The Fifth Inning From Hell Applesauce: Hairston Hits For The Cycle, Mets Pitching and Defense Leave The Gate Wide Open

Meet the Mets

What was seen on Friday night is something I hope I never have to witness again. The Mets fell to the Rockies 18-9 on Friday in what turned into an abysmal game for the team's pitching and defense. And yet, they actually held a 6-2 lead after four and a half innings on the strength of a 4-run fifth inning and an eventual Scott Hairston cycle. Chris Schwinden received his first start in place of Mike Pelfrey and was serviceable through the first four innings before all hell broke loose in the fifth. The inning started with Schwinden's own error, as he threw high to Zach Lutz at first base after fielding an easy grounder right back to the mound. Eleven runs, seven hits and four errors later, they found themselves behind 13-6. Hairston's cycle, the 10th in team history and first since Jose Reyes' in 2006, was the highlight of the game for the Mets. The outfielder started in left field and completed the feat in just six innings. It's just too bad this game didn't end after four and a half.

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The Mets look to get back on the horse against the Rockies tonight. They'll send Dillon Gee to the hill and he'll face off against righty Guillermo Moscoso, who has been recalled from AAA. Jeremy Guthrie, originally listed as the starter for this game, was placed on the 15-day DL last night after injuring his shoulder when he fell off of his bike. You can catch all of the action locally on SNY and WFAN 660 at 8:10 PM.

With Mike Pelfrey going to visit Dr. Andrews on Monday, Chris Schwinden got his big break but struggled in his first outing. Terry Collins said that the team will give him at least another start and evaluate from there. However, Collins made sure to remind everyone that top prospects Matt Harvey and Jeurys Familia will stay put at AAA Buffalo, likely for the majority of this season. In some better news, righty Chris Young is making his way back and could actually begin a rehab assignment very soon, putting him on track to rejoin the club sometime in May. Should I hold my breath on this one?

We're closing on in the return of Andres Torres, who played at AAA Buffalo last night and went 0-4 with a walk, two strikeouts and a stolen base. He'll play another game there tonight and should that go well, it sounds like he'll join the team in Houston for Monday's game.

It was initially thought that Zach Lutz would be the casualty when Torres returned but it's looking more like he could stick around the big club.

Andy McCullough has a nice piece on Jordany Valdespin, who's undeniable talent is only shrouded by the questions about his attitude. Jordany looks to be the guy to get demoted when Torres returns.

Finally, Matt Harvey landed at #6 in this week's Baseball America Hot Sheet. Harvey had an excellent week with AAA Buffalo, throwing 13 innings, while striking out 15 and walking just 3. He only allowed 3 runs and even hit a home run.

Around the NL East

Heading back to Miami did not serve to wake up the Marlins, as they were shut out by the Diamondbacks 5-0 last night. The Fish managed just 3 hits against Joe Saunders, who tossed the complete game shutout. Ouch.

Roy Halladay allowed three runs to the Cubs over 7 innings but that was just too much for the hapless Phillies offense, as they fell to Chicago 5-1.

How about those Braves? Atlanta improved to 13-7 as they beat up on the Pirates 6-1 at Turner Field. One of the worst offenses in baseball a year ago, the Braves now lead the National League in runs scored. Not all is well for them, though, as catcher Brian McCann has a strained intercostal muscle.

Finally, the Nationals lost to the Dodgers 3-2 as Clayton Kershaw outdueled Ross Detwiler. The bigger news, though, comes from the infirmary. Third baseman Ryan Zimmerman is headed to the 15-day DL with that lingering inflammation in his right shoulder and the Nats will call up mega-prospect Bryce Harper to replace him. Harper, ranked among the top 3 prospects in baseball by most publications, will make his big league debut on Saturday at the ripe old age of 19. The team also placed Brad Lidge on the DL with an abdominal wall strain.

Around the Majors

Bryce Harper wasn't the only super prospect called up on Friday. The Angels recalled OF Mike Trout, also ranked among the top three prospects in the game. Trout will take the roster spot of veteran OF Bobby Abreu, who was released by the team.

The Rays improved to 13-7 as they won their 6th straight, defeating the Rangers 8-4 in Texas. Meanwhile, the Red Sox woes from a week ago have disappeared for the moment. They won their 5th straight, defeating the White Sox 10-3. Is it time to fire Bobby Valentine yet? Am I doing this right?

Tigers outfielder Delmon Young was arrested early Friday morning after shouting anti-Semitic slurs at a group of men and then tackling one of them outside of his hotel in New York. Hours later, the Tigers placed Young on the restricted list. Of course, this is not Young's first violent episode, as he famously threw a bat at an umpire during a minor league game after being called out on strikes.

Umpire Jeff Kellogg was a hero on Friday, as he tackled some moron fan who ran onto the field. There's some pretty good footage of it in that link, too.