IGT 7/4 Mets v Rangers Darvish v Niese

[ashie62]

Lets get it right against the AL...

[Frayed Knot]

Darvish was supposed to pitch last night in Baltimore but the Rangers switched up their rotation at the last minute based on fears about rain interruptions washing out his start so we get him instead.
As if our hitters aren't having enough problems.

[Guest d'Kong76]

Texas at NY Mets
When: 7:10 PM ET, Friday, July 4, 2014
Where: Citi Field, New York City, New York
SportsDirect Inc.

After coming up empty in Baltimore, the Texas Rangers try to conjure up a road victory when they visit the New York Mets for the opener of a three-game series on Friday. Texas has lost nine straight on the road since posting a 14-8 triumph at Oakland on June 16, a slide that includes a four-game sweep in which it was outscored 26-10. The Rangers haven't had much luck anywhere of late, dropping 13 of their last 15 games overall.

New York also is struggling, having lost seven of its last eight contests. The Mets return home with their tails between their legs as they went 1-6 on a road trip that began with a four-game set in Pittsburgh and concluded with a three-game sweep at Atlanta. New York is 10 games behind the Braves in the National League East and needs to take advantage of its 10-game homestand heading into the All-Star break - which includes four meetings with Atlanta - if it hopes to remain in postseason contention.

TV:
7:10 p.m. ET, TXA-21 (Texas), SNY (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP:
Rangers RH Yu Darvish (8-4, 2.42 ERA) vs. Mets Jon Niese (5-4, 2.88)

Darvish produced his sixth scoreless performance of the season Saturday, scattering four hits and a walk over eight innings while fanning 10 batters. The 27-year-old native of Japan has reached double digits in strikeouts five times this season - all over his last nine outings. Darvish will be facing the Mets for the first time in his career.

Niese has been one of the Mets' few bright spots this season, allowing three earned runs or fewer in each of his 16 starts. The 27-year-old enters Friday's contest having yielded three runs over six innings in back-to-back victories at Miami and Pittsburgh. Niese won his only career meeting with the Rangers in 2011 as he gave up two runs and six hits with seven strikeouts in 5 2/3 frames.

WALK-OFFS:
1. New York 3B David Wright is expected to return to the lineup Friday after missing six games with a shoulder injury.
2. The Rangers are hitting .198 with runners in scoring position over their last 17 contests.
3. Mets OF Curtis Granderson drove in four of his team's eight runs in the three-game series at Atlanta.

[Guest sharpie]

New York 3B David Wright is expected to return to the lineup Friday after missing six games with a shoulder injury.

Nope.


1. Eric Young Jr. (S) LF
2. Curtis Granderson (L) CF
3. Daniel Murphy (L) 2B
4. Bobby Abreu (L) RF
5. Lucas Duda (L) 1B
6. Eric Campbell ® 3B
7. Travis d'Arnaud ® C
8. Ruben Tejada ® SS
9. Jon Niese (L) P

[bmfc1]

I wonder if the Wilpons would rather play a man short than call up a minor leaguer and have to pay him a major league salary. Some genius is saying "what are the odds that he's going to get in the game?"

[Guest themetfairy]

Make it Darvish against Torres. After giving up a leadoff homer to Choo, later in the first inning Niese is hurt by a batted ball....

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

themetfairy wrote: Make it Darvish against Torres. After giving up a leadoff homer to Choo, later in the first inning Niese is hurt by a batted ball....

whoa I missed that. Is he ok?

[Frayed Knot]

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: themetfairy wrote: Make it Darvish against Torres. After giving up a leadoff homer to Choo, later in the first inning Niese is hurt by a batted ball.... whoa I missed that. Is he ok?

Hard to tell. Got smoked in the ribs on his left side by a liner back up the middle. Ball bounced back towards the plate so it was a solid shot.



In all, it was a long-assed 1st inning considering 'only' four runs were scored.

[Edgy MD]

Also, did Keith tell him to get a dog?

Reports in: Lower back contusion. X-rays negative. Matsuzaka may get a stay of execution on his booting from the rotation.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

The real question is how Irish's date is going. Be sure to offer her your sweatshirt if it gets chilly out there (which it probably is).

[Ceetar]

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: The real question is how Irish's date is going. Be sure to offer her your sweatshirt if it gets chilly out there (which it probably is).

according to Facebook he's doing a lot of roaming.

[Edgy MD]

Darvish swinging an bat. Doubled with it, too.

[Ceetar]

TV is on mute for me, but I saw the clip of Niese being pulled and he was basically rolling his eyes and saying "I'm Fine" so perhaps it's not a huge deal.

[Edgy MD]

Some gorgeous skies over the stadium in his photos.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Ceetar wrote: John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: The real question is how Irish's date is going. Be sure to offer her your sweatshirt if it gets chilly out there (which it probably is). according to Facebook he's doing a lot of roaming.

He's all like, "Put your restless heart in my restless hands."

[Edgy MD]

Lucas' homer was a case in point of the stupid placement of the railing on the Party City Deck. It forced a replay when the rail knocked the ball back into play, and it robbed the outfielder of a chance at making a pullback play.

[Edgy MD]

"I don't know about you, but I would go out and get a... a superstar."

Thanks, Ron. I'll get right on it.

[Edgy MD]

Campbell doubles home Dudu from first. That was a very beardy RBI.

[Zvon]

I just heard about the Niese thing. Yikes.

Oh, great timing... Beltre hits a bottle rocket.

[Frayed Knot]

Ceetar wrote: John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: The real question is how Irish's date is going. Be sure to offer her your sweatshirt if it gets chilly out there (which it probably is). according to Facebook he's doing a lot of roaming.

Him, or his hands?

[Frayed Knot]

Edgy MD wrote: Lucas' homer was a case in point of the stupid placement of the railing on the Party City Deck. It forced a replay when the rail knocked the ball back into play, and it robbed the outfielder of a chance at making a pullback play.

I would have blown both HR calls tonight ... if, y'know, I was required to umpire through the TV screen from my chair.

[ashie62]

Vic Black?....we could use Marlon Byrd about now...

[Frayed Knot]

Ashie62 wrote: Vic Black?....we could use Marlon Byrd about now...

So after needing two pitchers to get through the first five innings you want to go eliminating some of the remaining choices (and one with a 1.62 ERA no less)?

[bmfc1]

What the hell was that? 2 on after walks, your alleged catcher of the future at bat, merely Tejada on deck, and dopey Terry bunts. Idiot.

[Zvon]

bmfc1 wrote: What the hell was that? 2 on after walks, your alleged catcher of the future at bat, merely Tejada on deck, and dopey Terry bunts. Idiot.

Yea, Shorty's getting antsy.

[Edgy MD]

Campbell's a little out of his depth at third, huh?

[Frayed Knot]

Four base runners for the Rangers this inning and they've yet to get the ball out of the infield.

oe: now five

[Zvon]

Edgy MD wrote: Campbell's a little out of his depth at third, huh?

Ugh. I'm both surprised and disappointed how bad he's been at 3rd.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Hopefully Irish has less trouble scoring tonight, #amirite??

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Lamest nyc fireworks show ever, btw. Macy's sucks.