekend. Sources indicate his hold on the job is shaky, at best.

Should Randolph be fired, bench coach Jerry Manuel will take over, sources told SI.com.

Personally, I don’t know how Jerry Manuel is going to do.  I’m not really a fan of his.  If the Mets really fire Willie then this Manuel dude is one of the last guys that I want to manage the Mets.  I would prefer that they kept Randolph over Manuel and got rid of everybody on the team except Santana and Wright.  Clean house Omar.  Accept the fact that you do not have a championship caliber team, and so you can fix the problem.  In case Omar ever finds Die Hard Mets Fan, our vote is for Bobby V. of course!

Mets.com:

Yanks-Mets set makeup date for June 27 - The intra-city rivals will meet at Yankee Stadium for a 2:05 p.m. ET game on Friday, June 27, and then face off in the nightcap at Shea Stadium at 8:10 p.m. ET. The original game was to be played on May 16.

Schneider playing for Dad every day

Mets hope turnaround starts vs. Rangers - Jon Blau wrote up a pregame analysis for tonight’s game between the Rangers and the Mets.

Newsday:

Wagner blows another save as Mets fall to D-Backs - Mark Herrmann summarized yesterday’s Diamondbacks-Mets game.

Mets needing big change could cost Randolph job

Could Mets hitting coach Johnson take the fall?

New York Daily News:

Sources: Willie Randolph’s tenure as Mets manager in grave danger - Adam Rubin wrote, “Willie Randolph’s tenure as Mets manager is in grave danger of ending this weekend, sources tell the Daily News. It’s believed that bench coach Jerry Manuel would succeed Randolph if the manager is fired. Randolph has a four-year record of 299-252 with the Mets.”  Manuel is going to be worse than Randolph, but maybe it will work.  Something has to work.

After this spell, any positive thinking would be a relief for Mets

Billy Wagner is the least of Willie Randolph’s worries

In ninth, Mets find bad luck is catching

Johan Santana keeps his cool after win is taken away

Moises Alou likely returning to DL

New York Post:

SNAKE-BIT BILLY A BUST AGAIN - Mike Puma wrote up a game summary about yesterday’s D-Backs-Mets game.

WAGS CARES, BUT IT’S NOT ENOUGH

SANTANA’S GEM GOES FOR NAUGHT

ALOU MAY BE HEADED FOR THIRD STINT ON DL

WAGNER BLOWS IT AGAIN IN 5-4 LOSS

The Star-Ledger:

Willie’s Warm Seat - Dan Graziano examines the Mets managerial position from all angles.

Willie still manager…for now

SI: Willie still on hot seat

Mets can’t close out Diamondbacks

Alou (calf) likely DL-bound again

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It’s tough to watch this ‘08 Mets team.  After Pelfrey pitches the game of his life, they give it away and need Beltran to save the day.  Shame on Willie for not allowing Big Pelf to try to get his first complete game shutout.  How is young pitcher supposed to build up his resume, and confidence, when the manager pulls him after the best outing in his career?  When else is he supposed to get a complete game shutout?  Stuff like that may make an inconsistent, young pitcher more confident.  That confidence may pay off in the long run.  As for today, Santana pitched seven scoreless innings before handing it over to the Bullpen who blew it…again.  What is wrong with Wagner?  Three straight blown saves?  The Bullpen was the biggest problem the team had in ‘07.  The Bullpen was dominant until July, and then it was downhill from there.  It just kept getting worse and worse until they were eliminated, and I saw it coming.  I knew that even if they made the Playoffs that they weren’t going to do so well because the Bullpen was giving up way too many games.  It is the same thing in ‘08 because it’s the same cast of characters.  Sanchez returned, but I thought he would’ve been better than he has been so far.  Omar brought in Wise who hasn’t been anything special.  Otherwise, it’s the same people who couldn’t get it done in ‘07 so why would they be able to do it in ‘08?

Mets.com:

Mets suffer tough loss to D-backs - Anthony DiComo summarized today’s game between the Diamondbacks and the Mets.

Santana watches bullpen falter - Ain’t that the truth?

Return trip to DL possible for Alou - Anthony DiComo reported that Moises Alou had an MRI on Wednesday, and it revealed aggravation of a strained left calf.  Alou said, ”I think that the DL is a possibility. Again.”

Day at Shea remains affordable

Beltran’s blast ends Mets’ long night - Anthony DiComo summarized last night’s Diamondbacks-Mets game.

Santana set to shake off ailing shoulder - Samantha Newman put together a pregame analysis for today’s game between the Diamondbacks and the Mets.

Return shortlived for ailing Alou - Alou explained that the soreness in his left calf would once again take him out of the Mets’ lineup less than 24 hours after his return from the disabled list.  It really is a shame that he cannot stay healthy.

Mets add Aguila to outfield mix - Anthony DiComo reported that the Mets called up a hot-hitting prospect, Chris Aguila, to offset the losses of Church and Alou.

Newsday:

Wagner blows another save as Mets fall to D-Backs - Mark Herrmann summarized today’s game between the D-Backs and the Mets.

SNY talks fairly, quietly about Mets

Beltran’s blast in 13th saves Mets’ Wagner - Mark Herrmann wrote up a game summary for last night’s D-Backs-Mets game.

Alou ‘very embarrassed’ by latest calf injury

Turmoil doesn’t mean that Willie isn’t a winner - Shaun Powell wrote this about Willie Randolph, “It’s not that he forgot how to manage or suddenly became dumb. His team simply quit meeting the expectations of the fans, ownership, themselves and Randolph’s, and fair or not, that usually comes back to the manager.”

Marlon came up with ‘62′ as morale booster - Mark Herrmann informed us about how Marlon Anderson “came up with the magic number of 62 wins in the final 100 games, wrote it down and passed it out to teammates at the end of a club Players Association meeting Tuesday.”  I’m loving the creativity Marlon.  I just hope the Mets achieve the goal he set.  Somebody really has to do something.

New York Daily News:

Billy Wagner blows 3rd straight save in Mets’ loss to Diamondbacks - The AP summarized today’s game between the D-Backs and the Mets.

Shaky relief pitching might be start of Mets’ problems - That is the problem, and it began in July of ‘07.

Carlos Beltran’s homer wins it in 13th for Mets, bails out Billy Wagner - Adam Rubin wrote up a game summary for last night’s game between the Diamondbacks and the Mets.

Mets have sympathy for Ron Santo and 1969 Cubs - Anthony McCarron sees similarities between the ‘70 Cubs and the ‘08 Mets.

Ailing Moises Alou’s leg and pride hurting because of injury

Billy Wagner blows game in ninth, win for Mike Pelfrey

Marlon Anderson gets into the flow with inspiration at players-only meeting

New York Post:

BELTRAN BLAST BAILS OUT BILLY - Mark Hale summarized last night’s Diamondbacks-Mets game.

MOISES BACK ON SIDELINE

MINAYA IS MAKING SAME OLD MISTAKES - Great article here by Joel Sherman.  It’s the first article in a long time that I’ve seen putting some blame on Omar Minaya.  Willie takes all of the heat which isn’t right.  They are a tandem.  I would love to see the press go at each of them equally.

IMPRESSIVE PELFREY ROBBED OF WIN

ALOU BACK ON BENCH, AGAIN

STRAW: METS CAN’T HANDLE PRESSURE OF NEW YORK - Darryl Strawberry believes that, “The talent is there with this group, no question. The curiosity is, how much do they want it? Everyone is puzzled, including former players. There’s a lot of questions about if it’s going to happen for them.”

New York Times:

Stuck in His Team’s Undertow, Santana Sees Another Win Slip Away - Ben Shpigel summarized today’s game between the Diamondbacks and the Mets.

Beltrán Saves the Mets, as Wagner Fails Again - Joe LaPointe wrote up a game summary for last night’s D-Backs-Mets game.

Mets’ Alou Is Left Discouraged After Hurting His Calf Again

The Star-Ledger:

Final: D-Backs 5, Mets 4 - Jeremy Cothran wrote up a game summary for today’s game between the D-Backs and the Mets.

Game 65: Diamondbacks at Mets - Jeremy Cothran provided the lineup for today’s game between the Diamondbacks and the Mets.

Beltran’s HR bails out Wagner

Pelfrey gets dose of confidence - And he would’ve built up more confidence if Willie let him get 3 more outs.

Blame players for state of Mets

Beltran delivers Mets victory in 13 - Colin Stephenson summarized last night’s D-Backs-Mets game.

Anything to help out - Colin Stephenson asked Scott Schoeneweis why he helped out the grounds crew putting the tarp on the infield.

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As soon as the Mets seemed like they were getting hot, they got swept in a four-game series by the last place Padres.  The pitching was pretty good all series because they lost three games by a score of 2-1.  The offense couldn’t put up more than one run, which is absolutely pathetic, until yesterday when they scored six runs.  It was Wags who was brought in with two outs in the eigth inning yesterday who blew the save allowing four runs.  They are two games under .500 and will face the D-Backs tomorrow.  I’m still waiting for something to happen to get this team heading in the right direction.  Is Willie going to get fired before they get players with heart?  And when will it happen?  Hopefully not before it’s too late because I want to watch my boys in blue and orange playing October baseball.  I didn’t get to watch it last season because of the collapse so the Mets owe me one.

Mets.com:

Mets swept painfully in San Diego - Marty Noble summarized yesterday’s game between the Mets and the Padres.

Mets hoping for quick return of Alou - Jon Blau wrote a pregame analysis for tomorrow night’s game between the Diamondbacks and the Mets.

Castro out of lineup after late arrival - Marty Noble tells us that Ramon Castro, “was removed from the starting lineup shortly after noon, shortly after he arrived at PETCO Park for the 4:05 p.m. ET game against the Padres. His late arrival was neither excused nor unnoticed.”  Noble also stated that Casanova started in placed of Castro, and that Castro was embarrased and will be fined.  I’m certain that Willie wasn’t too happy about this.  Especially when the team got swept by the last place Padres and is rocking a 30-32 record.

Carp reels in six big RBIs for B-Mets - Steve Conley lets us know that Mike Carp, “slugged a grand slam and a two-run homer and the Binghamton Mets homered five times and pounded out 17 hits in a 17-4 rout of the New Britain Rock Cats at NYSEG Stadium.”

Newsday:

THIS DAY AT THE OLD BALLPARK - Newsday lets us know what took place at Shea Stadium and Yankee Stadium on June 9 of a year in the past.

Mets swept as Wagner gives up three-run homer - I can’t get on Wagner because he’s been great, but it was bad timing because Willie brought him in in the eigth inning because the Mets needed a win.

Pedro still not at his best - David Lennon discussed Pedro Martinez’s less than stellar outing yesterday.

New York Daily News:

Tony Clark’s pinch-hit HR off Billy Wagner gives Padres sweep of Mets - Adam Rubin summarized yesterday’s Mets-Padres game.

Surfing the Mets DVD contest (Part II)

Pedro claims squeeze was on

Mets minor league report

Ramon Castro arrives late, fined

New York Post:

DOOM AND BROOM - Bart Hubbuch summarized yesterday’s game between the Mets and the Padres.

CASTRO MISSES START

New York Times:

Good News: Mets Score More Than a Run. The Bad News: Don’t Ask. - Ben Shpigel summarized yesterday’s Mets-Padres game.

The Star-Ledger:

Wagner signals SOS in San Diego sweep

Castro checks in too late

Final: Padres 8, Mets 6 - Jeremy Cothran wrote up a game summary for yesterday’s game between the Mets and the Padres.

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The New York Mets (30-31) are playing Game 62 of the 2008 Regular Season against the San Diego Padres (27-37) at Petco Park.  It’s the final game of the four-game series.  The game began at 4:05 p.m., and it was aired on WB11.

Mets Lineup: Reyes, Castillo, Wright, Beltran, Easley, Delgado, Casanova, Chavez, Pedro Martinez (1-0).

Padres Lineup: Gerut, Ed Gonzalez, Giles, Adrian Gonzalez, Kouzmanoff, McAnulty, Greene, Carlin, Wil Ledezma (0-2).

In the Top of the 1st, Castillo drew a one-out walk.  Wright also drew a one-out walk.  Beltran flied out to right.  Damion Easley lined a two-out RBI single into center which scored Luis Castillo, and Wright went to second.  Carlos Delgado lined a two-out 2-run triple into the right field corner scoring David Wright and Damion Easley giving the Mets an early three-run lead.  Casanova grounded out to short to end the inning with Delgado stranded on third.  In the Bottom of the 1st, Ed Gonzalez lined a one-out single into left field.  Giles grounded a one-out single through the hole on the right side, and Chavez threw out Ed Gonzalez as he tried to go from first to third.  Adrian Gonzalez lined a two-out single into center, and Giles went to second.  Pedro hit Kouzmanoff with the pitch which loaded the bases.  With McAnulty at the plate, Martinez was called for a balk which scored Brian Giles and advanced both runners.  Paul McAnulty dumped a two-out 2-run single into left scoring Adrian Gonzalez and Kevin Kouzmanoff.  Greene flied out to center to end the inning leaving McAnulty stranded on first and making this a tie game.  In the Top of the 2nd, Chavez grounded a leadoff single up the middle.  Martinez dropped down a sacrifice bunt towards the pitcher, and Chavez advanced to second.  Reyes drew a one-out walk.  With Castillo in the batters box, the Mets put on the double steal and both runners arrived safely.  Luis Castillo hit a sacrifice fly to center as Endy Chavez tagged up and scored, and Reyes tagged up and went to third.  Wright flied out to center to end the inning with Reyes stranded on third, but the Mets added on another run giving them a 4-3 lead.  In the Bottom of the 2nd, Gerut grounded a two-out single through the hole on the left side.  With Ed Gonzalez at the plate, Gerut beat out the throw by Casanova as he stole second.  Martinez fanned Ed Gonzalez to end the inning leaving Gerut stranded on second.  In the Top of the 3rd, Easley dropped a one-out blooper into center for a double.  Ledezma fanned Delgado.  Casanova drew a two-out walk on four pitches.  Chavez grounded to second, and Ed Gonzalez made the out at first to end the inning leaving runners stranded on first and second.  In the Bottom of the 3rd, Giles lined a leadoff single into left.  Adrian Gonzalez flied out to center.  Then Kouzmanoff flied out to center.  McAnulty popped up to shallow center, and Reyes made the final out of the inning stranding Giles on first.

In the Top of the 4th, Reyes lined a one-out double off of the wall in left field.  With Castillo at the plate, Reyes beat out the throw by Carlin as he stole third.  Luis Castillo dropped a one-out RBI single into center which scored Jose Reyes.  With Wright in the batter box, Castillo stole second safely beating out the throw by Carlin.  Wright hit a sacrifice fly out to right, and Castillo tagged up and went to third.  Ledezma fanned Beltran to end the inning leaving Castillo stranded on third, but the Mets were able to tack on a run and take a 5-3 lead.  In the Bottom of the 4th, Greene dropped a leadoff single into center.  Carlin grounded to first, and the Mets only got the out at second on the double play attempt.  Huber is pinch hitting for Ledezma, and Huber grounded a one-out single through the hole on the left side, and Carlin moved over to second.  Jody Gerut lined a one-out RBI single into center scoring Luke Carlin, and Huber went to second.  Ed Gonzalez flied out to right.  Giles flied out to the warning track in right to end the inning with runners on second and third.  In the Top of the 5th, Black replaced Ledezma with Hampson.  Delgado lined a one-out single into shallow right center.  Casanova grounded a one-out single through the hole on the left side, and Delgado went to second.  Chavez grounded to second, and both runners advanced a base.  Martinez grounded to third, and Kouzmanoff made the out at first to end the inning stranding runners on second and third.  In the Bottom of the 5th, McAnulty drove a two-out double to the gap in right center.  Greene lined out to the wall in left to end the inning with McAnulty stranded on second.  In the Top of the 6th, Black replaced Hampson with Meredith after Hampson retired the first two hitters.  Wright drew a two-out walk.  Beltran grounded to second, and Ed Gonzalez made the out at first to end the inning stranding Wright on first.  In the Bottom of the 6th, Randolph replaced Martinez with Vargas.  Gerut grounded to first, but Delgado botched the ball so Gerut beat it out giving the Padres a two-out base runner.  Ed Gonzalez grounded towards first, and Delgado fielded the ball and applied the tag on Ed Gonzalez to end the inning.

In the Top of the 7th, Delgado drove a one-out double off of the wall in left field.  Casanova grounded to second, and Ed Gonzalez made the out at first as Delgado went to third.  Chavez bunted towards first, and Adrian Gonzalez could not field the ball properly so Endy Chavez was safe and Carlos Delgado scored.  Nunez is pinch hitting for Vargas, and Nunez popped out to short to end the inning as the Mets tacked on another run giving them a 6-4 lead.  In the Bottom of the 7th, Randolph replaced Vargas with Schoeneweis so this can get very scary.  Giles led off by grounding a single up the middle.  Adrian Gonzalez grounded to second, and the Mets turned the double play.  Kouzmanoff flied out to right to end the inning.  Thank God Schoeneweis did not give up any runs.  In the Top of the 8th, Black replaced Meredith with Guevara.  Guevara pitched a 1-2-3 inning.  In the Bottom of the 8th, Randolph replaced Schoeneweis with Sanchez.  Stansberry is pinch hitting for Meredith, and Stansberry dropped a leadoff single into left.  Sanchez fanned Greene.  Carlin drew a one-out walk.  Hairston replaced McAnulty, and Sanchez fanned Hairston.  Randolph replaced Sanchez with Wagner.  Jody Gerut grounded a two-out RBI single through the hole on the right side which scored Craig Stansberry, and Carlin advanced to second.  Clark is pinch hitting for Guevera, and Tony Clark crushed a two-out 3-run homer scoring Luke Carlin and Jody Gerut.  Wagner fanned Giles to end the inning after the Padres put up four runs and took an 8-6 lead.  In the Top of the 9th, Black replaced Guevera with Hoffman.  Hoffman retired the side in order.

Final Score: New York Mets 6 - San Diego Padres 8.  The MLB.com Box Score is attached.  Billy Wagner (0-1) took the loss and Carlos Guevera (1-0) got the win.

Game Notes:

• Pedro Martinez was not very good today.  He pitched 5.0 Innings allowing 10 Hits, 4 Runs, 4 ERs, 0 BBs, and he had 4 SOs.
• Billy Wager gave up a 3-run jack to former Met Tony Clark which won the game for the Padres.
• Luis Castillo actually had 2 RBIs.
• Carlos Delgado was a homer short of batting for the cycle and had 2 RBIs.

Series Notes:

• The Padres swept the Mets 4-0.
• The Padres beat the Mets by the score of 2-1 in the first three games of the series.

Other Notes:

• Since June 1st, this is the Mets trend: w-l-w-w-l-l-l-l.
• The Mets are currently 2-5 on this road trip.
• The Mets are two games under .500 with a 30-32 record.

No, the Padres didn’t beat the Mets 2-1 again.  But the Padres won again.  Swept by the Padres, how do they let that happen?  The Padres are a last place team.

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