Rebounding from the impact of Jose Reyes’ knees on his aching skull, Cliff Floyd’s first multi-RBI night since May 5 was marred by the force of a Tom Gorzelanny pitch off his forearm. The Mets’ oft banged-up left fielder stuck around to witness a competent performance by Steve Trachsel (6 1/3 IP, 3 runs, 7 hits, 4 walks, 4 K’s), some all-too typical struggles from Aaron Heilman and Billy Wagner, a Juan Samuel moment from Eli Marrero in center, and David Wright’s 19th HR of the year.
Ron Darling, perhaps hoping to pick up some extra cash, worked the game for both SNY and WFAN. Perhaps simultaneously, I don’t know. Just because Ron can be two places at once, that doesn’t mean the rest of us are up to the challenge.
Jose Lima is said to be starting tomorrow night’s game against Florida, but I’m confident that once the Office Of The Commissioner is made aware of the large sums of cash the Wilpon family have wagered on the game, the Mets will be forced to send someone else out to the hill.
Pedro Martinez was placed on the 15 Day DL, retroactive to June 29. Mike Pelfrey has been confirmed as one of the two starters for Saturday’s twinbill with the Fish, and in a slightly less expected move, the Mets summoned Henry Owens from Binghamton. Even those less than amused with Owens’ Chunklet are hopeful he makes the most of his time with the parent club.
There’s a starter for midwestern team having a heck of season who should feel seriously pissed off he didn’t make the All-Star team. But enough about the Brewers’ Chris Capuano, winner of a complete game shutout tonight against the Cubs. Francisco Liarano can add his name to the growing list of A.J. Pierzynski haters.
Much the way David Ortiz abused the Mets last week, depositing an Aaron Heilman pitch into the Fenway bleachers that would’ve been a long out off the bat of almost anyone else, Papi’s golfing display against the D-Rays’ Sean Camp in the 9th inning was just sick. Ortiz’ first half : 29 HR’s, 83 RBI’s in 82 games. Amazing how there was no room in Minnesota for a player of Oritz’ limited skills.
Manny Ramirez hit a 2-run HR in the first inning of Boston’s 12-5 win. It’s a good thing Manny is taking the All-Star break off, as he’s clearly in danger of breaking down at any moment.
The AP is reporting that Eric Gagne might require back surgery. If there’s a race to see who returns first, Anderson Hernandez or Gagne, my money’s on the former.
Though the Phillies can wallow in the misery of Thursday’s 5-3 loss to San Diego, help of the short and long-term variety is on the way. Jon Lieber was reactivated and will start Friday night against the Pirates, and first-round draft pick Kyle Drabek signed with Philadelphia yesterday. Unlike Scott Schafer, there’s no evidence that young Drabek’s MySpace indiscretions have cost him an agent or cut into his signing bonus (though if anyone knows otherwise, by all means, let’s hear about it).
Apparently Darling and Hernandez were running back and forth between SNY and the radio booth all night. It gave Hernandez a good opportunity to talk about Cream’s Disraeli Gears album cover with Howie Rose, though. And Trachsel’s leisurely pace gave him and Howie a chance to elaborate at length and talk about which songs were actually on that record. Sunshine of Your Love, it turns out.
While I’m sure Nelson Liriano has his own beef w/ AJ, I think Francisco Liriano has a more justified reason to feel slighted.
I’m just tired of Jan Murray and Bill Murray being confused with each other. How hard is it to keep such things straight?