Friday, May 14, 2004
Mets 7, Diamonbacks 4
The Mets managed to salvage a split of this series, and did it in the most improbable fashion, beating Randy Johnson and Brandon Webb on consecutive nights. Jae Weong Seo didn't have a great night, as a blister force him to leave after just five innings, allowing three runs on five hits and two walks, but it was enough to best his fellow sophomore starter thanks to another good offensive showing by the Mets.
The big blow was a three-run homer by Vance Wilson, of all people. Danny Garcia also homered as part of a two for three night. Mike Cameron also had a pair of hits and a stolen base, but was also caught by the old "fake to third, throw to first" trick. Kazuo Matsui had another fine game, with a single in three at bats, two walks and a stolen base. And Cliff Floyd made his return to the lineup, hitting an RBI single in five at bats.
David Weathers gave up a solo home run in relief, but John Franco, Mike Stanton and Braden Looper each pitched a scoreless inning, with Looper picking up his sixth save of the season and his second in as many nights.
The biggest story of the day is probably the health of the Mets' starting rotation, though. And Seo's blister problem is hardly the worst of it. Al Leiter has headed back to New York to get an MRI on his shoulder, and will miss at least his next start on Sunday. Matt Ginter will likely get the start on Sunday, but with Seo's various finger problems and James Baldwin pitching like James Baldwin, the Mets may have some serious problems to deal with in the very near future. Heck, they may have to give Aaron Heilman another shot in the majors. Heilman struck out eight through five and two-thirds innings tonight, but took the loss after allowing four runs, three earned, on eight hits and two walks. His ERA is now 4.12, but the only other part of his stat sheet that doesn't look good is the hit line, with his strikeout rate (8.69 per nine innings) looking particularly impressive. Whether the forty-eight hits he's allowed in thirty-nine and two-thirds innings can be attributed to the defense behind him or something he's doing wrong can't be said for sure. But I would guess that he's pitched better than his ERA indicates and wouldn't mind seeing him called up in the near future.
Tomorrow the Mets try to continue mowing down the best pitchers the National League has to offer as Steve Trachsel (3-3, 3.48) takes on Roy Oswalt (2-1, 2.90) and the Astros. ¶ joe | 1:19 AM |
The Mets managed to salvage a split of this series, and did it in the most improbable fashion, beating Randy Johnson and Brandon Webb on consecutive nights. Jae Weong Seo didn't have a great night, as a blister force him to leave after just five innings, allowing three runs on five hits and two walks, but it was enough to best his fellow sophomore starter thanks to another good offensive showing by the Mets.
The big blow was a three-run homer by Vance Wilson, of all people. Danny Garcia also homered as part of a two for three night. Mike Cameron also had a pair of hits and a stolen base, but was also caught by the old "fake to third, throw to first" trick. Kazuo Matsui had another fine game, with a single in three at bats, two walks and a stolen base. And Cliff Floyd made his return to the lineup, hitting an RBI single in five at bats.
David Weathers gave up a solo home run in relief, but John Franco, Mike Stanton and Braden Looper each pitched a scoreless inning, with Looper picking up his sixth save of the season and his second in as many nights.
The biggest story of the day is probably the health of the Mets' starting rotation, though. And Seo's blister problem is hardly the worst of it. Al Leiter has headed back to New York to get an MRI on his shoulder, and will miss at least his next start on Sunday. Matt Ginter will likely get the start on Sunday, but with Seo's various finger problems and James Baldwin pitching like James Baldwin, the Mets may have some serious problems to deal with in the very near future. Heck, they may have to give Aaron Heilman another shot in the majors. Heilman struck out eight through five and two-thirds innings tonight, but took the loss after allowing four runs, three earned, on eight hits and two walks. His ERA is now 4.12, but the only other part of his stat sheet that doesn't look good is the hit line, with his strikeout rate (8.69 per nine innings) looking particularly impressive. Whether the forty-eight hits he's allowed in thirty-nine and two-thirds innings can be attributed to the defense behind him or something he's doing wrong can't be said for sure. But I would guess that he's pitched better than his ERA indicates and wouldn't mind seeing him called up in the near future.
Tomorrow the Mets try to continue mowing down the best pitchers the National League has to offer as Steve Trachsel (3-3, 3.48) takes on Roy Oswalt (2-1, 2.90) and the Astros. ¶ joe | 1:19 AM |
