IGT 8/12, Mets in Dodgerland

[Guest KC]

I wonder if Amblood is still a Mets' fan? Email me ya bastid!

Mets-Dodgers Preview

GAME: New York Mets (58-56) at Los Angeles Dodgers (51-63).

TIME: Friday, 10:40 p.m. EDT.

The New York Mets will be without outfielder Mike Cameron for the first of what will likely be many games when they open their weekend series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Cameron was diagnosed with a broken nose, multiple fractures of both cheekbones and a slight concussion following a scary collision with teammate Carlos Beltran during Thursday's 2-1 loss at San Diego. The outfielders smashed into each other face-to-face after each diving for a ball hit by San Diego's David Ross in the seventh inning.

Beltran had a sore left shoulder and a cut near his left temple. His status for this weekend is unknown.

''I don't remember anything of what happened,'' Beltran said. ''I don't remember how it happened, I know we got hit. I feel like I got hit by a train.''

Cameron was taken off the field on a stretcher and remained overnight at an area hospital for observation. The game was delayed for about 13 minutes as the players were tended to by trainers from both teams, then paramedics.

First baseman Marlon Anderson was the first player to reach the fallen outfielders.

Cameron ''was dazed, kind of not really there,'' Anderson said. ''I was like, 'Cam, can you hear me?' He mumbled, 'Yeah,' but he wasn't there. You could tell he wasn't right.

''I couldn't imagine being a paramedic going to the scene of a wreck. That's what that was, pretty much, a wreck,'' Anderson said.

Once receiving Cameron's diagnosis, the Mets put him on the 15-day disabled list.

The loss was costly to the Mets on another front as they fell four games behind Houston in the race for the NL wild card.

''It stinks that we lost and it stinks that one of our buddies got hurt,'' Mets pitcher Tom Glavine said.

The Dodgers have split their last six games, but have major issues in their bullpen. Los Angeles relievers posted a 14.25 ERA during that stretch with embattled Yhency Brazoban doing the most damage.

The 25-year-old right-hander gave up a tiebreaking grand slam to Philadelphia's Ryan Howard in Wednesday's 9-5 loss to Philadelphia and surrendered three runs and four hits in Sunday's 6-4 win over Pittsburgh.

With those appearances in mind, Brazoban was taken out of the closer's role by manager Jim Tracy on Thursday. He is 0-4 with a 10.97 ERA in 12 appearances since the All-Star break.

''I don't think he's disappointed. I think he understands. He knows where I'm coming from,'' Tracy said. ''I want him to step back and not have as stressful a situation to deal with. He's been put under the microscope big-time. His confidence and self-esteem are weighing very heavily on my mind, and I don't want to see those things destroyed because he's come a long way in a short time.''

Tracy said he will use Duaner Sanchez and Steve Schmoll to close while Brazoban tries to regain his confidence.

STANDINGS: Mets - 5th place, 7 1/2 GB, NL East. Dodgers - 3rd place, 7 GB, NL West.

METS PROBABLE STARTER: Victor Zambrano (6-9, 4.00 ERA). Zambrano is 2-0 with a 4.96 ERA over his last three starts. The veteran right-hander gave up one run and five hits over eight innings in Sunday's 6-1 win over the Chicago Cubs. Zambrano made his lone career start against Los Angeles on July 22 and was tagged for six runs and 10 hits over 4 2-3 innings in a 6-5 loss.

DODGERS PROBABLE STARTER: Jeff Weaver (10-8, 4.34 ERA). Weaver is 3-0 with a 4.01 ERA over his last five outings. The 28-year-old right-hander improved to 2-1 with a 4.95 ERA in three career starts against the Mets after allowing five runs and six hits over six innings in the 6-5 win on July 22. Weaver yielded one run and five hits over eight innings in Sunday's 6-4 victory at Pittsburgh.

OFFENSIVE LEADERS: Mets - David Wright, .299 avg.; Cliff Floyd, 26 HRs and 72 RBIs; Jose Reyes, 70 runs and 38 SBs. Dodgers - Jeff Kent, .298 avg., 22 HRs, 78 RBIs and 68 runs; Antonio Perez, 9 SBs.

SEASON SERIES: Mets, 2-1.

STREAKS AND NOTES: Mets - OF Victor Diaz was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk to take OF Cameron's place on the roster. ... OF Beltran is batting .282 (11-for-39) in his career against RHP Weaver. ... C Mike Piazza is batting .221 with 18 of his 55 RBIs on the road. Dodgers - OF Milton Bradley is hitting .360 (9-for-25) over the last six games. ... OF Jose Cruz Jr., acquired Tuesday from Boston, is 0-for-8 in his career against RHP Zambrano. ... 1B Hee-Seop Choi is hitting .300 (12-for-40) in part-time duty since the All-Star break.

ROAD/HOME RECORDS: Mets - 22-33 on the road; Dodgers - 27-29 at home.

INJURIES: Mets - OF Cameron (nose, concussion), 15-day DL; 1B Doug Mientkiewicz (back), 15-day DL; LHP Felix Heredia (shoulder), 15-day DL; RHP Bartolome Fortunato (back), 60-day DL; RHP Steve Trachsel (back), 60-day DL; RHP Tyler Yates (shoulder), 60-day DL. Dodgers - RHP Eric Gagne (elbow), 15-day DL; OF Jayson Werth (knee), 15-day DL; LHP Kelly Wunsch (ankle), 15-day DL; OF J.D. Drew (wrist), 15-day DL; C Paul Bako (knee), 60-day DL; RHP Darren Dreifort (shoulder), 60-day DL.

[Guest cooby]

I cannot watch this game, so if they say anything about anybody, please report...


And I think it's too hot to listen on the radio

[Frayed Knot]

Reyes - SS
Cairo - 2B
Wright - 3B
Floyd - LF
Piazza - C
Diaz - RF
Offerman - 1B
Williams - CF
Zambrano - P

Dodgers:
All ex-Met right side of the infield: Phillips @ 1st w/Kent @2nd. Bono has essentially been replaced as catcher as the Dodgers didn't like his defense.
All ex-Yank battery: Jeff weaver pitching, Dioneer Navarro catching
OF: Valentin, Bradley, Ledee
3B: the rookie Robles, SS: Caesar Izturis

[Guest Edgy DC]

I can believe this guy still has that mellifluous voice. He must be older than Double-Duty Radcliffe

[Frayed Knot]

Top 1: Back-to-back 2Bs by Wright & Floyd score 1

Bottom 1: A 2-run 2B by Bono caps a 3-run 1st for LA

[Guest Edgy DC]

Cliff's knee costs the Mets big as he can't get to a two-run double and the Mets fall behind 3-1.

They'll be back.

[soupcan]

Diaz 2 run ding-dong hits the pole and knots it at 3.

[Guest Edgy DC]

KABLAMMO!

says Diaz.

[nymr83]

Phillips with a big 2 out 3 run double against his former team.

Diaz showing all the doubters that he has belonged in the majors all along.

[Guest cooby]

My radio batteries went dead, what is happening?

[nymr83]

2-run double for Wright, 5-3 Mets.

[nymr83]

piazza and zambrano just both pulled off a bunt and walked into each other, communicate morons!

[Frayed Knot]

But at least no one got hurt.


And a 5-4-3 got em out of the inning.

[nymr83]

Diaz goes DEEEEEEEEEEEP to left field for his second homer of the game.
don't you dare demote me.

[Guest cooby]

I know even Cameron must be smiling

[Frayed Knot]

In the meantime, Zambrano Ks the side in the 6th which makes it 5 consecutive scoreless following his troubled 1st inning.

[patchyfogg]

]I know even Cameron must be smiling

Figuratively speaking, of course.

[nymr83]

zambrano's old walk problems came back walking 2 and being pulled, a choi single and a hbp by heilman followed and its now 6-4 bases still loaded with none out.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Bad things happening. Single and HbP against Heilman and it's 6-4, still no oots.

[Centerfield]

After falling behind Choi and eventually giving up a single, Heilman hits Izturis to force in a run.

Come on Aaron.

[Centerfield]

Fuck.

[Guest Johnny Dickshot]

Guys who get leadoff walks score. There's just no stopping it.

You gotta like the Hee! Seop! Choi! cheer.

Heilman is not having a good outing.

[nymr83]

robles drives in 2, its 6-6 still nobody out,
walks kill.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Tied.

[Centerfield]

This game is starting to look like one of those punch in the stomach losses.

[metirish]

Damn, come on Eric, Bradley pops out to Wright, one out two on, Kent at the dish, Kent is a killer with men in scoring postition, he's batting .400.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Wow, what a way to get out of it, K-2-4 DP.

[Guest Johnny Dickshot]

I wouldn't have guessed that inning would end on a caught-stealing.

[nymr83]

K-CS DP as Piazza throws out his first baserunner since the Clinton administration (kidding...)

the runner was robbles on the back end of a double steal.

[Guest Edgy DC]

This is interesting. Two out and runners on the corners and they send Anderson up to hit for Williams.