THANK GOD (or whoever) BENSON GOT BLASTED ON SUNDAY 8/21/05

[Elster88]

If he didn't, Mike Jacobs is probably in Binghamton right now.

Edited title for the non-religious.

[Valadius]

Thank God I was there to see Mike Jacobs hit his first home run.

[Elster88]

Me too!

[Theoldmole]

The Lord works in mysterious ways.

[Guest cooby]

I thought he was here because Piazza hurt his wrist

[Guest Johnny Dickshot]

PHOENIX -- A layer of secrecy was peeled off the Mets' decision to revise the sequence of their starting rotation Wednesday. A person familiar with the thinking behind the insertion of Steve Trachsel and the two-day postponement of Kris Benson's next start said Benson's right shoulder is an issue, though not a major one, and that the change was somewhat precautionary.

The person said Benson probably could take his normal turn Friday, but with Trachsel available and ready, there was no compelling reason not to afford Benson additional rest. Thus the change that Willie Randolph announced Tuesday: Trachsel makes his 2005 debut Friday night in San Francisco and Benson will start Sunday, also against the Giants, with six, rather than the traditional four days' rest.

Benson acknowledged no problem with his shoulder Tuesday or Wednesday. He said only that additional rest would be beneficial. He referred to the two extra days as "my All-Star break," noting that he had thrown during the break in July because he was to start the first game back.

"So I really haven't had any time to catch my breath," he said. "I will definitely benefit from [the rest]. I will feel replenished."

It was Benson who, on Tuesday, had first mentioned his shoulder, saying "the rest will refresh my shoulder" without acknowledging it needed refreshing. He noted how missing a turn in September last season helped him recover from a sore and fatigued shoulder, but he said no such need exists now.

However, the person with knowledge of the situation said, "There is something. But it's just not as bad as last year."

[Elster88]

cooby wrote: I thought he was here because Piazza hurt his wrist

That's how he got here. He got to stay because Benson got knocked around so he got to pinch hit for Padilla.

[Valadius]

I had just finished explaining to my dad why he's the C/1B of the future with the Mets when he jacks one to deep right. I nearly fainted with all of the excitement.

[patchyfogg]

Well, since his name is Jacob(s), I suppose this God of which you speak would be the Judeo-Christian one.

[HahnSolo]

Was Willie with the MFYs when Shane Spencer had his late-season tear after a call-up that one year? I was thinking that might influence Willie...having seen this kind of outburst once before, just keep running Jacobs out there for as long as he's hot.