The Worst Team Money Can Buy . . .

[Tannhauser]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v669/5CN/NYM_1235.gif

The New York Mets . . . oh what can you say about them. I root primarily for the Yankees and yet I cannot but feel sorry for them every single year. First there were the collapses and then there was the godawful mess last year. As a New Yorker, I support the Mets (as long as they’re not playing the Yankees).

Some of you may remember that I created a Mets Dynasty set in 2006 before it all came crashing down due to a corrupted save file. Now after the latest debacle, I shall try again . . . but this time with the 2009 team that was just painful to watch . . . an incarnation of the Worst Team Money Can Buy.

---

Wilpons admit to losses from ponzi scheme, Mets put up for sale

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v669/5CN/medium_WILPON.jpg

The New York Times - Sports Section

New York, NY
January 21, 2009

In a stunning turn of events, after weeks of denial, the Wilpons have been forced to admit to massive losses in the Bernard Madoff scandal. After details of a financial audit was inadvertently leaked to the public that showed losses over US$500 million, the Wilpons have had no choice but to declare the precarious state of their finances. While less than the US$700 million first reported by many news organizations, the figure lost has put a significant dent into the finances of the Wilpon family.

Surprisingly upbeat about the situation, Owner Fred Wilpon and COO Jeff Wilpon have announced their intention to sell a controlling stake (51%) of the New York Mets and raise the money necessary to finance their mounting debts. Having been with the Mets since 1980, the Wilpons intend to continue their association with the team, but understand that it will be necessary to relinquish control over the team. In a statement released from the office of the Commissioner of Major League Baseball, Bud Selig has already begun to line up potential investors to purchase the stake valued by Forbes at US$450 million.

[Tannhauser]

Investor found, Mets has new owner

February 26, 2009

In a surprisingly quick move, the Wilpon family and Major League Baseball have reached a deal with prominent New York lawyer and financier, Michael Avery. According to the deal just announced today, Mr. Avery will purchase a 55% stake in the New York Mets for US$460 million.

A former baseball player, Mr. Avery played for the Cubs minor league affiliates before an injury prematurely ended his career. Subsequently, he received his juris doctorate from Columbia University and entered into a career in law before branching out and dabbling in finance. According to Forbes' annual report of billionaires, Mr. Avery is worth roughly $2.1 billion.

Shakeup on the Mets

February 27, 2009

New Mets owner, Michael Avery, has fired General Manager Omar Minaya. Disenchanted with the way Minaya had put together the team, Avery believed fervently in the need to instill a new culture into the Mets organization that combined modern sabermetrics with old-fashioned scouting.

To replace Minaya, the Mets have hired a relatively unknown German national to serve as General Manager to the shock of many in the organization. Born in Munich, Germany, Ludwig von Rosenkranz was a PhD candidate in economics before he attended and graduated from Harvard Business School. A brilliant statistician, he fell in love with baseball and is thoroughly versed in modern baseball statistical measurements.

In the meantime, Manager Jerry Manuel has been confirmed to continue in his role under the new ownership.

[ewing6]

Go mets!! I'll be reading

[Tannhauser]

Mets Shore Up Bullpen, Sign Veterans

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v669/5CN/chad-gaudin.jpg

March 1, 2009

In a move to shore up the Mets bullpen, General Manager von Rosenkranz have signed three pitchers to contracts. Chad Gaudin was signed to a three-year contract at $2.4 million a year. Former Oakland Athletics, Andrew Brown, was signed to a two-year contract at $1 million a year. Odalis Perez has been signed to a two-year contract at $2.3 million a year.

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Mets Trade Castillo and Schneider

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March 2, 2009

According to reports, the Mets have traded Luis Castillo, Brian Schneider, and $6 million to the Cleveland Indians for catcher Kelly Shoppach. Since arriving with the Mets in 2007, Castillo has routinely underperformed expectations and it was clear that he was losing his legs. Eager to see what Argenis Reyes can do at second, the Mets took a chance and acquired Shoppach to be their starting catcher.

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Mets sign Edmonds, McPherson, Miller

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v669/5CN/edmonds11.jpg

March 11, 2009

The New York Mets have surprised everyone by signing veteran Jim Edmonds just days after the outfielder expressed thoughts about retirements. According to reports, the Mets have handed him an one-year incentive-laden contract that is worth US$3 million. Additional contracts were handed to Dallas McPherson (two-years at $850,000) and Greg Miller (three-years at $550,000)

---

Wheeling and Dealings:

Newly Signed Players: Andrew Brown, Jim Edmonds, Chad Gaudin, Dallas McPherson, Greg Miller, Odalis Perez
Acquired Players: Ruben Gotay, Kelly Shoppach

Traded Away Players: Robinson Cancel, Luis Castillo, Brian Schneider, Gary Sheffield
Released Players: Marlon Anderson, Matt DeSalvo, Casey Fossum, Livan Hernandez, Rob Mackowiak, Rene Rivera, Omar Santos, Cory Sullivan, Jon Switzer, Kyle Synder
Retired Players: Elmer Dessens, Bobby Kielty, Ramon Martinez

[Tannhauser]

New York Mets 2009 Opening Day Roster:

Starting Rotation: Johan Santana
John Danks
Mike Pelfrey
Oliver Perez
John Maine
Bullpen: Francisco Rodriguez - Closer
Carlos Muniz - Setup
Sean Green - Short Relief
Pedro Feliciano - Short Relief
Chad Gaudin - Middle Relief
Odalis Perez - Long Relief
Lineup: Jose Reyes - SS
Carlos Beltran - CF
Jim Edmonds - LF
David Wright - 3B
Carlos Delgado - 1B
Kelly Shoppach - C
Ryan Church - RF
Argenis Reyes - 2B
Bench: Ruben Gotay - IF
Alex Cora - IF
Jeremy Reed - OF
Dallas McPherson - C
Ramon Castro - C
Fernando Tatis - LF
DL: Angel Pagan - OF
Billy Wagner - RP
Tim Redding - SP

[ewing6]

interesting order with reyes at 2nd and edmonds 3rd. Good luck

[Tannhauser]

If it doesn't work out . . . it'll end up being J. Reyes, A. Reyes, Beltran, Wright, Delgado, Edmonds, Shoppach, and finally Church. But I think that Edmonds has enough in him in terms of OBP and slugging to be a solid number 3 hitter.

What's more worrying though is the lack of a 5th starter. Odalis Perez is just meh . . .

[Tannhauser]

So I'm thinking about acquiring another starter given how thin my starting pitching core is looking. Anyone have any suggestions?

[xtheriot2]

It's Odalis Perez by the way, not Perez Odalis.

[Tannhauser]

Whoops . . . >.>; I got it right once and wrong twice . . .

In the meantime, I've looked through my options.

I can get: Francisco Liriano for J.J. Putz and 3 million
Kevin Slowey and 6 million for J.J. Putz
Johnny Cueto and 3.5 million for J.J. Putz
Clay Buchholz for J.J. Putz
Ubaldo Jimenez and 1 million for J.J. Putz
John Danks for J.J. Putz :o

It looks like I'll trade Putz for Danks. :) So unbalanced, but the other side accepted.

[Jeffy25]

The Cubbies, they don't win at all ;)

[Tannhauser]

Danks is from the White Sox, not the Cubs.

---

J.J. Putz traded to White Sox for John Danks

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v669/5CN/CXS106_Indians_Whit_85029369.jpg

March 24, 2009

In perhaps the biggest move the offseason so far for the New York Mets, General Manager von Rosenkranz has traded setup man and former Seattle closer, J.J. Putz to Chicago White Sox for up and coming starting pitcher, John Danks. The deal is widely considered by many baseball analysts as a steal for the New York Mets given that John Danks is not eligible for arbitration until the end of the 2010 season, while J.J. Putz has an one-year contract before he is eligible for free agency. Furthermore, at 23, Danks is expected to improve, while the 32 year old Putz will only decline as his years catch up to him.

In his two years with the Chicago White Sox, John Danks has made 59 starts, a 18-22 record with a 4.23 ERA.

Acquired originally to shore up a shaky and inconsistent Mets bullpen punctuated by the loss of Billy Wagner and Aaron Heilman, J.J. Putz had spent his entire career with the Seattle Mariners compiling a 22-15 record, a 3.07 ERA, and 101 saves in 308 appearances.

---

The Mets so far have made some very interesting moves this offseason, signing a number of players that will be able to make a difference and perhaps undo the ill-feeling from two successive blown divisional leads to their turnpike rivals in Philadelphia. With the current moves, the Mets have the best projected record in the NL at 102-60 and will look to win the NL East crown.

[Jeffy25]

Danks is from the White Sox, not the Cubs.


no ****, I was referring to your title ;)

[Tannhauser]

The title is actually from a book written about the 1991-1993 Mets, culminating in a 103 loss season in 1993.

---


April 6-9, 2009
New York Mets @ Cincinnati Reds

Projected Starters
4/6 Johan Santana @ Edinson Volzquez
4/8 John Danks @ Aaron Harang
4/9 Mike Pelfrey @ Bronson Arroyo

April 6th, 2009: 1 - 0 – Mets 11, Reds 0

The pitching duel starts off promising with both starters putting up zeros. In the top of the fourth inning, the Mets score two off of a wild pitch and a RBI single. Six runs are tacked on in the top of the seventh as the Mets shell Volzquez out of the game and tagging reliever Nick Masset for four more runs. Carlos Beltran hits a two-run homer in the eighth before Carlos Delgado punctuates the game with a solo home run in the ninth.

Chad Gaudin comes in relief of Santana and pitches three brilliant innings of relief, striking out five and allowing no one on base.

WP: Johan Santana (1-0), 0.00 ERA, 6.0 IP, 5 Ks, 1 BB
LP: Edinson Volzquez (0-1), 3.00 ERA, 6.0 IP, 5 Ks, 3 BBs
SV: Chad Gaudin (1)

Player of the Game: Chad Gaudin, 3.0 IP, 5 Ks, SV

April 8th, 2009: 2 - 0 – Mets 7, Reds 1

John Danks pitched a complete game gem, allowing only one run on 5 hits and a walk. Ryan Church kicked off the scoring with a RBI single in fourth. Carlos Delgado added a two-run homer in the sixth before Carlos Beltran hit a two-RBI triple in the seventh, knocking Harang out of the game. Beltran and Edmonds each homered in the ninth before Danks gave up a consolation homer to Joey Votto.

WP: John Danks (1-0), 1.00 ERA, 9.0 IP, 3 Ks, 1 BB
LP: Aaron Harang (0-1), 7.11 ERA, 6.1 IP, 7 Ks, 1 BB

Player of the Game: John Danks, 9.0 IP

April 9th, 2009: 3 - 0 – Mets 11, Reds 1

Pelfrey pitches well for seven innings, only allowing one run from a solo homer by Edwin Encarnacion in the sixth. Meanwhile, Arroyo is shellacked through five and a third innings. Edmonds hits two RBI singles to open the scoring, one in the first and the second in the third. Argenis Reyes hits a two-RBI single in the sixth followed by a walked run and a RBI groundout. Delgado and Shoppach each homered in the seventh before David Wright ended the scoring with a three-run shot in the eighth.

WP: Mike Pelfrey (1-0), 1.29 ERA, 7.0 IP, 2 Ks, 3 BBs
LP: Bronson Arroyo (0-1), 10.13 ERA, 5.1 IP, 4 Ks, 3 BBs

Player of the Game: Jim Edmonds, 2 for 5, 2 RBIs, 1 R


New Yorks (3-0), 1st Place NL East, Tied with Florida Marlins
---

Well, the Mets are off to a great start, outscoring the Reds 29-2. Next up are the Marlins.\

[Tannhauser]

April 10-12, 2009
New York Mets @ Florida Marlins

Projected Starters
4/10 Oliver Perez @ Andrew Miller
4/11 John Maine @ Anibal Sanchez
4/12 Johan Santana @ Burke Badenhop

April 10th, 2009: 4 - 0 – Mets 4, Marlins 0

Both Perez and Miller are effectively wild. While Perez completes six innings unscathed, Miller does not and is credited with two runs, one from a bases loaded walk and the other from a RBI groundout. In the ninth, Dallas McPherson hits a two-run homer off of Willie Collazo

WP: Oliver Perez (1-0), 0.00 ERA, 6.0 IP, 8 Ks, 5 BBs
LP: Andrew Miller (0-1), 3.00 ERA, 6.0 IP, 8 Ks, 4 BBs

Player of the Game: Dallas McPherson, 1 for 1, 1 HR, 1 R, 2 RBIs

April 11th, 2009: 5 - 0 – Mets 5, Marlins 4

Both Maine and Sanchez give up four runs over the course of five innings. The Mets start off with an Edmonds RBI double in the first. They tack on three more runs in the second with a Jose Reyes RBI single and another Edmonds double that leads to two RBIs. The Marlins respond in the third. Maybin hits a RBI double followed by a Hermida two-run homer. Pinch-hitter, Gaby Sanchez, singles home the tying run in the bottom of the fifth.

The score remains tied until the eighth, when Jeremy Reed hits a lined out to deep centerfield, allowing Shoppach to tag up and score. K-Rod shuts the door with an easy 1-2-3 ninth to earn his first save.

WP: Pedro Feliciano (1-0), 0.00 ERA, 1.2 IP, 3 Ks
LP: Anibal Sanchez (0-1), 7.20 ERA, 5.0 IP, 3 Ks, 5 BBs
SV: Francisco Rodriguez (1)

Player of the Game: Jim Edmonds, 2 for 5, 2 doubles, 3 RBIs

April 12th, 2009: 6 - 0 – Mets 6, Marlins 3

At first it seemed that rookie Badenhop would match Johan Santana inning for inning, as the starters put up zeros for seven straight innings each. In the top of the eighth, Badenhop gave up two walks and with two outs was replaced by Renyel Pinto. A wild pitch, an intentional walk to Ryan Church, and a two-RBI single by Argenis Reyes later, the Mets led the game 2-0. After pinch-hitter Jeremy Reed was walked, the lead was doubled when Jose Reyes hit a two-RBI single. The Marlins responded in the bottom of the eighth with a three-run homer by Jeremy Hermida off of Sean Green. The Mets tacked on two more insurance runs in the ninth off of two RBI singles. K-Rod pitched an uneventful ninth to earn the save.

WP: Johan Santana (2-0), 0.00 ERA, 7.0 IP, 7 Ks, 1 BBs
LP: Burke Badenhop (0-1), 2.35 ERA, 7.2 IP, 7 Ks, 5 BBs
SV: Francisco Rodriguez (2)

Player of the Game: Johan Santana


New York Mets (6 - 0), 1st Place NL East, One Game Lead

[OldYankFan]

I guess I got a little confused. You had Danks in the rotation in post #5 but, did not trade for him until post #10. This sort of tipped your hand.

Good luck and keep writing.

[Tannhauser]

I actually went back and edited the 2009 opening roster so that's why it's like that.

Originally, the starters were Johan Santana, Mike Pelfrey, Oliver Perez, John Maine, and Odalis Perez. The bullpen consisted of K-Rod, J.J. Putz, Carlos Muniz, Sean Green, Pedro Feliciano, and Chad Gaudin.

[Tannhauser]

April 13-16, 2009
San Diego Padres @ New York Mets

Projected Starters
4/13 Chris Young @ John Danks
4/15 Shawn Hill @ Mike Pelfrey
4/16 Kevin Correia @ Oliver Perez

April 13, 2009: 6 – 1 – Padres 6, Mets 3

The Mets strike first in the bottom of the third with a two-RBI double by Jim Edmonds. David Wright hits a solo home run in the sixth. In the top of the seventh, the Padres tie it up. Two walks and an error by Delgado loads the bases. David Eckstein hits a two-RBI double before Luis Rodriguez hits a sac fly to left field, scoring Henry Blanco.

In the eighth, Pedro Feliciano gives up two straight singles to Kevin Kouzmanoff and Adrian Gonzalez before Scott Hairston doubles them both in. A sixth run is added by a David Eckstein single.

WP: Duaner Sanchez (1-0), 0.00 ERA, 1.0 IP, 2 Ks
LP: Pedro Feliciano (1-1), 9.00 ERA, 0.1 IP
SV: Heath Bell (5)

Player of the Game: David Eckstein, 3 for 4, 1 double, 3 RBIs

April 15, 2009: 7 – 1 – Mets 3, Padres 0

Pelfrey almost pitches a complete game shutout before being removed in the bottom of the ninth with two outs and two consecutive singles. Shawn Hill pitches well, but is unable to silence the Mets bats as he lets up eight hits over five and two-thirds innings. He gives up a RBI single in the first to David Wright. Doubling the lead, Pelfrey hits a RBI double in the second. Jose Reyes completes the scoring with a RBI triple in the fourth.

WP: Mike Pelfrey (2-0), 0.57 ERA, 8.2 IP, 5 Ks, 3 BBs
LP: Shawn Hill (1-1), 4.63 ERA, 5.2 IP, 1 K, 2 BBs
SV: Francisco Rodriguez (3)

Player of the Game: Mike Pelfrey

April 16, 2009: 8 – 1 – Mets 8, Padres 4

Both Correia and Perez have trouble holding down the other team. The Padres strike first with a two-run homer by Kouzmanoff in the first. The Mets answer with a RBI double by Edmonds in the third, as well as a RBI single by Argenis Reyes and a sac bunt by Oliver Perez in the fourth. In the sixth, Perez gives up two solo home runs to Kouzmanoff and Scott Hairston. In the eighth, the Mets respond with five runs off of Correia

WP: Sean Green (1-0), 10.13 ERA, 1.0 IP, 1 BB
LP: Kevin Correia (1-1), 8.31 ERA, 6.0 IP, 8 Ks, 4 BBs

Player of the Game: Kevin Kouzmanoff, 2 for 4, 2 HRs, 3 RBIs, 1 BB


New York Mets (8 – 1), 1st NL East, Tied with Atlanta Braves

---

Some thoughts: So far the Mets are looking good. The starting rotation has been pretty solid (except for Oliver Perez and his wildness) while most of the hitters are producing a fair amount. The only worrying issues are the lack of ability by some of the relievers to hold down opposition hitters and the lack of production from Carlos Beltran, who is hitting .108. David Wright after a slow start where he dipped under .200 is hitting .231. I will have to keep an eye on those two and if needed will switch up the lineup. In the meantime, a series versus the Brewers are next.

[Tannhauser]

April 17-19, 2009
Milwaukee Brewers @ New York Mets

Projected Starters
4/17 David Bush @ John Maine
4/18 Manny Parra @ Johan Santana
4/19 Braden Looper @ John Danks

April 17, 2009: 8-2 – Brewers 3, Mets 2

Both starters last into the seventh inning, though Maine has the worst of the encounter giving up one more run as compared to David Bush. In the bottom of the third, the Mets open the scoring after Carlos Beltran hit a two-RBI triple with both Reyes’ on base. The Brewers respond in the sixth. With the bases loaded, pinch hitter Bill Hall smacked a single to center for two RBIs. A third is added when Tony Gwynn grounds out to short. Carlos Villaneuva closes the game with an easy ninth.

WP: David Bush (2-1), 4.19 ERA, 7.0 IP, 6 Ks, 1 BB
LP: John Maine (0-1), 5.11 ERA, 7.0 IP, 8 Ks, 4 BBs
SV: Carlos Villaneuva (3)

Player of the Game: Bill Hall, 1 for 1, 2 RBIs

April 18, 2009: 9-2 – Mets 17, Brewers 6

The Mets beat up Brewers pitching over the nine innings for seventeen runs. Santana pitches poorly, giving up four runs, and is removed after five and two-thirds innings, though it is more than sufficient to earn the win.

The Brewers struck in the first when a double by J.J. Hardy brought home Rickie Weeks. The Mets immediately responded when Jim Edmonds smacked a three-run home run in the bottom of the inning. The lead is padded when Beltran doubled in two-runs in second followed by an Edmonds RBI single. Santana then gives up a three-run home run to Rickie Weeks in the third. David Wright hits a solo home run in the fourth. In the fifth, Brewers reliever, Seth McClung, loads the bases with three straight singles before walking in two runs. David Wright hits a sacrifice fly to right field to score Jose Reyes. In the sixth, Jose Reyes hits a solo home run. Delgado smacks a two-RBI single in the seventh before pinch-hitter Jeremy Reed hits a three-run homer. The scoring concludes with a Delgado RBI double in the eighth.

WP: Johan Santana (3-0), 1.93 ERA, 5.2 IP, 3 Ks, 2 BBs
LP: Manny Parra (0-2), 6.23 ERA, 2.0 IP, 3 Ks, 2 BBs

Player of the Game: Jim Edmonds, 3 for 4, 1 HR, 5 RBIs, 3 runs

April 19, 2009: 10-2 – Mets 7, Brewers 3

Moved up to pitch against the Mets, Gallardo is hits by the Mets for six runs, five of them earned. John Danks pitches well for six innings, giving up three runs on nine hits and two walks, striking out eight.

The Brewers score two in the third before Danks strikes out Corey Hart and Bill Hall to end the inning. The Mets respond in the fourth. Though grounding out into a double play, Shoppach manages to score Jim Edmonds before Ryan Church hits a two-run homer. Corey Hart ties the game after he hit a RBI single, scoring Prince Fielder from second. In the sixth, Carlos Delgado hits a three-run home run before a bases loaded walk to Beltran scores the seventh.

WP: John Danks (2-0), 2.45 ERA, 6.0 IP, 8 Ks, 2 BBs
LP: Yovani Gallardo (1-2), 8.04 ERA, 5.0 IP, 3 Ks, 1 BB

Player of the Game: Carlos Delgado, 3 for 4, 1 HR, 3 RBIs, 2 runs


New York Mets (10 – 2), 1st NL East, Two Game Lead

[Tannhauser]

Reyes Out for Month

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v669/5CN/t1-reyes.jpg

The New York Times
April 19, 2009

New York Mets starting shortstop, Jose Reyes, was pulled yesterday from the game against the Milwaukee Brewers after coming up limping after stealing second in the seventh inning. A MRI scan today revealed that the shortstop has ruptured his right knee ligaments. Recovery time is expected to be at least a month. Reyes currently leads the Mets with a .447 batting average and eleven steals.

Until Jose Reyes comes back, the Mets will start utility infielder, Alex Cora at shortstop. Cora hit .270 last year in seventy-five games playing for the Boston Red Sox.

[Tannhauser]

April 21-23, 2009
New York Mets @ St. Louis Cardinals

Projected Starters
4/21 Mike Pelfrey @ Joel Pineiro
4/22 Oliver Perez @ Clayton Mortensen
4/23 John Maine @ Adam Wainwright

April 21, 2009: 11-2 – Mets 5, Cardinals 3

In the first, David Wright hits a RBI single in the first to score Argenis Reyes. The Cardinals respond with a RBI double by Pujols. The next inning, Alex Cora hit a RBI triple to score Ryan Church. David Wright hits a solo home run in the third. The Cardinals answer with two runs in the fourth. Shoppach puts up the Mets again in the sixth before Edmonds singles in the final run in the ninth.

Pelfrey and Pineiro pitch decently, enough to last as many innings as they did. K-Rod comes in the ninth to earn his fourth save.

WP: Mike Pelfrey (3-0), 1.59 ERA, 7.0 IP, 1 K, 1 BB
LP: Joel Pineiro (0-2), 4.85 ERA, 6.0 IP, 3 Ks, 1 BB
SV: Francisco Rodriguez (4)

Player of the Game: David Wright, 2 for 4, 1 HR, 2 RBIs, 1 BB

April 22, 2009: 12-2 – Mets 13, Cardinals 4

The Mets hit Wainwright early and often, as the Cardinals starter gives up five runs in the top of the first off of six straight singles, a fielding error, and a sacrifice fly. Rick Ankiel responds for the Cardinals with a two-run homer in the bottom of the inning. Jason LaRue pegs back another run off of a solo home run in the second. An error by the left-fielder in the third helps increase the Mets lead to one. A groundout RBI by Wright scores the seventh run in the fourth. In the fifth, all on two outs, the Mets score four runs, as it takes three different Cardinals pitchers to finish the inning. Two more runs are added in the top of the eighth by the Mets before the Cardinals sacrifice fly a run in the bottom of the inning.

WP: Oliver Perez (2-0), 3.57 ERA, 5.2 IP, 5 Ks, 2 BBs
LP: Adam Wainwright (1-3), 9.82 ERA, 2.1 IP, 3 Ks

Player of the Game: David Wright, 2 for 5, 1 double, 4 RBIs, 1 run, 1 BB

April 23, 2009: 13-2 – Mets 9, Cardinals 2

The Mets complete the sweep as the Cardinals starter once again finds it difficult to contain the Mets bats, while the Mets starter pitches long enough and effectively enough to easily give the New York team the win. Mike Pelfrey lasts six and two-thirds innings allowing only two runs, while in that same period, Kyle Lohse gives up seven earned runs.

The Cardinals actually struck first after Khalil Greene singles home Ryan Ludwick and Chris Duncan in the fourth. The Mets evened the score in the sixth off of a RBI single by Beltran and a RBI double by Edmonds. The Cardinals are blasted in the seventh – Cora walked, Maine bunted for a base hit, Beltran was hit by a pitch, Argenis Reyes hit a two-RBI single, and Edmonds singled. With the bases loaded again, Trever Miller came in to pitch and promptly gave up a grand slam to Carlos Delgado. A David Wright sacrifice fly in the ninth scores the last run.

WP: John Maine (1-1), 4.26 ERA, 6.2 IP, 5 Ks, 2 BBs
LP: Kyle Lohse (0-3), 8.51 ERA, 6.2 IP, 4 Ks, 2 BBs

Player of the Game: Carlos Delgado, 2 for 4, 1 HR, 4 RBIs


New York Mets (13 - 2), 1st in NL East, Four Game Lead