L.I. Ducks: With Liberty and Playoffs For All

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

LIBERTY DIVISION

CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

Somerset Patriots

vs

Long Island Ducks

Here we go again.

As if there were any doubt ...

For a fourth consecutive post-season, the Long Island Ducks and Somerset Patriots will battle for the Liberty Division championship.  It's been this way pretty much ever since the league realigned and placed Somerset alongside the Ducks.

The Flock cut it close this season, narrowly capturing the second-half division flag over rival Somerset, and thereby averting a Wild Card scenario.  After a troublesome first-half, in which they finish five games back of the first place Patriots, Long Island finishes strong with a 39-24 mark, two games better than the Patriots, and a 69-57 record overall.  Somerset secures their post-season berth with a 35-28 first-half record and finish the regular season with a 72-54 record overall, three games better than the Ducks. 

Not coincidentally, the Patriots take the first-half head-to-head series six games to three.  The Ducks turn the tables in the second-half head-to-head series, likewise winning six and losing three.  Said another way, these rivals split their regular season series down the middle, posting nine victories apiece.

It goes to show how through the seasons little has changed with regard to this recurring match-up.  The Liberty Division championship series once again features an age old dynamic in which one of the league's strongest offensive teams opposes one of the league's top pitching teams.

Of the two clubs, Long Island is the offensive juggernaut.  The Ducks rank first in home runs and total bases, second in slugging, and third in runs scored and OPS.  Somerset ranks last in home runs, seventh in both total bases and slugging, and fifth in both runs and OPS.  However, the Patriots are second in walks and stolen bases, third in OBP, and fourth in team average.  Whereas the Ducks are fifth in both walks and stolen bases, and sixth in both OBP and team average.

Infielder Justin Trapp leads Somerset with eight home runs, while the Ducks feature three players in double-digits.  David Washington leads Long Island with 24 round-trippers (second in the league), and Taylor Ard is second with sixteen.  The ageless one, Lew Ford leads the team with 73 RBI.  Washington and Travis Snider are tied with 71 RBI.  Second baseman Jordany Valdespin spearheads the offense with a team leading .338/.400/.487 triple slash.  He wins the league batting title by fractions over Somerset's Craig Massey, whom also finishes with a .338 mark.  In addition to leading the Patriots in batting, Massey also leads Somerset with a .418 OBP.  Alfredo Rodriguez leads with 55 RBI, while Jayce Boyd tops the club with a .481 slugging average.

Unfortunately, the Ducks lost the services of Emilio Bonifacio.  At the time his contract is purchased by the Milwaukee Brewers, he was leading the Atlantic League with a .348 average through 70 games.

On the mound, Somerset features one of the top two pitching staffs in the league.  They're first in strikeouts, H/9, K/W, own the league's second best ERA and WHiP, and have issued the second least walks.  Meanwhile, the Ducks rank fifth or sixth in most pitching categories.

This is precisely why Long Island's best hopes for advancing into the Atlantic League championship series rests on the arms and shoulders of their starting rotation.  As John Brownell, Matt Larkins, and Jake Fisher go, so will go the Ducks.  They'll also need effective contributions from Hector Silvestre, Dennis O'Grady, and recently acquired Brett Marshall.

And should the Ducks take a lead late into the game, the old pro Francisco Rodriguez must slam the door closed.  He posts 27 regular season saves and 2.76 ERA, with 42 strikeouts through 42.1 innings pitched.

THE RIVALRY: DUCKS vs. PATRIOTS

Prior to league realignment, the Ducks and Patriots face off in the 2013 league championship series, with Long Island emerging victoriously, three games against two.  The following season, Somerset gets shifted out of the Freedom Division and proceed to win their first Liberty Division title.  In 2015, Long Island flips the script in defeating Somerset two games against one.  If you're a Ducks fan the 2016 series proves epic; for Patriots fans not so much.  Somerset jumps out to a 2-0 series lead, but Long Island storms back winning three straight to capture the Liberty Division flag.  Last season, the Ducks again sweep Somerset, but for a second straight season fall short in the Atlantic League championship series.

L.I. Ducks: Look Who's Number One

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

Free Baseball + Long Ball = First Place

Long Island Ducks: Complete Second Straight Sweep of Rival Somerset Patriots; Take Over Liberty Division Lead.

Make that six straight wins for the Long Island Ducks, and a three game sweep over the Somerset Patriots.  In fact, the Flock complete their second straight sweep of the Patriots within the last ten days.  Even better, Long Island moves into sole possession of first place, one game ahead of always problematic Somerset.

The Ducks take a 3-2 lead into the bottom of the ninth of Wednesday's series finale at Somerset, but a passed ball charged to catcher Dioner Navarro allows the tying run to score.  And into extra innings they go.

As they've done all series, the Flock propel themselves to another victory via the long ball.  With two outs in the top of the eleventh, right fielder Anthony Vega hits only his second home run of the season off Somerset's Dustin Antolin to put Long Island ahead.  Ducks reliever Ashur Tolliver pitches himself into a jam in the bottom of the frame, but fans the final two batters of the game to secure Long Island's 4-3 victory. 

Tolliver is credited with his very first save of the season.  Dennis O'Grady gets credit for his fifth victory in relief this season for pitching a scoreless tenth inning.  In a no-decision effort, starter Matt Larkins surrenders just one earned run on five hits and two walks through five innings pitched.

Taylor Ard raises his average to .308 with a 4 for 5 day the plate with an RBI.  Despite going just 1 for 5 this day, Jordany Valdespin is second in the circuit and leads the Ducks with a .350 average.  With two more RBI, Lew Ford ranks fourth in the league with 66 RBI.

Long Island is second in the league behind Sugar Land with 83 home runs, while Somerset ranks last with just 44 home runs.  Otherwise the Ducks are number one in hits, and total bases, and rank second behind Sugar Land in runs, team batting, slugging, and OPS.

What rival Somerset lacks in hitting, they make up for on the mound.  They allow less earned runs and less hits than Long Island.  They lead the league in WHiP, strikeouts, and fewest walks allowed, and rank second in ERA and average against.

The Long Island Ducks and Somerset Patriots do not face each other for the rest of the regular season.  They both will make their own way towards capturing the division crown from here on out.
If they are to meet again for a fourth straight Liberty Division playoff, the Ducks have no choice but to win the second half division title.  The Patriots already did their part by winning the first half title. 

These teams faced off nine times in May with the Patriots winning six.  Mid July brings more of the same with Somerset sweeping a three game set for a 9-3 season series advantage.  But as July turns to August, Long Island reciprocates with a three game sweep of their own, then follow up with this latest conquest over the Patriots.  The regular season series ends locked at nine games apiece.

Did you expect anything less?

L.I. Ducks: John Brownell Sets Atlantic League All-Time Strikeout Record

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

John Brownell Sets Atlantic League 

All-Time Strikeout Record

Long Island Ducks: Flock Keep Pressure On Somerset With 10-0 Whitewashing of Road Warriors; Remain Two Games Back.

Three Long Island pitchers join forces in Saturday's 10-0 whitewashing of the Road Warriors at Bethpage Park.  Starter John Brownell takes charge of the first seven innings, allowing just three hits and three walks, and striking out four en route to his eighth victory of the season.  He faces 29 batters while throwing 114 pitches with 65 going for strikes.  Relievers Fernando Abad and Chris Pike close out the eighth and ninth respectively, allowing a combined two hits, a walk, and striking out three.

At the plate, the Ducks are powered by home runs from Jordany Valdespin, and Travis Snider (whose 66 RBI are second in the league), and four other extra base hits off the bats of Daniel Fields, Anthony Vega, Ramon Cabrera whom goes 3 for 5 with three RBI, and Lew Ford whom was recently recognized as the Atlantic League Player of the Month for July.

In the top of the third, John Brownell notches his first strikeout of the game against Road Warrior lead-off batter Daniel Aldrich.  More significantly, it marks the 738th strikeout of his Atlantic League career, thus setting the league's all-time record.  He adds three more before his night is through.

Long Island all of a sudden is the hottest team in the league, winning eight of their last ten, and nine of their last twelve.  They also remain within striking distance of the Patriots, just two games behind first place.

L.I. Ducks: Flock Overpower Somerset Patriots in Series Opener

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

First Victory Over Somerset Since May

GAME ONE

Patriots   5

Ducks    11

FINAL

Long Island Ducks: John Brownell Ties Atlantic League All-Time Strikeout Record.

A first inning home run by Patriot shortstop Alfredo Rodriguez off John Brownell had many in the crowd at Bethpage Ballpark pondering the potential historic night ahead.  But Lew Ford put them at ease in the bottom half of the frame by singling with the bases loaded and driving in two.  Three batters later, Travis Snider scores from third on a wild pitch giving the Ducks an early 3-1 lead.

Not for long, though ...

Right fielder Justin Pacchioli's double in the top half of the second drives home Somerset's second run of the game.

Then Jordany Valdespin strikes back.  His two-run home run in the bottom of the frame gives John Brownell and the Ducks some much needed breathing room.  The Ducks score an important sixth run in the fifth when Patriots starter David Kubiak issues Ramon Cabrera a bases-loaded walk.

In the top of the sixth, two runs on four straight hits knock John Brownell out of the box.  Somerset again loads the bases against reliever Dennis O'Grady, and score on a 4-3 put out (charged to Brownell), bringing the Patriots within one.

A four run outburst featuring a pair of doubles from Taylor Ard and David Washington in the sixth give the Ducks a commanding 10-5 lead.  Later in the eighth, Ard hits his 12th home run of the season, tying him with David Washington for the team lead.  Ard goes 2 for 4 with three RBI, and lifts his average above the .300 mark.

The bullpen chips in with four innings in relief of starter John Brownell.  They allow no runs, just two hits, one walk, and strikeout six.

• John Brownell leaves on the winning side of a (then) 6-5 game after facing four batters in the sixth.  He improves to 7-8 on the season.  His line against Somerset reads five earned runs on eight hits and a walk, with two strikeouts in five innings pitched.  He faces 23 batters, and throws 90 pitches with 66 (61%) going for strikes.  In the top of the fourth John Brownell strikes out his second batter of the game.  It marks the 737th strikeout of his Atlantic League career, tying him for the all-time lead in Atlantic League history.  His next strikeout will set a new league record.  Brownell's victory over Somerset also marks the 63rd of his Atlantic League career ranking him third all-time.

Monday's series opening victory improves Long Island's record to just 4-9 against the Patriots this season, and brings them within four games of the Liberty Division lead.

L.I. Ducks: Somerset Patriots Complete Sweep

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

Patriots sweep series over Ducks 3-0

I - SOM 8; LID 3

II - SOM 6; LID 4

III SOM 12; LID 9

Long Island Ducks: Hit the Road, Flock.

After going just 2-4 during this last home stand, and getting swept by the Somerset Patriots, perhaps a road trip is just what the veterinarian ordered.  The Ducks play seven games at the Lancaster Barnstormers and Southern Maryland Blue Crabs this week before returning home to face the Patriots again next Monday back at the Pond.

Long Island failed to protect a 9-5 fourth inning lead in Sunday's series finale, and instead were outdone 12-9 by the Somerset Patriots, who extend their first place lead over Long Island to four games.  The Ducks are now just 3-9 this season against the Patriots.

• What a difference health makes.  The ageless Lew Ford was 3 for 5 with three runs scored, a home run, and five RBI.  He is batting .294 through 73 games 282 at-bats, with seven home runs and 53 RBI (fifth most in Atlantic League).  Last season he was limited to just 76 games and 294 at-bats all season, batting .269 with nine home runs and only 31 RBI.

• Jordany Valdespin, who was ejected from Sunday's game, leads the Atlantic League with a .361 batting average.

• The Somerset Patriots are the first team in the second half to achieve ten victories, while the Ducks fall to par with a 6-6 record, and a sub par 36-39 record overall.

Monday

Long Island Ducks

vs.

Lancaster Barnstormers

With identical 6-6 records, the Ducks and New Britain Bees enter Monday's action locked in a tie for second place in the Liberty Division, four games behind the Somerset Patriots.  Despite finishing the first half thirteen games over .500, Lancaster placed second behind the Sugar Land Skeeters in the Freedom Division.  The Barnstormers are off to a slow second half start, entering Monday's series opener with a 5-6 record.

L.I. Ducks: Second Half Pennant or Bust

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

Somerset leads series 2-0

I - SOM 8; LID 3

II - SOM 6; LID 4

SUNDAY

Somerset Patriots

vs.

Long Island Ducks

FROM

Bethpage Ballbark

Long Island Ducks: Somerset Pitching Winning Out Over Flock Hitting.

Now 35-years young, starter John Brownell continues to struggle in this, his seventh season with the Long Island Ducks.

The Flock's all-time starting pitcher has never finished a full Ducks season with an ERA above four (in 2012, his first season with the Ducks, he posted a 6.61 ERA in only four appearances).  Although his rate of strikeouts is up, he presently owns a 4.25 ERA and a 1.382 WHiP, both well above his Duck career averages to date.

Coming off consecutive wins over Sugar Land and York, Brownell faced the rival Somerset Patriots on Friday at Bethpage Ballpark, allowing four earned runs on eleven hits, no walks, and striking out six through six innings pitched.  Trailing by three, the Ducks closed to within 4-3 of the Patriots in the bottom of the sixth on a pair of Jordany Valdespin RBI.  However, the bullpen would not hold.  Somerset scored twice in the seventh and posted another pair in the ninth en route to an 8-3 series opening victory.

Now trailing the Somerset Patriots by two games in the Liberty Division standings, Tyler Badamo climbs the bump at Bethpage Park for game two against Somerset's Cory Riordan.  Badamo enters Saturday's game with a 2.41 ERA in 18.2 innings over three previous starts since coming over to the Ducks from the New Britain Bees in June.

After trading runs in the first, Long Island takes a 3-1 lead on RBI hits by Taylor Ard and Ramon Cabrera.  The Patriots claw back with three hits and a run in the top of the fifth.  However, Travis Snider answers right back in the bottom of the frame with his team leading eleventh home run of the season.

With one out and runners on first and second in the top of the sixth, Coach Baez pulls Tyler Badamo in favor of reliever Ashur Tolliver.  With two out and the bases loaded, an E-6 allows two base runners home.  All runs are charged to Badamo, who surrenders ten hits but just two earned runs in 5.1 innings of work, walks one and strikes out four.

Coach Baez brings in Carlos Pimentel to pitch the seventh, who promptly surrenders a lead-off home run to Patriots shortstop Alfredo Rodriguez.  Three hits and a fielder's choice later Somerset leads by two.

Long Island fails to score in the their final two at-bats, and drop their second straight to the Patriots, this time by a 6-4 final.

If the Ducks are to meet the Somerset Patriots in the Liberty Division finals for a fourth consecutive season, they must first win the second half title.  Somerset already did their part by winning the first half title, five games ahead of the Ducks whom finished below par with a 30-33 record.  With regards to the season as a whole, Long Island owns a clear offensive edge over the the Patriots.  However, Somerset owns a distinct pitching advantage over the Ducks.  So far, the results speak for themselves.  Entering Sunday's series finale, the Ducks are just 3-8 this season against the Patriots.

L.I. Ducks: Flock Suffering Through Major Limp in Their Waddle

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

Swept by the Road Warriors?

Really?

Long Island Ducks: All is Not as Golden on Bethpage Pond as it Seems.

Sure, the Long Island Ducks are sending seven well deserving representatives to this season's Atlantic League All-Star Game, to be played on July 11, right here at Bethpage Park.  Such stellar individual play, however, is not necessarily helping Long Island much in the standings.

The Somerset Patriots are sending five players.  Yet, the first place Somerset Patriots lead the Liberty Division by two games over the New Britain Bees and four games over the Long Island Ducks.  But with just ten games remaining in the season's first half, the Ducks are faced with somehow overcoming the aforementioned four game deficit if they are to capture an unlikely first-half title.

They can certainly start Tuesday night by taking the first of three straight from the Bees at New Britain, then return to the Pond where they can hope to swat the Freedom Division leading Sugar Land Skeeters for three straight.  That's a tall order, but the Ducks have surprised before.  Unfortunately, the schedule makers seemed to have conspired against them.  The Somerset Patriots start a series against last place (Freedom) Southern Maryland, them take on the perpetual Road Warriors.

I suspect this is not where the Long Island Ducks expected to be - not with the number of major league experienced players on the roster; no slight intended towards Travis Snider whom is posting solid numbers ... just not necessary numbers.  Nevertheless, the offensive mediocrity, to date, speaks for itself:


ATLANTIC LEAGUE: Ducks Offense
Team Avg. - #7
Home Runs - #6
OPS - #5
Runs Scored - #3
Total Bases - #2

ATLANTIC LEAGUE: Ducks Pitching
ERA - #5
WHiP - #5
Earned Runs - #5
Avg. Against - #4
Base on Balls - 4th most
Strikeouts: #1


The Ducks were most recently and ponderously swept by the Road Warriors.  They actually started the month of June strongly.  Several times throughout the first half they won at least three straight games, and posted five straight wins in June.  But by the time the summer heat set in, they found themselves one game under .500 with a 14-15 record for the month.

Long Island opens Tuesday's action with a 29-31 record, with much to accomplish in a short time to get it done.


EXTRA INNINGS:

• The Sugar Land Skeeters have already clinched the Freedom Division first half title.
• Former Mets catcher Josh Thole signed with the New Britain Bees, managed by former Met Wally Backman.

L.I. Ducks: Grand Opening at the Pond

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

Ducks set new franchise single-game record for runs scored.

OPENING NIGHT

Crabs      9

Ducks   27

FINAL

Long Island Ducks Serve Up Fresh Southern Maryland Lump Crab Cakes on Opening Night at the Pond.

The Long Island Ducks treated their home town fans to the grandest of opening nights Friday night at Bethpage Ballpark.  In defeating the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs by an astonishing 27-9 margin of victory, the Ducks set a new franchise record for most runs scored in a game.

Five different Long Island players had at least three RBI apiece.  Jordany Valdespin drove in four runs, and Cody Puckett drove in six runs.  First baseman David Washington went 4 for 6 with two walks, two home runs, three RBI, and six runs scored.  Washington now leads the league with four home runs after just seven games played. 

A trio of Ducks (Jordany Valdespin, David Washington, and Lew Ford) have at least ten RBI each.

Starting pitcher Jair Jurrjens picked up his first win of the season, allowing two runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out five.

However, Long Island's resounding victory somewhat overshadowed a rather poor performance from the bullpen.  Jason Creasy and Carlos Pimentel joined together for three innings pitched, in which they surrendered seven runs (five earned), on five hits and three walks.

Francisco Rodriguez is officially signed, but has yet to make his Long Island Ducks debut.

Perhaps he makes his first appearance this evening in game two against the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs.

TONIGHT

Southern Maryland Blue Crabs

vs.

Long Island Ducks

FROM

THE POND

L.I. Ducks: Francisco Rodriguez Joins The Flock

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

Long Island at the Gates!

TONIGHT

Long Island Ducks

vs.

Somerset Patriots

FROM

TD Bank Ballpark

Long Island Ducks: After dropping season opener at Southern Maryland, Flock respond with two straight victories and a series win over the Blue Crabs.

The Blue Crabs stroked 12 hits and six runs against Ducks starter Jiar Jurrgens and reliever Matt Marsh, and pounded out 15 hits overall during Friday's season opener.  Making his Ducks debut, Jurrgens lasted just four innings, allowing four earned runs on eight hits for the loss.

On Saturday, the Ducks took their turn at bat wielding eleven hits and twelve runs.  Starter Jeff Fisher allowed just two earned runs over five innings pitched for the victory.  Three Long Island relievers joined to pitched four no-hit shut-out innings, and fanned five.  Leading off, Jordany Valdespin went 4 for 5 with a home run, three RBI, and four runs scored.  First baseman David Washington went 2 for 5 with a home run and four RBI.  Lew Ford also drove in a trio of runs en route to a 12-2 victory over the Blue Crabs.

Long Island took Sunday's rubber game by a 7-4 final.  Despite pitching in and out of trouble for most of his start, John Brownell walked one and fanned four batters for his first victory of the season.  Dan Lyons was big man on campus with a double and three RBI during a five run first inning.  Vinnie Pestano pitched 1.2 innings for the save.

On that note, the Long Island Ducks announced the signing of former MLB closer Francisco Rodriguez.  Now 36-years old, K-Rod owns a career 52-53 record and 2.86 ERA through 16 seasons and nearly 1,000 innings pitched.  His 437 saves rank fourth all-time behind Mariano Rivera, Trevor Hoffman, and Lee Smith.  He pitched for the 2002 World Series champion Anaheim Angels, while his MLB single-season record of 62 saves in 2008 still stands.

*             *             *

It's never too early in the season for a clash of rivals, particularly when first place is at stake.  Long Island opens a three game series this evening at TD Bank Ballpark against the Somerset Patriots.  The Ducks executed a three game sweep over the Patriots when these teams previously met during last season's Liberty Division finals.  So far, the Patriots are off and running again after recently completing a weekend sweep over the Road Warriors.

N.Y. Mets ~ Amazins Pass a Major Test

From the desk of:   HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

NEW YORK METS:  Starting Pitchers Continue to Dominate June.   End Tough Nineteen Game Stretch on Amazin' Note.

Dillon Gee took his place in the Mets' arms race tonight.  The sophomore righty contributed yet another splendidly pitched game by the Mets in the month of June.  He only gave up three hits on the night in 7.1 innings pitched.  He evened his season record to 5-5, and also lowered his ERA from 4.43, to a 4.27 mark.

Gee started out allowing just one hit through seven complete innings.  He only walked one, while striking out eight Orioles, and had only thrown eighty-two pitches to that point.  So the thought was he still had gas left in the tank.  He was working on the Mets' third consecutive shutout.

In the eighth inning, Dillon Gee set his new career high for strikeouts with number nine, but not before surrendering a two run home run to Wilsonn Betemit to make it a 4-2 game.  Then after issuing his second walk of the evening, Coach Terry went to the mound and removed his starter.  Dillon Gee walked off the field to a rousing ovation.

Then in came Bobby Parnell with a runner on first and one out.  He made it interesting by allowing the next batter to hit safely.  But Bobby got the Mets out of the inning without incurring further damage, and kept Dillon Gee's effort on the winning side.

Coach Terry went with his closer, Frank Francisco, in the ninth, who promptly loaded the bases with two outs.  Francisco proceeded to walk in a run, making it a 4-3 game.  Then up came Brian Roberts for the Orioles.  A ground ball to Jordany Valdespin at second base ended this game that almost started to go south on the Mets.  But with the 4-3 final, the Amazins completed their sweep of the Baltimore Orioles.

It was a roller coaster finish, but the Mets have arrived at their off day having gone 10-9 over a stretch of nineteen games against teams with better than .500 records.  They got swept by the Yankees in the Bronx, then swept the Rays in Tampa.  They returned to Flushing and got swept by the Reds, and now, they sweep the Orioles.  For the moment, that's Mets' Baseball.  And we'll take it.

Enjoy your day off guys.  After recovering to improve your record to 38-32,  you've all earned a well deserved day off.  All that's left is to read, and listen tomorrow, to what all the Mets' media naysayers will have to say regarding the club now.  So come hungry boys.  There's plenty of crow for every one of you to eat.



Mike.BTB

N.Y. Mets ~ Subway Series; A Bronx Fail

From the desks of:

HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET  and  BLAME CARLOS MAY

YANKEES WIN SUBWAY SERIES - I

Old School Mural ~ Williamsburg

YANKEES WIN SERIES 3-0 

I  -  NYY 9; NYM 1

II  -  NYY 4; NYM 3

III  -  NYY 5; NYM 4

Mets Suffer A Bronx Beat-Down

"The Yankees draw Johan Santana tonight in his first game since tossing a no-hitter at Citi Field. Johan has now tossed two consecutive complete game victories. After tossing 134 pitches during his no-no, tonight we'll see the effects of him either over extending himself last time out, or whether giving Johan extra time off between starts was beneficial, or leaves him flat."  -  That's what I said Friday prior to Game One.

If I didn't come right out and say it, I certainly sensed it.  Johan Santana's start was going to be a bomb.  We all know what happened FRIDAY.  I'm not saying I'm smart.  I'm just saying, that's Baseball.  That's the way pitchers go in the modern age.  There is a very fine line to walk between managing muscle recovery, and foiling muscle memory.  The Mets toyed with both, but are not to be blamed.  Throwing no-hittters are an exception to the rule of traditional in-game management.  Post game management, in this case, the decision to give Johan extra rest, was probably necessary, but it's also called biting the bullet for such occasions as Johan's 134 pitch gem.  In Game One, he only walked one, and struck out five Yankees.  So control wasn't the issue.  He was flat, and hittable, as evidenced by six hits, but four home runs allowed, in five innings.  Three of those came back, to back, to back.  As Mets fans, it is just a game we have to ignore.

What I'm not OK with, was the offensive rigamortis that set in against Hiroki Kuroda.  Thank you Omar Quintanilla for breaking up a potential no-hitter in the sixth.  Kuroda struck out seven Mets in the process.  Only Lucas Duda continued his steady hitting, finally connecting for a double in the ninth to score Quintanilla, and ruining the Yankees' shut-out.  But that's all the Mets would get; two hits and one run.

The other point of contention would be the performance of Elvin Ramirez.  All three of his appearances so far, have gone very wrong since his call-up from Buffalo.  He dazzled in eight appearances in Binghampton, and then ten more with the Bisons this season before Sandy Alderson summoned him up to the big club.  Since arriving, the twenty-four year old has fizzled miserably.



SATURDAY'S GAME was lost on two pitches.  Dillon Gee served-up a home run pitch to Mark Teixeira; a little payback for getting plunked by Gee in the first; and Bobby Parnell issued one to Curtis Grandrson.  As number four starters go, Gee and Phil Hughes actually engaged in a nice pitching duel through the first five innings.  But Hughes had a better sixth inning.  And well, there ya go.  Game Two went to the Yankees again.

The Mets actually out-hit the Yankees eight to six.  And David Wright and Omar Quintanilla both homered for the Amazins.  But when you cancel out the four combined home runs hit in this game, Alex Rodriguez' RBI single to drive in Derek Jeter was the difference.  It gave the Yankees a first inning lead that had strong enough legs to allow the Bomber's bullpen a chance at finishing off the Mets over the final 2.2 innings.

Saturday's was a decent start for Dillon Gee, and as with several of his other previous starts, he certainly could have used more help.



SUNDAY, the Mets set about trying to gain victory in the final game of this series by scoring early off Andy Pettitte.  Vinny Rottino had an RBI single, and Jordany Valdespin doubled home two more, for a three run second inning.  The Mets left the bases loaded however, as Andy struck out Jason Bay and David Wright consecutively, to end the Amazin's threat.

Jon Niese cruised through the first five innings.  In the sixth he got into trouble.  Derek Jeter led off by beating out an infield hit, and Granderson followed with a single.  Teixeira then grounded into a fielder's choice, on a nice play by Valdespin at short.  With runners now on first and third, and one out, up came Alex Rodriguez to face Jon Niese.  The Mets' starter escaped the inning when he got A-Rod to ground into an inning ending double play.

Andy Pettitte fielded a come-backer in the sixth with his bare pitching hand, but stayed in and completed the frame.  However, he did not return to the mound for the seventh.  Andy was clearly feeling discomfort in his hand, and gave way to Pinstripe neophyte, Clay Rapada.

Jon Niese came out for his half of the seventh, and immediately gave up a lead-off single to Robinson Cano.  The Mets then went around the horn on Nick Swisher's grounder to Wright, and turned their second double-play in two innings for a quick two outs.  An E-5 allowed Andrew Jones to reach first when Vinny Rottino, playing first base for Ike Davis, couldn't dig a ball out of the dirt.  So naturally, with two outs, Russell Martin lined a short Yankee-Porch home run to right to bring the Yankees within a run.

After getting the third out, Jon Niese's afternoon was through.  He pitched seven full innings, gave up seven hits and one walk.  He allowed two runs, but both were unearned.  Jon struck out six and threw exactly 100 pitches.

In came Bobby Parnell for the eighth.  His first batter was Derek Jeter, who topped a bouncer to short. Quintanilla misplayed the hop, and Derek Jeter advanced to second as the ball dribbled away.  Curtis Granderson singled to left and Jeter got held up at third.  Up came Teixeira, who singled in Jeter to tie the game at three.  And there went Jon Niese's start.

Alex Rodriguez took his turn against Parnell and popped a ball up that fell between Ike Davis (in as a defensive replacement), Jordany Valdespin from second base, and Scott Hairston coming from right.  Granderson scored.  There went the Mets' lead, and off went Bobby Parnell to the showers, without so much as retiring a batter.

Tim Byrdak was summoned, and set down the next two Yankees in order.  Then Coach Collins made another move for Jon Rauch, who struck out Raul Ibanez to end the inning.

In the Mets' ninth, they faced de-facto closer, Rafael Soriano.  Lucas Duda led off, and unleashed a laser to center and over Granderson's head for a double.  Then up came Ike Davis for the first time in the game, and promptly mashed a double to right center, delivering Duda for a tie game.  Quintanilla hit a grounder to short, that Ike Davis tried advancing to third on, and was thrown out.

Daniel Murphy batted with Quintanilla on first.  On a 3-2 pitch, Murphy pulled a pitch between first and second, putting Quintanilla on third, which spelled the end of Rafael Soriano's day.  Joe Girardi then called upon his fourth reliever of the afternoon, Boone Logan to put a stop to the Mets' rally.  He'd face Josh Thole, who was sent up as a pinch-hitter with one out, and the go ahead runner at third. In a little catcher-on-catcher crime, Josh fouled one off Russell Martin's mask, then got JOBBED on a called strike three a few pitches later!  Rookie Kirk Nieuwenhuis then stepped up and grounded out to Cano for the third out.

In the bottom of the ninth, lead-off batter, Russell Martin, launched a Jon Rauch slider deep, about eight rows back into the left field seats, for his second home run of the afternoon, a walk-off win, and a Yankees' sweep of the Mets in the Bronx.

Thuugh Mets lose.  Thuu-uugh, Mets Lose.  Why you ask?  An E-5 and an E-6 will go down as the Mets' ruin in Game Three.



The Mets lost this series in a near no-hitter/slash/blow-out, two ill-fated pitches in Game Two, and two killer errors.  Everything else is academic. All except the prodigious number of home runs the Yankees hit, compared to the Mets, that is.  For every home run the Mets hit this series, the Yankees hit four.  More about that..., later.

Drive safely.  Pay attention to the signs on your way home.

*Grand St. Graffiti - Old School Mural - W'burg, B'klyn
Mike.BTB