Let's Go, J.R.
By jrhippe
Editor's note: Welcome new blogger, J.R. Hippe, a Mets fan who will give us the rundown on the good team from N.Y.C. each week. Let's go...)
The Mets were well represented at the Mid-Summer Classic in Pittsburgh having four players voted to start and could have had a pitcher starting too, if Tom Glavine had not just pitched on Sunday and Pedro Martinez on the disabled list.
In the Home Run Derby on Monday night, David Wright became the first Met since 1993 (Bobby Bonilla) to participate. And the 23-year-old did not disappoint smacking 16 homers in the first round, the third most in Derby history. He slowed down due to fatigue in the second round with only a pair. In the final versus Philadelphia's Ryan Howard, Wright led off with four. Howard hit five including the winning shot off the Mastercard 50,000 flights sign in right field. Time will tell if he becomes the second Phillie in as many years that sees a major dropoff in production after winning the Derby.
On Tuesday in the actual game itself, David Wright, Paul LoDuca and Carlos Beltran made starts. Jose Reyes couldn't take his shortstop spot because of the injured wrist he suffered sliping headfirst into first just days before. Hopefully that's a lesson learned. In the second, Wright hit a game tying homerun. Beltran put the National League ahead 2-1 after stealing third and eventually taking home on a passed ball. Despite the leading heading to the ninth, the Padres' Trevor Hoffman blew the save and the AL won their ninth consecutive game giving them home field advantage in the World Series.
The Mets took two of three from the Cubs this past weekend at Wrigley. On Sunday they set a franchise record after scoring 11 runs in the sixth inning. The offensive explosion included grand slams from Cliff Floyd, who promised the team he would have a much better second half and Carlos Beltran. Wright added a two run shot in the inning. NYM won 13-5.
When's Pedro Coming Back?
After dealing with sore ribs a couple weeks ago, the Mets' righthander was put on the DL before the All-Star break, he had to miss his chance at starting the game. Now after a bout of food poisoning last week, Martinez threw yesterday in Chicago. He is still expected to have a couple more bullpen sessions and a simulated game. According to John Delcos of The Journal News he could be starting next Tuesday against the Cubs.
Jose Reyes is expected to make his return Tuesday night versus the Reds.
BASE HITS
- On Wednesday night after the All-Star game, David Wright appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman. The interview can be seen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SANFcm10KhU
- At the ESPY's, Wright was nominated for Best Play for his barehanded over the shoulder catch at San Diego last season, but lost out to football player Tyrone Prothro of the University of Alabama.
- According to Baseball Prospectus, the Mets have a 98.5% of making the playoffs - the highest among any team in baseball.
ON DECK
- Three game series at Cincinatti starting Tuesday night. Thursday's game starts at 12:35 PM ET.
- Back to Shea for a weekend set against the Astros. Saturday is a nationally televised game on FOX. Roger Clemens is the probable pitcher for Sunday's game.
Questions, comments, conundrums, concerns? email:jrhippe@canada.com
