NY Sports Dog: Good Morning Mets Fans!

Sunday, July 6, 2008

Good Morning Mets Fans!

A good win or a bad win? I think that depends on whether or not you fancy yourself an optimist or a pessimist.

The optimist in me sees that the Mets are 3-2 in July against the current Wild Card and NL East leaders, they beat their biggest rival last night with timely hitting and solid starting pitching, and they are only 4 games back in the loss column with almost half a season remaining.

The pessimist in me says that John Maine's recent "dead arm" and last night's "cramp" are indicative of a larger problem, perhaps the one that caused him to falter in the second half of 2007. To whit: in 2007, Maine's first half ERA was 2.71, and his second half ERA was 5.53. He went 10-4 in the first half, and 5-6 in the second.

The pessimist in me also worries about Ryan Church, who left yesterday's game with dizziness. The optimist wants to believe his story about migraines, how he's had them in the past, and that this was nothing more than that.

The optimist in me really believes in Jerry Manuel. Once again he seemed to push all the right buttons, sending up three straight pinch hitters to open the game up and seal the win.

The pessimist in me sees that the Mets are 9-9 under Jerry Manuel. Sure he seems like a great guy and the guys are looser with him at the helm, but has that really translated into results?

So here we stand, seemingly as usual, with the Mets teetering on the brink of good and bad, firmly entrenched at or near the .500 mark.

We all see the signs for optimism--Reyes hitting, DW driving in runs, great outfield defense, terrific starting pitching, etc, etc.

We also see the other side that brings out the pessimists in us all--blown saves, infield errors, key players on the disabled list, incredible starts by Santana that go to waste for want of a 1 out, man on third shot to the outfield, etc. etc.

Are you an optimist or a pessimist Met fan? I want you to ask yourself that right now.

As for me, I am an optimist...the team can hit--the team can pitch--the team can run--the team and field....yes, I am an optimist for 2008...the Mets will win the NL East, they are just taking the long road to get there.

Scoreboard
N.Y. Mets (43-44) «1002000339140
Philadelphia (48-40)000300100442
Players of the Game
New York

D. Easley
AB 5
R 2
H 3
HR 0
RBI 1

Philadelphia

R. Howard
AB 3
R 1
H 1
HR 1
RBI 3
New York Mets
Jose Reyes, SS5120012 .294
Ryan Church, RF3010021 .307
Duaner Sanchez, P0000000 .000
a- Fernando Tatis, PH-1B1110000 .267
David Wright, 3B5110004 .288
Carlos Beltran, CF3200200 .259
Damion Easley, 2B5231001 .287
Carlos Delgado, 1B5120002 .237
Tony Armas, P0000000 .000
Ramon Castro, C3000011 .261
b- Marlon Anderson, PH-LF1101100 .198
Chris Aguila, LF3010000 .167
c- Endy Chavez, PH-RF2011000 .256
John Maine, P2010000 .114
Aaron Heilman, P0000000 .000
d- Argenis Reyes, PH1000001 .000
Joe Smith, P0000000 .000
Pedro Feliciano, P0000000 .000
e- Brian Schneider, PH-C2012002 .258
Totals41914534

a-doubled for Sanchez in the 9th
b-walked for Castro in the 8th
c-grounded out for Aguila in the 8th
d-flied out for Heilman in the 7th
e-doubled for Feliciano in the 8th
Batting
2B - Jose Reyes (21, Moyer), Fernando Tatis (3, Seanez), David Wright (21, Moyer), Brian Schneider (4, Gordon)
RBI - Damion Easley (20), Marlon Anderson (9), Endy Chavez (8), Brian Schneider 2 (18)
2-OUT RBI - Endy Chavez (5), Brian Schneider 2 (8)
SB - David Wright (9, 3rd base off Moyer/Coste), Carlos Beltran (12, 2nd base off Moyer/Coste)
Team LOB - 9
Fielding
Outfield Assists - Chris Aguila 1
New York Mets
John Maine 5.2133251 3.91
Aaron Heilman 0.1000010 4.67
Joe Smith 0.2111100 3.44
Pedro Feliciano (W,1-2) 0.1100000 2.91
Duaner Sanchez (H,13) 1100100 3.86
Tony Armas 1000010 5.14
IBB - Jenkins by Joe Smith, Howard by Duaner Sanchez
HBP - Victorino (by John Maine)
Pitches-Strikes - John Maine 99-65, Aaron Heilman 5-3, Joe Smith 10-5, Pedro Feliciano 6-3, Duaner Sanchez 12-6, Tony Armas 10-6
Ground Balls-Fly Balls - John Maine 4-8, Joe Smith 1-1, Duaner Sanchez 2-1, Tony Armas 1-1
Batters Faced - John Maine 21, Aaron Heilman 1, Joe Smith 4, Pedro Feliciano 1, Duaner Sanchez 5, Tony Armas 3

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