Did a double-take this morning when I saw the headline on Newsday's back page this morning. Mike Pelfrey, the stopper? Who would have imagined that? But in a game the Mets desperately needed -- no, that's not an overstatement -- Pelfrey came up huge with seven scoreless innings in the 6-0 win over the Nationals.
Why was that game so important last night? It's not an exaggeration to say the walls were closing in a little on manager Willie Randolph, who has been getting the bulk of the blame for the Mets' slow start. And with Manny Acta back at Shea, it had to feel even more uncomfortable.
Just about everyone except the cashier at Mama's stopped over to say hi to Acta during batting practice yesterday -- COO Jeff Wilpon, GM Omar Minaya, assistant GM Tony Bernazard, numerous members of the Mets coaching staff, a few players, etc., etc. One person I didn't see come over to shake Acta's hand? Randolph. Maybe he did. I just didn't see it happen.
I thought it was great that David Wright jokingly credited Letterman's BP session on Monday night for his five RBI performance against the Nats. Randolph called it a "great team win" and for good reason. Duaner Sanchez entered in the ninth to a standing ovation -- his first appearance since 2006 -- and pitched a scoreless inning. Jose Reyes had his best game of the season and even Lastings Milledge was booed. I blew it on that one. I thought for sure the Shea fans would welcome L-Millz back, if just out of spite. But he was loudly booed during every at-bat.
As for the Mets, they were cheered for a change -- at least until Aaron Heilman allowed a leadoff double to Cristian Guzman in the eighth inning. C'mon folks. Ease up already. A relief pitcher gives up ONE hit and gets booed. Still, maybe Tuesday's win was a solid first step for the Mets in their efforts to bury 2007 once and for all.
Comments (8)
I'm still sticking with my personal nickname for Mike Pelfrey, "Master Splinter." Bats start sweating when he takes the hill.
Awesome game. Enough said.
What does Fire Omar think today?
C'mon Newsday, I called him the stopper last night. http://mrmetaholic.blogspot.com/2008/04/stopper.html
Paul, with all due respect, there was only one splinter and he was a Splendid Splinter.
That's not to take away from Pelfrey's performance. I would love to watch Mets games but having to settle for the MLB audio is great as I enjoy Howie Rose and now Wayne Hagin as well. They described it well.
Pelfrey really stepped up. Happy for the kid.
Guess who wanted him not to make the team so SNOW BOOT El Duque could.....That's right....OMAR !!!
FIRE OMAR !!
p.s How does Castillo look at the plate? In the field? What a joke !!!
p.s.s You want to see a CLUTCH team that has the magic...Look at what the Phills did last night. Down 3-0 in the 9th, they win 4-3 !! Tell me the last time the Mets did that ????
I know this is the wrong post and some of you will not think that a German catcher could help your Mets. But he could be really good.
http://www.mister-baseball.com/new-york-mets-sign-catcher-kai-gronauer/
Sorry for the spam
Just check www.mister-baseball.com
The Splendid Splinter! Woops. Yeah, I guess that's already been taken. Darn, they could have had fun with that.
I will think of something else...
How about "The Jigsaw Killer"?
Castillo will only play 2or3 games and then sit one....Way to go OMAR....You have a catcher playing 2nd base for the next 4 years you MORON !
FIR OMAR !!