Mack Attack: June 25, 2008

By John Mackin Ade
Posted Wednesday, June 25, 2008

The Real Race:

Phils: 35 losses
Marlins: 36
Mets: 39
Braves: 41
Nats: 49

P Claudio Vargas was DFA'd after last night's game and RP/CL Carlos Muniz was recalled from AAA-New Orleans.

*** my guess is this story isn't over... no long man + Vargas was going to be the spot starter in the Yankees doubleheader... some starting pitcher must be on his way here...

Released: RHP J.J. Leaper, LHP Todd Privett, C Aaron Garcia, SS Ernesto Gonzalez

Placed on restricted list: C Juan Martinez

Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Daniel McDonald, RHP Marcos Tabata, RHP Mike Olmsted, C Rafael Arroyo, 2B Peeter Ramos, 3B Dan Murphy, SS Anderson Machado

Placed on 60-day DL: RHP Rogers Figueroa, RHP Santiago Valdez, RHP Scott Schafer, 3B Tyler Vaughn

Transferred to 60-day DL: RHP Marcos Tabata

Reinstated from inactive list: RHP Stephen Holmes, 1B David Wabick

A few thoughts…

1. I know a lot of Mets fans are starting to question the Johan Santana trade, but I’m not. What’s done is done. Deolis Guerra, Phil Humber, and Kevin Mulvey have not proved yet they can get to the Bigs, no less play in it, and it’s not like the Met would have needed a healthy outfielder (Carlos Gomez) this year… trades happen and one must balance this with the benefits the team received from recent trades, like the one’s the Mets gave up Matt Lindstrom, Henry Owens, Brian Bannister, etc.

2. Detriot DFA’d relief pitcher Denny Bautista yesterday to make room for Joel Zumaya and is waiting for the phone to ring for an offer… he’s 25 years old, his stats this year for a very bad Detroit are 3.71 in 15 appearances, and he posted a 2.92 ERA in 51 appearances for their AAA team last year. Worth an offer?

3. We are rooting for a team playing a home series against a team with 49 loses already this season, right?

4. It sure is looking like the Mets should start thinking twice about trying to resign OP... that being said, what about Vargas replacing him in the rotation and putting Perez in as long man?

forget the Vargas idea...

OF Ryan Church is scheduled to rehab tonight in Brooklyn.

The Mets have scored only 8 runs in the last 4 Johan Santana starts.

Zephyrs:

The New Orleans Zephyrs fell to the visiting Omaha Royals on Tuesday afternoon by a score of 5-4. The win gives the Royals a sweep of the series and their seventh-straight win at Zephyr Field. Royals starting pitcher Matt Wright (3-4) gets the win after giving up three runs on three hits in five innings. Willie Collazo (5-4) recorded the loss for New Orleans in his start. Collazo gave up four runs (one earned) on seven hits in five innings. The only offensive highlight for the Zephyrs was first baseman Michel Abreu. Abreu returned to the lineup for the first time since missing six games with an elbow injury. He continued his productive hitting and slammed his sixth homer of the year, a two-run shot in the fourth inning. After a 23-minute rain delay in the ninth inning, the Zephyrs cut the lead to one run on left fielder Chris Aguila's single. But it wasn't enough as Abreu grounded out for the final out of the game.

B-Mets:

The Binghamton Mets rallied for four runs in the bottom of the ninth, but the Altoona Curve held on for a 6-4 win at NYSEG Stadium Tuesday. Binghamton’s loss evens the series at a game apiece.

Altoona (34-41) got on the board in the fourth, thanks to Shelby Ford’s leadoff homer off Tobi Stoner. Stoner (0-1) gave up three more runs in the fifth on Chris Duffy’s homer and Jason Delaney’s two-run single. Delaney added a two-run double off reliever Edgar Alfonzo in the ninth.

Corey Hamman (4-6) started for Altoona and departed after eight shutout innings. Pinch-hitter Eric Reed began the Binghamton (42-34) ninth-inning rally with a one-out single off Derek Antelo before Jose Coronado reached on an error. Nick Evans followed with a single to score Reed. Two batters later, Caleb Stewart doubled to left, bringing in Coronado and Evans. Antelo was followed by Pat Bresnehan, who walked Salomon Manriquez before Josh Petersen singled in Stewart with the game’s final run.

Lucy:

Ruben Tejada singles home Ezequiel Carrera in the bottom of the 9th for a walk-away 3-2 win over Sarasota. Lucy had 12 hits, including 3 by Tejada, who raised his BA to .255.

Gnats:

-lots of scouts in town tonight… from the Rays, Yankees, Braves, Royals, and Reds… this is the time of the year scouting heats up (between the draft and the trading deadline)… had a short conversation with SP Nick Carr, last night’s starting pitcher that took a no-hitter into the 8th inning. Carr is quickly establishing himself as the ace of the staff for the 2nd half of the season… Pitching Coach Jonathan Hurst and I had a conversation about Jordan Abruzzi, whose bat is waking up in St. Lucie. “He’s going to be a good one”, said Hurst.

Jose Mejias and Austin Hinkle tossed four scoreless innings of relief and the Sand Gnats were held without a run after the first inning as the Catfish took a 3-2 decision on Military Appreciation Night at Historic Grayson Stadium.

The Gnats (2-4) offense was alive in the first, scoring a pair of runs off Brian Flores to take an early lead. Greg Veloz scored the first run when Juan Lagares grounded into a double play. With two away, the Gnats rallied with three straight singles to score the second run. The third base hit from Nick Giarraputo scored Jose Jimenez to make it 2-0.

Columbus (4-0) fought back in the second, scoring a pair of Maikel Cleto. After loading the bases with no outs, the Catfish manufactured two runs on a Stephen Vogt groundout and a sacrifice fly from Michael McCormick to tie the game at two.

The decisive run came in the fifth, as Columbus scored without recording a hit. McCormick led off with a walk and took second on a wild pitch from Cleto. A groundout moved McCormick to third before a second wild pitch from Cleto allowed McCormick to score the eventual winning run.

Cleto (2-5) tossed 7.0 innings for the fourth time in five starts. The right-hander allowed 3 runs on 7 hits. He walked 2 and struck out 4 but unleashed the two pivotal wild pitches. Cleto did manage to pick off three different Catfish runners at first base in seven innings.

Savannah was unable to muster a baserunner after the fourth inning. Veloz and Giarraputo paced the Gnats with two hits apiece.

Clones:

K-Port:

Off to a good start…

OF Daniel Stegall – Stegall had a rough start this year in Savannah, but rebounded quickly at a lower talent level. So far this young season he’s 12-28 (.429/.500/.500/1.000), with 2 doubles and 3 RBIs.

IF Ignacio Medrano – a lot of us that follow the minor leagues have been waiting to see how Medrano would fare well, and so far, so good: .409/.440/.545/.985

RP Travis Babin - Babin has easily been the most impressing pitcher so far this season, posting a 0.00 ERA, and a ridiculous 0.25 WHIP.

someone might want to remind Wilmer Flores that he has to field also... his 3 errors brought home 3 unearned runs, causing the team to lose 3-2 Tuesday night...

GCL Mets:

Off to a good start…

3B Jefry Marte - only 11 at bats, but so far: .364/.462/.727/1.189

OF Cesar Puello – the 17-year old has started strong: .353/.353/.412, though he has struck out 7x in 17 at bats

Tuesday’s game ended with a 5-4 win, after OF Ruben Martinez (.158) singled in the winning run in the 12th inning… the Mets pounded out 14 hits, including 3 from OF Darren Clark (.538)… OF Fernando Martinez went 1-2 in another rehab assignment… pitching wise, 3 excellent scoreless innings from Eduardo Aldama (0.00).

DSL Mets:

Off to a good start…

LF Julio Concepcion - the 18 year old is batting .365/.472/.500/.972; however, that translates to .397 vs. righties and only .182 (2-11) vs. lefties.

SP Gonzalez German - the 20-year old has pitched in 5 games: 1-0, 1.31, 1.11 + 21 Ks in 21.1 IP. ERA as starter: 0.00… ERA as reliever: 40.50… guess what he’s now pitching…

RP/CL Samuel Tavares – so far so good for the 19-year old… 7 apperances… 0.00 ERA, 0.68 WHIP… 2 saves

VSL Mets:

Off to a good start…

SS Jose Bellorin - Bellorin is the only player currently hitting above .300, coming in with .301/.386/.356 in 22 games.

SP Orlando Tovar continues to shine… 8 starts… 0-1, 1.54, 1.07, and 52 Ks in 41.0 IP

SP Jhonathan Torres - right behind Tovar in stats… 7 starts… 5-0, 1.77, 0.87

Ex-Mets:

Mike Cameron hit a 2-run home run as the Brewers shut down the Braves, 4-1.

From Rotoworld: Brian Bannister didn't allow an earned run in seven innings to pick up the win over the Rockies on Monday night. Bannister hasn't lost since May 22, and he didn't allow a hit through the first 5 2/3 innings. Still, there were cracks - Bannister had allowed six walks before issuing the hit. He's 7-6 with a 4.47 ERA, and should be avoided in NL-only leagues against the Cardinals this weekend.

This Day in Mets History:

1991 - Defeating the Phillies, 5-1, the Mets play a nine inning game without recording an assist joining the 1945 Indians as the only teams to ever accomplish the feat.

1999 - Baltimore reliever Jesse Orosco sets the record for most relief appearances as the veteran pitches in his 1,051st game.

2001 - In the first professional baseball game in Brooklyn after a 44-year absence, the short season class A minor league Cyclones win their home opener at Keyspan Park defeating the Scrappers 3-2 in 10 innings