SPLAT! Welcome to the Break.

So that's how the 1st half ends. Before I'm even on the Palisades Parkway heading upstate, Jon Niese gives up 4 runs on single after single. I couldn't believe how fast I heard "4-0 cubs". Apparently, he threw strikes, but he did not have early command of his cutter, and it cost him quick. This seems to be a pattern for Niese. When his command of the cutter is off early, and he keeps throwing it, bad things are going to happen. The Mets offense couldn't get a lick goin' with runners on base, and the 1st half ends with us 6 games over .500. A valiant effort, Mets, but I wanted more. You could have given a lot more. But hey, they are in a position to make a run. They will probably make some sort of move in the coming weeks, and I expect them to play even better in the second half. Terry has said it, players have said it. For everything they've accomplished, they have to play better baseball in the coming months. Period. And I know they will step up to the challenge.

I'll see you on the other side.

LET'S. GO. METS.

 

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Just Some Clean, Crisp Baseball

Yesterday, Dillon Gee quieted down a resurgent Cubs offense in what was arguably his best start of the year. The Mets got two bombs from The 'Spin Master and The Ike Master (do we have a nickname for him yet? Is it Domination? I forget), and they carry a fine Ruben Tejada play to a 3-1 win over the Baby Bears.

We keep saying it but it is worth reiterating: he doesn't have ONE GREAT PITCH. He has 4 effective pitches. And yesterday, every single one was effective. Gee is a solid piece in any rotation and I appreciate watching him continue to grow in our rotation.

What impresses me most about Jordany is his smooth and easy timing. SNY's side-shot slow mo on his home run was a fantastic thing to watch, and I should have captured it with my camera and put it on You Tube. He has been very solid every opportunity he gets and clearly he will not be going back down if it continues.

While he isn't "dominating" yet, Ike Davis is making everything count. He might only get a hit a day, but look what it's getting us. Lead-off double against Papelbon, get us to within a run on a single Friday night, and yesterday's deciding 2-run bomb. He's clutch and he's doing it with a smile on his face. Keep it up, Ike.

The entire game was a metaphor for the catch Ruben made and the way he plays baseball: clean and crisp, nothing flashy, gets things done the right way. I was excited before the season to see what this kid can do, and I appreciate the Tejada Evolution continuing before my eyes. Let that South Beach Kid wear 4 colors while we let an adult take over at short in the Orange and Blue.

Props to Bobby P. for a job well done.

The Mets wrap up the 1st half of the season today as they send Jon Niese to the mound to take on Goateed Ginger Ryan Dempster. Gametime is 1:10PM. Wrap this half in an Orange and Blue Bow.

LET'S. GO. METS.

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Lightening Doesn't Strike Twice in Two Nights

I sat there amazed that they were rallying in the 9th ONCE AGAIN. I wasn't amazed that this team could do that, I was just amazed at the similarities, amazed because this possible comeback was a lot harder than the 1 run comeback of the night before. When a team has the hard luck of a batter lining it directly at the glove of the pitcher the way The Duda did to induce the double play in the 9th, the comeback just wasn't meant to be. Things fell our way the night before, but unfortunately could not fall the same way last night, as they lose to the Cubbies, 7-8, for the 3rd time in 4 tries.

This game mostly rests on the shoulders of Johan Santana. He just didn't have it. Damage control was attempted over the 1st 4 innings, and for a little while he battled. But his lack of command was too much, and the Cubs crushed him. Say what you want about him rolling over the ankle at 1st in the 4th, but he wasn't very good before that as well. Have a solid break, Johan, and come back with guns blazing.

Ruben Tejada does not know anything but a 3-2 count. It's absolutely amazin' the way he battles. Here's what's crazy...he's 22!!! Jose Reyes hardly ever had the kinds of at-bats Tejada is having at age 22 in 2005. They are totally different players, but the kind of hitter Ruben is turning into at this age makes me extremely excited to see where he goes from here. He's batting .330 or so and has a .340 OBP with a 2-strike count. .340!!! Glad he's back.

Snazzy blue jerseys as well. (I have an idea for what I would like to see as a blue alternate, and I'll get into that some point soon.)

Now, the Mets HAVE to win the last 2 games. Gotta be 8 games over at the break. ENOUGH OF THESE LEFTIES!!!! Today, Dillon Gee takes on Jeff Samardzija at 4:10PM. COME ON, METSIES!!!

LET'S. GO. METS.

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Now THAT'S What I Call a Rundown!

Maaan, that's exactly what we needed. Solid defense that helps pitching get out of jams. Everyone just demolishing the ball with the help of the Wrigley wind. What a refreshing game to watch on a Wednesday afternoon, when the Mets were soarin' high, sending the ball flyin' to a 17-1 win.

Ain't that a classy image right over there? That guy is a ball player, and when he's not susceptible to the inside breaking pitch, or bumbling around in the infield, Daniel Murphy looks like that. A good ol' professional baseball player. Break on through, Murph.

The most important moment in this game was that 1st inning rundown. Jon Niese had gotten into a pickle with 1st and 3rd and nobody out. After a shallow fly ball to center by prized prospect Anthony Rizzo, Niese caught Starlin Castro off 1st. Castro had no where to go but try to get to 2nd.  Perfectly executed by Ike Davis, Ruben Tejada and Niese, Ike angled out so he wasn't throwing with his left hand into the path of the runner. Each fielder, including Jon Niese, kept full attention to both runners, halting the one 90 feet away from a tie. Props to Niese for beginning that play. I was very happy to see the Mets as alert as they looked there. Seems they needed to get some sun to recharge.

So, apparently we had a home run cycle. I'll tell ya, I didn't notice until somebody said something. First, we had the Daniel Murphy 2-run shot (his 1st home run of the year, and 1st in several millennia of at-bats), then there was Ike Davis' 3-run shot, then it was Murphy's Solo Shot, then A Scottie Hairston Grand Slam. Takin' that jet stream and surfin'. Boom. Boom. Boom. Boom. Thanks, Wrigley.

And David Wright didn't jump on the Home Run Fun, but he did get 5 RBI. Just keeps on hitting.

Let's take this sudden jolt and take advantage of a reeling Dodger team. Let's aim high and put a dagger in their blue-blooded hearts. Let us not be fooled by the Capuano we let go. Trust in our tall one, march on strong and feast our eyes on winning baseball at the break. 

I've been looking forward to some late-night baseball. 

Bring on the West Coast Swing.

LET'S. GO. METS. 

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The Let-Down Continues.

The New York Mets. 

I just don't know what to say. 

Must say they need to get this day game today. 

The ball's thrown around

The base-running sucks. 

The men are left on there

Instead of running a muck.

We're arguing with umpires 

when we're needed at-bat. 

The Skip backs us up but even he's feeling flat. 

I knew when Tim Tuefel put his arms up too late, 

that would come back to bite us, 

that could be the only fate. 

The Mets need to recharge.

They need the bask in the sun. 

A day game at Wrigley should be a lotta fun. 

Don't give them the Astros treatment.

Get this done now.

2 games over will come with many frowns. 

Jon Niese it's time, you must lock in and fight. 

Step up and end this sorrow.

Send us into Hollywood with delight. 

At 2:20 today, put us back up on the left.

Make us proud that we root for the New York Mets.

LET'S. GO. METS.

 

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