Kuzul

The Mets will now have to win their next two games to do two things: win consecutive road games, and win a road series against a National League opponent.

It’s going to be a tough challenge. They had the man on the mound for the job, and he didn’t get it done.

Johan Santana has no one to blame but himself for losing last night’s game. He pitched all eight innings and allowed two big home runs to Hunter Pence. It wasn’t run support or his bullpen that blew his chance at a victory.

The Mets will have a pitcher on the mound tonight who has been maybe better than Santana this season.

R.A. Dickey just continues to prove the critics wrong every time he takes the mound. It all came together for him in his last start on Friday against the Phillies.

He pitched the greatest game of his career, and actually no-hit the Phillies offense. It was a complete game one-hitter that he twirled, with the only hit coming from Cole Hamels. He left the knuckleball up in the zone, but it was meant to be.

Every Mets fan knows that no-hitters aren’t meant to be, and that the hit was eventually going to come.

After the game, Dickey was asked about his feelings on missing out on the opportunity. He said, “I could react in two ways. Pretend that I threw the no-hitter or be mad at Francoeur for not throwing Hamels out at first.”

All of the fun and excitement that Dickey has provided is just part of the story that grows. His numbers back it up with a record of 8-5 and a 2.43 ERA.

If anyone had said those would be his numbers through 17 starts, they would’ve known something the Twins (his last team) didn’t know. Instead, the Mets found Dickey just when he has developed his knuckler, and hope he carries the magic for the rest of the season.

Going for the Astros will be the only starter not to get dealt at the trading deadline, Brett Myers. The Mets had actually shown interest in him, but decided not to make any moves at the deadline. The Astros held on to him, while dealing away both Roy Oswalt and Lance Berkman.

Myers has been the biggest innings-eater in baseball this season. In each of his 24 starts, he has pitched at least six innings. He’s been effective while doing it. He has eight wins, and an ERA of 3.13.

He pitched a great game in his last start against the Pirates on Friday. In seven innings, he allowed one run on seven hits, walked none, and struck out seven. He’s been able to keep his walks down this season, allowing him to go deep in every game.

This is Myers’ first season in Houston after spending his first eight seasons in Philadelphia.

Against the right-handed Myers, the Mets should have the kids back in their lineup. One kid who is in a major slump is 20-year-old Ruben Tejada. He’s in an 0-for-25 skid, and hasn’t recorded a hit since returning from Triple-A on August 7.

On the other hand, David Wright finally drove his first run in of August, with his 18th home run of the season last night.

With Francisco Rodriguez being out for the season, the Mets will go with Hisanori Takahashi to close for the majority of the time. Jerry Manuel said his decision will be based on “matchups.”

The Mets will try to be the first to knock Myers out before the sixth inning, and ride Dickey’s magic to victory.

R.A. Dickey vs. Houston (career: two games)
0-0, 0.00 ERA, 2 IP, 0 hits, 0 BB, 1 SO

Brett Myers vs. New York (career)
9-6, 5.01 ERA, 120.1 IP, 124 hits, 36 BB, 96 SO

2010 season series (New York vs. Houston)

August 16: New York 3, Houston 1
August 17: Houston 4, New York 3

Series tied 1-1

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HOUSTON—Johan Santana threw a complete game for his second straight start, but this one only lasted eight innings.

The Mets were continuing their series in Houston, facing a former friend in Nelson Figueroa, and they were flat yet again, losing 4-3 in Minute Maid Park Tuesday night.

They did score a run in the opening inning, produced by Jose Reyes. He lead off with an infield single, moved to second on a passed ball, and scored on a Fernando Martinez single.

The Mets, though, had a chance for much more in the first inning off Figueroa. They forced him to throw 35 pitches, but only scored the one run. He walked two batters consecutively, but the inning was ruined when Martinez was caught stealing.

So, they handed Santana a 1-0 lead to work with and he struggled mightily in the first. He didn’t have his changeup working early and allowed a three-run home run to the third batter he faced, Hunter Pence.

After allowing four first-inning hits, he only allowed four more hits from the second through seventh innings. He found his changeup and was throwing his fastball around 92 miles-per-hour.

Down 3-1 in the second, the Mets got a run back. With Thole on first, who singled, Santana doubled past the drawn-in third baseman. Reyes then grounded out to shortstop, driving in a run, making it 3-2.

After that, they stopped hitting Figueroa, whose curveball was only reaching the mid-70s. After the Santana double, Figueroa didn’t allow another hit, retiring 11 of the last 12 batters he faced.

Santana was rolling along, and allowed the Mets a chance to eventually tie the game. In the eighth, David Wright led off with a home run, driving in his first run in the month of August. It was his 18th of the season, knotting the game at three apiece.

Carlos Beltran then singled, but was immediately erased on a double play by Ike Davis.

Santana gave the lead right back in the bottom of the inning. Hunter Pence hit his second home run of the game, giving the Astros a 4-3 lead.

Santana pitched eight innings, starting out and ending badly. He allowed four runs on nine hits, walked one, and struck out seven. He sandwiched in six innings of zero run, four hit ball from the second through the seventh.

In the ninth, the Mets got off to a promising start in their comeback attempt. Josh Thole led off with an infield single off the glove of Astros pitcher Wilton Lopez.

Angel Pagan, who entered the game in the seventh, popped out. Pinch hitter Chris Carter grounded a ball slowly up the third base line, but pitcher Lopez threw him out at first base. Reyes fouled out to left field to end the game.

The Mets failed to win consecutive road games yet again. The Mets have still not won consecutive road games against the National League this season.

Johan Santana suffered his sixth loss and Mark Melancon got the win for Houston.

Ruben Tejada started at second base, going 0-for-2, as he’s still without a hit since his Aug. 7 call-up.

The Mets will continue the series tomorrow with R.A. Dickey facing Brett Myers.

NL East standings (top three teams)
Atlanta 70-49
*Philadelphia 67-51 (2 1/2)
NY Mets 59-60 (11) 
*Lead NL Wild Card; Mets 8 1/2 behind

Series probable pitchers:
August 18
New York: R.A. Dickey (2010: 8-5, 2.43 ERA) vs. Houston: Brett Myers (2010: 8-7, 3.13 ERA)
August 19
New York: Pat Misch (2010: 0-1, 1.50 ERA) vs. Houston: Bud Norris (2010: 5-7, 5.42 ERA)

Upcoming schedule:
New York Mets:
August 18-19 @ Houston Astros
August 20-22 @ Pittsburgh Pirates

Houston Astros:
August 18-19 vs. New York Mets
August 20-22 @ Florida Marlins

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

HOUSTON: The Mets will continue their four-game series in Houston tonight, seeking to win back-to-back road games. The last time they accomplished the feat was June 17-18 against the Indians and Yankees.

More importantly, the Mets need to win two more games in this series to secure their first NL road series win of 2010. Yes, that’s right, they have only won two Interleague road series this season.

They will have a pitcher on the mound who has come up big so much this season for the Mets, Johan Santana. He’s exactly what a team wants from an ace.

Generally in his Mets tenure, Santana has stepped up in every way the Mets have needed him in dire situations.

Of course, the signature moment of Santana’s career came on Sept. 27, 2008, when on the second-to-last day of the season he kept the Mets in the playoff race for another day. He threw a complete-game shutout against the Marlins on a torn meniscus.

What he did in his last start was big as well. On Thursday, he threw a complete-game shutout against the Rockies.

It came a day after Francisco Rodriguez’s assault, when the Mets needed a closer. Santana made sure for that day, they wouldn’t need one.

The situation is a little different this time around, as the Mets will be without their closer for the rest of the season. Nobody expects Santana to throw a complete game every time out, but they do expect him to pitch fairly deep and succeed.

After some shakiness in the first half of the season, Santana has rebounded to pitch brilliantly, the way he has his whole career in the second half.

He hasn’t allowed a run over his last two starts, working on a 16.1 innings scoreless streak.

Looking at the standings, the Mets are 10 games behind the Braves in the NL East. But, looking at the NL Wild Card race, they’re only 7.5 games behind.

Seven and a half games is not insurmountable, and if Santana can pitch well again, the Mets may have a sliver of hope. The only problem for the Mets is, the Phillies and Giants face each other for three games, meaning they can’t gain any ground tonight.

What the Mets can also hope for is that their two big bats stay alive for a while. Last night, David Wright and Carlos Beltran went a combined 5-for-7 with a home run, although they still only scored three runs.

But at least it’s something to look at in a positive light, hoping those sticks can get on a hot streak.

Really, no one is hitting at all, and the entire bottom of the lineup has become a platoon between veteran and youth. For the remaining three games in this series, you can expect the youthful lineup to be out there.

All the pitchers the Astros will throw out are right-handed, so expect to see Davis, Thole, and Martinez in there.

Pitching for the Astros tonight will be former Met Nelson Figueroa. The same Nelson Figueroa who the Mets left off the roster after spring training.

He spent two seasons with the Mets in 2008 and 2009, and was a quality reliever/spot starter.

After the Mets relieved him of his services, he had some unkind words for them. He spoke about how unprofessional the clubhouse was and how the Mets took everything as a joke when he was with them.

He pitched for the Phillies for parts of four months, before being released, although he didn’t do a terrible job.

The Astros picked him up about a month ago, and he has appeared in eight games as a reliever for them. Tonight will be his first Astros start.

The Mets will try and hit him hard tonight, and you’d figure the Mets have the major pitching advantage, but hey, you never know. It would be nice for the Mets to string consecutive road wins together though.

Johan Santana vs. Houston (career)
2-1, 2.52 ERA, 25 IP, 26 hits, 8 BB, 14 SO

Nelson Figueroa vs. New York (career)
0-0, 3.78 ERA, 16.2 IP, 18 hits, 4 BB, 7 SO

2010 season series (New York vs. Houston)

Aug. 16: New York 3, Houston 1

Mets lead series 1-0

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Oh, how things can change so quickly. The Mets signed Francisco Rodriguez to be their new closer, replacing Billy Wagner, at the start of the 2009 season to a 3-year, $37 million contract.

Fans and members of the media thought the Mets were finally landing a star reliever, after years of frustration at the closer position.

After John Franco, the Mets never really had a legitimate closer. It started with Armando Benitez in 1999, who went on to blow Game 1 of the 2000 Subway Series.

Then in 2004 started the Braden Looper era, which lasted two seasons. In 2006, the Mets rode Billy Wagner to the NLCS, but his time in New York was cut short after Tommy John Surgery at the end of 2008.

Finally, in 2009, the Mets signed Francisco Rodriguez. He had saved an all-time Major League-best 62 games in 2008 with the Angels, and was one of their 2002 World Series heros.

Things started off great in K-Rod’s Mets career, saving 16 straight save opportunities to begin 2009.

It all started to unravel on a Friday night at Yankee Staudium. On June 12 of last season, everyone knows about the Luis Castillo dropped popup.

Up until that game, his ERA was 0.61 for the season. After that game, his ERA was 6.10 for the rest of the season.

He started walking too many batters, and fool around in ninth innings of games. He lost all of his control, even giving up a walk-off grand slam to Everth Cabrera of the Padres on August 7, 2009.

Whether it was coincidence or not, Rodriguez wasn’t the same pitcher after the Castillo error.

In that same series in the Bronx, Rodriguez got into a heated exchange with then Yankees reliever Brian Bruney, displaying some temper problems. He got into a fight with then Mets executive Tony Bernazard.

This season, he returned and still had major control issues. He would always walk the tightrope, and sometimes actually blow games. He would blow games that no one could envision being blown, especially by a “star” closer.

He wasn’t happy during the course of this season with his role in the bullpen. It all started during the 20-inning game on April 17.

The Mets, not knowing when they’d need his services, made him warm up over 10 times from the ninth through 19th innings. After all of that, he blew the save in that game, leaving it to Mike Pelfrey in the 20th inning.

He would either want to save games of more than three outs or want to come in a tie game on the road, while Jerry Manuel wasn’t sure what he wanted.

He even got into a fight with Mets bullpen coach Randy Niemann, getting into a reported shoving match with him. Earlier this season, he got into a verbal fight with the Nationals’ Willie Harris.

Through all of his struggles concerning bullpen role and temper management, he still remained steady.

It was seemingly all coming together for him over the past three weeks. He had gone nine straight appearances without allowing a run.

The Mets were finally getting what they paid for from Rodriguez. Then, it all came crashing down in an unbelievable manner.

Last Wednesday, Rodriguez wasn’t brought into a Mets game when it was thought he should’ve gone for a four-out save. The Mets went on to lose that game to the Colorado Rockies and he was angry afterwards in the clubhouse.

Members of the media who were yelled at by K-Rod, thought it was due to his frustration towards Jerry Manuel for not bringing him in.

Then it was reported that he was arrested for assault on his father-in-law. The thought was that’s who he took his anger out on. It turned out to be, the incident had nothing to do with the game of baseball.

He had already decked his girlfriend’s father before snubbing media members. What would possibly be the problem immediately after the game? There has been plenty of speculation to what exactly went on.

Reports claim Rodriguez got into a nasty fight with his girlfriend, and it was when her father stepped in that K-Rod punched him. The most recent report is that his father-in-law made remarks about Rodriguez’s mother, and that’s what caused the assault.

No matter the situation, it happened in the family room of Citi Field, and Rodriguez was arrested and charged with third-degree assault.

The Mets suspended him without pay for two days, although they wanted more. The Players Union would’ve had to accept a longer suspension.

Therefore, the Mets brought him back on Saturday, and after allowing a leadoff double, he got out of trouble. For two days that is.

On Monday, it was reported that Rodriguez complained of thumb soreness in his Saturday appearance, and the Mets Medical Staff advised him to have season-ending right thumb surgery.

Now, the Mets will be without their closer for the rest of the season, thanks to an assault. The Mets will seek a contract void, and will announce on Tuesday what they plan to do.

The Mets can’t trade him, as his value has decreased steadily with the assault and injury. They should, if they could, go through with the void.

For a team that will be rebuilding next season, what’s the point for him to interfere with their 2011 plans? Plus, if he reaches his player option (55 games pitched in 2011 or 100 games pitched between 2010-2011), he can elect to return in 2012.

So it goes for the New York Mets. The sagas and distractions never seem to end. After what seemingly has been a bad first-year investment in Jason Bay, the Mets must deal with the story of Francisco Rodriguez. It’s a really sad and ugly one.

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HOUSTON– For the first eight innings of the Mets opener in Houston, it was more of the same–no offense and great starting pitching.

For a third straight start, Jon Niese allowed one run in seven innings and received a no-decision for his effort. He has been dominating lately, but unfortunately, the offense and bullpen has combined to let him down lately.

He didn’t get off to a roaring start tonight, allowing four hits in the first three innings, but he settled down after that.

The scoring didn’t begin until the fourth, when Carlos Beltran laced a home run to left field off Wandy Rodriguez.

The Astros were held scoreless through 5.2 innings before they tied the game against Niese.

Just like Pelfrey last night, it was a two-out rally by the opposition. Jason Michaels singled and scored ahead of a Chris Johnson double, tying the game at 1-1 in the sixth. Johnson has been the hottest hitter in baseball since the All-Star break, leading the Majors in hitting.

The Mets had an opportunity to take the lead back in the seventh. David Wright singled and Beltran walked to start the inning. Jeff Francoeur then lined out hard to third base, and the next two batters were retired.

Niese finished strong in the seventh, allowing a single and nothing more. He was pinch-hit for in the eighth inning, after only throwing 100 pitches.

In order to earn a win, the Mets needed to score for him in the eighth. They didn’t come through, going down in order.

Therefore, Niese gets a third straight no-decision, allowing one run in seven innings in each start. His record remains 7-5, although it should be at least 10-5 by now.

Wandy Rodriguez was pulled after seven as well, pitching just as well as Niese.

Elmer Dessens was brought in for the Mets in the eighth and put two men on. Pedro Feliciano replaced him, and after committing an error, got the final out of the inning.

Finally in the ninth, the Mets found some offense against former farmhand Matt Lindstrom.

With one out, Wright and Beltran singled, putting runners on the corners. With Francoeur up, Lindstrom threw a wild pitch allowing Wright to score the go-ahead run.

Francoeur then proceeded to drive in another run with a triple, extending the Mets lead to 3-1. Ike Davis pinch-hit and was walked intentionally, and Josh Thole hit a pinch-double play, with Francoeur being thrown out at home to end the inning.

Then it was decision-making time for Mets manager Jerry Manuel. Without his closer Francisco Rodriguez, who will undergo season-ending thumb surgery, he elected to go with Hisanori Takahashi for the save chance.

Takahashi performed like a seasoned closer, retiring the Astros in order, closing out a Mets 3-1 victory.

The Mets finally got contributions in this game from their middle of the order. Wright and Beltran went a combined 5-for-7 with a home run.

Feliciano earned the win and Lindstrom got the loss.

The Mets will try to win two straight road games for the first time since June 17-18 against the Indians and Yankees tomorrow night. They’ll have Johan Santana on the mound against former Met Nelson Figueroa.

NL East standings (top 3 teams)
Atlanta 69-49
Philadelphia 66-51 (2 1/2)
NY Mets 59-59 (10)

NL Wild Card (Leader and Mets)
Philadelphia 66-51 (—)
San Francisco 67-52 (—)
———————————
NY Mets 59-59 (7 1/2)

Series probable pitchers:
August 17
New York: Johan Santana (2010: 10-6, 2.89 ERA) vs. Houston: Nelson Figueroa (2010: 1-0, 3.18 ERA)
August 18
New York: R.A. Dickey (2010: 8-5, 2.43 ERA) vs. Houston: Brett Myers (2010: 8-7, 3.13 ERA)
August 19
New York: Pat Misch (2010: 0-1, 1.50 ERA) vs. Houston: Bud Norris (2010: 5-7, 5.42 ERA)

Upcoming schedule:
New York Mets:
August 17-19 @ Houston Astros
August 20-22 @ Pittsburgh Pirates

Houston Astros:
August 17-19 vs. New York Mets
August 20-22 @ Florida Marlins

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

HOUSTON, TX–

New York Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez will undergo season-ending right thumb surgery.

The 28-year-old tore a ligament in the thumb during his assault on his father-in-law at Citi Field last Wednesday night.

The Mets Medical Staff has recommended surgery, but no date has been set yet.

Rodriguez was arrested and charged with third-degree assault on Wednesday after a Mets loss to the Colorado Rockies.

He has one more season plus a player option left on his three-year contract.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

Jon Niese hasn’t gotten much run support lately, and the Mets will try to turn that around tonight.

Each of Niese’s last two starts have been identical: pitch great ball, and get a no-decision for the effort. In both starts against the Phillies and Rockies, he went seven innings and allowed one run.

Both times the Mets bullpen blew a one-run lead in the eighth. It hasn’t only been Niese not getting run support lately, but he’s been the biggest culprit. He’s only 7-5 this season and he should have at least 10 wins if not more.

Now, the Mets will try and turn things around against the Houston Astros who have been playing better lately.

In fact, with their three-game winning streak, the Astros only trail the Mets by 6.5 games. They also play better at home than on the road.

Even with their recent hot streak, they are a very bad team. They traded away a star pitcher and hitter at the trading deadline in Roy Oswalt and Lance Berkman, conceding the season.

The Mets have actually not played either the Astros or Pirates this season, the two teams they’ll face on this road trip.

The last time the Mets and Astros faced, the Mets swept a three-game series at Citi Field to end 2009. The pitcher on the mound for the Mets last game, Nelson Figueroa, will pitch for the Astros on Tuesday.

Pitching for them tonight will be Wandy Rodriguez. He had the best season of his career last year, winning 14 games while pitching to a 3.02 ERA.

Overall, he’s an average career pitcher in his six seasons. This season, he’s having an average season as well.

He has received no decisions in each of his last two starts. That’s after having a stretch of 18 straight starts with a decision, in which he went 9-9; he lost his first two games of the season.

In his last start, he pitched a good game against the first-place Braves. In seven innings, he allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits, and struck out nine. The Braves scored six runs in the 10th inning to beat Houston, 8-2.

When the Mets faced the Diamondbacks in Arizona in July, they were planning on doing well against them, along with the Astros and Pirates. It didn’t work out against Arizona as the Mets lost five of six.

In the just completed series against the Phillies, the Mets scored two runs in three games. In 15 games out of 29 since the All-Star break, the Mets have scored two runs or less (52 percent).

Things have been going so bad that Jerry Manuel doesn’t even know what to do. When asked after last night’s game who’s going to be the second baseman of the near future, Luis Castillo or Ruben Tejada, Manuel replied “I have no clue.” He went on to say, “Maybe I can give it a try.”

That’s what it has come down to for the Mets. They’re getting fine starting pitching (1.00 ERA on the home stand) but absolutely no hitting.

They’ll try to do a lot of hitting in the next four games at the bandbox that is Minute Maid Park.

Jon Niese vs. Houston (career- 7/25/09)
Win, 7 IP, 1 ER, 4 hits, 2 BB, 3 SO

Wandy Rodriguez vs. New York (career)
2-2, 3.68 ERA, 29.1 IP, 27 hits, 9 BB, 23 SO

2009 season series (New York vs. Houston)
Mets won series 5-1

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NEW YORK– Going for the rubber-match win against the Phillies, the Mets offense slumped yet again. The game began under wet conditions because of the Mets late flight to Houston.

Mike Pelfrey was on the mound, trying to duplicate his prior performance against the Rockies, and he pitched solid ball.

His problem was holding the Phillies running game. The Phillies stole three bases against Pelfrey and they all led to runs. He retired the first four batters he faced, before allowing a single in the second.

Pitching for the Phillies was Kyle Kendrick, whom the Mets hit three home runs against on April 30. They got off to a great start against him, getting three singles in the first inning, but they never scored.

Jose Reyes led off with a hit, but was caught stealing second. David Wright and Carlos Beltran got two consecutive hits, but Ike Davis left them stranded by flying out to center field.

The Mets would then receive a Chris Carter leadoff single in the second, but Kendrick retired the next three batters.

In the third, that’s when the Phillies started using their running game. With one out, pitcher Kyle Kendrick hit a ball on the ground to right field. Angel Pagan threw him out at first base for the embarressing nine-to-three putout.

Still, the Phillies managed a two-out rally. Jimmy Rollins singled and subsequently stole second and third base. Shane Victorino doubled him in to give the Phillies a 1-0 lead.

The Mets got the run right back in the third on a Reyes leadoff home run, his eighth of the season.

To that point, the Mets were 5-for-10 against Kendrick to start the game, but they would record one more hit for the rest of the game–a bunt hit by Luis Castillo in the fifth.

Pelfrey was working with new life, but once again got bit by the Phillies running game in the fifth.

Just like in the third, it was a two-out rally. Victorino singled and stole second, and scored on a Placido Polanco single, making it 2-1 Phillies.

The Phillies added another run off Pelfrey in the sixth. Jayson Werth lead off with a triple and scored on a Carlos Ruiz single, extending the lead to 3-1.

Pelfrey pitched decent enough, but not good enough with the Mets’ bats really struggling. In seven innings, he allowed three runs on seven hits, and hit two batters. It was his second consecutive quality start after a long rough patch.

Kendrick went 6.2 innings for the Phillies, allowing one run on six hits, he walked one and struck out four. The Mets went 1-for-14 with a walk and sacrifice bunt against him after the Reyes home run.

The Phillies bullpen pitched shutout ball for 2.1 innings, closing out a 3-1 win.

With the loss, the Mets fall a season-high 10 games behind in the NL East. They close out a 3-3 home stand, having scored two runs in the Phillies series.

They will begin a four-game series in Houston tonight, with Jon Niese facing Wandy Rodriguez.

NL East standings (top 3 teams)
Atlanta 68-49
Philadelphia 66-51 (2)
NY Mets 58-59 (10)

NL Wild Card (Leader and Mets)
Philadelphia 66-51 (—)
San Francisco 67-52 (—)
———————————
NY Mets 58-59 (8)

Next series probable pitchers:
August 16
New York: Jon Niese (2010: 7-5, 3.50 ERA) vs. Houston: Wandy Rodriguez (2010: 9-11, 4.18 ERA)
August 17
New York: Johan Santana (2010: 10-6, 2.89 ERA) vs. Houston: Nelson Figueroa (2010: 1-0, 3.18 ERA)
August 18
New York: R.A. Dickey (2010: 8-5, 2.43 ERA) vs. Houston: Brett Myers (2010: 8-7, 3.13 ERA)
August 19
New York: Pat Misch (2010: 0-1, 1.50 ERA) vs. Houston: Bud Norris (2010: 5-7, 5.42 ERA)

Upcoming schedule:
New York Mets:
August 16-19 @ Houston Astros
August 20-22 @ Pittsburgh Pirates

Houston Astros:
August 16-19 vs. New York Mets
August 20-22 @ Florida Marlins

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

NEW YORK– After exchanging shutouts with the Phillies over the first two games, the Mets will go for the series win tonight with Mike Pelfrey on the mound.

In his last start, Pelfrey pitched a gem, and earned his first win since June 25. He pitched seven scoreless innings against the Rockies for the second time this season on Tuesday and will try to give the Mets a winning home stand, one they really need.

The problem with Pelfrey had been the lack of bite on his sinker and he was also lacking velocity. On Tuesday, his sinker was sinking consistently, and he was throwing in the low-to-mid 90s. He must continue to pitch that way, which he was in the first half of the season, if he wants continued success.

Earlier in the season, people were saying Pelfrey could win 20 games. Well, with 11 now and nine more starts, he’ll have to go 9-0.

Pitching for the Phillies will be Kyle Kendrick. He has had as inconsistent a season as possible to this point. He has allowed five earned runs or more in eight starts, and one earned run or less in 10 starts. That puts his ERA at a below-average 4.60 for the season in 24 games, 22 starts.

He got beat bad in his last start on Tuesday against the Dodgers, a game the Phillies lost, 15-9. In 3.1 innings pitched, he allowed six runs (five earned) on eight hits.

Of all those runs, he actually didn’t allow a home run. That’s a rarity, as he’s allowed 21 this season in his 22 starts. He faced the Mets back on April 30 and allowed three home runs in that game, one of two games in which he’s allowed three home runs.

After last night’s game, Mets manager Jerry Manuel said that he will sit the slumping Ruben Tejada, and start Luis Castillo at second base.

Yesterday, Castillo was quoted telling the New York Post that he will not play for the Mets next season, and that he still wants to be an everyday player. He said he knows the Mets want to play the younger players, and that he understands that.

The way Tejada has been playing lately, Castillo can certainly win his starting job back if he performs.

The Mets will wrap up the home stand tonight, with Pelfrey on the mound, before heading to Houston and Pittsburgh for a week.

Slumping Mets:
Ike Davis last 22 games: .234 avg, 2 HR, 11 RBI, 25 SO
Ruben Tejada last 21 games: .117 avg (7-for-60), 3 RBI
David Wright last 10 games: .098 avg (4-for-41), 0 RBI, 12 SO
Carlos Beltran last 13 games: .200 avg (8-for-40), 5 RBI

Mike Pelfrey vs. Philadelphia this season (2 starts)
1-1, 4.91 ERA, 11 IP, 11 hits, 6 BB, 7 SO

Kyle Kendrick vs. New York (April 30)
Loss, 5 IP, 4 ER, 5 hits, 1 BB, 3 SO, 3 HR

2010 season series (New York vs. Philadelphia)
April 30: New York 9, Philadelphia 1
May 1: Philadelphia 10, New York 0
May 2: Philadelphia 11, New York 5

May 25: New York 8, Philadelphia 0
May 26: New York 5, Philadelphia 0
May 27: New York 3, Philadelphia 0

August 6: Philadelphia 7, New York 5
August 7: New York 1, Philadelphia 0
August 8: Philadelphia 6, New York 5

August 13: New York 1, Philadelphia 0
August 14: Philadelphia 4, New York 0
Mets lead series 6-5

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NEW YORK—The shutouts continued tonight at Citi Field, but this time the Mets were the losers. Facing Phillies ace Roy Halladay, the Mets not only didn’t hit, but their fielding was atrocious.

When a pitcher like Halladay is the opposing pitcher, a team can’t make mistakes, and the Mets made three errors in a three-inning span.

The Mets called Pat Misch up to make the start, and he retired the first eight batters he faced.

The first hit he allowed was to Halladay, the second straight game the opposing pitcher recorded the team’s first hit. That opened the door to a one-run inning, as two consecutive hits followed to produce a run.

Meanwhile, Halladay, who has a perfect game this season, retired the first nine batters he faced.

In the fourth, Misch made the Mets’ first error, throwing a ball down the line on a comebacker.

In the Mets fourth, Jose Reyes lead off with a triple to deep right-center field. Just like last night, a leadoff triple was stranded, as Angel Pagan, David Wright, and Carlos Beltran grounded out and struck out twice respectively. That would’ve been a huge run to score off Halladay, but the Phillies kept their 1-0 lead.

In the fifth, with two on and one out, Mets second baseman Ruben Tejada made an error on a potential double-play grounder.

He threw the ball to second for the force and it got away from Reyes, into left field, allowing a run to score. Ironically, the next batter would hit into an inning-ending double play.

The most costly and inexcusable error by the Mets came in the sixth, their third of the game.

Pat Misch gave up two singles to start the inning. After an advancing out, he intentionally walked Wilson Valdez to get to Halladay. He struck Halladay out to set up the bases loaded and two outs for Jimmy Rollins.

After fighting hard to make the right pitches, Misch induced a groundball to third base. David Wright let the ball go through his legs, kicking off his left shoe, and into left field allowing two runs to score, making it 4-0 Phillies.

Misch in six innings, allowed four runs, but only one earned. David Wright, who also had another rough night at the plate, heard some boos from the Citi Field crowd.

Halladay pitched eight innings, allowing zero runs on four hits. He walked none and struck out seven.

In the ninth, Francisco Rodriguez returned from his two-day stint on the restricted list. He got booed on his way in from the bullpen, and after allowing a leadoff double, stranded the runner at second.

After the game, he answered some questions from the media, but ended the interview after the questions got a little personal.

In the last of the ninth, the Mets tried fighting back down four runs against Ryan Madson.

They loaded the bases, but Josh Thole struck out on ball three in the dirt, and the Mets lost, 4-0.

Ruben Tejada went 0-for-2 and has still not recorded a hit since his Aug. 7 call-up. He was pinch-hit for by Luis Castillo in the eighth. Ike Davis continued his struggles, going 0-for-4 with three strikeouts.

The Mets will try to win the rubber game against the Phillies tomorrow night, with Mike Pelfrey opposing Kyle Kendrick.

NL East standings (top three teams)
Atlanta 67-49
Philadelphia 65-51 (2)
NY Mets 58-58 (9)

NL Wild Card (Leader and Mets)
San Francisco 67-51
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NY Mets 58-58 (8)

Series probable pitchers:
August 15
New York: Mike Pelfrey (2010: 11-6, 3.95 ERA) vs. Philadelphia: Kyle Kendrick (2010: 7-5, 4.60 ERA)

Upcoming schedule:
New York Mets:
August 15 vs. Philadelphia Phillies
August 16-19 @ Houston Astros

Philadelphia Phillies:
August 15 @ New York Mets
August 17-19 vs. San Francisco Giants

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