IGT 05/25, Mets at Rockies

[Guest KC]

From USA Today:

Ahead of what may be a critical series, the New York Mets look to close out a frustrating road trip with a second straight win when they meet the Colorado Rockies on Sunday at Coors Field.

New York (23-24) lost the first five games of the trip, encouraging speculation that manager Willie Randolph may be fired. The Mets won 9-2 on Saturday to end their slide and even this three-game series, but the next few days could go a long way towards determining the status of their beleaguered manager.

''We were able to get the 'W', just to get these guys feeling good about themselves again,'' Randolph said. ''There's no doubt in my mind that we're going to play well and win our share of games.''

After Sunday's game at Colorado (19-30), the Mets return home for a three-game series with surprising Florida, which leads the NL East. A poor showing by Randolph's club against the Marlins could bring further questions about his job, especially after general manager Omar Minaya made the trip to Denver for this series.

''It's good to get a win with the week we had,'' Minaya said. ''It gets you laughing and looking forward to playing tomorrow.''

Randolph got help from some unlikely sources Saturday as catcher Ramon Castro went 3-for-4 in his fourth start of the season and Nick Evans made his major league debut a memorable one.

Evans, who had three doubles and two RBIs, arrived at Coors Field about three hours before game time after New York purchased his contract from Double-A Binghamton. The 22-year-old left fielder is the first player to get three extra-base hits in his debut with the Mets since Kaz Matsui on April 6, 2004

David Wright and Carlos Delgado each added a homer for New York, which also ended a seven-game losing streak to NL opponents.

Colorado fell to 4-4 on its nine-game homestand after placing shortstop Clint Barmes (knee) and right fielder Brad Hawpe (hamstring) on the 15-day disabled list. The Rockies also played without third baseman Garrett Atkins, who was scratched with a stiff neck. Atkins is batting .357 (10-for-28) on Colorado's homestand.

''At this level, nobody feels sorry for you,'' Rockies manager Clint Hurdle said. ''Half the people don't care.''

John Maine (5-3, 3.29 ERA) looks to take over the staff lead in victories for New York. He's tied with Johan Santana in wins and has the lowest ERA of any New York starter.

Maine had his four-start winning streak snapped Tuesday at Atlanta when he gave up four runs over four-plus innings in a 6-1 loss.

The right-hander is making his first appearance at Coors Field. Maine won his lone appearance against Colorado on April 23, 2007, by giving up one run over 7 2-3 innings in a 6-1 victory.

The Rockies counter with Aaron Cook (6-3, 3.06), who looks to improve to 4-0 in day outings this season. He's posted a 2.91 ERA in winning his first three day starts.

Cook, though, has lost back-to-back starts overall after winning six in a row. He gave up four runs and 10 hits over seven innings in a 6-5 loss Tuesday to San Francisco.

The right-handed sinkerballer is 2-0 with a 2.45 ERA in six career appearances, including four starts, against the Mets.

[metirish]

Lets Go Mets

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

The roadtrip included the MFY series too, so actually they are 3-5 with a chance to be 4-5 which ain't great but not an unmitigated disaster either.

[Guest Rockin' Doc]

Good point JCL. One that the writer conveniantly omitted. Of course, some writers don't let facts stand in the way of the point they wish to make.

[batmagadanleadoff]

Gary Carter phoned Willie Randolph this morning to suggest that Vargas be given another start today. He also told Willie to keep on sac bunting in the first inning in Colorado because it's the smartest thing a manager could ever do.

[Gwreck]

Anytime you want to give it a rest, you just go right ahead and do that. Thanks.

[batmagadanleadoff]

Gwreck wrote: Anytime you want to give it a rest, you just go right ahead and do that. Thanks.

Give what a rest?

[batmagadanleadoff]

Gary Carter just phoned Willie Randolph again. This time he told Willie that if he's got the worst starting player in all of baseball, Willie should bat that guy leadoff every single game.

[Zvon]

OOO, nice.
Schneider throws out Podsednik trying to steal second after a lead off walk.

OOO, not nice.
Delgado boots a routine grounder.

[nymr83]

I'm sick of derek jeter commercials during met games.

[Zvon]

Maine with a nice smooth second inning. Ks two.
No score after two.



My first look at Nick Evans today.

[Guest AG/DC]

Prediction: bunt.

[Fman99]

Nymr83 wrote: I'm sick of derek jeter commercials during met games.

I agree in full.

[bmfc1]

Nymr83 wrote: I'm sick of derek jeter commercials during met games.

They should make some commercials with Nick Evans!

I'm driving north on the NJ Turnpike Thursday night as the Braves took over the game. I'm steaming, I look up to my left, and see the billboard w/Jeter's face plugging some watch. That was a horrible moment.

[Zvon]

Mets score playing small ball.
Chavez singles, Maine bunts him over, Reyes bloop single drives him in

AND REYES IS PICKED OFF!

[Guest OlerudOwned]

Reyes picked off as Cohen and Hernandez lay into Gary Carter from the booth.

[bmfc1]

OlerudOwned wrote: Reyes picked off as Cohen and Hernandez lay into Gary Carter from the booth.

Please tell us what they are saying... EI has the Rockies feed.

I just noticed my post number matches up with Gil hodges. A thrill. He should be in the HOF.

[Frayed Knot]

Nymr83 wrote: I'm sick of derek jeter commercials during met games.

God invented the TV remote so you wouldn't have to watch that type of stuff.
I've yet to see one of his spots.

[Zvon]

OlerudOwned wrote: Reyes picked off as Cohen and Hernandez lay into Gary Carter from the booth.

I think Mex wasn't as "strong" as he could have been.

"Unconscious"?

Thats rather vague.
His way of saying Gary don't have a clue I guess.

He could have called him assidiotic, like I did when I read about Carter.

I thought what a shame too, cause maybe someday he would have gotten that shot to manage the Mets (still could, I suppose), and I don't think that would have been a bad thing.

I have no idea if he is a good manager or not, just figure he knows the game and I like any links to the Mets past in the present.

[Guest AG/DC]

Ten.

[nymr83]

reyes boots a double-play ball so of course the next guy hits a 3-run HR

[Guest AG/DC]

Damn. Rockies announcer was just telling Maine and Schneider not to go back inside again.

[TransMonk]

Walks, errors and base running costing another lead.

Noose tightening...

[Zvon]

I was out of the room for the Reyes error.
Was that a head up his ass kinda play?
I guess Ill see a replay.
I walked in just in time for the Smith 3 run bomb.
Gah.


Keith said Carter was unconscious.
When they came back from break they did not elaberate any further.

[bmfc1]

"Was that a head up his ass kinda play?

Rushed, lifted up too soon, trying to get a DP. Another sucky play from Reyes. Picked off again, a big error... it may be time to give him a day on the bench.

[Frayed Knot]

Mets challenging Seattle for worst fielding display of the day.
The Ms just turned several cheesy Yanx "hits" into a 3-run 8th and a blown lead are now down to their last out in an attempt to not get swept.

[Zvon]

Cohen was much more specific in saying he could not believe Carter said what he said and just fell short of calling him an asshat,
but of course I was much more interested in what Keith said and thought, having played with Gary when the Mets didn't wear those away uniforms that he drools over.

[Guest AG/DC]

See, I have no problemo believing what Carter said.

[Zvon]

Last thing I expected to happen there was a double play.
Aint baseball amazin'?

[Guest AG/DC]

I kind of blame the offense for that three-run homer. He mightn't have been coming inside if he wasn't aggressively going for the strikeout in order to cling to the one-run lead.