A Character Win

When people speculate what can spark a team’s turn-around, they often look to an extra-innings win as a catalyst. It’s impossible to say that one game can remedy a season of mediocrity, but the New York Mets certainly made a statement Wednesday night, winning in the 12th inning on a Fernando Tatis walk-off double.

On the back of Tatis, an unlikely hero, the Mets take the series from first-place Florida, making a strong statement in the first series of the homestand after a roadtrip to forget. Of course, taking two from the Yankees elicited the same sort of “turn-around” talk from Mets fans.

But what was different last night was the fact that every part of the Mets team contributed to the victory. Oliver Perez wasn’t dominant, but still struck out seven despite giving up four earned runs in six innings. Aaron Heilman looked brilliant in two innings of work, striking out four in two innings. Scott Schoeneweiss and Billy Wagner were phenomenal in an inning each. Endy Chavez forced extras with a pinch-hit home run. Luis Castillo and Jose Reyes also homered. David Wright walked twice. And then there was Tatis, the forgotten star, who is to the Mets right now what Angel Pagan was in Spring Training–invaluable.

Sure, there were faults. The Mets left ten on base, to start. That’s been a problem all year, and it continues. The Mets are a talented team. What they have needed all year is a spark, something to start the engine of a lineup that should be producing a heck of a lot more than it has. Only time will tell, but a win like last night’s, a series win like this one, might be what it takes to jump-start this team.

-Jonathan Kraft

Heilman could be demoted

According to Adam Rubin, Aaron Heilman could be demoted to Triple-A New Orleans in an attempt for the former set-up man to regain his form. Replacing him could be Carlos Muniz, who has pitched very well for the Zephyrs (2-2, 1.80, 5 SV, 8 BB, 17 SO, .192 BAA).

I’m all for this move. I’ve discussed why I think Heilman should be traded, but if that doesn’t work out, why not give him some time to try and work out his problems in a no-stress atmosphere? As far as I can see, since Heilman has been so bad, there’s really no downside.

-Jonathan Kraft

Around the Beast

Nationals 5-Brewers 1

Jeff Suppan pitched well for Milwaukee until the sixth, when the [long-absent] Washington offense came alive. After J.J. Hardy mishandled a double-play ball, the Nats broke through, scoring on doubles by Ryan Zimmerman and Jesus Flores and on a Lastings Milledge sacrifice ground ball. Wily Mo Peña his his first home run of the year earlier in the first inning, and Suppan drove in the Brewers’ only run of the game.

Odalis Perez pitched well for the Nationals (5.0 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 SO, 84 P) but left with a no-decision. Brian Sanches, just called up from Triple-A Columbus, struck out the side in the sixth and was credited with the win. Saul Rivera, Luis Ayala, and Jon Rauch closed the door for Washington.

Rockies 5-Mets 4 (F/13)

The Mets dropped their fifth straight game as Matt Holliday hit a walk-off single in the 13th off of Aaron Heilman after homering off of Billy Wagner in the ninth to tie the game (Wagner’s second blown save of the year). It was a back and forth game as neither team dominated on the mound.

Oliver Perez was all over the place for the Mets, going 5 innings allowing 6 hits for 4 earned runs, walking 8 and striking out only 2, and allowing a home run on 110 pitches (just 56 for strikes). Rookie starter Greg Reynolds never dominated for the Rockies, going 6 full innings allowing 4 earned runs on 4 hits, walking 3, striking out 5, and allowing 2 home runs on just 84 pitches thrown. He left the game after allowing back-to-back home runs to Carlos Delgado and Fernando Tatis (who replaced the injured Marlon Anderson) in the 6th.

Driving in runs for the Mets were Luis Castillo, Delgado, Tatis, and Jose Reyes, who got in the home plate umpire’s face after being called out on a very low strike three in the 13th. Garrett Atkins, Clint Barmes, and Holliday drove in runs for the Rockies.

Astros 5-Phillies 4

Brandon Backe was superb for the Astros, giving up just one run in 7.1 innings pitched, striking out 6 and walking one. Adam Eaton didn’t pitch terribly for the Phillies (7.0 IP, 8 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO,2 HR, 96 P), but couldn’t keep the ball in the park, giving up two home runs to Hunter Pence.

Also driving in runs for the Astros were former Phillie Michael Bourn (who also stranded three on base), and Carlos Lee (his 36th of the season). For the Phillies, Pat Burrell homered in his second-straight game and Pedro Feliz and Jimmy Rollins also drove runs in.

Diamondbacks 11-Braves 1

Doug Davis returned from cancer surgery in unbelievable fashion, shutting the hot-hitting Braves lineup down for 7 innings, allowing just one earned run on 5 hits, walking 2 and striking out 4 on 89 pitches. His team responded, taking batting practice off of Jo-Jo Reyes (5.0 IP, 6 H, 7 ER, 3 BB, 4 SO, 3 HR) and Chris Resop (2.0 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 SO, 1 HR).

Homering for the D-Backs were Stephen Drew, Eric Byrnes, Conor Jackson, Chris Young, and Mark Reynolds. Whew. Kelly Johnson drove in the only Atlanta run of the night.

Giants 8-Marlins 2

Scott Olsen finally came back down to Earth, surrendering 5 earned runs off of 8 hits in just 3.1 innings pitched, walking 3, striking out 2, and allowing a home run on 81 pitches. Olsen drops to 4-2. He was relieved by Doug Waechter, Renyel Pinto, and Tyler Tankersley, who all pitched much more effectively. Dan Uggla homered for Florida (his 15th of the year) in the ninth, driving in both Marlins runs of the evening.

Barry Zito finally got his first win of the season, giving up just one earned run in 6.1 innings of work, walking 4 and striking out 5. Bengie Molina and Jose Castillo homered for the Giants. Aaron Rowand drove in three runs, and Rich Aurilia drove in two more for San Francisco.

Brett Carroll had to leave the game in the fourth inning after separating his right shoulder. He’ll be placed on the 15-day disabled list.

 

Beast of the Week

Congratulations to Dan Uggla, the first ever back-to-back Beast of the Week winner. This guy is putting the Marlins on his back. As long as Uggla continues to play so well, expect the Marlins to be competitive.

And a pat on the back to Aaron Heilman for being the most efficient Least of the Week in NL Beast history. Aaron was able to clinch the award with only 1/3 of an inning of work. Way to go, Aaron!

Mets shopping Aaron Heilman

According to Adam Rubin, the Mets are shopping RHP Aaron Heilman, and are looking to acquire a set-up man in return. MLB Trade Rumors lists Jon Rauch, David Weathers, Damaso Marte, and John Grabow as possible trade candidates.

While other teams may value Heilman as a starter, it’s hard to believe that he has any trade value at present. If Omar can pull off a miracle and get anything in return for Heilman, that would be phenomenal. It’s time for the Mets to cut ties with Heilman regardless; it’s an unfortunate situation, but it’s the prudent thing to do.

-Jonathan Kraft

Postgame: Braves 6-Mets 1 [BEAST-OFF]

It was clear that Tom Glavine would have to face his former team at some point this season. Glavine’s first start against the Mets ended in his second win of the year and an outing far better than the last time Tom Glavine pitched in a game that included the New York Mets.

Glavine was very effective, surrendering just one earned run in six innings of work on a home run to Luis Castillo, of all people, in the first inning. He walked one and struck out four on just 82 pitches. The Mets countered with John Maine, who did not pitch well. Maine was unable to keep his fastball down in the zone and paid dearly, surrendering four earned runs in just four innings of work on eight hits, walking three and striking out two on 99 pitches–hardly the dominant stuff he showed in his last few starts. Maine drops to 5-3 on the year.

Aaron Heilman continued his fascination with giving up the long ball, giving up his fifth of the year in just 22.2 innings of work, this one a three-run shot to Brian McCann in the 7th. Also driving in runs for the Braves were Mark Teixiera, Yunel Escobar, and Kelly Johnson.

David Wright and Jose Reyes combined to go 2-8 on the day. Once again, when Jose doesn’t get on base, the Mets don’t score runs. The Jekyll and Hyde season continues.

-Jonathan Kraft

Mets Beast of the Week

The New York Mets Beast of the Week is…

David Wright, 3B. A good week for David (.346, .393, .654, 3 RBI, 2 HR, 2 BB, 2 SB) turned into a great weekend for the Mets, as the lineup (finally) started to fire on all cylinders against two tough Yankees pitchers in Andy Pettite and Chien-Ming Wang. If those stats look a bit lean, it’s because the entire team went to sleep against the Nationals. David remains one of the two most important hitters in the lineup, and his production is crucial to the team’s success.

Runners-Up: Jose Reyes, John Maine, Oliver Perez

The Mets least of the week is…

Aaron Heilman. The man who was once considered one of the league’s elite set-up men is now eating innings in middle relief. Maybe he’s injured, maybe he’s just ineffective. But for the week, Aaron pitched a whopping third of an inning in last Wednesday’s loss to Washington. He wasted no time, though, surrendering three earned runs on three hits and a walk, coming in with a whopping 81.00 ERA and 12.00 WHIP on the week. It seems that the days of Aaron Heilman in a Mets uniform may be numbered.

Runners-down: Carlos Delgado, Marlon Anderson, Jorge Sosa

–Jonathan Kraft

State of the Mets

Every Mets blog seems to be publishing a novel today on the State of the Mets, so why not add my two cents. I understand that we just lost 3 of 4 at home to Washington (so much for that 5 for 7 in the homestand) and that we’re going in the Bronx as a .500 team, but all is not lost here. Sure, this was a hiccup. Sure, this was a missed opportunity. Sure, we’re in third place right now, 2.5 games behind the Marlins of all teams, but come on, all is not lost here. It’s only May. I understand that at some point the “it’s only [insert month here]” mantra turns into “yeah, but when are we going to start playing well,” but this team has nowhere to go but up at this point.

Pregame: Nationals at Mets [BEAST-OFF]

The Game:Washington Nationals (17-24) at New York Mets (20-18)

The Matchup:Jason Bergmann (0-1, 11.68) at Mike Pelfrey (2-3, 4.86)

The Story: Aaron Heilman blew last night’s game for the Mets, surrendering three runs in one-third of an inning before being booed off of the field at Shea Stadium. Today, the Mets look to move on and go for the split against Washington. Mike Pelfrey got credited with the loss in the second game of Saturday’s doubleheader against the Reds, but has pitched better of late. He needs to be more aggressive and not get behind in counts in order to find success against the thin Washington lineup, which has the next to lowest batting average of any team in Major League Baseball.

Jason Bergmann returns to the Nationals after being demoted to Triple-A Columbus after a rough April 12 game against Atlanta. Bergmann pitches in the zone–his K/BB ratio this year is 6–so Mets hitters will look to attack the ball.

Should be interesting to see if Scott Schoeneweiss makes it to the game today; he was hospitalized after his arms turned blue and his hands went numb. According to Adam Rubin, this was just a complication from the flu-like symptoms that have been going around the Mets clubhouse lately. Scary stuff.

Late word that Nationals 1B Nick Johnson is being placed on the DL after an MRI revealed a tear of the tendon sheath in his right wrist (whatever that is). Dmitri Young will be recalled from his rehab assignment tomorrow.

For the Mets, Luis Castillo returns to the lineup after missing a couple of games with knee soreness. Marlon Anderson takes Moises Alou‘s place in the day after night lineup despite Alou’s early exit after being ejected last night. Ramon Castro gets the start behind the plate for New York.

For the Nationals, Lastings Milledge shifts to right field after appearing to have lost his center field job. Austin Kearns replaces him. Rob Mackowiak gets the start in left today begging the question, where have you gone, Wily Mo?

Lineups:

Nationals: Lopez (2B), Guzman (SS), Zimmerman (3B), Boone (1B), Milledge (RF), Kearns (CF), Mackowiak (LF), Flores (C), Bergmann (P)

Mets: Reyes (SS), Castillo (2B), Wright (3B), Beltran (CF), Church (RF), Delgado (1B), Castro (C), Anderson (LF), Pelfrey (P)

Postgame: Nationals 5-Mets 3 [BEAST-OFF]

Full recap in the morning, but suffice it to say that Aaron Heilman imploded tonight, giving up 3 runs in a third of an inning in the 7th after Claudio Vargas pitched very well (6.1 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 4 BB, 6 SO, 97 P).

Tim Redding pitched well for the Nationals, holding the Mets to just two hits, one of which was a Brian Schneider home run.

This loss sits squarely on the shoulders of Heilman. Any explaination from Willie should be entertaining, to say the least. My guess is that Aaron isn’t going anywhere, but how nice would it have been to have traded him when the chance arose so many times in the past. The guy is done.

Like I said, more to come in the morning once I’m done fuming.

-Jonathan Kraft

Mets Beast (and least) of the week

Hard decision here, but the Mets Beast of the Week is CF Carlos Beltran. The Mets’ cleanup slugger had been hitting .181 over his last 28 games before this weekend, when, apparently, something clicked. Over his last three games, Beltran has gone 5-11 with 8 RBIs, 2 BB, and a homer. Beltran is key to the success of the Mets lineup, and even if he has gotten hot off of two ineffective Reds pitchers (Matt Belisle, Johnny Cueto), it’s about time that Mets fans have seen some life out of the cleanup spot.

Runners-Up: John Maine, Carlos Delgado, Ryan Church

I hate to do this, because I love the guy, but I have to give the Least of the Week distinction to RHP Duaner Sanchez. Having “earned” the set-up role (after the implosion of Aaron Heilman), Sanchez was clearly expected to show the same flash as he had in 2006, before his tragic, season-ending shoulder injury. It’s a miracle that Duaner is pitching at all, much less in his current role. But with a fastball that tops off at 89, he’s clearly not capable of being a set-up man. After a horrible performance last Saturday (when he gave up five earned runs), Sanchez continued to struggle. His line on the week: 1.2 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO. That contributes to a 2.40 WHIP and 10.80 ERA for the last 7 days. Duaner might be a decent middle reliever this season, but he is not a quality set-up man for Billy Wagner.

Runners-Up: Johan Santana, Luis Castillo, Endy Chavez

-Jonathan Kraft

Postgame: Mets 12-Reds 6 (Game 1)

WP: Johan Santana (4-2, 3.10)

LP: Matt Belisle (1-3, 7.45)

Johan Santana gave up 10 hits, but it didn’t matter, as the Mets bats came to play today at Shea. Carlos Beltran drove in a season-high 5 RBIs, going 2-3 with a walk. Joining him in breaking out of offensive slumps were Carlos Delgado, who went 3-4 with a home run, and Brian Schneider, who went 2-4 with a long ball as well. Moises Alou drove in two runs, and both Ryan Church and David Wright also drove runs in.

Santana was not his dominant self, but he was still effective. Johan allowed 3 runs on 10 hits, walking 1, striking out 5, and giving up a home run to Edwin Encarnacion. Reds starter Matt Belisle did not pitch very well, pitching just 5 innings, allowing 6 runs, 5 earned, on 7 hits, walking 3 and striking out 2.

The Mets’ bullpen did not pitch well today. Aaron Heilman threw 32 pitches in the 7th, and gave up an earned run on a hit and a walk. Pedro Feliciano followed, giving up 2 earned runs on 3 hits. Jorge Sosa shut the door in the 9th, however, and did not surrender a hit.

It’s going to be a different team that takes the field tonight when Mike Pelfrey faces Bronson Arroyo in game two of this doubleheader. The possibility remains that Matt Wise will rejoin the bullpen for that game, which would require a roster move. I’m guessing that the two possibilities are a demotion for Joe Smith, which would be a shame, or a retroactive move of Angel Pagan to the DL. I’d prefer the second, but wouldn’t be surprised if Smith got sent down.

-Jonathan Kraft

Postgame: Dodgers 5-Mets 4

Unacceptable. It is unacceptable to strand 13 runners on base as Hiroki Kuroda blows up in the first few innings, loading the bases not once, but twice, only for Mets hitters to falter in the clutch. It is unacceptable for this team to be hitting a collective .245. And it is unacceptable to let the Dodgers steal the victory that they did last night.

Kuroda was troubled from the start, serving up a long ball to Ryan Church in the first. The man from Osaka then loaded the bases, giving up RBI singles to Luis Castillo and Jose Reyes. The only other time the Mets would score was in the third, when Moises Alou stole home on a great double-steal call by Willie Randolph. As previously mentioned, the Mets stranded 13, yes, 13, on the night. Nelson Figueroa never looked dominant, and his breaking ball missed badly all night. He took the loss, going 5 full innings giving up 5 runs, all earned, on 8 hits, striking out 3 and walking 4. As per usual, when the team is losing, the bullpen pitched very well, with Aaron Heilman, Joe Smith, and Pedro Feliciano each turning in a scoreless inning.

Church barely missed a long fly ball at the wall that allowed Blake DeWitt to hit an inside the park home run. DeWitt might as well be Pat Burrell, because he has been tearing the Mets a new one, going 3-4 with 4 RBI last night. Juan Pierre also drove in a run for the Dodgers.

The Dodgers stole this one, with Hong Chih-Kuo pitching a masterful 3.2 in relief of Kuroda, striking out 8 Mets batters. The Dodgers’ great 8th and 9th combo of Jonathan Broxton and Takashi Saito subsequently finished off the Mets.

Carlos Beltran didn’t start last night because of flu-like symptoms. He struck out pinch hitting in the 8th. Beltran is hitting .219 on the year, by the way.

I’ve been the first one to defend Willie this season, but a few more games like this and my attitude is going to change very quickly.

-Jonathan Kraft

Should Mets demote Heilman?

Mets Today posts about who Omar Minaya should send down to the minors in order to reactivate Matt Wise from the DL. Wise is ready to return, but the problem is, who stays and who goes? I’m nervous that Omar is going to send Joe Smith down, which scares me because Smith has been the Mets best bullpen pitcher so far this year.

Mets Today advocates for the optioning of Aaron Heilman, which would be nice, but it simply not realistic. Heilman would probably just decline the assignment and become a free agent, and would certainly be picked up by another team (I’m not completely sure how this process works, but I believe this is a possibility). As much as Heilman has stunk up the joint so far this year (he has given up 4 home runs in 17 appearances compared to 8 in 81 last season), there’s really just no good way to get rid of him unless Omar makes a move to trade him.

The question is, does he have any value left? It’s looking more and more like O should have traded him over the offseason. Hindsight may be 20/20, but is anyone really surprised that Heilman started this year where he left off last? I’m certainly not.

-Jonathan Kraft

Mets Postgame: 4/29 vs. PIT

Mets 5-Pirates 4 (11)

W: Sosa (3-1)   L: Van Benschoten (0-1)

With their ace Johan Santana on the mound, the New York Mets did not score enough runs to finish off the mediocre Pirates in nine, waiting until the bottom of the 11th before walking off on a David Wright shot to deep right field.

Santana pitched well but couldn’t keep his pitch count down, going only 5.2 (2 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 7 SO), giving up both runs on solo shots to Nate McLouth (on the first at bat of the game) and Jason Bay.

Pirates starter Ian Snell wasn’t great, going 4.1 (5 H, 4 ER, 5 BB, 2 SO) before getting into a jam. The Bucs pen held up very nicely until the 11th when John Van Benschoten (who?) gave up the winning hit to David.

Jose Reyes broke out of his slump, going 3-3 with 3 walks and a triple and providing the momentum the Mets needed on the bases, especially late in the game. This is what the Mets need–like I’ve said time and time again, when Reyes gets on base, the Mets win.

Ryan Church continued his hot streak, homering off of Ian Snell in the 4th. Carlos Delgado received a huge ovation for his first at-bat but was booed for the rest of the game as he went 0-5 and killed many a rally. Delgado continues to look dead at the plate. He has flashes of his old self, which was clearly evident the other day. But he is clearly just a shadow of what he used to be.

The real story tonight is the Mets bullpen, which blew this game for Johan. Sure, Billy Wagner takes the bulk of the heat with his first blown save of the year. But each reliever tonight got into a sticky situation before getting bailed out. Duaner Sanchez is obviously Willie’s new choice for a set up man, but could barely get the ball over the plate tonight. Aaron Heilman continues to struggle mightily and got a nice round of boos tonight. Joe Smith was nowhere to be found, even though he has been the team’s second most consistent reliever this year. It’s not my intention to go on a rant, but I’ll say this. Willie needs to understand that relievers are inconsistent. If they were more consistent, they’d be starters (or elite relievers like Wagner, who is the only elite reliever on the team). Therefore, when you’re in a tight situation, you go with your “hot” relievers. Also, why Willie didn’t bring Wagner in for the 8th when Duaner was stuck in a tight situation in the middle of the Pirates order, I have no idea. It’s incredibly frustrating.

Oh and by the way, Raul Casanova‘s defense is subpar, to say the last. Get well soon, Brian.

Check out the Liveblog I kept for more information on the game (until I got too frustrated to write, anyway).

-Jonathan Kraft

How about Heilman for Nady?

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette highlights players who the Pirates might try to unload at some point this year, including 1B/OF Xavier Nady.

I’ve talked about getting Nady back a lot, maybe too much, but he really would be such a perfect addition to the Mets this season. MLB Trade Rumors suggests a possible Nady-Aaron Heilman swap, saying that Heilman could be converted into a starter for the Pirates (they could really use one right about now).

I’d personally be surprised if Pirates GM Neal Huntington would want to try and convert Heilman to a starter, but obviously every team has a different philosophy on player development. As far as the Mets losing Heilman, I wouldn’t lose too much sleep–it’s time to move on from Aaron. I would support using Joe Smith or Duaner Sanchez to set up Billy Wagner (assuming each continues to be effective), looking for the possible promotion of Eddie Kunz later this season. As far as the extra roster spot, Matt Wise or Carlos Muniz would be more than adequate candidates.

-Jonathan Kraft