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Meet the Mets
Down by two runs in the ninth, the Mets made an exciting comeback that was capped off by a Kelly Shoppach single/error to put the Mets on top for good by a score of 5-3. Josh Johnson cruised through eight innings for the Marlins, while Jeremy Hefner pitched very well for the Mets. Headed into the ninth, Ozzie Guillen replaced Johnson with closer Steve Cishek, who promptly put a pair of runners on base with no outs. After Ike Davis struck out (and moronically attempted to sacrifice bunt on the first pitch), Lucas Duda singled up the middle to knock in a run to cut the deficit to 3-2. Mike Baxter fouled out to short left field for out number two but Andres Torres worked a walk after an excellent at bat to load the bases for Shoppach, who lined a single up the middle to tie the game. On the play, Marlins' center fielder Justin Ruggiano overran the ball in center field while trying to load up for a throw to the plate, which allowed the third and fourth runs of the inning to score. Frank Francisco shut down the Marlins with a perfect ninth and the Mets had their 6th victory in 7 games.
Choose Your Recap: MLB.com, ESPN NY, Daily News, New York Times, Associated Press, Star-Ledger, Bergen Record
The Mets go for the sweep of the Marlins this afternoon, as Chris Young heads to the hill to face off against Mark Buehrle. First pitch is at 1:10 PM on SNY.
With the Mets' roster expanding, they added Zach Lutz into the fold and the injury plagued infielder is hoping to make a big impression. Meanwhile, Terry Collins looked back on his time in the minors when he waited (and never received) that September callup.
Collin McHugh will return to the Mets in time to make Monday's start against the Cardinals. Seeing what the 25-year old righty can do in the majors should be one of the more interesting storylines of the last month of the season.
Ike Davis' power surge has been an excellent development over the past three months.
Zack Wheeler tossed his final start of the season for Buffalo, a solid outing against Lehigh Valley. Wheeler went five innings, allowing just a run on two hits. He struck out five, though he walked four and also allowed a home run -- just the fourth he's allowed in 149 innings across Double A and Triple A.
Around the NL East
The Nationals fell to the Cardinals 10-9 in what turned out to be a see-saw affair that ended in a walkoff. Meanwhile, the Phillies defeated the Braves 5-1. Atlanta shortstop Andrelton Simmons is expected to begin a rehab assignment on Tuesday.
Around the Majors
Rafael Furcal has decided to try to rehab the torn ulnar collateral ligament in his throwing elbow instead of having surgery. If it works, Furcal could be back in 4-6 weeks.
Curtis Granderson left the Yankees' victory over the Orioles on Saturday with hamstring tightness, though it looks like it's just tendinitis and he should be okay to play today.
In case you had your eye on J.J. Putz as a potential offseason relief target, the Diamondbacks are expected to pick up his $6.5 million option for next season. I still never understood why the Mets let him walk away for nothing after 2009, especially when the White Sox signed him for pennies and got a great year out of him. Oh Omar.
The Rangers promoted stud shortstop prospect Jurickson Profar to the big leagues, where he'll join other stud prospect Mike Olt on the big league bench to watch gritty veteran leader Michael Young be awful at baseball. With the promotion, Profar has unseated Bryce Harper for the title of "youngest player in the majors".
Jason Giambi plans to play next season if a team wants him. The 41-year old has not been very good off the Rockies' bench, hitting just .241/.380/.329 in 100 plate appearances.