IGT 08/02, Mets at Astros

[Guest KC]

Reyes ss
Beltran cf
Wright 3b
Delgado 1b
Tatis rf
Murphy lf
Easley 2b
Castro c
Santana p

Matsui 3b
Tejada ss
Berkman 1b
Lee lf
Loretta 3b
Pence rf
Erstad cf
Ausmus c
Oswalt p

[Guest AG/DC]

That is so Valentinian.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Beltran batting second.

First time this year, seventh time as a Met. (3 times in 2005 and 3 times in 2007.)

[Theoldmole]

I woulda moved Beltran to second as soon as Delgado reclaimed cleanup.

[Guest AG/DC]

Last night's bases-loaded failure kind of forced the issue, I think.

[Guest Rockin' Doc]

Murphy singles in his first at bat, then scores on an Easley Kaboom.

Nice start for Willets youngster and a nice start for the Mets against a tough pitcher.

[batmagadanleadoff]

TheOldMole wrote: I woulda moved Beltran to second as soon as Delgado reclaimed cleanup.

I like it. Especially with Tatis hitting lights out.

[Guest KC]

Jeez, hard to follow Beltran's hit at all on tv with the sun drenched field.
Must be murder on the outfielders.

[Guest AG/DC]

Can you imagine the veins that we'd be opening if we had released Delgado?

And he was hitting like this?

For somebody else?

On the Mets' dime?

[batmagadanleadoff]

Delgado's fielding is improved as of late also. He's consistently making great scoops on throws and batted balls and in general, appears to be playing with an increased mobility, defensively.

[batmagadanleadoff]

batmagadanleadoff wrote: ="TheOldMole"]I woulda moved Beltran to second as soon as Delgado reclaimed cleanup. I like it. Especially with Tatis hitting lights out.

I was wondering if perhaps, this Beltran in the #2 hole is really a Tatis vote of confidence -- a belief that Tatis' productive hitting is sustainable, and not a short-lived fluke.

[Guest metsguyinmichigan]

Hi guys,

I see Murphy is in left. Isn't he an infielder?

[Theoldmole]

Not any more. In the absence of Church, Jerry plans to play Tatis in right, and platoon Evans and Murphy in left.

Murphy, when asked about his preferred position, said "I don't care, as long as I can hit."

He's looked awkward but not impossible in left.

But this gives them infielders on both corners.

[Guest KC]

Third, second, first, outfield ... he said he doesn't have a preference in the
pre-game show so long as he gets to hit.

[metirish]

metsguyinmichigan wrote: Hi guys, I see Murphy is in left. Isn't he an infielder?

Yeah a third baseman, has played LF and first base in the minors.


Gary was saying tonight that Murphy played ball with Anthony Bernazard and that is where he came to the attention of Anthony's dad Tony.

[metirish]

Keith told the story of game six against Houston in 1986 , the 16 inning affair where he claims he told Jesse in no uncertain terms not to throw Bass a fast ball , said tonight that Carter came to the mound and agreed. I have heard Gary say that that story is not true.

[Guest KC]

I don't think Gary and Keef exchange xmas cards.

[Guest metsguyinmichigan]

I suspect if Murphy works out, Anderson might be "disabled" for a long time. Nice to see them getting some runs for Santana...

[batmagadanleadoff]

batmagadanleadoff wrote: batmagadanleadoff wrote: ="TheOldMole"]I woulda moved Beltran to second as soon as Delgado reclaimed cleanup. I like it. Especially with Tatis hitting lights out. I was wondering if perhaps, this Beltran in the #2 hole is really a Tatis vote of confidence -- a belief that Tatis' productive hitting is sustainable, and not a short-lived fluke.

Or maybe not. Keith and Gary comments about Beltran reminded me that Manuel likes to let struggling hitters work out their kinks from the #2 hole.

We shall see.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Yeah it took awhile but Beltran's finally going bad enough to hit 2nd.

Gary is obsessed with the whole "lat Reyes steal" thingy.

Meantime, I'm nervous about Duaner here facing the tying run, 1 out.

[Theoldmole]

Murphy!!!!! He can throw overalls in my chowder any time.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

That was unexpected

[metirish]

WOW , what a night for Murphy.

[Guest metsguyinmichigan]

Just saw the video of the DP. SWEET!!!!

[Guest metsguyinmichigan]

Remember when Kaz hit like that for us? Me neither.

[Theoldmole]

And another defensive gem by Delgado.

And they get Berkman.

[Theoldmole]

Do the Mets ever stop bleeding, once it starts?

[G-Fafif]

Richard Lewis called. He said this looks like the ninth inning from hell.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

We want Eddie!

(he types as Erstad whiffs)

[G-Fafif]

What does Richard Lewis know?