Better Watch Out for Those Man-Eating Jackrabbits Applesauce: Mets Beat Rockies, Saddle up to the Bar None Ranch

Meet the Mets

I was stuck in traffic on the New Jersey Turnpike and then on the BQE for most of Sunday afternoon and evening, so it was nice of the Mets to draw out their game with the Rockies as long as possible so I had something to listen to. After enduring a pinch hit grand slam, and a blown save from Frankie Frank, the Mets finally pulled it out in eleven on a fourteen bounce groundball single by Ike Davis. It was kind of a cue shot, but it went to the opposite field, so that should make Keith happy. It was Ike's third hit of the game, so maybe he's going to get going now, though he also struck out twice, so there's that.

The Mets bullpen scuffled yesterday, which was pretty much par for the course in the Colorado series. Look, this isn't exactly the 1999 Mets bullpen, so there are going to be weekends like this. Still don't know why Rauch didn't challenge Cuddyer with a 3-2 fastball, but then again, there's a reason I'm not a pitching coach.

The Mets head to Houston next, and decided to dress up for the occasion. Naturally, Amazin Avenue has your back with an omnibus collection of all the photos of Mets in western regalia. Naturally, R.A. Dickey takes it the most seriously and looks awesome. If they ever do a Butch Cassidy remake (I know, sacrilege, but this is Hollywood we are talking about, it is going to happen) I am all for Johan Santana and Dickey as the stars. And of course David Wright didn't want to be photographed. TRAID!

Also saddling up for Houston is Andres Torres, who is off the DL. Zach Lutz heads back to Buffalo to make room. I am assuming they are keeping Valdespin for the back-up SS/Murphy caddy role that was previously Ronny Cedeno's. Despite Kirk's .440 BABIP, Torres will bat leadoff and play CF. No seriously, Adam. Can we not pretend like this is controversial? As good as Kirk has looked in CF, the scouting reports and stats both agree that Torres is the better CF.

In case you missed it (and if you check back in a week, you may have) Reese Havens made his 2012 debut for Binghamton yesterday. It went well.

Patrick Flood has been driving across the Mid and Southwest. I have been driving across the southeast and mid-atlantic. He catches us both up on what we missed.

The radio broadcast I listened to yesterday had waaaaaay too much Jim Duquette. That was because Howie Rose was busy being inducted into the Jewish Sports Hall of Fame. Congrats to Howie, but please hurry back. Also, does anyone else think it's weird to have a team's ex-GM in the broadcast booth?

Around the NL East

If you care about standings after 22 games (you probably shouldn't too much), the Mets are only a game back of first in the NL East after the Nationals were shutout by the Dodgers. Former Met Chris Capuano shut down the Nats over 6 2/3, and has looked very good so far this year. Still leery about giving him a multi-year deal, but he is doing his best to prove me wrong so far. Bryce Harper went 0-4 with 2 Ks.

The Braves moved into a tie for first behind a strong season debut from Tim Hudson. Hudson had been on the DL recovering from off-season back surgery. Usual Tim Hudson goodness here: A K an inning and a strong groundball ratio. Granted, it was the Pirates, who have posted a .601 OPS as a team so far this year.

Wrapping up the NL East, Josh Johnson got knocked around as the Marlins fell to Arizona, and the Phillies still can't score runs. Boo hoo.

Around MLB

Pitchers on the comeback trail! Daisuke Matsuzaka is making rehab starts. And Doug Fister will start doing the same soon. That's good news for the Tigers who really need more players who are above average major leaguers on that roster. And, you know, ones that don't throw around anti-semetic slurs and get into bar fights. Allegedly.

Hall of Fame Broadcaster Tim McCarver continues to do Tim McCarver things.

Actual baseball! The Yanks won the rubber game of their series with the Tigers behind a strong outing from CC Sabbathia. Jay Bruce homered in his fourth straight as the Reds downed the Astros. Whenever I see Bruce mash I think of Lastings Milledge and shed a single tear for what might have been. David Price pitched well for my fantasy team, helping the Rays knock off the Rangers. The Rays are tied for first in the AL East with the Orioles, natch'. Josh Hamilton left the game with a stiff back. Ruh roh.

Like his rotation mate Phil Humber, Gavin Floyd flirted with history. Unlike Humber, Floyd couldn't seal the deal. Still, the White Sox, who I thought would be terrible, continue to be okay.

Finally, Carson Cistulli has some GIFs for you. And some MSPaintz. Thank him, won't you? Also, after listening to multiple Up and In podcasts on my commute, I can't read about Chad Billingsley without thinking of the phrase "Chad Billingsley ass."