Mets Morning News: Drinks Are On Ike!

Meet the Mets

Last night the Mets made it four straight wins inside the friendly confines of Citi Field, as Ike Davis bludgeoned the Pirates with two big dongs and the New York cruised to a 6-2 victory. Jenrry Mejia struggled to put away the Pirates line-up at times and labored through five innings, but missed bats with his power sinker and picked up his first major league win.

The internal debate as to whether Mejia and Jeurys Familia are relievers or starters long term is still ongoing, but I bet both end up as late inning bullpen arms. Mejia often struggles to locate his breaking ball and his change-up is still too firm an offering at 89-90 mph. The command should get better as he gets further away from his Tommy John surgery, but the stuff and delivery still points to relief. And remember, nothing wrong with churning out a couple good cost-controlled relievers from your player development system.

The Positivity Train keeps on rolling as Mark Simon takes a look back at the 'Met'rics from the Mets sweep of the Marlins over the weekend, and there will be plenty more on those lovable Miami scamps as you scroll further down.

Unfortunately, we now have to slam on the emergency handbrake of the Positivity Train and discuss Jason Bay, as it looks like he will definitely be on the Mets 2013 Opening Day roster (along with starting second baseman Luis Hernandez). Again, I'll believe it when I see it. At which point I will take a golden brooch and plunge it into my eyes. Perhaps this is all posturing in an attempt to drive up his trade value? Maybe? Please? If so, Adam Rubin has identified a few other bad contracts the Mets might be able to swap Bay's for.

Let's all pour one out this morning for the greatest mustache in baseball history (non-19th-century division). Yes, Keith Hernandez's justifiably famous facial folicles are a few scant days from being shorn off entirely.

The Instructional League kicks off this week and Toby Hyde has a look at the Mets roster. Some very, very interesting names there, and I find myself cursing the Gods that I can't sneak out from work and head to St. Luice for a week.

Finally, Ted Berg knows who you can blame for Carlos Beltran's recent hot streak. And it's not Carlos Beltran! Just kidding, of course it's Carlos Beltran. #BlameBeltran.

Yesterday at AA

Joe Sokolowski brought you the potent quotables from the past week.

Brock Mahan celebrated a big anniversary for the Miracle Mets.

Rob Castellano reviewed the Brooklyn Cyclones 2012 season and took a look at how the top prospects performed.

Steve Schreiber previewed the Pirates series with some help from Bucs Dugout.

And Chris McShane recapped the Mets win over the Buccos, while resisting the urge to make Drunk Ike Davis jokes.

Oh yeah, and Amazin' Avenue got a little makeover since you went to sleep last night. Ooh, shiny.

Around the NL East

Only other division rival in action last night was the Washington Nationals, who easily dispatched the fading Brewers, so there's not a whole lot of NL East new....oh, what's that you say? A bunch of Marlins said some crazy things? *rubs palms together*

So we'll start with Jeffrey Loria and Fredi Gonzalez playing out their old marital woes in the media. I don't know who to root for here. Oh nevermind, always root against Loria.

Speaking of the 21st century robber baron, the Marlins are probably going to cut payroll next year. You know, at least they used to win a World Series before selling off their good players.

The clubhouse got in on the dysfunction as well as Heath Bell called out his manger on the radio for not saying things to his face. Logic!

And finally, Howard Megdal kicks a little dirt on the grave of the 2012 Marlins.

Around MLB

Adam Dunn socked two home runs, including a huge three-run blast to put the White Sox ahead in the eighth, and Chicago hung on to defeat the Indians 5-4. They stay one up on Detroit who cruised on by the Royals. The White Sox will have Chris Sale available for the rest of the season and any potential playoff run, despite the large inning jump he is seeing. Somewhere Tom Verducci sheds a single tear for Sale's elbow.

Speaking of cruising, the Cardinals are certainly making some hay in the midst of a soft part of their schedule. They chalked up another victory over the Astros to extend their wild card lead to three and a half games over the Brewers and Dodgers.

Speaking of soft schedules, the Yankees beat up the Twins in Minnesota last night. Combined with an Orioles/Blue Jays doubleheader split, the Yanks find themselves with a tad more breathing room in the Al East. The Orioles are closing in on a playoff berth, thanks in part to the exploits of rookie third baseman Manny Machado.

Adrian Beltre blasted a game-tying home run and then added a walk-off single in a game that went a long way in securing the AL West for the Rangers.

We wrap up your morning links with a look at Ian Kennedy, the most passive hitter on the planet.