Series Recap: Mets Swept by Marlins

By Kenneth Teape (@teapester725)

New York Mets vs. Miami Marlins

Series Recap, May 5^th-May 7^th

May 5th	Mets 3	Marlins 4
May 6th	Mets 0	Marlins 3
May 7th	Mets 0	Marlins 1

Click here for Game 2 Recap

The New York Mets road trip came to a disastrous end, as they Miami Marlins swept them in the three-game series. The Mets fell under .500 for the first time since April 19^th, losing six of their last seven games as the Marlins pitching staff mowed down the Mets lineup every night. The Mets were unable to get anything going against a Marlins team that has been dominant at home with a 17-5 record. Here are some things to take away from the series.

-Positives

The Mets starting pitchers were able to bounce back after ugly performances against the Colorado Rockies in Denver. All three starters, Jon Niese, Bartolo Colon and Zack Wheeler, threw quality starts and lasted at least six innings. Niese continues to toss gem after gem for the Mets. Through six starts on the season, Niese owns a 1.82 ERA and 1.01 WHIP in 39.2 innings. He has given up one or less earned runs in four start starts, yet disappointingly, he only has a 2-2 record to show for his efforts.

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

Mets Blanked By Marlins as Road Trip Struggles Continue

By Kenneth Teape (@teapester725)

Tuesday, May 6^th, 2014

New York Mets vs. Miami Marlins

Post Game Recap

The New York Mets road trip struggles continued again Tuesday night against the Miami Marlins, as they were shut out 3-0. It is the second consecutive loss for the Mets in Miami, who have lost five of their last six games since opening the road trip with a victory over the Philadelphia Phillies. This was only the fifth time all season that the Mets did not hold a lead at some point in the game. With the loss the Mets fall back to .500 with a record of 16-16. The Marlins run their record to 18-15, with a dominating home record of 16-5.

Tonight the Mets were shutdown by Henderson Alvarez. Alvarez went the distance, tossing a complete game shutout. The Mets did not mount much of a threat offensively all evening, managing only six hits. Alvarez struck out seven over his nine innings as well. Alvarez is the first Marlin since Dontrelle Willis on July 3^rd, 2005 to shut out the Mets.

Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

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.

 

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

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.

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

Series Recap: Mets Take 3 of 4 From Reigning NL Champion Cardinals

By Kenneth Teape (@teapester725)

St. Louis Cardinals vs. New York Mets

Series Recap, April 21^st-April 24^th

April 21st	Cardinals: 0	Mets: 2
April 22nd	Cardinals: 3	Mets: 0
April 23rd	Cardinals: 2	Mets: 3
April 24th	Cardinals: 1	Mets: 4

Click here for Game 2 Recap

After a rough series against division rival Atlanta Braves, the New York Mets were able to bounce back nicely against reigning NL Pennant winning St. Louis Cardinals. For fans of offense, this one was a tough one to watch, but there was outstanding pitching throughout from both sides. Being able to take three out of four from the Cardinals is an impressive feat for the Mets, and should give them plenty of confidence heading into their weekend series with the Miami Marlins. The Mets record now sits at 12-10, with a 6-7 record at Citi Field.

-Positives

The pitching staffs, namely the starting pitchers, have continued to be dominant for the Mets. They are in the midst of an outstanding run in which they have allowed three or less earned runs, a streak that now sits at 10 games. During that 10-game span, the Mets starting pitchers have allowed only 13 earned runs in 63.2 innings, which equates to an ERA of 1.84. Only one pitcher over that span has failed to last at least six innings.

 

Mike Stobe/Getty Images

That one pitcher who was unable to go six innings was Jenrry Mejia, who was forced from his start against the Arizona Diamondbacks with a nasty blister. Mejia was not forced to miss any starts, which is a good thing for the Mets as he is dealing right now. Mejia pitched the series opener, and dominated the Cardinals over 6.2 innings. Mejia ran his season record to a perfect 3-0 with a sparkling ERA of 1.99.

Travis d’Arnaud is clearly the starting catcher for the Mets, but Anthony Recker is making a case to get some more playing time. d’Arnaud performed better at the plate against the Cardinals, but not to the level where it should keep Recker on the bench. Recker is not only hitting more than d’Arnaud, but he is also calling outstanding games behind the plate. In games Recker catches, the Mets pitching staff sports a 2.78 ERA and .204 batting average against.

It isnt much, but Curtis Granderson actually ended the series getting hits in the final two games. With how much he has struggled this season, anything positive like that needs to be pointed out. He reached base the final three games of the series, walking in the second game once. The Mets offense has been anemic all season, and a big reason for that is the lack of production from Granderson. The Mets need him to start producing consistently and help get the offense on track.

-Negative

 

Al Bello/Getty Images

After having his 12-game hitting streak snapped in the shutout loss Tuesday, Wright now is on a three-game hitless streak. After going 1-4 in Game 1, Wright was unable to give any production for the Mets the final three games. The Wright finished the series with an ugly 0-11 performance, with five strikeouts. The Mets just have not been able to get everyone on the same page offensively this season, further emphasizing just how impressive their pitching staff has been.

Mets Blanked By Cardinals Behind Adam Wainwright

By Kenneth Teape (@teapester725)

Tuesday, April 22^nd, 2014

St. Louis Cardinals vs. New York Mets

Post Game Recap

William Perlman-The Star-Ledger

The New York Mets had the script flipped on them from Monday night’s game, when they shut the St. Louis Cardinals out 2-0 behind a strong performance from Jenrry Mejia. Tonight, the shut out was in the Cardinals favor, as they shut the Mets offense down behind a dominant performance from their ace Adam Wainwright.

Wainwright was dominant against the Mets, tossing seven shutout innings on only 79 pitches. He was forced from the game after he finished the seventh inning because of a hyper-extended right knee, but he had done more than enough to get his team the victory. Only four Mets reached base against Wainwright, and only one player even reached second base. The Mets had only two players get to second base all night.

This was the second straight lights-out performance for Wainwright, as he tossed a two-hit shutout against the Mets division rival Washington Nationals his last time out.

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.

Christian Peterson-Getty Images

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 Are Swept By Nationals In Opening Series of Season

Written by Kenneth Teape (@teapester725)

Washington Nationals vs. New York Mets

Series Recap, March 31^st-April 3rd

It was a rough opening series for the New York Mets, as they were handled rather easily by the Washington Nationals. It was the first time that the Mets were swept in their opening series in nine years, and it was tough to watch at times. Here are some takeaways from the three-game opening series from Citi Field.

-Positives

The Mets starting rotation, at least through one series, has been a bright spot. All three starters, Dillon Gee, Bartolo Colon and Zack Wheeler, had quality starts to begin the season. Gee was especially strong, probably the most deserving of a victory of the starters, as he retired 15 straight batters after allowing a two-run home run to Adam LaRoche. Colon and Wheeler both surrendered three runs in six innings, finishing with identical 1.50 WHIP as well. The big blemish for Colon was surrendering a homerun to the opposing starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez.

Juan Lagares was arguably the best position player the Mets had against the Nationals. No matter where manager Terry Collins put him in the lineup, Lagares produced. He hit leadoff, second and sixth, and not only did he register a hit in each game, he had at least one extra base hit in each game as well. Lagares finished the series 5-11, with two doubles, a triple and home run, and drew one walk. He scored four runs, and had two RBI as well. Lagares is in the lineup most nights because of the defense that he provides, so any addition production he gives at the plate should be viewed as an added bonus.

Andrew Theodorakis/New York Daily News

Lets Play GM: New York Mets

Photo Source Unknown

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.

Mets Offense Erupts in The Bronx

amazingavenue.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

May 29th, 2013

New York Mets vs. New York Yankees Post Game Recap

Final Score: Mets 9 Yankees 4

After two low scoring Mets wins in Citi Field, the Subway Series went back to the Bronx for Game 3, where the Mets offense erupted and took the third game, which ensures themselves victory in the Subway Series for 2013. The loss for the Yankees makes it their first four-game losing streak of the season, and on the other hand the Mets seem to have something going winning four straight games.

This game seemed to be over in the top of the first inning, as Yankees Starter David Phelps had the worst start of his career in a game the Yankees and their fans certainly wanted. Phelps got just one out in the first inning, while allowing five runs on four hits, and two walks before being pulled for Preston Claiborne. Phelps did get hit with a line drive in his last start, but said it wasn’t bothering him before the start; clearly something was not right for Phelps however on Wednesday night.

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.

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.