Monday Applesauce

by Joe Budd on Apr 20, 2009 10:32 AM EDT in Applesauce

Not an awful weekend by any stretch, but the Mets seemed to give one away, yet again, on Sunday after an admirable effort by Figgy. Oh well. It's a new week, and a new Mets, right? I'm still going to blame Willie Randolph.

Meet the Mets

Who would've thought that Nelson Figueroa would've been the best Met starter not named Johan Santana this year? The Met starting pitching has been shaky at best, but Figueroa came in and gave a decent fifth starter quality effort, only to be rewarded with a demotion back to the minors. Left handed pitcher Casey Fossum replaced Figueroa. Fossum has been strong in the minors, allowing just one run and five hits over 11 innings.

In the roster confusion surrounding yesterday's Figueroa start, the Mets may lose Darren O'Day to the Angels.

If you were paying attention over the weekend, you noticed a new catcher starting for the Mets on Sunday. Brian Schneider was put on the DL for a strain in his back. Minor leaguer Omir Santos got the start on Sunday and impressed, getting two extra base hits (a double and a triple) in four at bats.

Apparently, Jeff Wilpon's new Citi Field box has an obstructed view.

Top pitching prospect Jonathan Niese continues to struggle in the minors and Nick Evans is hitting .122. Niese's name doppleganger, leftie Eric Niesen pitched well for St. Lucie. Can you imagine a rotation someday with Niese and Niesen?

Can anyone find a new home for Mr. Met? Or at least a bed?

The Kranepool Society makes his first visit to $iti Field.

Mike Vaccaro jumps on the Met history bandwagon. As does Bill Gallo. Newsday thinks the two New York teams might have been better served with even smaller ballparks.

In more awesome t-shirt news: here's another one I want to add to my collection.

Around the NL East

The Marlins sit atop the NL East with their 11-1 (!) record, helped along the way by the Washington National bullpen. The Nationals are now 1-10 with a 6.48 bullpen ERA this year, which was the motivation behind a relatively large realignment in the pen Sunday night. In more positive National news, Washington has locked up third baseman Ryan Zimmerman for five years, $45 million.

Some interesting developments over the weekend in Philly's series against the Padres. New left fielder Raul Ibanez got a walk off hit yesterday, while perfect closer Brad Lidge blew the save and the game on Saturday.

Javier Vazquez was strong in his start against the Pirates in the Braves' 11-1 victory over Pittsburgh. Vazquez salvaged one game for Atlanta, as the Braves were shut out in their first two matchups against the Pirates.

Around MLB

Johan Santana tradepiece Philip Humber was designated for assignment by the Twins after a rough start to the season.

The Yankees were the beneficiaries of the first instant replay in baseball this year. In happier news, the Yanks lost 22-4 on Saturday. Meanwhile, Carl Pavano made his return to Yankee Stadium (can it be a return if it's a new stadium?) and pitched well. The Yankees are also scrambling to fill Xavier Nady's spot (also in this story a bit about Rudy Jaramillo's effect on Andruw Jones).

Randy Johnson took a no-hitter into the seventh against the D-Backs, while the Giants won 2-0.

Dodger outfielder Andre Ethier is leading the league in RBIs.

Phew, that's a lot of news from the weekend. Enjoy yourselves in a world without baseball tonight!

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Comments

That Shea shirt is, indeed, pretty great.

'Oh yes, I know all about that duty-of-a-citizen stuff. It doesn't go. There are exceptions to every rule, and this was one of them. When a man risks his liberty to come and root at a ball-game, you've got to hand it to him. He isn't a crook. He's a fan.'

by Catsmeat Potter-Pirbright on Apr 20, 2009 10:43 AM EDT reply actions

Saw this in one of the "Mets history" articles

“You don’t think that matters? You’re either wrong or you’re one of the people who designed this ballpark. And maybe both. I was talking with my friend Peter Schwartz, one of the gifted radio voices, who told me a story the other day about how he and his wife decided to encourage their 20-month-old son’s rooting interest. He’s a Yankees/Islanders fan. She’s a Mets/Rangers fan. They compromised: he would root for the Mets and the Islanders. There are certain things, it’s important to think them through.”

What the hell did the poor kid to deserve that fate, and I say this as a Mets/Islanders fan. Hopefully he’ll at least adopt like the Celtics or the Lakers or something.

by cjmulrain on Apr 20, 2009 10:50 AM EDT reply actions