Posts Tagged ‘MLB’

BY SCOTT ILOWITE
STACHE WRITER

This afternoon RA Dickey and the Mets beat Livan Hernandez and the Nats 3-2. The Mets took a 2-0 lead in the 3rd inning after RA Dickey helped himself with a single and Angel Pagan followed with one of his own. With the two of them on, Luis Hernandez hit a liner to centerfield that kinda knuckled away from that sukka Nyjer Morgan in centerfield, allowing RA to score. Carlos Beltran followed up with a sac fly to give the Mets the 2-0 lead.

In the 5th inning with Mike Morse aboard on a single, RA served up a meatball that didn’t exactly knuckle to Wilson Ramos, and he deposited it over the centerfield wall to knot the score up at 2.

In an amazing managerial maneuver, Jerry Manuel made a real gangsta move and pinch hit for Dickey after only 88 pitches in the top of the 7th inning. With 1 out and 2 on, Nick Evans was called upon. Evans shattered his bat and hit one past Adam Dunn for an RBI double. Thole came around to score and gave the Mets a 3-2 lead. Read the rest of this entry »

BY MATTHEW FALKENBURY
EDITOR

Stats in His Mets Career

157-85, 3.10 ERA, 305 Games, 303 Starts, 67 Complete Games, 23 Shutouts, 1 Save, 2169.2 Innings Pitched, 1898 Hits Allowed, 823 Runs, 747 Earned Runs, 123 Home Runs, 651 Walks, 1.17 WHIP, 1875 Strikeouts.

His Mets Moment

The funny thing about when I think about how I used to see Dwight “Doc” Gooden is that I remember him pitching his No-Hitter against the Mariners as a Yankee and that he was someone who couldnt stay away from Hard Drugs.

Of course for Mets Fans, in the years before I was born and the years after, when I was too young to even know who he even was, Doc Gooden was the greatest Right Handed pitcher the Mets had since George Thomas Seaver was wearing the Orange and Blue.

His Moment was everytime he stepped on the mound at Shea Stadium and would dazzle with his mid 90′s fastball and Lord Charles Curveball, it was so good, Uncle Charlie wasnt good enough for a nickname.

The Crowd would be at a fever pitch to see him mow down the opponent and once again lead the Mets to victory as the best pitcher in Baseball and at the time, the best African-American pitcher since Bob Gibson.

The K-corner would be ready for each start that he would make, as the Strikeouts would pile up, the more K’s that would be put up on the Shea Facade.

The end of his career as a New York Met ended with things going badly for him on and off the field and although he to this day has things that will pop up that will make us wonder if he will be turned around 100%, he still gives Mets Fans one last thrill.

The Moment he set foot on the field at Shea Stadium one last time as the Goodbye Shea celebration took place and helped the fans, if only for one second forget how pissed off they were that the Mets had lost the game that day.

The other came a little over a Month ago when he was finally put in a place he belonged the whole time, The Mets Hall of Fame.

His speech about how the fans inspired him, how honored he was to be back and how it looked like he was finally ok with not only what was going on off the field but that what he had accomplished had earned him the right to say he was a great Mets ballplayer.

Dwight Gooden was like a Comet that streaked across the sky, he was great to see and wont be back for a long time, but when he was here, he was special and Mets fans loved every second of it.

Fast Facts

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BY AARON YORKE
STACHE WRITER

It’s not often that Mets fans have been pleasantly surprised this season, but Dillon Gee did all he could to change that tonight. Through the first five innings of his major league debut, Gee did not allow a hit. Although Mets nemesis Willie Harris hit a home run on the first pitch of the bottom of the sixth to ensure nothing magical would happen, Gee still had a great start. He only struck out four batters, but Gee took Crash Davis’ advice and got plenty of ground balls that led to outs. Angel Pagan helped by making a leaping catch at the tall fence in right field on a ball that Adam Dunn nearly got all of.

Ike Davis launched one of the Mets’ most manly home runs of the season in the first inning to give New York a 3-0 lead and all the offense they would need to triumph. Davis also singled and walked to continue a hot streak that’s making him look more and more like the first baseman of the future.
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BY MATTHEW FALKENBURY
EDITOR

The Mets and the Nationals continue to countdown the days until Tee Time in October as they play Game 2 of a Three Game Series in Nationals Park in our Nations Capital. The game will be broadcast live on SNY and can be heard on WFAN 660-AM at 7:00 pm.

New York Mets Lineup
1. Angel Pagan, RF
2. Luis Hernandez, 2B
3. Carlos Beltran, CF
4. Ike Davis, 1B
5. Mike Hessman, 3B
6. Lucas Duda, LF
7. Henry Blanco, C
8. Ruben Tejada, SS
9. Dillon Gee, SP

*David Wright had been batting clean-up tonight, but was a late scratch due to a bruised ring finger, suffered while trying to steal second base yesterday.*-via Metsblog

Interesting Fact/Trend: The Mets have only 3 series this season that they have split this season, two of them came in Washington in May and July.

Washington Nationals Lineup
1. Nyger Morgan CF
2. Ian Desmond, SS
3. Ryan Zimmerman, 3B
4. Adam Dunn, 1B
5. Roger Bernadina, LF
6. Mike Morse, RF
7. Danny Espinosa, 2B
8. Wilson Ramos, C
9. Yunesky Maya SP

Interesting Fact/Trend: The Nationals have won three in a row and notched their 60th victory Monday, eclipsing the total of 59 from each of the last two seasons.

On The Bump:

For the Mets It will be the Major League Debut for Dillon Gee, who went 13-8 with a 4.96 ERA in 28 starts for the Bisons after appearing in just nine games last season because of a torn right labrum. The 24-year-old right-hander set a franchise record with 165 strikeouts while walking 41 in 161 1-3 innings.

The Mets have called up Gee from Triple-A Buffalo to take the place in the rotation of staff ace Johan Santana, who left Thursday’s win over Atlanta after five innings with a strained left pectoral muscle.

For the Nationals, they will send Yunesky Maya to the hill, he is also will be making his Major League Debut. He is a Cuban defector who signed a four-year contract with the Nationals on Aug. 3.

The 29-year-old right-hander, who pitched for Cuba in the 2006 and 2009 World Baseball Classics, was 1-2 with a 3.38 ERA in five starts at three different minor league levels. In two outings for Triple-A Syracuse, he allowed two runs while striking out nine over 10 1-3 innings.

This will be just the fifth time since 1980 two starting pitchers make their big league debut in the same game. The last time it happened was April 9, 2009, when Detroit’s Rick Porcello and Toronto’s Ricky Romero opposed one another.

Daily Stache’s Keys to the Game:
1. The Mets have to be patient with a guy they have never seen before. I feel like when they face someone new, they can be too anxious at the plate and dont allow themselves to see exactly what the guy has. Maya is in the Majors for a reason and the Mets need to find out why and be patient with that process.

2. The Mets have got to learn, especially the young kids is that no matter when your playing the game and how far back tha you are, you cannot let a bad team off the hook when you take a multiple run lead. If the Mets can once again jump out 2-0, 3-0 early in this game, they have to make sure they put the hammer down and not let the Nats back in it.

3. Dillon Gee really needs to have a good first time through the lineup. The first 3 innings or so will really show me what this kid has at the Major League level and whether or not one day he can be in a rotation with the Mets or someone else. The one thing the Nats have is a very solid offense with veteran players and speedy young guys. This will be a nice test for Mr. Gee in his first Major League Start.

BY MERIWYN TRAVISANO
STACHE WRITER

Well, if most of you were with your families and friends, enjoying a BBQ or a day at the beach, you were probably better off. It was a rough day for pitchers on both sides today, as the Mets and Washington Nationals put out a COMBINED 36 players and 317 pitches worth of work for their hurlers. Mike Pelfrey had another one of his “iffy” outings, starting off beautifully in the first three innings, then it all fell apart in the fourth, and he would exit after 3.2 innings of work, giving up 5 hits, 6 runs and walking 3 batters.

Jordan Zimmermann, the starter for Washington, didn’t have much of an easier time. He pitched 4 innings, gave up 3 hits, 3 runs and walked 4. Luckily for him, that was all the scoring the Mets would do today.

It would only get worse from there for Mets’ pitching. Raul Valdes is back, and gave up a walk, a hit and a run in only 1/3 of an inning. Sean Green, making his first appearance since the second game of the SEASON, then came on and gave up a hit and walked one batter. Pat Misch came out and quickly recorded the third out after Green exited.

Ryota Igarashi is the one who really took it on the chin, walking three, and giving up 2 hits and 5 runs, 4 of which were included in Danny Espinoza’s grand slam. The game then ended with Ollie (yes, him) Perez pitching 2 innings, giving up 3 hits and a run.

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BY MATTHEW FALKENBURY
EDITOR

Click Here to Listen!

The Mets returned to the road this week and played the Atlanta Braves and Chicago Cubs this past week.

Where are the Mets now? Can this team that mostly played in Buffalo this season get it together and get over .500? 

You can hear all of this and more on Stache Radio. Join Matt Falkenbury and his Special Guest Mark Simon of ESPN NY as we have a discussion all about the team he covers with a passion everyday.

We will talk about what he thinks the Mets can do with the rest of their season, what they did during the 2nd half and if the Mets can make a run at .500 for the rest of September. We’ll take a look at the future of the Mets and talk about all the news that came up this week.

We will also be talking about the change towards youth for the Mets, what to expect, what not to expect and the things that can come up in-between for the Amazin’s.

Discuss your views of the Mets with us and have your voice be heard! by calling into the show at (347)-857-2757.

Stache Radio is the newest and fantasical! New York Mets weekly radio show featuring talk about the latest games, news, rumors, minor leagues, and Special guests will be featured all season long.

Discuss your views of the Mets with Daily Stache Co-Creator Matt Falkenbury (That would be Me!) and other fellow Stache Writers and Mets bloggers.

You can also Contact us at MattFalkenbury@gmail.com and as always check out our blog DailyStache.net (But since your already here on the site, keep looking around, its good times)

BY KEVIN KEARNS
STACHE WRITER

A mediocre start by Jon Niese was made up for by Ruben Tejada’s big day, as the Mets bats absolutely came alive in a Mets 18-5 win over the Chicago Cubs.  

Niese had two RBI hits and Tejada came through with a clutch bases loaded base hit to center field. Those hits led the way for an absolute offensive outburst by the Mets. The Mets tallied 21 hits against the fraudulant Cubs pitching staff. It was a pleasant sight to see the Mets offensive futility disappear for a day.

Niese had a rough start giving up five runs on eight hits in six innings, but overall he pushed through and got the W for the Mets.

Outside of having to listen to Gary and Keith obsessively talk about their love for Wrigley, it was a great game to watch. The Mets showed some life in their bats, which translated into them being able to avoid a Cubs’ sweep.

Despite a poor outing, Jon Niese also improved to 9-7 as a result of the 17 runs scored by the Mets. The Mets improved to (68-70), well the Cubs dropped down to (59-77).

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BY ANTHONY LAFAMAN
STACHE WRITER

The Mets (66-70) close the series @ Wrigley today. The Cubs (59-77) are going for the series sweep.  Game time is 2:20 EST and can be seen live on WPIX 11 and heard live on WFAN 660.

New York Mets Lineup:
1. Angel Pagan, RF
2. Luis Hernandez, 2B
3. Carlos Beltran, CF
4. Ike Davis, 1B
5. Mike Hessman, 3B
6. Lucas Duda, LF
7. Josh Thole, C
8. Ruben Tejada, SS
9. Jon Niese, LHP

Interesting fact/trend : David Wright sits today, why I don’t know, I think we’ve gotten enough looks at Mike Hessman and David Wright will have the whole month of October off. Mets are 1-5 on this current 10 game road trip.

Chicago Cubs Lineup
1. Jeff Baker, 2B
2. Starlin Castro, SS
3. Marlon Byrd, CF
4. Aramis Ramirez, 3B
5. Xavier Nady, 1B
6. Alfonso Soriano, LF
7. Tyler Colvin, RF
8. Geovany Soto, C
9. Ryan Dempster, RHP

Intersting fact/trend : Another multi-hit game from Cubs standout SS Starlin Castro tie the longest for a rookie since Florida’s Chris Coghlan had an eight-game run from Aug. 1-9, 2009.

On the Bump : Mets send out Jonathon Niese (8-7, 3.70 ERA) who has been awful as of late. Given up 15 runs just in his past two starts. Niese is 0-1 with a 6.23 ERA vs the Cubs in his young career. Cubs send out their 12 game winner Ryan Dempster (12-9, 3.71 ERA) to the bump today and he leads the Cubs in wins, strikeouts and ERA. Dempster was crusin’ along until last start where he was touched up by the Pirates for 7 runs. Prior he rocked a 1.31 ERA and was 4-0.

Daily Stache’s Keys to the Game:
Keep that rookie off the bases! As mentioned Starlin Castro is on fire. He is also a pain on the bases due to his great speed.

Niese simply has to pitch better and stay away from the big inning. Those big innings have plagued his last two starts. He appears to be cruising along until the middle innings. If he can establish his curveball early the Cubs could have a problem scoring on Jonathon.

Angel Pagan despite his recent struggles has to be the catalyst today for the Mets. They really need his 110% today, including his defense and base-running.

LETS GO METS!

BY MERIWYN TRAVISANO
STACHE WRITER

What started out as somewhat of a pitcher’s duel between two highly unlikely candidates quickly turned sour for the Mets in the 5th inning. The Mets welcomed back 20-year-old Jenrry Mejia, in his first major league start. He also brought along catcher Mike Nickeas for what would be his major league debut. The only 20-year-old to start a game for the Mets since Doc Gooden, coupled with a catcher making his big show debut would probably seem a recipe for disaster. I am happy to say it wasn’t.

Mejia looked good overall, and even though he allowed 4 runs and 8 hits in 5 innings of work, he seems healthy and has good command of most of his pitches. His fastball topped out at 95 mph, and he threw 95 pitches on the day, 64 of which were strikes.

On the other side of the mound, the Cubs’ side that is, everyone waited with baited breath to see how Carlos Zambrano would do in his first start since coming back from his forced suspension. As Keith Hernandez noted, he looks like a completely new man. He trimmed down a bit, had control over both his emotions and his pitching, and had himself a great outing, pitching 7 innings and allowing only 4 hits and 2 runs.

And what is it with the dragonflies at Wrigley??

Read the rest of this entry »

BY SCOTT ILOWITE
STACHE WRITER

The Mets (66-69) are in the windy city this afternoon to take on the Chicago Cubs (58-77) in the second game of a three game set. First pitch is at 1:05pm today and the game will be aired on SNY along with radio coverage from WFAN.

New York Mets’ Lineup:
1. Angel Pagan RF
2. Louie Castillo 2B
3. Carlos Beltran CF
4. David Wright 3B
5. Lucas Duda LF
6. Ike Davis 1B
7. Mike Nickeas C MLB Debut
8. Ruben Tejada SS
9. Jenrry Mejia SP

Interesting Fact/Trend: Today will be Jenrry Mejia’s first MLB start.  He’s looked good in the minors in 9 starts since being sent down to be stretched out. He was 2-0 with a 1.28 ERA in 42.1 innings.  In his last start, he was promoted to AAA Buffalo and tossed 8 innings allowing only 1 run, struck out 9 and walked 1. 

Chicago Cubs’ Lineup:
1. Koske Fukudome RF
2. Starlin Castro SS
3. Marlon Byrd CF
4. Aramis Ramirez 3B
5. Xavier Nady 1B
6. Tyler Colvin LF
7. Geovany Soto C
8. Blake DeWitt 2B
9. Carlos Zambrano SP

Interesting Fact/Trend:Alfonzo Soriano is batting .524 with three home runs and nine RBIs in his last six games against the Mets.  Yesterday he took R.A. Dickey deep for his 22nd homer of the season that put the Cubbies ahead 4-3.

On The Hill:
Jenrry Mejia (0-2 3.25 ERA all in relief) will face off against the Cubs resident head-case, Carlos Zambrano (6-6, 4.36 ERA).  Unlike our resident head-case Ollie Perez, Carlos has tried to help himself and the team by undergoing anger management treatment.   And since coming back to the team at the end of July and re-joining the rotation the following week, Zambrano has looked like a completely different pitcher. He’s 3-0 with a 1.84 ERA in five starts since returning to the rotation.  HELLO OLLIE!!!!!

Daily Stache’s Keys To the Game:

1.  Have Fun: Jenrry, it’s your first MLB start and it’s for a below .500 team.  It’s not going to make or break your career.  There is no pressure today.  Go out there, let it rip, and don’t forget how good your curveball is.  

2. Work Zambrano: Make the big guy make pitches.  We all know he’s a head-case.  Let him start arguing with umpires about calls.  Wright is batting .143 with no extra-base hits and 10 strikeouts in 21 career at-bats against Zambrano. 

3.  Keep an eye on the Mets battery: Not only is Jenrry Mejia making his first MLB start, but his catcher will be making his MLB debut today.  Between AA Binghamton and AAA Buffalo, Mike Nickeas was hitting .276 with 5 HR and 33RBI.  Was rated as the Best Defensive Catcher in the Mets organization by Baseball America 2 years ago.

LET’S GO METS!