Mets Fans Forever

The 2011 Season - some thoughts

Author: Clare Lafferty

Well, the 2011 Mets season is finally over - some would be glad to see it come to an end. After all, the Mets actually had a worse record this year than last by 2 games. And at times, the season was hard to watch. But I choose to look at the positives.

Jose Reyes - our 2011 Batting Champ!  Jose had an amazing year even with the 2 stints on the DL. Yes, some people were annoyed that he came out of yesterday's game in the 1st inning, but I didn't care. Jose showed this year why he is one of the most exciting players in the majors. He lead the league in hitting and triples and was fun to watch. Did I see him get his last hit as a Met? Maybe. But hopefully, Jose will be back. If he isn't, well then let me take this opportunity to thank him for all the great times he gave us Mets fans.

Our youngters - With all the injuries this year, the Mets were able to bring up some young talent and give them a shot. I particularly enjoyed watching Dillon Gee, Ruben Tejada, and  Justin Turner play. I also liked Lucas Duda and the late season emergence of Nick Evans. They played hard and Terry Collins had to be happy with their performance. It gives me hope for the future and I am looking forward to next year.

The bullpen - with Francisco Rodriguez gone, Collins had to make decisions regarding the bullpen. I think that Bobby Parnell can be a good closer with some work. His fastball is blazing but he needs to develop other pitches. I also thought that Manny Acosta did a good job as well. Collins needs to evaluate the other relief pitchers (Igarashi, Carrasco, Isringhausen, Beato and Byrdak)  to see who would be a good fit for 2012

Starting pitching - I really enjoyed watching R.A. Dickey and Chris Capuano pitch this year. They both deserved to win more games than they did but they both pitched with heart. The Mets need to decide how to get Mike Pelfrey right for 2012 and hopefully we will have Johan Santana back. I think that Jon Niese has the potential to improve in 2012. Starting and relief pitching needs to be a priority in 2012 - all championship teams win with pitching.

The rest - David Wright had a subpar year mainly due to the 2 months he spent on the DL. We never really saw Ike Davis play at all this year and Daniel Murphy also had a rough year yet again. But if these 3 can come back in 2012 healthy, I think the Mets have the potential to improve on 2011. Jason Bay had another tough year but showed signs of the player we know he can be at times. Angel Pagan had a down year after 2010 but I still have confidence in his playing abilities. Willie Harris did a great job pinch hitting and was solid in the field when called upon to play. Jason Pridie also did a good job when asked.

Finally, the manager..

When I heard that Terry Collins was going to be the Mets manager in 2011, I said like a lot of people did "Terry Who?". But I was pleasantly surprised by Collins'  style of managing. He earned the trust of his players and for the most part, the Mets in 2011 were a team that fought in every game. They were fun to watch at times and you felt as if the team was going in the right direction. I really like what Collins did this year and I am looking forward to 2012.

As Howie Rose would say "Put it in the books!" The 2011 season is history. Enjoy the off-season everyone and look forward to 2012 like I will.

Lets Go Mets in 2012!!

 

Mets Win 3rd Straight Series, Beat Astros 7-4

Author: Adam Lowenthal

This afternoon the Mets took down the Astros in the rubber game of a 3 game series at Minute Maid Park in Houston, TX by the score of 7-4. Chris Capuano (3-4) got the 'W' in 5 innings of work.  He gave up 6 hits and 2 ER while walking 3.

• Justin Turner had 2 huge hits, including a 3-Run homer and a 2-Run double
• Jason Pridie also had an RBI hit, along with a steal of home (double steal, Reyes from first)
• K-Rod got his 12th save of the year, pitching another perfect inning
• Jose Reyes had 2 stolen bases, both in the same inning

Although Jason Bay continues to struggle at the plate, he made an incredible catch that saved atleast 1 run.

Tomorrow the Mets will start a 2 game series against the 2nd place Marlins.  It will be a rematch from opening day.  Mike Pelfrey will try to continue his recent success by taking down one of the leagues most premiere pitchers, Josh Johnson at 7:10 pm at Citi Field.

Mets Fight But Still Falter, 4-3

Author: Paul Zinn

The Mets (5-13) gamely rallied from three runs down tonight at Citi Field, but still lost their second straight to the Astros, 4-3.

Keys to the game:

Hunter Pence's leadoff home run in the eighth broke a 3-3 tie and was the difference.

R.A. Dickey took the loss and dropped to 1-3 on the season, allowing four runs on eight hits in eight innings while striking out four and walking two.

The Astros scored three times in the second, the first coming on a wild pitch and ensuing underhand throw by catcher Josh Thole that might have gotten Brett Wallace had it been harder.

Carlos Beltran's run-scoring double cut the deficit to 3-1, and the Mets tied it on a key two-run homer that hugged the foul pole by Daniel Murphy in the sixth.

At the time it seemed like just what the Mets needed, but they couldn't capitalize on the momentum.

Jose Reyes and Beltran both had three hits, while David Wright and Angel Pagan went hitless. Pagan also left the bases loaded in the first.

To his credit, he drew a leadoff walk in the eighth. Needing a run to tie, the Mets then had runners on the corners with just one out. However, pinch hitter Justin Turner struck out, and Pagan tried to score when the pitch got away from catcher J. R. Towles but was thrown out to end the inning on a unique twin killing.

Then, after leading off with a single, Reyes was doubled off first base in the ninth on an attempted Josh Thole sacrifice bunt.

The Mets look to salvage the final game of the series tomorrow night at 7:10.

Commentary: The Mets need a win - period, and they just can't catch a break. Pagan and Wright continue to play poorly. And Pagan needs to be more careful in the eighth, getting thrown out at the plate on a bad slide with Reyes coming up. R.A. Dickey settled down and pitched well overall, but the three second inning runs, particularly the one on the wild pitch, really hurt.

Will Sommer's Thoughts: It can't get much lower then this, right? Of course, I said that a week ago. At least Jason Bay is back tomorrow. That's something to look forward to. Right?

Mets Lose Nightcap, 4-0

Author: Paul Zinn

In their second consecutive doubleheader, the Mets (4-11) were again swept - this time by the Atlanta Braves. Atlanta won the second game, 4-0, this evening at Turner Field.

Keys to the game:

The Mets were baffled all night by Braves' pitcher Jair Jurrjens, who made his season debut and allowed just two hits in seven shutout innings.

Mike Pelfrey (0-2) was mediocre, giving up all four runs and 11 hits in five-plus innings. Through four starts, Pelfrey has an ERA of 9.72

Dan Uggla, Chipper Jones, Eric Hinske and David Ross had RBI singles for the Braves.

Daniel Murphy made an awful base running error in the sixth, leading off with a double and then being thrown out easily trying to steal third for the first out that inning.

Another blunder occurred to end the second when Willie Harris was picked off first after a two-out single.

Perhaps the lone bright spot was Pedro Beato, who in two innings worked out of a two-on, no out jam in the sixth and then struck out the side in the seventh. Taylor Buchholz also looked good in an inning of relief.

David Wright went a combined 0-for-7 in the doubleheader, and Jose Reyes' hit streak ended at 13 games.

Commentary: The Mets are just awful right now, having lost seven straight and 10 of 11. They must find a way to stop the bleeding immediately. The fielding was better today, and the pitching wasn't bad, but the Mets' offense was terrible. With the poor play and injuries (pitcher Chris Young went to the DL today) you can't help but feel that this season is headed in a very bad direction.

Rockies Complete Four-Game Sweep

Author: Paul Zinn

Colorado completed a four-game sweep of the Mets (4-9) in the second game of a doubleheader this afternoon at Citi Field, defeating New York, 9-4.

Keys to the game:

Mike Nickeas two-run double in the second provided the Mets a 2-0 lead. Those were Nickias' first two RBI of his career.

After Colorado tied it, Jose Reyes again gave the Mets a two-run lead when he extended his hit streak to 12 games with a two-run single in the fourth. Reyes had been 1-for-14 with runners in scoring position.

The Mets had a two-run lead in each game of this series and two, two-run leads in two contests, one of them being the second game today.

But again the Rockies had an answer with a six-run, sixth inning that served as a death blow to the Mets. Troy Tulowitzki hit another home run and had four in the series - one in each game. The Rockies added five more, the final three coming on a three-run home run by Jonathan Herrera off of relief pitcher Taylor Buchholz.

In that sixth inning, both Scott Hairston and Carlos Beltran each misplayed fly balls and Brad Emaus bobbled what could have been an inning-ending, double play. All three mishaps occured with only one of the six Rockies' runs in.

Buchholz had just entered for starter Chris Capuano (1-1), who allowed seven runs on eight hits.

The Mets have lost five in a row and eight of nine. They will look to rebound in Atlanta tomorrow night when the team starts a three-game series with the Braves.

Commentary: It was a lost week and homestand for the Mets. The team is just not executing in important situations and continues to allow the big blow or hit while not being able to return the favor. It's still too early to panic, but if the Mets aren't careful over the next two weeks, this season could get totally away from them.

Mets Lose Opener To Rox, 6-5, In Similar Fashion

Author: Paul Zinn

In the first game of a doubleheader at Citi Field this afternoon, the Mets (4-8) lost to the Rockies, 6-5, stretching their losing streak to four games.

Keys to the game:

The Rockies trailed 2-1 in the sixth inning, but went ahead in the fifth, 3-2, on a two run double by Jose Morales that Scott Hairston misplayed in rightfield. They then tacked on more in the sixth on a two-run homer by Carlos Gonzalez and a solo shot by Troy Tulowitzki.

Mets starter R.A. Dickey (1-2) left after Gonzalez's home run, going 6 1/3 and allowing five runs on eight hits, while striking out four and walking four.

Hairston's two-run homer in the ninth against Rockies closer Huston Street closed the gap to 6-5. The Mets then loaded the bases with two outs, before David Wright flied out to deep rightfield to end the game.

New York had an early 2-0 lead on Angel Pagan's sacrifice fly in the fourth, and Hairston's run-scoring single later in the same inning.

Hairston had been struggling this season, but got on track, going 2-for-4 with a run scored and 3 RBI. Jose Reyes extending his hitting streak to 11 games and had two hits.

The Mets were 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position.

Bobby Parnell allowed the Tulowitzki home run after Dickey left. The Rockies star has a home run in each game this series.

Commentary: It was more of the same in the first game for the Mets today. They built a lead but couldn't hold it and gave up some big hits that turned the momentum in the Rockies' favor. The loss was even tougher because the Mets rallied and appeared to have Street on ropes before losing.

Mets Bullpen Loses Lead In 7-3 Loss

Despite a simply awesome outing from starter Chris Young, the Mets' bullpen was unable to hold the lead, and the team lost the rubber game of a three-game set, 7-3 in 11 innings, to the Nationals at Citi Field this afternoon.

Keys to the game:

In the 11th inning with the game tied at three, the Nats got the go-ahead run on an RBI single from Ivan Rodriguez, and then Laynce Nix added a three-run homer, both coming against Blaine Boyer.

Young (1-0) was tremendous, allowing just one run on one hit in seven innings while consistently working ahead of hitters and inducing numerous fly ball outs.

The bullpen couldn't hold it though, with D.J. Carrasco allowing two hits and a walk to lose the lead in the eighth.

The Mets took an early 2-0 lead on RBI singles from David Wright and Angel Pagan in the second and added another on a run-scoring single from Ike Davis in the fifth.

Pagan did have a chance to win the game in the 10th but grounded out with runners on the corners.

Next up for the Mets is a four-game series with the Rockies starting tomorrow night at Citi Field at 7:10 p.m.

Commentary: This was a brutal loss in a game the Mets needed. Young was absolutely dominant, and it is a shame he didn't get the win. The Mets have now lost four of five and are under .500 again at 4-5. Things will now get much tougher with the next seven games against the Rockies and Braves.

Beltran, Davis, Propel Mets -- Mets Win 8-4

Author: Paul Zinn

 
The Mets (4-4) got some clutch hitting and defeated the Nationals, 8-4, tonight at Citi Field to even their three-game series at one game each.

Keys to the game:

Carlos Beltran (2-for-4, 3 R, 3 RBI) hit his first two home runs of the season, the first a two-run shot that gave the Mets a 2-0 lead in the first, and the second a solo blast that tied the game for New York, 3-3, in the fourth.

Ike Davis' triple in the sixth scored both Beltran and David Wright after Jerry Hairston Jr. misplayed a fly ball to give the Mets a 5-4 lead they wouldn't reliinquish.

Daniel Murphy added a run-scoring single in the sixth that padded the lead, and then Jose Reyes broke things open with a two-run double in the eighth.

Mets pitcher Chris Capuano (1-0) allowed two home runs for four runs in six innings, while giving up seven hits and striking out eight.

Taylor Buchholz, Bobby Parnell and Francisco Rodriguez combined to pitch three scoreless innings, with Rodriguez recording a four-out safe.

The Mets will go for the series win tomorrow afternoon at 1:10 p.m. when Chris Young (1-0) faces Jason Marquis (0-0).

Notes: It was great to see Beltran hit the ball well, and his knock was the one Jerry Hairston Jr. misplayed, which was also nearly a home run. This was a game the Mets really needed to win, and after falling behind early, they got some clutch hits. Tomorrow's contest will be an important early-season rubber game in the team's first Citi Field series.

Recap From Last Night: Mets Comeback Falls Short

The Mets could not manage comeback wins on consecutive nights as they fell to the Marlins 5-4. Pat Misch got the loss for the Mets going 6 innings and giving up 4 runs on 9 hits. Misch got off to a rocky start when he gave up 3 consecutive hits to begin the game, but managed to get out of it by making a great defensive play for the first out, and getting two fly ball outs, one of which scored the Marlin's first run.

It was amazing that Misch made it through six innings considering how the game started. It looked like we may have had an Oliver Perez siting. However, the fact that Pat Misch is getting starts for the Mets this year shows the lack of overall depth on the roster this season.

The Mets were able to fight back with 2 runs in the seventh on a triple by Ike Davis scoring David Wright, followed by a single by Jeff Francoeur to make it 5-3. They later got even closer when David Wright hit his 20th home run to make the game 5-4.

It was a good come back effort by the Mets, who for all their short comings this season, have been able to mount some solid come backs. It is also nice to see David Wright hit the 20 home run plateau this season. After last year, I know a lot of people were concerned if we would ever see him hit 20 in a season again.

The Mets return to action on Thursday to finish their 3 game series with the Marlins with Jon Niese (8-5) taking on Anibal Sanchez (10-8) in the rubber game of the series.

Santana Saves Mets

Author: Paul Zinn

Despite a tremendous amount of turmoil, the Mets had Johan Santana on Thursday afternoon, and that was all that mattered.

The Mets' ace was at the top of his game on a variety levels, leading the Mets to a 4-0 victory over the Colorado Rockies at Citi Field and a series victory.

Neither his own legal problems, nor Francisco Rodriguez's were able to phase Santana (10-6), as he threw a complete game shutout, allowing just four hits and two walks while striking out ten.

The Mets got two runs in the first on an Angel Pagan single and a sacrifice fly by Carlos Beltran.

New York added two more in the seventh on a Jose Reyes single and a Fernando Martinez sacrifice fly, the latter of which scored Santana. The pitcher's all-around ability was at the center of that inning, as he reached on a single and went to third on a hit and run.

For the Mets, Reyes went 2-for-4 with a run and Beltran added a much-needed three-for-three performance.

The Mets will now host the Phillies in a three-game series, starting tomorrow at 7:10 p.m. when R.A. Dickey (7-5) faces Cole Hamels (7-8).