Game Notes: Mets vs Nationals (04/05/2006)

by Eric Simon on Apr 6, 2006 12:03 PM EDT

I wrote a bit of a recap today at MetsGeek, so be sure to check that out.

Despite all that went wrong last night, one of the most encouraging things I saw was Jose Reyes' approach at the plate. Here are the CBS Sportsline game charts of his five at-bats:

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Source: sportsline.com

Just look at all of those pretty dots! Reyes saw 30 pitches in his five at-bats, an enormous improvement over the thirteen he saw on Monday night. His first plate appearance was just as you might draw up the first at-bat of the game: ten pitches, a bunch of foul balls, and a line drive single to left. Reyes stole second and came around to score on David Wright's two-out RBI single.

The best part about Reyes' night at the plate was that every single one of his at-bats was solid. He saw at least four pitches in each, he only swung at one pitch out of the strike zone (first pitch of fifth plate appearance), and he took seven strikes, an indication that he wasn't just up there hacking at anything in the strike zone.

I wish I could say the same for his double-play counterpart, but Anderson Hernandez has looked awful at the plate. He's swinging at pitches out of the zone, and when he actually makes contact it's of the weak groundball variety. He's 1-for-30 in his short time in the major leagues, but he's going to have to to much better than that to keep a job at this level. He'll be given some time to settle down and get his wits about him, but if he's hitting less than .200 at the end of April you can count on Chris Woodward getting some playing time there. Regardless of how terrific Hernandez' fielding has been (and it has been terrific), no defensive advantage is going to make up for a 200-300 point deficiency in OPS.

If the Mets had to lose one of their first two games in miserable fashion (which apparently they did), I'm grateful that it came last night, since they have an opportunity to go out tonight and make amends. It would have been gut-wrenching if I had to stew over this loss for two days, but at least this way Pedro Martinez gives the Mets a great chance to turn things around.

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Reyes vs. Hernandez

Oh, it was wonderful seeing Jose Reyes work the count in his 1st AB and then calmly draw a walk in the 9th. More of that Jose! More of that!

That being said, Anderson Hernandez clearly can't hit major league pitching, so why on earth was he allowed to bat in the 9th? He was precious gift out for a very shaky Chad Cordero and should never have gotten to the plate in that situation. Had someone else eked out a simple single or walk, the game never gets to the top of the 10th.

by Greenpoint Ian on Apr 6, 2006 12:13 PM EDT reply actions

too cynical?

If Anderson Hernandez does really poorly, KazMat has more of a cushion by comparison once he returns.

by hotspur on Apr 6, 2006 1:42 PM EDT up reply actions

free Jeff Keppinger!

Hernandez has made some pretty plays in the field, but I can't for the life of me understand this organization's irrational attachment to playing him every day in the majors. It's equivalent to giving away chances to score runs. Keppinger is ready to step up with the bat, at least to the Ty Wigginton/replacement level, and that ought to make him the frontrunner. Why did he never get as much as a serious look in spring training? I can't fathom the decision-making process here.

by anonymous on Apr 6, 2006 12:30 PM EDT reply actions

hmm

Is Hernandez flipping the bird to the batter while making a phat grab?

http://images.sportsline.com/u/ap/photos/NYFF110040521_lower.jpg

by hotspur on Apr 6, 2006 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions

i think the organization

sees AHern as the long term answer at 2nd base, which is probably the right view, ala Ty Wigginton vs David Wright, but for right now Keppinger should play at least until mid-year, then if Ahern did well at AAA you could bring him, he's lost offensively at this level, if Keppinger's fielding isn't up to willie standards you could bring him up in a utility role and let Chris Woodward play 2nd

no way he should have been allowed to hit in 9th last night for sure

its a ground ball...trickling... its a fair ball, its by Buckner, rounding third Knight, the Mets will win the ballgame, the Mets win

by DoctorK16 on Apr 6, 2006 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions

props

to eric for giving jose some much-deserved love.

can we thank rickey for this turnaround? I am sure it was a multitude of instructors that convinced jose it was time to look at a few pitches. b-tran also did a great job of looking at pitches on a night when pitchers were struggling with control.

Pedro offers you his protection.

by pj on Apr 6, 2006 1:27 PM EDT reply actions

Too Soon

It's been one game. I'd like to see him string together a few weeks of solid at-bats before I start drinking the Kool-Aid.

by Eric Simon on Apr 6, 2006 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions

OT: AP article on new stadium

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2399327

NEW YORK -- New York Mets officials stirred up the past on Thursday when they unveiled a stadium design reminiscent of Ebbets Field, the storied home of the Brooklyn Dodgers.

One day after the City Council approved several key aspects of an $800 million stadium for the Yankees, Gov. George Pataki, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Mets owner Fred Wilpon announced plans at Shea Stadium for a new Mets home to be built in the parking lot of the existing ballpark.

Wilpon, a Brooklyn native, has long desired a new home for his team that evokes memories of the glory days of the Dodgers, who moved to Los Angeles in 1958. Eight years ago, Wilpon unveiled a design for an Ebbets Field-type ballpark for the Mets, but it wasn't until last summer that city officials and the team agreed on a plan to replace Shea Stadium.

"This is a historic and rather emotional occasion," Wilpon said as he recalled visiting Ebbets Field with his father as a young boy. He said predicted the new facility would be a "world class ballpark that, through its unique design, links the past and the future."

Although the planned stadium still requires regulatory approval, Mets officials hope to put their team on a new field by 2009 -- the same year the Yankees expect to be playing in a new home in the Bronx.

The new ballpark in Queens will have a capacity of 45,000, down from the current 57,333. The seats will be a little wider and provide more leg room. Also, there will be more luxury suites, rest rooms and restaurants.

The Mets are paying $550 million for the stadium and the city is expected to kick in $90 million in capital funds, officials said. The state will provide $75 million for infrastructure improvements around the stadium.

by hotspur on Apr 6, 2006 1:44 PM EDT reply actions

Stadium

Mets.com has some mock-ups. Looks great.

by Eric Simon on Apr 6, 2006 1:50 PM EDT up reply actions

nice, but

the orientation is weird. No more subway views. In fact, the views beyond the outfield are pointed toward the junkyards and the Van Wyck as far as I can see.

by anonymous on Apr 6, 2006 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions

the junkyards

will be gone i think from what i read, some fancy housing, resturant, enterntainment deal ala Chelsea piers I heard once

its a ground ball...trickling... its a fair ball, its by Buckner, rounding third Knight, the Mets will win the ballgame, the Mets win

by DoctorK16 on Apr 6, 2006 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions

what I don't get

why so few seats?

Dig down, find more.

by ntrainbug on Apr 6, 2006 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Did you see last night's game?

Maybe 15,000 people in the stands. 45,000 seats is more than enough for 95% of the games, and will create a greater demand for seats than exists today. The new ballpark will do that as well, but once the novelty of the new park wears off, having fewer seats will make those that are available more desirable. Smart move, IMO. Also, fewer crappy seats.

by Eric Simon on Apr 6, 2006 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions

money

then can you jack up ticket prices, few seats same demand prices goes up, basic economics, grab your pocket books when this thing gets built

when i was living in Philly, you could go to the Vet for $12, now at the Money Pit(google Bill Conlin for explaination), they are no tickets under $20

its a ground ball...trickling... its a fair ball, its by Buckner, rounding third Knight, the Mets will win the ballgame, the Mets win

by DoctorK16 on Apr 6, 2006 2:40 PM EDT up reply actions

bleachers

will they have them? That is one thing that always kills me about shea, is that they waste their bleachers on that stupid picnic area, when they could sell it out like every night if they wanted to.

Mr Koufax, don't you think Flanders is a big jerk?

by peteyfan45 @ Amazin' Avenue on Apr 6, 2006 6:56 PM EDT up reply actions

mets want to be family orientated

plus those bleachers aren't really part of the stadium structure so selling them as regular seats might be hard

its a ground ball...trickling... its a fair ball, its by Buckner, rounding third Knight, the Mets will win the ballgame, the Mets win

by DoctorK16 on Apr 6, 2006 8:56 PM EDT up reply actions

how hard could it be?

you put a ticket booth out there.

It doesn't have to be like Yankee stadium where they are full of scumbags, but it kills me to see some of the best seats in the house totally empty most of the time.

Also, I don't get how it is family oriented to have seats that you can only buy if you want to bring at least 24 people with you. Whose family is that big?

Mr Koufax, don't you think Flanders is a big jerk?

by peteyfan45 @ Amazin' Avenue on Apr 6, 2006 9:02 PM EDT up reply actions