213 Miles From Shea

I heard on ESPNEWS today Keith Law talk about Wright. Law feels that because Wright is afraid of the inside fast ball, he is trying to put wood on it, and his over compensation makes him miss anyway and completely robs him of his power.

Sort of on the same note, Kruk says that Wright is turning on every pitch. However, he isnt turning on them in a power way, its in a pull way.

In other words, instead of turning on it as a homer way, which is seen the best in Shawn Green, (when he does it, it is so exagerated you can really see the small movements). Wright is almost always trying to pull the ball defensivily to get a hit. That focuses more on the arms and really prevents the correct hip movements to blast the ball.

The concensus is to not worry.

There are a lot of injuries now. Most teams that are out of the race, bring up talent in September. We know we are going to be in the race, so why not bring up talent now? Now for Alou, who is getting and MRI today, if he needs to sit for 15 days, why not Milledge (wait at least a year for gomez). I dont suggest this for Valetine, because Easily is doing a fine job. It might not be a bad idea to bring up someone like gotay or hernandez for the bench though.

So I am really sorry for not being around the last 5 days, and there is a lot to catch up on, so i'll try to see what notes i can hit from 26th until now.

The night of the 25th, I was watching the game that Gary Thorne said that Doug Mirabelle told him the the sock was fake. I really didnt believe it when i heard it and the next day, Gary Thorne started his apology with one of my new favorite lines, ever:

“I talked to Doug last night and he was wonderful”

My only game notes for the weekend is, wooooo John Maine.

I think a while ago i said if we needed to call up a replacement for a pitcher, dont let it be Park, Im hoping park is up because Sosa or Vargas are on rests…cause he selfdestructed, probably like how many thought he would

I do not like day games. After today, the Mets day record is 1-5.

I would like to see one more start from Mike Pelfry before I make any real opinions. I remeber that the Orioles last year were really struggling with D. Cabrera and after a while, they sent him down to the Minors for some time, he came back and was brilliant. If Pelfry's next start is similar to this one and the one against the Braves, then I really think he should go down to the Minors for 3-4 starts, and then see him again. Vargas would not be a bad move to hold for that period of time.

I am also not agaisnt Vargas going to the penn right now for Sele. There is something about Sele that I dont like, he has 6 ER on the year now, with 9 innings pitched. I guess the same goes for him that one or two more apperances are needed before making a decision whether he should go down for a bit of time.

Delgado is now below the Mendoza line. Our 4 and 5 spots need to wake up. (Delgado has produced though, in terms of RBI, with a .193 AVG…which is pretty amazing)

A bright spot from today is Joe Smith who is doing well. And Shawn Green really seems to produce when the Mets lose…wierd.

If you have not heard yet, Prior is out for the year now.

Thats is not suprising.

Pitching, Pitching, Pitching

With some hitting.

So the Mets had a lot of chances to win this early, but thanks to some GIDP, that was eliminated, same went for Colorado. However, El Duque, how good was he? That was an amazing start for him. Furthermore, how bout that bench. Pinchhitter Easily getting RBI 1, and then Endy getting the walkoff RBI at the end (not directly off the bench).

Its a good feeling. And Billy actually pitched today.

Some other notes from around the league, Tejada played in his 1000th straight game today. Bonds said he wants Arod to break his 73 HR in a year record. Phillip Hughes starts Thursday for the Bronx Bombers. The Yankees penn dropped another one today. The Cardinals are now 1-6 at home. And Griffy hit his first homer today.

From that headline, you can guess what the most amazing part of the game is. Delgado finally hit a homerun this season.

So next is Wright.

Delgado's blast was the second homer for the mets, the first was a 3-run blast by Valetine. Jose V is heating up now, so the offense is poppin again.

Maine tonight was amazing as always this season. Burgos is struggling though.

As of now, I have 30+ stats now in an excel file, I am working right now on expanding it, earlier this week, I showed you a few of them. 25-30 games in, I'll have more.

Remeber Petit? He was supposed to be the Mets next big thing in pitching. Then we traded him to Flordia for Delgado. He had an average year in Florida and now is in Arizona.

He started yesterday, did pretty well, (1 or 2 ER, so he did really well), but he became another pitcher to give up a homer to bonds.

A healthy Bonds this year is a huge asset to the Giants…he is really turing on pitches.

Buchloz, the pitcher for the Rockies tonight, faced the Mets last year, giving up 6 runs over 5. Maine has never faced the Rockies before. Valetine has hit a grand slam off this guy before.

Tonight we pick up the pieces and go for it, because we gotta keep pace with the Braves, and they get a stab at the Rockies at the end of the week.

UGHHHHHHH

Thats what it felt to lose todays game.

The Mets/Braves rivalry is starting fuel and now we can get a better picture of some of the players that are key in this rivalry.

Exhibit 1 would be Kelly Johnson, who now has 2 leadoff homers aganist the Mets. His power against the Mets could make him a “mets killer”

Now, TBS has said that Green is a “Braves Killer” this year, knocking in three homers against them. I for one have to disagree. Yes, all three of his homers have come against the Braves this year, but, all three have come in games that the Braves won (So when Green does really well, its a bad omen for the Mets…That makes no sense)

Smoltzy and Hudson…enough said.

Reyes…enough said.

And Victor Zambrano gave up more runs agaisnt the Orioles today, contining a subpar year for him

To his defense, he is playing really soon after Tommy John surgury, I will reserve my harsh judgment for next season.

In New York, you probably already heard this, but this is actually reported news in the Baltimore Sun this morning.

There was a fan at friday's Mets game who was arrested for interference in professional sports and reckless endagerment because he was shining a bright light in the Atlanta pitcher and shorttops eye.

Thats amazing that news made it down here. It reminds of that person who acted as press to get to meet Piazza. Nothing that exciting ever happens at Camden Yards (except for people who run the field, like last friday)

Well it feels good to flip flop the score from last night today. I really like how Castro has showed some strength, and how Reyes keeps hitting…a little disappointed in Wright though.

The good Perez showed up today.

We are 16 games into the season so far, and here is how things break down:

Yesterday was the first time the Mets lost an opening game of a 3 game set. Today was the first time the Mets won a day game and was the first time they won the second game of a three game set to an NL East team.

At least it wasn't a shut out, thats all I have to say. At least the margin was only 4. In that respect, number wise, it wasnt too bad of a loss.

Lets face it, out of any of the games this weekend, we knew this was going to be the one we would most likely lose because of Tim Hudson.

Now that this hitting streak is over, maybe Wright will delevope some power, he wont have so many distractions.

On to some other news. I was at the Orioles game tonight. The score is 4-4 in the bot of the ninth. The Jays go to the pen, and bring out…Victor Zambrano.

Who gave a lead off hit

Then a bunt (to move the runner over)

Then a walk

Then another walk (bases loaded, one out)

And then the winning single

(Needless to say, it was fun to watch, and to know that he is not on the Mets anymore).

Also, Corey Patterson had an over the wall catch that was about 2 feet or more above the wall and he made in stride in the air, meaning, unlike most of those catches that are moving back, he was leaning back but moving a lot to his side in the air, it was awesome.

Tommorow I really hope to have a stat update of the season so far.