213 Miles From Shea

The Mets finally did it. Finally. The Mets offense finally broke out tonight for the first time in what seems like forever as the Mets scored 7 runs over 15 hits. The Mets all did it in clumps starting with 3 in the first inning with two, two run clumps later on. Before we get into specifics of who delivered, the whole team should feel good about that first inning where the Mets had 4 consecutive hits with two outs and as soon as players were getting on, on the subsequent hit they were running first to third. It was this type of play that caried on for the entire game.

The big providers in terms of hits would be Jose, David, Ike, Chirsand Thole. Reyes and Wright each had a three hit night as they eached scored 2 runs and each stole a base. Thole also had a big two hit night where he drove in two runs (continuing to prove that he should be the everyday catcher on this team with three catchers). Davis had a two hit night as well and drove in one run. Carter also hit a homer as the cleanup hitter and drove in two on the night.

The Bats were only half the story tonight as Pelfrey was fantastic, picking up his 12 win of the season. Despite his early struggles, Pelfrey went 8 strong innings allowing 2 runs, 1 earned while walking 2 and striking out 5. This was his third consecutive good start. The game was finished off with a clean inning from Parnell.

Lets Keep This Up! Lets Go Mets!

The Mets start a weekend set tonight it Pittsburgh against the Pirates. The Mets are coming off of a four game set with the Astros where they split the series despite good pitching every night (in other words, the offense is still struggling). Going to Pittsburgh means we get to visit with an old friend. Lastings Milledge! Break out those Milledge shirts if you bought them (honestly, I am surprised I am not one of those people)!

Tonight Pelfrey will get the start for the Amazins and he has been more like himself from earlier in the season over the last two games as he has now pitched 14 innings while allowing only 3 ER over that time. Last season he had one start against the Pirates and it was just awful. He pitched 3.2 innings while allowing 8 ER, 9 total, in a losing effort. The Pirates have these numbers against Big Pelf:

The Mets bats will get to try to break out against Jeff Karstens. Over the last four games the Mets were able to get 3 runs in 3 of those games, which by normal standards is terrible, however compared to the previous homestand, thats a 100% improvement runs scored per game. Anyway Jeff is 2-9 this season with a 4.59 ERA and over his last three starts he is 0-3 with a 5.40 ERA. Last season he had a no decision in one start against the Mets where he pitched 7.2 innings while allowing 4 ER. The Mets have these numbers against Karstens:

Let's Go Mets!

A few months ago I came across this video. After watching it, I made a note on a piece of paper to link it here on this site because I loved how short and sweet it was and of course I never did (oops). So, several months later, here is “Where Ike Davis Happens”:

Not about the Mets this time as the New York Post rips into Roger Clemens:

(NY Post)

(NY Post)

Well, at least they aren't making fun of us today.

It was barely a week ago when we had a discussion here about how the Mets management had some serious issues regarding playing rookies like Fmart and Tejada. Well, once again we have to have this discussion. The Mets activated Barajas to the roster, however they are keeping Blanco (makes sense) and Thole (who should be starting) so thats a bench spot that is being occupied by a third catcher.

Essentially what this means is the Mets have two dead roster spots. We have Oliver Perez who is in exile right now, which is just as good as being in the minors and now this offense which is really struggling has two spots being held up by Barajas and Blanco.

The icing on the cake for this move is Fmart had to be moved back to the minors. There is a good side and a very bad side of this move. The good side is that Fmart will get to play everyday, which is what he should be. The bad news of course is that Fmart will have the very tough job to get better at hitting against Major League pitching…..in the minors. That doesn't make much sense, does it?

All of this leads up to one point. Management, Front Office Ownership, listen up. Mets fans, as a whole, are well informed fans. We know that the season is over when one roster spot is held up by Oliver Perez. A hitting spot on the bench is being held up by Rod Barajas (or Blanco) neither of whom can provide this team with the offense it needs. The Mets NEED to start preparing for 2011. Which means Fmart needs to be playing everyday.

This is why being a Mets fan is frustrating.

The Mets and Astros play the last game of their four game set and if the Mets can get a win tonight, then they will actually win a National League Series on the road. Last night was a thrilling, but late night, game as the Mets beat the Astros in 14 innings by the score of 3-2 with a 4-5, BB, R, 2 SB (both third base!) performance from Jose Reyes. Tonight's starters feature Misch against Norris.

Misch was the hard luck loser in his first start of the season as he allowed only 1 ER over 6 innings however defensive miscues behind him allowed a total of 4 runs to cross the plate as the Phillies beat the Mets. Last season Pat faced Houston once as he picked up the win in 5 inning, 1 ER outing where he didn't walk anyone, struck out one and allowed 5 hits. The Astros have these numbers against Misch:

The Mets bats, who have now scored 3 runs in 3 consecutive games, draw Norris for the series concluder. He is 5-7 on the season with a 5.42 ERA this season and in his last three games he has pitched 19.2 innings with a 4.58 ERA. Playing only two seasons in the majors, Bud has never faced the Mets as a team and has never faced any Mets players on the roster. Advantage Bud? Advantage Mets? Who knows.

Lets Go Mets!

This is generally the time of the year where you start to see which players that were drafted in the previous year have a good shot of being a prospect. For the most part, the 2009 draft picks have been pretty stale, not much to be excited about. Darrell Ceciliana is looking to reverse that thinking as he stands as one of the best players in the New York Penn League this year and is one of the Brooklyn Cyclones selected for the NYPL 2010 All-Star Game.

Ceciliana is young, only 20 years of age, which is what you look for in a player that is having success at the low minors (if he was older and still at this level, this article probably wouldn't exist). The outfielder was drafted in the 4th round of the 2009 draft and he was born in Oregon in the year of 1990 (yessir, he's a 90's kid). So far Darrell has played in two seasons in the minors:

From a purely statistical perspective, you can see why he wasn't talked about too much after his 2009 campaign. His power was fairly low, and he was getting a lot of hits. Fast foward a season and he is one of the best hitters in the league. He has a very high batting average and he has a combination of decent power and decent speed.

The next step for Darrell of course is to see if this can continue at the higher levels of play. If he can do this against better pitchers, then we could be hearing about him a lot next season. I'm curious to see what happens to his average and his extra base hits at a higher level. He is another player we will be following here at 213 throughout the September call-up season (where he may be moved to higher level of minor league play) and if he gets selected to play in a Fall or Winter League.