Series Recap: Mets Lose 2 of 3 To Phillies, Drop 3rd Straight Series

By Kenneth Teape (@teapester725)

Philadelphia Phillies vs. New York Mets

Series Recap, May 9^th – May 11^th

May 9th	Phillies 3	Mets 2
May 10th	Phillies 5	Mets 4
May 11th	Phillies 4	Mets 5

It was another rough series for the Mets, as the Phillies were able to come into Citi Field and take two of three in the series. Both teams were coming into the series after getting swept in their previous series played. It would have been a second consecutive series on the wrong side of a sweep for the Mets had their offense not bailed them out in the ninth inning on Mother’s Day. A rough May continued for the Mets, as they have lost all three series played, losing eight of 10 games played. Their record now sits at 17-19 on the season, with an uninspiring 9-10 record at home. The Phillies also have a 17-19 record, and are 11-10 on the road. Next up for the Mets is the Subway Series, four games against the New York Yankees

-Positives

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Mets Losing Streak Hits 3 as Pitching Staff is Roughed Up

By Kenneth Teape (@teapester725)

Saturday, May 3^rd, 2014

New York Mets vs. Colorado Rockies

Post Game Recap

The New York Mets struggles in Colorado continued Saturday night, as they fell to the Colorado Rockies 11-10. It was a struggle for the Mets pitching staff tonight, as they blew two separate leads in the game. The loss gives the Mets three straight, as they have struggled mightily to keep up with the Rockies in the thin air of Denver. The Mets have struggled in Denver in recent memory, losing 21 of 29 games there since 2007. Tonight was the second straight season they blew a six-run lead to the Rockies there.

 

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Tonight the culprit was Jenrry Mejia. For the second consecutive start, Mejia struggled mightily. After cruising through the first four innings without many problems, Mejia ran into a road block in the fifth inning.

Mets Defeat Phillies Behind Jon Niese

By Kenneth Teape (@teapester725)

Tuesday, April 29^th, 2014

New York Mets vs. Philadelphia Phillies

Post Game Recap

After a one hour, 28 minutes rain delay, the New York Mets were able to continue their strong play, once again on the back of a dominant starting pitching performance. Tonight it was Jon Niese who led the charge, as the Mets defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 6-1 to take Game 1 of the quick two game series. The victory moves the Mets record to 15-11, the highest above .500 on the season, and an impressive 7-3 away from Citi Field. The 15 wins are the most for the Amazins’ in the month of April since 2007. The Phillies drop to 13-13 with the loss.

Calista Condo/South Jersey Times

Dillon Gee Pitches Mets Past Marlins

By Kenneth Teape (@teapester725)

Sunday, April 27^th, 2014

Miami Marlins vs. New York Mets

Post Game Recap

The New York Mets were able to defeat the Miami Marlins Sunday afternoon by a score of 4-0 to win their second consecutive series. Just like what the story has been throughout the early season, it was once again the starting pitching that carried the Mets in the game. The victory also puts them at a season-high tying three games over .500, with a record of 14-11.

The Mets also kept their perfect record in games Anthony Recker catches, running that record to a perfect 6-0. The pitching staff’s dominance with him calling the game continued as well.

Today it was their nominal ace Dillon Gee who put on a show. Gee tossed a gem, going eight scoreless with six strikeouts, only allowing seven base runners; three by hit and four by walks. It was the deepest Gee has went into a game thus far this season, and the second time in his last three starts he did not allow a run. Coincidentally, both of those starts are his only wins of the season.

William Perlman/The Star-Ledger

Mets Blank Diamondbacks For Second Consecutive Victory

By Kenneth Teape (@teapester725)

Tuesday, April 15^th, 2014

New York Mets vs. Arizona Diamondbacks

Post Game Recap

The New York Mets were able to continue their strong play out west, blanking the Arizona Diamondbacks Tuesday night 9-0. That makes it two in a row in the desert for the Mets, as the victory also puts the Mets record at .500; they failed to do so the first five times they had a chance to pull even in the win-loss column.

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Tonight the Mets wasted no time, jumping out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning. The Mets were able to get productive outs, as the first two runs of the inning came on a fielder’s choice and sac fly. The only run to come off a hit in the inning was a single from Kirk Nieuwenhuis that scored Lucas Duda.

The Mets then scored another six runs in the fourth inning, knocking Diamondbacks’ starting pitcher Bronson Arroyo out of the game at that point. Arroyo was roughed up, surrendering nine earned runs in 3.1 innings on 10 hits and one walk, only striking out one. The Mets were shut down otherwise, managing only two base runners outside of the first and fourth innings.

The biggest blow tonight came off the bat of Nieuwenhuis, who knocked a two-run homer in the fourth inning to give him a three-RBI game. This was Nieuwenhuis’s debut of the season, and he made a good case to not get sent back down to the minors.

He was not alone though, as Eric Young Jr. continued to give the Mets solid contributions at the top of their order. Tonight, Young got on base three times with three hits in his five plate appearances and also made the most of his run producing opportunities. He knocked in Travis d’Arnaud and Omar Quintanilla with a single in the fourth inning.

Daniel Murphy and David Wright each delivered two hits of their own, each in five at-bats. Murphy was knocked in twice. Andrew Brown only went 1-4 from the plate, but made the most of his at-bats as he knocked in an RBI in two of his three outs.

Christian Peterson-Getty Images

On the mound tonight was Jenrry Mejia, and he mowed through the Diamondback lineup. In five innings of work, Mejia gave up only two hits, while walking two, and striking out three. He was forced from the game after the fifth inning with a blister on his middle finger.

The Mets bullpen made sure to hold down the victory for Mejia, and the shutout, as Gonzalez Germen and Kyle Farnsworth continued to shutdown the Diamondbacks, combining for four shutout innings. The tandem allowed only one hit while striking out three.

The only players to break through for the D-Backs tonight were Paul Goldschmidt, Chris Owings and A.J. Pollock. Owings was also issued one of the two walks, as Gerardo Parra received the other. On the evening, the Diamondbacks had only three players get into scoring position.

Tomorrow the Mets will look for the sweep in Arizona, as Dillon Gee will take the mound looking for his first win of the season. He will be opposed by Brandon McCarthy, who will also be looking for his first win this season.

Mets Sign Granderson, Opens Up Possibilities

ESPN Inc.

Written by Joseph Thompson (@JThomp9)

Earlier today the New York Mets and Curtis Granderson agreed to a four-year $60 million contract. This is huge for the Mets, as it is their first big free agent since the Jason Bay massacre. With Chris Young signed just a few weeks ago, a logjam is beginning to form in the outfield. With Eric Young and Juan Lagares, two players who played almost everyday last season still on the roster, that leaves one spot for two players. The Mets figure Eric Young will also get some time at second base this season as they try to mold him into the super-sub player. Most importantly, this signing gives the Mets some options and more assets in moving forward in trying to field a better team. So what can the Mets do moving forward?

Lets Play GM: New York Mets

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This off-season for the Mets might be the most important one they have had in years. With a young roster that looks to be on the verge of breaking out and becoming a power house for years to come, the Mets still need some pieces to complete the puzzle and once again become relevant. Obviously everyone has their opinions on what should be done. In a world where the Mets fire GM Sandy Alderson and hire a blogger from New York, this what I would do. Breaking it down position by position and concluding to a full line-up and pitching staff.

Late Inning Heroics Push Mets Past Yankees

Elsa/Getty Images

By Kenneth Teape (@teapester725)

Tuesday, May 28^th, 2013

New York Yankees vs. New York Mets

Final Score: Yankees: 1 Mets: 2

After an hour and 40 minute delay to start the game because of rain, more late inning heroics for the Mets led to another victory, as the 2-1 victory over the Yankees at Citi Field Tuesday night pushes the Mets winning streak to three.  Tonight’s game was very similar to the game Monday night as a pitcher’s duel was on once again between the team’s aces this season in Hiroki Kuroda and Matt Harvey.  The win gave Mariano Rivera the rudest goodbye that the Mets could give him, as this was the last regular season appearance he will make in Queens and resulted in Rivera’s first blown save of the season.

Why Ike Davis is Here to Stay:

Credit: CBS Sports

It has been well documented that Ike Davis has struggled mightily to start the season. Most fans, as well as reports are calling for the Mets to send Davis to AAA Las Vegas to figure what is wrong with him offensively. The problem is, the Mets have no viable options to replace Davis at first.

Looking at the big league roster, the Mets have Lucas Duda, Mike Baxter (1 game), Justin Turner and Daniel Murphy who all have played first at one time in their career. None of these options are great defensive options nor provide the pop that Davis could provide once he figures it out.

The problem with moving Duda or Murphy over to first is now the Mets are forced to find a replacement for them. Moving Duda is more logical as the Mets could recall Collin Cowgill or Kirk Nieuwenhuis the play left. Both are defensive upgrades over Duda, however both have failed to produce in the big leagues this year. So if it offensive everyone is screaming for, none of the big league options are any better.

Moving Murphy leaves the Mets in a similar situation. The Mets have Justin Turner and Jordany Valdespin could play second that are on the current roster. The minor league options are a little more intriguing. Former top propect Wilmer Flores is hitting .283/.330/.455 with 4 HRs in AAA and has 4 errors in 162 chances at second this year. They could also call up former 2008 first rounder pick Reese Havens. Havens has a trouble staying healthy and is only hitting  .237/.314/.323. If they Mets so decide to move Murphy over they are making major sacrifices on defense, something the Mets have been trying to preach all season.

In the minors the Mets are super thin at the first base position, they have Eric Campbell and Josh Stain listed on their AAA roster. Both are not very good options defensively or offensively. Very few players make the quantum leap from AA for the big leagues. Allan Dykstra is mashing at a .298/.440/.519 clip but he is 26 years old which is considered old for AA. So if the Mets were to call up someone to play first Dykstra would be the most worthy choice.

The Free Agent market does have some interesting names such as Carlos Lee and Jim Thome, but who knows if those two are even capable of playing first base at this point. However both provide the offense the Mets are desperately seeking.

Withall of the possible options listed above the Mets replacements for Davis are cannot provide the defense Davis already does nor could they match the potential offense Davis could provide if he learns to hit again.

Mets Take 1st Game of Subway Series in Pitcher’s Duel

Elsa/Getty Images

By Kenneth Teape (@teapester725)

Monday, May 27^th, 2013

New York Yankees vs. New York Mets

Final Score: Yankees: 1 Mets: 2

The Subway Series got off to a start not many people expected with the Mets taking the first of the four game series 2-1.   The Mets were able to pull the game out tonight with some late inning heroics and stellar pitching performances to stay in the winning column for the second day in a row, the first time winning back-to-back games since May 16^th-17^th.  The win improved the Mets record to 19-29, 10 ½ games behind the Washington Nationals and fourth place in the National League East while the Yankees drop to 30-20 and second place in the American League East, ½ game behind the Boston Red Sox.

Harvey Shines as Mets Trounce Phillies 4/8

Tonight the New York Mets (5-2) defeated the Philadelphia Phillies (2-5) by a score of 7-2. Matt Harvey (2-0 0.64 ERA), once again stole the show in his second start once again going 7.0 innings. Harvey fanned 9 Phillies while only allowing one run. Harvey now has 16Ks in 14 IP all while just allowing 1 earned run. 

As good as Harvey was, there was one minor down spot. Harvey walked the leadoff batter several times in the game, though was never hurt by this as he dug deep and found a way to push forward. Harvey set the tone for the game in the first inning by striking out Ryan Howard on a 99MPH fastball to end the inning. 

The Mets then used that momentum and struck first in the top of the second as John Buck launched the 3-run homerun to right field to give the Mets a 3-0 lead. Wright and Duda had RBI singles respectively and Tejada added a two RBI single of his own. The Mets called upon Josh Edgin to finish game, and he allowed 1 run in two innings while striking out one. 

Daniel Murphy added two hits tonight and seems to be locked in as he is now up to .308 AVG on the year. John Buck’s 3 RBI now gives him 12 on the year and the NL lead. Things will be interesting if Buck remains hot as everyone knows the Mets have someone waiting in the minors to jump in and take his spot. 

Centerfield was once again a black-hole of offense as Nieuwenhuis and Cowgill went a combined 0-5 with 2Ks. Maybe it is time Valdespin saw an opportunity to prove he is the one who should be out there. Looking ahead, the Mets will face off against the Phillies for game two of their three game series as Dillon Gee will face Cliff Lee tomorrow at 7:05pm.