Mr. Flushing - Mets News, Audio, Video, Pictures and Analysis

Shea Coming Down Quickly

2008-11-06T19:21:00.000-05:00

A clip of the demolition from Oct 21st

Mr. Flushing To Return Sept 3rd

2008-08-24T11:01:00.002-04:00

Mr. Flushing will be back and better than ever on Sept 3rd. After his vacation and Olympic commitments, he will finish his rehab stint and be raring to go as the Mets play more meaningful and historic baseball this September...

Bizzaro Season in Flushing

2008-08-08T17:24:00.003-04:00

Mets Only 2 Games Out Despite Constant Ineptness

Sometimes I sit and wonder why I'm still a Met fan. Rooting for this team is a full time job. All of the things that you expect to go right, go wrong - and vice versa. This is not a normal season and this is not a normal team.

Starting Pitching

This is hard to figure out....Johan Santana has pitched his ass off. Thanks to the bullpen he's only got 9 wins. Mike Pelfrey may have turned the corner in his young career. He has 10 wins. John Maine's arm is tired. The 'finished' Pedro Martinez is starting to look like the old Pedro Martinez and Oliver Perez is an absolute enigma - Sandy Koufax one week, Sandy Duncan the next.

Bullpen

The biggest joke in baseball. Blown saves all over the place. Billy Wagner is bad and the rest are worse. Aaron Heilman should be arrested for impersonating a baseball pitcher. Duaner Sanchez used to have one of the game's liveliest arms. Now you can clock his fastball with a sun dial.

Infield

Carlos Delgado, who was almost run out of town earlier this year, is tearing it up like its the 1990's again. Apparently he and ex-manager Willie Randolph did not see eye to eye. In fact they had spoken in over a year. Under new manager, Jerry Manuel, Delgado is revitalized. He's started every game since the All-Star break batting .348 with 6 HRs and 18 RBI.

Second base - the Mets' annual open slot - was supposed to be occupied by Luis Castillo, but he can't stay healthy. So, the Mets are going with journeyman Damion Easley and rookie Argenis Reyes. Isn't this New York? What are we doing with these guys?

Shortstop and Third Base - Jose Reyes and David Wright are doing just what one would have expected. So, why are the Mets still wallowing in mediocrity?

Outfield

Carlos Beltran is underachieving - again. He looks at too many pitches in key hitting situations. What a waste. Fans are fed up with him. Moises Alou did the expected - he got hurt. His career may be over. Ryan Church has not been able to shake the cobwebs from 2 concussions he suffered this season. His career, also, is up in the air. So, the Mets are using all and every live body available. The crazy part: Fernando Tatis - long thought to be dead in baseball terms - is alive and well. He led all MLers in BA for July (.397). The club has also promoted Nick Evans and Dan Murphy - who is impressing the Mets' brass.

Catcher

Brian Schneider was supposed to solve many of the Mets catching woes. But he can't hit, and the Mets need offense. So, the Mets are using Ramon Castro more than they'd like to. He's a decent hitter, but getting him to commit to increased action has been difficult. What?

Summary

With all of the craziness, the Mets are only 2 games behind Philly. Go figure. I have tried to take my eyes off the Mets, but they have made it difficult for me.

Mr. Flushing Is On Vacation

2008-08-05T10:10:00.002-04:00

To our loyal readers....

Mr. Flushing is currently vacationing. When he returns next week, this blog will no longer be a daily - but a bi-weekly, and even that is questionable - depending on how the club is doing.

At this point in time Mr. Flushing is not encouraged by the Mets' actions on and off the field.

The decision to promote players from within the organization during a pennant race instead of seeking outside, veteran help is a sign that the Mets aer unwilling to increase payroll.

Ticket sales for the new CitiField are still undetermined. The club is concerned that many current season ticket holders will not renew their accounts at the new facility. Even though the Mets' payroll will be approximately $45 million less after this season, it is apparently not a valid enough reason for the club to take on additional financial commitments. In this climate of economic uncertainty, the New York Mets have chosen not to compete in the elite sphere of the Yankees, Red Sox and Dodgers. They have decided to conduct business like a small-market franchise.

There is nothing wrong with showing financial restraint. The issue I have is that while the team tightens its belt, it is asking the fans to loosen theirs. The axiom "the customer comes first" is not upheld in the business of Major League Baseball.

I will be writing a scathing article on how the Shea dynamic will not be transferred to CitiField. A totally new, transient fan base will be occupying seats in locations where diehards once existed. The new fan dynamic will be based on economics.

I understand the team did not want to mortgage the future - a philosophy that has failed this organization in the past - but there has to be concessions made to the loyal customers who have stood by this team during some extremely disappointing times.

Maine Has Mild Roto Strain

2008-07-29T22:38:00.002-04:00

Righty Isn't Doubting Manager Now

John Maine was visibly pissed when he was removed from Monday's game in the 5th inning by manager Jerry Manuel. Maine protested to Manuel that he was ok to continue, but Manuel and Mets pitching coach would have none of it.

Maine was back in NY for an MRI today where it was revealed that he had a mild rotator cuff strain and he will most likely be forced to miss a turn. He will rejoin the Mets in Houston for the weekend series.

Braves Trade Teixeira to Angels

The Braves traded Mark Teixeira to the LA Angels today for 1B Casey Kotchman nad a minor leaguer. Earlier this week, the Braves placed both Chipper Jones and Tim Hudson on the DL....who's left down there?

Win Gives Mets Some Breathing Room

The Mets 4-1 win behind Oliver Perez tonite in Miami gave them a 2-game cushion on Florida, but the Phillies beat the Nationals in Washington to remain only a half-game behind the Mets

Marlins Tighten Up The Race

2008-07-29T06:57:00.004-04:00

Maine Leaves Game With Stiff Shoulder; Mets Fall, 7-3

VIDEO

We've been trying to figure out how these Florida Marlins have stayed competitive in the NL East this year. They play horrendous defense and don't seem to have a whole lot of depth.

That notwithstanding, they do play with heart and do not give in. On Monday night in Miami, they took full advantage of John Maine's early departure and went on th flog the Mets' rested bullpen in a very telling 7-3 victory.

Their win over the sloppy, first-place Mets moved them to within a game of first place in the NL East. The idle Phillies are just a 1/2 game ahead of them.

The Mets had leads of 2-0 and 2-1 until the Marlins tied it in the sixth and then burst for 5 more in the 8th to seal the win.

Main was reluctantly removed by manager Jerry Manuel in the top of the fifth with what we found out later was a stiff shoulder.

“I didn’t like what I saw, so to be on the safe side, I got him out,” Manuel said.

Maine, who had only thrown 75 pitches to that point said he had felt pain in the back of his shoulder since his last start.

“It was sore, but I told them I could go out there and pitch,” he said.

YaHoo!Notes

RHP Pedro Martinez will throw a bullpen session Tuesday afternoon and, barring complications, start Friday night at Houston. Manager Jerry Manuel said Martinez would face hitters during Tuesday’s workout and be held to 80 pitches against the Astros. Martinez has not pitched since he left his July 12 start with tightness in his right shoulder caused by altering his delivery because of a strained right groin.

• RF Ryan Church shagged flyballs and jogged Monday and will take batting practice Tuesday. “It is in the distance, but it is there,” Church said, when asked if he could see the end of the tunnel. Church is on the disabled list with post-concussion syndrome.

• LF Fernando Tatis will remain in the lineup when OF Ryan Church returns. Manager Jerry Manuel said Tatis will stay in left field, and OF Endy Chavez will be used for late-inning defense. “I’m surprised to hear that,” Tatis said. “I am very happy with the way I am playing right now.”

• CF Carlos Beltran will not move up to the second spot in the batting order, said manager Jerry Manuel. When he got the job, Manuel said he liked to use the second spot to shake players from slumps, but without OF Ryan Church, he won’t tinker with Beltran because he would shorten the order and he didn’t want to disrupt the winning combination the team has had.

• LHP Oliver Perez (6-6, 4.15 ERA) will make his 22nd start of the season Tuesday at Florida. He is 4-3 with a 4.93 ERA lifetime against the Marlins, including beating them 13-0 on April 2.

• RHP John Maine left Monday night’s game after 4 1/3 innings with stiffness in his right shoulder. Maine gave up one run and struck out six while throwing 75 pitches. The Mets list him day-to-day. Maine will go to New York Tuesday for an MRI.

By The Numbers: 53—Projected stolen bases for shortstop Jose Reyes. If that happens, it would snap a string of three straight seasons of over 60 steals for Reyes.

Quote To Note: “I know what my job is. I want to give us a chance to win every time, to be consistent. I think I have been. Could it be better? Maybe. But today I wanted to give us a chance to win and give the bullpen a chance to rest. I’m very happy I did that.”—Left-hander Johan Santana on pitching a complete game Sunday in a 9-1 victory over St. Louis.

Johhhhannn...Johhhannn!

2008-07-27T16:47:00.002-04:00

Mets Ace Living Up To Billing

Jo-han!...clunk, clunk! Jo-han!...clunk, clunk!

That was what was heard here at Shea in the 9th inning. Johan Santana mowing down St. Louis Cardinal batters to the rhythm of the fans' chants augmented by the hollow beat of the ever-present Cow-Bell-Man.

Santana pitched the Mets first complete game in nearly two years, and his teammates knocked Cards' starter Kyle Lohse out of the box with a 5-run fifth inning as the Mets continued their torrid July with a dominating 9-1 victory.

For the first time this season we got to see the Johan Santana the Flushing faithful had been promised. He was masterful. His performance, combined with the 17-hit offensive output (including 2 by Santana himself)was enough to put any casual onlooker on alert: the Mets are back, and they are a force to be reckoned with...

The Mets will now go to Florida for three very important games.

Sunday Morning Roundtable

2008-07-27T08:44:00.002-04:00

Pujols' homer in 14th lifts Cards past Mets

Man falls from escalator at Shea

Delgado's on fire at perfect time

Mets Searching For Relief

Manuel: Beltran Needs Work, Not Rest

Pelfrey, Delgado Lead Romp Of Cardinals

2008-07-26T00:45:00.001-04:00

Mets Are In First By Two Full Games

READ MORE

Mets Make Quick Work Of Phils

2008-07-24T14:33:00.002-04:00

Win Rubber Game, 3-1, in Just 2:18

Carlos Delgado smacked a two-run double in the bottom of the 8th off Philadelphia reliever JC Romero to put the Mets in front, 3-1. Billy Wagner then closed it out in the 9th.

Oliver Perez went 7 2/3, allowing 3 hits while striking out 12 and walking only one. He was relieved by Aaron Heilman in the 8th after he plunked Ryan Howard.

The Mets are now 1 full game ahead of the Phillies in the NL East after being written off after their meltdown on Tuesday night. What a difference 2 days make.

Wagner Returns And The Mets Bounce Back

2008-07-23T22:43:00.007-04:00

Closer Saves Solid Effort By Maine

The Mets weren't about to hand the Phillies another win tonight. Billy Wagner was available in the 9th inning this time and preserved the 6-3 lead, pulling the Mets back into a flat-footed tie with Philly in the NL East.

Jose Reyes broke the 3-3 tie with a 3-run HR in the bottom of the 6th off Ryan Madson to put the Mets in front for good.

The Marlins lost to Atlanta keeping them 1 full game behind the Mets and Phillies.

John Maine (9-7) pitched 7 solid innings, winning for the first time since June 25th.

Wagner blasted an unnamed writer after the game for misquoting him after last night's loss. Apparently some idiot quoted Wagner insinuating that he wished he would have pitched after seeing the outcome...

Notes

Tomorrow the Mets and Phils will face off in a businessman's special. Gametime is set for 12:10 pm.

Pedro Martinez was slated to start Friday night against St. Louis after skipping a turn in the rotation because of a groin injury. That will not happen now because Martinez learned tonight that his father, Paulino, passed away today after a long illness. He will be returning to DR for an indefinite period of time to spend time with his family.

Manager Jerry Manuel moved streaking Carlos Delgado up to the cleanup spot and dropped Beltran to fifth. It was the first time Beltran batted fifth since June 15, 2003, with Kansas City

Bullpen Falters In Wagner's Absence

2008-07-22T22:51:00.004-04:00

Mets Blow 3-run Lead in 9th, Fall 8-6 to Phils

Johan Santana must be thinking what more he has to do to win another game for the Mets. In his last 8 starts, Santana has only one victory to show for his work. He has only one win since June 1st. Ludicrous.

The Mets' ace pitched 8 strong innings again for the Mets tonight only to have the bullpen and the defense throw it away on him.

I'm not going to get into detail...ok I will...The Mets were without the services of their closer, Billy Wagner - who is day-to-day with a stiff shoulder. So, with the score 5-2 Mets after 8, Jerry Manuel decided that Duaner Sanchez, Joe Smith, Pedro Feliciano and Aaron Heilman instead. Result: The Phillies scored 6 runs in the top of the ninth to put these sorry Mets out of their misery.

Are we collapsing again? Why can't we play in the clutch? Why is it the Mets who are continuously spitting the bit these days?

Sanchez loaded the bases, surrendering 3 hits. Joe Smith got Carlos Ruiz to ground to Jose Reyes, who did not step on 2nd and failed to throw to first. All hands safe, with a run in. Score: 5-3. Pedro Feliciano came in to face So Taguchi - yes, THAT So Taguchi - who doubled over the head of Endy Chavez in RF tying the score at 5. Jimmy Rolling then doubled to LF scoring 2 more runs. Score: 7-5. Later in the inning, Feliciano mishandled a sure DP Ryan Howard allowing another run to score.

Other frustrating moments in the game...Endy Chavez was thrown out at the plate twice tonight....in addition the Mets left 8 men on base....there was simply no reason to let this game get away.

The full house was painfully reminded that this Met team STILL may not be over the monumental collapse of 2007...

Mets Brace For Philly

2008-07-22T13:50:00.003-04:00

Santana Will Go vs Blanton in Opener

Phillies (53-46) at Mets (53-46)

Tonight
Joe Blanton (5-12, 4.96) vs Johan Santana (8-7, 3.10)
Wednesday Night
Brett Myers (3-9, 5.84) vs John Maine (8-7, 4.22)
Thursday Afternoon - 12:10 PM
Jamie Moyer (9-6, 3.90) vs Oliver Perez (6-6, 4.36)

Notes

The Mets are 7-3 thus far this season against the Phillies.

Angel Pagan is scheduled to fly to Los Angeles today to visit Dr. Lewis Yocum regarding a second opinion on his left shoulder.

Billy Wagner underwent a MRI this morning at the Hospital for Special Surgery which revealed no structure damage…The diagnosis was a muscle spasm around his left shoulder…He is day-to-day.

Jose Reyes established a franchise record with his 63rd career triple in the fourth inning on July 20th at Cincinnati…Reyes passed Mookie Wilson, who had 62 triples during his career…Reyes collected 63 triples in 693 games while it took Wilson 1,050 games to record 62 triples…Reyes leads the majors with 11 triples…San Francisco’s Fred Lewis is second with nine…Reyes became the first player in franchise history to lead off consecutive games (June 21st and June 22nd at Colorado) with a triple…The last major leaguer with consecutive triples to lead off a game was Pittsburgh’s Nyjer Morgan on September 19-20, 2007.

Reyes also became the first player in major league history to have 20 or more doubles (23), 10 or more triples (10), 10 or more home runs (10) and 30 or more stolen bases (32) before the All-Star Break…Info courtesy of the Elias Sports Bureau

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Jerry Manuel is the first Mets manager since Bud Harrelson in 1990 to post a 10-game winning streak this early in his tenure…Manuel and Harrelson both accomplished the feat within their first 27 games as manager.

The Mets won 10 games in a row from July 5th – July 17th, which was their longest winning streak since they won 10 straight games from July 1-13, 1991…It was also tied for the fifth-longest streak in franchise history…

THIS DATE IN SHEA STADIUM HISTORY
JULY 22 – Jeff Kent hit a grand slam in the first inning as the Mets topped the Giants at Shea, 6-3 on July 22,1994…The Mets swept a doubleheader from the Braves, 6-1 and 5-1, between Dwight Gooden and David Cone on July 22, 1988.

TOMORROW IN SHEA STADIUM HISTORY
JULY 23 – Jethro Tull rocks Shea in a huge concert on July 23, 1976…Ed Kranepool collected three hits and drove in three runs to helped the Mets edge the Reds, 5-2, at Shea on July 23, 1975.

Just Win, Baby....

2008-07-21T09:53:00.002-04:00

Mets Hold Key To Post Season In Their Own Hands

99 games into this tumultuous season the Mets are right in the thick of both the NL East and wild-card races.

The battle lines are clear: the Phillies and the Marlins in the East and the Cubs, Cardinals and Brewers for the wild-card.

The Mets will have their work cut out for them, but they can easily control their own destiny because they play nearly half their remaining games against the other contenders:

Marlins - 12 games
Phillies - 8 games
Cubs - 4 games
Brewers - 3 games
Cardinals - 3 games

The mission is obviously win those series and to win 40 of the last 63 games to insure a post-season berth.

Treading Water On the Ohio

2008-07-20T23:07:00.004-04:00

Mets Leave the Queen City Tied For First

It wasn't pretty, but who cares. The Reds were a game bunch and the Mets will take a split here in Cincinnati and be done with it.

After getting emabarrassed by Josh Fogg last night, they came out today loaded for bear, knocking phenom Edinson Volquez out of the box. Mike Pelfrey was less than spectacular, so the game ended up going extra innings.

The Mets outlasted the Reds, 7-5 and are now tied for the NL East lead with Philadelphia, who are coming into Shea for a 3-game set this Tuesday....

Wagner to have shoulder examined

CINCINNATI (TICKER) —New York Mets closer Billy Wagner will have his left shoulder examined Monday after experiencing tightness in his pitching arm during Sunday’s contest.

Wagner struck out the side during a perfect 10th inning, recording his 24th save in New York’s 7-5 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday.

The lefthander apparently said he has felt discomfort in his left shoulder for about two weeks and is taking advantage of New York’s off-day on Monday to have it examined.

“I hope I don’t have to spend that much time in the city,” Wagner said. “I’m old - I’m supposed to hurt.”

The Mets open a three-game series with the Philadelphia Phillies, with whom they are currently tied for first place in the National League East, on Tuesday.

“It doesn’t seem bad,” Wagner said. “If it is, I’ll miss the first game (of the Phillies series). And if we’re winning by more than three (runs), that won’t matter.”

Notes

Reyes’ four-hit day included a triple, his 63rd with the Mets, moving one ahead of Mookie Wilson for the franchise record. … 2B Luis Castillo is expected to resume baseball-related workouts in Florida on Monday. Castillo has been on the disabled list since July 3 with a strained left hip. … Ramon Castro took Edinson Volquez deep today - not a common occurrence...The only other homer that Volquez has allowed at Great American Ball Park was hit by Cleveland’s Michael Aubrey on May 18.

Sleepwalking in a Fogg in Cincinnati

2008-07-20T08:30:00.006-04:00

Mets Mystify Fans With Throwaway Effort

The Mets were caught in the middle of a Fogg on Saturday night.

Josh Fogg, that is. The Reds' starter, who had a an incredible 7.94 ERA entering the game, throttled the lifeless Mets - his best start of the year and perhaps in his checkered career. The Mets only managed to score only 2 runs on ten hits off Fogg and 3 Red relievers, snuffing out their own rallies with ground ball double plays and caught-looking strikeouts.

Carlos Beltran looked liked he just didn't want to be there at all. David Wright flinched in the clutch - as did most Mets - and the bullpen returned to their old form widening the gap by just bleeding runs.

Beltran made two uncharacteristically bad plays in the outfield that led to two key Red rallies. He got a bad jump on Ken Griffey's liner to CF in the 3rd, a play that Beltran usually makes, and then kicked around Jeff Keppinger's double in the Reds' 4-run 7th inning.

Jerry Manuel also made som bad decisions. He chose to pitch to Adam Dunn in the 7th, hoping for a double play. Dunn is a not a groundball hitter. He either strikes out or hits the ball in the air. In fact his last six hits to that point had been home runs. He ended that streak by smacking a single to right, driving in a run and keeping the rally going.

David Wright went 3-4 but he and Beltran both struck out with the bases loaded to quell the Mets' rally in the 7th.

The Mets did not lose any ground to the Phillies, because they lost in Florida on Saturday, but the Marlins moved to within a half game of the Mets with that victory.

Winning Streak Is Over

2008-07-18T22:40:00.004-04:00

Maine, Mets Run Out Of Luck

John Maine only went 5 innings again Friday night in Cincinnati. Mets fell to the Reds, 5-2, their first loss in 11 games....

First Place Is Fitting For These Mets

2008-07-18T09:33:00.003-04:00

Top Reds For 10th Straight

How do you measure success? That's easy for the Mets to do these days. Just look at the standings....

The Mets took a piece of first place in the NL East from the idle Phillies last night with a 10-8 victory over the Reds in Cincinnati. Johan Santana did not look the Mae West as they say, getting smacked around for 5 runs in the bottom of the 4th and was removed from the game.

Notes

Delgado’s homer was his 449th, tying Jeff Bagwell for 33rd on the career list. … The last time the Mets won 10 straight was in July 1991. … Mets RHP Pedro Martinez will miss his scheduled start Sunday against the Reds. He got an injection Thursday to help his groin strain heal. He could start Tuesday against Philadelphia. … RHP Mike Pelfrey will start in Martinez’s place Sunday. Pelfrey hasn’t allowed a run in his last 16 innings.

Mets Smokin' At the Break....

2008-07-16T21:25:00.000-04:00

NY Daily News Adam Rubin Talks on ESPN First Take

Wagner's Latest Failure is Unnerving

2008-07-16T16:37:00.002-04:00

As Mets Prepare For a Pennant Run, Their Closer Poses Doubts

Last night, the National League was poised to break their long All-Star schneid. For the past eleven years the American League had won 10 and tied once, leaving the NLers determined to win come hell of high water.

With a 3-2 lead and 2 out in the 8th inning, NL manager Clint Hurdle decided to replace San Francisco reliever Brian Wilson with Mets closer Billy Wagner. Big mistake. Wagner was touched for a single by Cleveland's Grady Sizemore, who promptly stole second. Tampa's Evan Longoria then doubled into the left field corner, scoring Sizemore to tie the game at 3. The AL would go on to win a 15-inning battle of attrition, 4-3, finally ending at 1:37 Wednesday morning.

Wagner's failure not only blew the NL's chance to ruin the Yankee Stadium lovefest, he cost the NL champion home field advantage in the upcoming World Series. He also made every Met fan from Canarsie to Commack as nervous as hell.

If you care to recall, this was not the first big game blown by Billy Wagner. In Game 2 of the 2006 NLCS, Wagner gave up a HR in the top of the 9th to light-hitting So Taguchi which gave the Cardinals the victory. The Mets would lose the series in 7 games. Then this season, after being lights out for the first two months or so, Wagner has blown 6- count 'em - 6 saves in the past 6 weeks. Uh-oh....

Now comes the All-Star failure. The Mets are looking to avenge their poor 2007 finish. They will need all hands on deck to get to the post season and make something of themselves. Wagner is a huge part of that plan. If he can't perform under pressure this season may turn out much like last year.

Church, Pagan On Road Back to Shea

2008-07-14T21:09:00.003-04:00

Injured OFs Scheduled to Return to Action Soon

Mets outfielder Ryan Church received encouraging news when a second opinion at the Cleveland Clinic determined his headaches were migraines and not post-concussion syndrome.

Church said he’s hopeful of coming off the disabled list when he’s eligible to be reinstated, July 21.

“I believe I’ll be back sooner than what a lot of people are saying out there and what I’ve been reading,” Church said.

“I definitely think I’ll be back and won’t be sitting the rest of the year out.”
ADVERTISEMENT

Prior to the second opinion, Church had missed extended periods on four occasions since he was injured, May 20.

Each time he had been cleared by the Mets’ medical staff only to sit down again.

“Whenever doctors feel that he’s clear and he says he’s clear, then we’ll go with it,” general manager Omar Minaya said.

Church said he’s suffered with migraines since high school.

Notes

• OF Fernando Martinez, who went 1-for-2 in the Futures Game Sunday during the All-Star festivities, could be a more likely option to be promoted to fill the Mets’ outfield void rather than be part of a trade for an established player such as Colorado’s Matt Holliday or Cincinnati’s Adam Dunn. “This is amazing, but I want to be with the Mets,” Martinez said.

• OF Angel Pagan, on the disabled list with a bruised left shoulder, could be activated at the start of the second half.

• 1B Carlos Delgado was frequently criticized and booed in the first half, but he entered the second half with 17 homers and 52 RBIs and is on pace to finish with 29 homers and 89 RBIs.

from YaHoo!

Mets End 1st Half On High Note

2008-07-13T22:44:00.002-04:00

Pelfrey Leads Mets To 9th Straight Victory

Do we really have to break for the All-Star Game right now? The Mets are on a roll, battering the Rockies, 7-0, behind the shutdown pitching of Mike Pelfrey and the big bats of Carlos y Carlos.

Pelfrey pitched 8 more scoreless innings before giving way to Joe Smith in the 9th. It was the Mets' 4th shutout in the past 7 games, a milestone last reached in the championship season of 1969.

Carlos Beltran went 3-4 highlighted by a 3-run HR in the first inning. Delgado smacked a towering 2-run Strawberrian blast in the bottom of the 5th that brought the lively crowd to its feet.

But the story here tonight was the pitching. The coming-of-age of Mike Pelfrey has the fans buzzing. The big right-hander has won 6 consecutive decisions and lowered his ERA to 3.64 on the season.

Notes

The Mets have not won 9 straight since their pennant-winning season of 2000.

The bullpen has not allowed a run in 19 1/3 innings.

The Phillies won Sunday afternoon to assure themselves sole possession of first place in the NL East at the break. The Mets are 1/2 game behind but even in the loss column, and the Marlins are 1 1/2 back.

The team to watch in the 2nd half may not be the Phillies or Marlins but the Braves. Atlanta leads the NL in ERA and is third in hitting. The Mets are 3rd in pitching and fourth in hitting.

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Mets Closing in on PhIls

2008-07-13T08:41:00.003-04:00

Only 1/2 Game Out After Win Over Rockies

The Mets won 3-0 at Shea yesterday, their 8th consecutive win and third shutout in 4 games. The victory, combined with a Phillies' loss to Arizona has put the Mets and the Florida Marlins just 1/2 game behind Philadelphia in the NL East.

Pedro Martinez was pulled from the game after the fourth inning by manager Jerry Manuel as a precaution. After the game, Manuel said he thought Martinez' surgically repaired shoulder was bothering him. It wasn't.

Notes

The bullpen ran its scoreless streak to 181/3 innings... the Mets set a modern baseball record by limiting their opponent to three hits or fewer for the fifth straight game.....Since the Mets are only sending one pitcher -Billy Wagner - to the All-Star game, Manuel hinted that all pitchers would be available for Sunday's game, including Johan Santana.

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Pre Game Press Notes

2008-07-12T14:38:00.003-04:00

REMAINING GAMES AT SHEA (including today): 37

LINCOLN MERCURY COUNTDOWN UNVEIL:
SNY Broadcaster Gary Cohen

THIS DATE IN SHEA STADIUM HISTORY
JULY 12th Against the Dodgers, the Mets jumped out to their fastest start in club history scoring eight runs in the first inning en route to a 12-5 victory on July 12, 1979 at Shea.

TOMORROW IN SHEA STADIUM HISTORY
JULY 13 New York trailed the Cubs, 2-1, at Shea on July 13, 1977, In the sixth inning with Lenny Randle at the plate the lights at Shea flicker off as New York City in plunged into darkness for two straight days during the citys historic blackout?Tommie Agee cracked two home runs to help the Mets sweep the Expos, 4-3, and 9-7 at Shea on July 13, 1969 The Amazins were just 4.5 games behind the Cubs.

ALL-STAR GAME: Lefthanded pitcher BILLY WAGNER was named to the All-Star team for the sixth time in his career and the second time as a member of the Mets. The All-Star Game will take place at Yankee Stadium on July 15th Wagner was also named to the NL All-Star squad last year, where he pitched 1.0 inning?Billy also was named to the All-Star team in 1999, 2001, 2003 and 2005. On July 11th, Rockies Manager and Major League Baseball added DAVID WRIGHT to the team to replace injured Cubs outfielder Alfonso Soriano. It will be Wright's third consecutive All-Star appearance In 2006 he became just the second Met, joining Lee Mazzilli to hit a home run in an All-Star Game. David was the 14th player to hit a home run in his first ASG at-bat?The three All-Star appearances are the most-ever by a Mets third baseman, surpassing Howard Johnson (1989, 1991).

Notes, Quotes

• 3B David Wright was named to replace injured Chicago Cubs OF Alfonso Soriano on the NL All-Star team. “When you get this close to being an All-Star and getting a chance to participate in New York, you want it,” said Wright.

• LHP Oliver Perez continues to baffle manager Jerry Manuel. On Friday night against Colorado, Perez didn’t allow a hit until the fifth inning, but walked six hitters. Perez has given up two runs in his last three starts.

• The Mets will be buyers at the July 31 trade deadline, but prudent purchasers, warned GM Omar Minaya. “Are we going to be in the marketplace looking for guys to improve? Yes,” Minaya said. “But it has to be the right guy.”

• RHP Pedro Martinez (3-2, 6.86 ERA) will try to take the next step Saturday against Colorado following last Monday’s start at Philadelphia when he allowed two runs in 5 1/3 innings. On June 21, the Rockies hit him for six runs in 4 1/3 innings.

• 1B Carlos Delgado was hit in the chest by a line drive in batting practice, but played and went 1-for-4 Friday night. “You can’t hurt me,” Delgado teased.

• OF Angel Pagan, on the disabled list with a bruised left shoulder, played in his first full rehab game Friday for Class A St. Lucie.

• RHP Orlando Hernandez, on the disabled list recovering from right foot surgery, gave up two runs in 5 2/3 innings in a rehab start for Class A St. Lucie on Friday night. Hernandez threw 79 pitches while striking out five and walking one. Hernandez is expected back in early August.

By The Numbers: 1—Only one Met, closer Billy Wagner, was selected to the National League All-Star team. The Mets had 15 total representatives the previous four seasons.

Quote To Note: “We’ve not played well, and that’s a reflection of a number of representatives we’ll have.”—Mets third baseman David Wright, on the team’s All-Star representative.

FERNANDO MARTINEZ: Mets minor league outfielder Fernando Martinez was named to the World Roster for the 2008 Futures Game which will be played at Yankee Stadium on July 13th. Martinez is hitting .294 (64-218) with 12 doubles, two triples, four home runs and 21 RBI in 52 games with Binghamton (AA) of the Eastern League this season.

RECENT METS: The Mets have won seven games in a row, which is their longest winning streak since they won seven straight games from August 17-24, 2006?. New York is 9-2 in its last 11 games.

CARLOS DELGADO

2 home runs to 449 (Ties Jeff Bagwell for 33rd place on the All-Time List)

PITCHING IN:
THREE HITS OR LESS: The Mets have held their opponent to three hits in four consecutive games?It is the first time in franchise history that New York has yielded three hits or fewer in four straight games?San Francisco had exactly three hits in each of their three games vs. the Mets and last night, Colorado was held to three hits.

THIS HOMESTAND: New York?s pitching staff has surrendered four runs over 36.0 innings, for a 1.00 ERA over the first four games of this homestand.

THE PEN: New York's bullpen has not allowed a run in its last 13.1 innings of work (spanning four contests)The bullpen is 2-0 during that stretch.

LATELY: The Mets have held the opposition to three runs or less in 10 of their last 17 games.

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Easley Does It! Mets Win 7th Straight

2008-07-11T22:28:00.004-04:00

Another Well-Pitched Game for NY

For the 4th consecutive game Mets pitching allowed only 3 hits. And, as you would imagine they won again - for the 7th straight game, 2-1 over Colorado.

Damion Easley's solo blast sealed the game in the bottom of the 8th. New day, new hero.

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