Bullpen? Applesauce

by Joe Budd on May 27, 2009 10:09 AM EDT in Applesauce

Meet the Mets

For the first time in a while, a lot of good news to report in last night's game. First, Livan threw 127 pitches in the first complete game in Citi Field history, which also happened to be a 6-1 Met win. Gary Sheffield contributed yet another big home run, making this team look like the 1997 Marlins.

Last night was also Fernando Martinez's big league debut. Martinez was 0 for 3, but did collect his first RBI. Minaya called up Martinez after putting Church and Reyes on the DL, and sending cash to Cleveland for shortstop Wilson Valdez.

If only instant replay had been around 40 years ago...

Steve Brad Holt is improving in St. Lucie, striking out 10 batters in last night's 6-1 win over Sarasota. Holt's ERA is now 3.57.

Meanwhile, Oliver Perez lost his control and the game in Buffalo, walking 5 batters in 4.1 innings.

More complaining about Citi Field's lack of Met history. This time about the championship banners. They might as well have put them above the urinals in the Field Box level.

Nick Johnson doesn't rule out the idea of playing for the Mets.

Around the NL East

Federal Baseball took Applesauce's criticism well. Just never make the mistake again... They also had some good observations about the Mets/Nationals series so far. They also have a legitimate gripe about the All Star fan voting at third base.

The Mets will not have Daniel Cabrera to kick around anymore. The Nationals DFA'd the wild right hander.

Joe Blanton lowered his ERA to 6.14 in Philadelphia's 5-3 victory over the Marlins. Shane Victorino got four hits in five at bats. Andrew Miller was shaky at the start and Hanley Ramirez's error led to a 3-0 hole for the Marlins. At least Ramirez made it onto the field; he is battling a painful right groin.

The Phillies are looking at Jason Marquis and Erik Bedard.

Chipper Jones was back on the field Tuesday night, only to face reigning Cy Young award winner Tim Lincecum. Lincecum allowed five singles over eight innings in the Giants' 4-0 victory.

Around MLB

Albert Pujols is getting the Barry Bonds treatment.

Cleveland outfielder Matt LaPorta (the key player in the Sabathia deal) was sent down by the Indians to triple-A. La Porta was 8 for 42 this year.

What's wrong with the Rays?

Will Manny Ramirez be starting in the All Star game?

The Diamondbacks snapped San Diego's 10 game winning streak thanks to Max Scherzer's outstanding effort.

Zack Greinke wins his 8th. The Nationals have won 13.

Yesterday's nomination of Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court gave a spotlight to her role in ending the baseball strike.

Jose Canseco did not win in his MMA debut. He is lucky to still be breathing.

For all you who didn't want a rainout because of tickets, congratulations. You saw an MLB debut and a complete game. Nicely done.

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Comments

i feel for the nats fans with zimmerman and the ASG voting

but i dont agree with the philosophy that you should vote for whoever is having the best half (or quater at this point) season so far. the ASG should be an exhibition game, and it should bring together all the players the fans want to see most (in my opinion). zimmerman is having a better season than dwright is so far, but he also been rediculously hot so far this year. so zimmerman has been hitting and fielding better in the last couple months. big deal. does wright have a higher true talent level? yes. has wright been far more valuable the last 3-4 years? yes. is wright far more popular? yes. should wright be the starting NL 3B? duh.

yes i am a homer but if zimmerman outpreforms wright for the next 4 years and then 5 years from now wright has a hotter april and may but zimmerman has already established himself as the premier 3B in the NL, than i wouldnt bitch and moan if wright was not leading the votes.

All of the mets fans hope that we will not see the bad news mets ever again.

by kendynamo on May 27, 2009 10:32 AM EDT reply actions

I read the post and comments over there

and realized that I honestly don’t care. Of course it’s a popularity contest; it’s also a contest to see which team has the best organized fan base for purposes of stuffing the ballot box. If an online campaign resulted in 15 million people voting for Omir Santos to start in the all-star game, and he happens to have the most votes, fine. It just doesn’t really matter to me whether our guys or their guys get “robbed” in the All-Star voting.

"He's definitely mixing it into his repertoire. That's French for 'repertoire' " - Keith Hernandez

by Catsmeat Potter-Pirbright on May 27, 2009 10:37 AM EDT up reply actions

Yep

I think most reasonable fans realize the ASG is a exhibition game— and so it’s ludicrous that it “counts.” Frankly, writers/managers/execs/players aren’t any more qualified to select the best players than the fans are.

by jasondg on May 27, 2009 11:31 AM EDT up reply actions

Rubin's column

notes that Ollie touched 94 mph last night. Hey, that’s at least some good news, right?

by jasondg on May 27, 2009 11:29 AM EDT reply actions

That is a thing

did Rubin happen to note whether or not that pitch was in the strike zone?

"He's definitely mixing it into his repertoire. That's French for 'repertoire' " - Keith Hernandez

by Catsmeat Potter-Pirbright on May 27, 2009 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions

From everything that has to do with Citi Field (along with the name) it just sounds like one bad idea after another. But thats probably more to do with growing up with Shea and seeing almost every MLB game I have at it.

Its about time to give up on Perez.

by Mark D on May 27, 2009 12:06 PM EDT reply actions

Cerrone actually has a point

That’s a strange and ridiculous place to put the banners. I hadn’t seen them on TV and wondered where they were. It’s almost like they were put there as an afterthought, like a random plaque or photo you can look at while waiting in line for food.

Really, Jerry?

by Prince on May 27, 2009 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions

OK, I admit it

I added Gary Sheffield to my fantasy team. I’m sure he’ll come back to earth soon, but before this I was running an outfield of Raul Ibanez, Jermaine Dye, Nelson Cruz, Jason Kubel and Willy Taveras. (Good thing defense doesn’t count.)

by JoshNY on May 27, 2009 12:18 PM EDT reply actions

congratulations to the people of buffalo!

That team was already an abomination, but with F! gone, the only remotely interesting thing left is the handful of remaining Niese starts. Enjoy your new franchise! You’re welcome.

by metsjetsnets on May 27, 2009 12:41 PM EDT reply actions

Yay Niese...

Hopefully Josh Thole should give them something to be somewhat excited about soon…

"I dunno. I never smoked any Astroturf"
-Tug McGraw

by squid92 on May 27, 2009 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions

good call

by metsjetsnets on May 27, 2009 3:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Love the comments on Phillies Nation

They certainly are a sophisticated bunch.

Really, Jerry?

by Prince on May 27, 2009 1:58 PM EDT reply actions

Every comment is about which guy is a better clubhouse prescense.

"I dunno. I never smoked any Astroturf"
-Tug McGraw

by squid92 on May 27, 2009 3:05 PM EDT up reply actions

the bull pen

is Bobby Parnell for real. i watched him for the 1st time when he threw hot fire past the red soxs. why did we not use him more last year?
for the first time in a long time, are bull pen is just sick. i saw something that we might trade him for another position player. this better not be true

will he settle in as the 7th lining guy

by jhroac02 on May 27, 2009 3:14 PM EDT reply actions

Parnell's been a starter in the minors for a few years

Yes, he does throw hard. His velocity seems a little inconsistent, but on the bad days its more often 92-94 and on the good days its more 96-98. Boston was the first time I’ve ever seen him touch 100, he’d generally top out around 98. The result is he’s averaging 94.5 MPH, which is pretty awesome, and it has good movement as well. His slider and changeup are below average though. Not unusable, but nothing special. He looks like a legitimately excellent middle reliever, but he’s never been tested for an extended time in the pen, and he only has 25 big league innings, so a lot can still change quickly for him.

"All energy flows according to the whims of the great magnet

What a fool I was to defy him"

-HST

by Mark Himmelstein on May 27, 2009 3:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Given the makeup you just described

(one plus pitch that he throws ~85% of the time), it’s hard to imagine him having a future anywhere other than short relief at least until he develops something else. The good news is that he’s only 24 so that is still a reasonable possibility.

by Zwill on May 27, 2009 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions