IGT, KC @ NYM, 8/3

[Edgy MD]

Ashie hasn''t started the thread, but the ump has started the game, so I'm jumping in.

[Edgy MD]

Hefner swapped in as starter and did fine in the first. Young leads off with a hit for the Mets.

Keith congratulating Gary with flourish for remembering that Jerry Royster replaced Ned Yost as Brewers manager, but GAry's got it wrong. It was Dale Sveum.

[Edgy MD]

Hope everything's well, Ash.

End of one and scoreless.

[Edgy MD]

Diving basket catch by Young of what might have been a routine fly had he positioned himself closer to normal.

[Zvon]

Edgy MD wrote: Hope everything's well, Ash.

My thoughts as well.

Nice catch by Young. He's good at coming in on flies. Robs a hit with a serious diving grab off the grass.

[Edgy MD]

Murph slugging against a lefty is a good thing. KAPOW!

[Zvon]

A no doubter. Deep deep right center.

[Edgy MD]

Nice to see Murph selling Byrd on how he pulled it off.

Nice card.

[Edgy MD]

Too many burritos, Turner.

[Zvon]

Justin, justin, justin. I thought it was a double for sure. oh poo.

[Edgy MD]

Of course you did. Any ball hit there is a double.

But Turner's ass is getting large.

[Ceetar]

Edgy MD wrote: Of course you did. Any ball hit there is a double. But Turner's ass is getting large.

Well it WAS a double, and it took an excellent play to be close enough to call him out. But Turner is basically 80-90% of what Murphy is (and I guess plays SS? I don't know if that counts). Nice to have, versatile, but you really don't need both of them and Murphy's better.

[Edgy MD]

Oh, I don't buy that 80-90%. He's clearly worse at second, third, and first. He's about as bad as a shortstop can be. Murphy's probably a better hitter against lefties.

Whatever Turner was two years ago, he ain't really now. It was one of Whitey Herzog's explicit values that you never want to give a bench player too much job security.

He's siimply slow. And that's not not a good trait for your play-anywhere utility guy. And it's really not not a good trait for your play-anywhere utility guy when your bench is short and you're really gonna need him everywhere.

[Edgy MD]

And everything has gone pearish of shape since that mistake by Turner. Bases-loaded, one out, tied at one.

[Zvon]

I was afk a few and I come back to a tie. And bases loaded for KC. And no out. And...

[Edgy MD]

Hefner's breaking stuff making Butler look silly. Let's get Gordon.

[Edgy MD]

Well, that was an unsettling out, as Gordon flies to the fence. Royals up 2-1.

[Edgy MD]

Gotta come up and in on somebody, Hef. Find your inner Harvey.

[Zvon]

Re-watched the Turner non-double and you just have to tip your hat to Gordon there (and the charitable bounce off the wall) and on top of that Red did get his foot in there and was safe.

Hef with a shaky third and we are down 3-1.

[Zvon]

BOOOOOOOO LAGARES!

[Edgy MD]

Chen changing speeds effectively, but not much else. Righties are getting around on him easily, but not stringing anything together.

[Ceetar]

Edgy MD wrote: Oh, I don't buy that 80-90%. He's clearly worse at second, third, and first. He's about as bad as a shortstop can be. Murphy's probably a better hitter against lefties. Whatever Turner was two years ago, he ain't really now. It was one of Whitey Herzog's explicit values that you never want to give a bench player too much job security. He's siimply slow. And that's not not a good trait for your play-anywhere utility guy. And it's really not not a good trait for your play-anywhere utility guy when your bench is short and you're really gonna need him everywhere.

Turner's been dealing with some stuff this year. You're right that he ain't now and that they really shouldn't play him MORE (Satin getting most of the time is my choice right now) but I don't think he won't be what he's been in the past again. That's not very good, and it doesn't really fit with the Mets, but I don't think he's quite as worthless as is made out. He just should be the 'give the guys a breather' guy and occasional PH against righties guy especially when you need contact over power. That's probably what got him the 'clutch' label originally, guys that put the ball in play with runners on base can find plenty of holes, rushing or bad fielders, or simply hit it hard.


Anyway guys, score some runs please? It's Bruce Chen.I know, I know, before most of you got to the Majors..but he's not good.

[Edgy MD]

I don't know what he's dealing with, but I certainly dothen't think he's worthless. I just don't think he should be thought of as a shortstop in any but the break-glass sense. I liked Fernando Tatis better there.

A guy with that sort of lateral range and relatively modest arm at short better be able to rip the ball on offense.

[Edgy MD]

We're not touching Chen at all. Nine in a row. Harder to do it against the bullpen.

[Frayed Knot]

A very discouraging offensive afternoon so far.
Chen has retired nine in a row and the Mets have 8 Ks but only 4 hits - 3 singles and Murph's boom.

[Edgy MD]

And I just don't see how he's fooling them. No speed, and no impressive movement, so it must be placement (also not particularly impressing me) and changing speeds enough to keep them guessing wrong.

[Edgy MD]

There it is from Murph.

We can hit the fastball, just not the junque. Tying run at the plate.

[Edgy MD]

There it is from Murph.

We can hit the fastball, just not the junque. Tying run at the plate.

[Ceetar]

Edgy MD wrote: There it is from Murph. We can hit the fastball, just not the junque. Tying run at the plate.

well, that's not Chen no more.

this offense misses Wright already though.

[Edgy MD]

Let's pull Q and send Brown up against the lefty.

Flurg, who else didn't want to see Recker up there?