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October 07, 2006
Game, series, season
You can't argue too much after getting swept out of the postseason in three straight games. The fact is, the Mets are just the better team and they proved it at every turn, on every level and in every imaginable way.
Enjoy the winter, see you next spring.
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 08:49 PM | Comments (1)
Game, series, season
You can't argue too much after getting swept out of the postseason in three straight games. The fact is, the Mets are just the better team and they proved it at every turn, on every level and in every imaginable way.
Enjoy the winter, see you next spring.
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 08:49 PM | Comments (0)
Game, series, season
You can't argue too much after getting swept out of the postseason in three straight games. The fact is, the Mets are just the better team and they proved it at every turn, on every level and in every imaginable way.
Enjoy the winter, see you next spring.
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 08:49 PM | Comments (0)
What the Dodgers need now is four straight home runs
Against one of the top closers in the game? Sort of doubt it.
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 08:47 PM | Comments (0)
Down to three outs...
Man, Drew can't buy a hit right now. He grounded out to first base to end the eighth.
If you're Willie Randolph you're loving life right now knowing you've got Billy Wagner warming up in the bullpen to finish this thing off.
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 08:37 PM | Comments (0)
Still a little bit of life....
Runners at first and second with two outs in the eighth. J.D. Drew is up.
Nobody is due more than this guy.
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 08:36 PM | Comments (0)
Former Dodgers killing them tonight
From Shawn Green to Paul Lo Duca to Guillermo Mota. These three guys are wearing their former team out, tonight. Lo Duca just hit a blooper into rigght field to give the Mets an 8-5 lead.
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 08:08 PM | Comments (0)
Great pitxh by Mota
You've got to give the former Dodger credit. He just froze Olmedo Saenz on a called third strike out to end the seventh.
Saenz is a tough, tough out.
The Dodgers have two more at bats to get this done. Brett Tomko is on to pitch the eighth. Expect to see Aaron Heilman to pitch the bottom of the inning for the Mets.
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 08:02 PM | Comments (0)
Great pitxh by Mota
You've got to give the former Dodger credit. He just froze Olmedo Saenz on a called third strike out to end the seventh.
Saenz is a tough, tough out.
The Dodgers have two more at bats to get this done. Brett Tomko is on to pitch the eighth. Expect to see Aaron Heilman to pitch the bottom of the inning for the Mets.
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 08:02 PM | Comments (0)
Two out rally?
James Loney singles off Mota. Olmedo Saenz up.
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 07:59 PM | Comments (0)
Billingsley keeps Dodgers in the game
With the help of a nice play by Rafael Furcal to extend to his left on a ground ball, touch second base for a force out then fire to first to double up Shawn Green.
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 07:53 PM | Comments (0)
Drew swings at first pitch
And pops out to end the sixth inning, leaving runners at second and third.
Talk about the breaks of the game. Jeff Kent hit a ground rule double, and that's usually great and all. But on this one it meant Kenny Lofton couldn't advance home from first base _ even though he would have easily scored had the ball stayed in the park.
It cost the Dodgers a huge, huge run.
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 07:44 PM | Comments (4)
This is a loooong game
We're in the bottom of the sixth and we're pushing up on three hours. Wow.
It's been a wild ride, though. The Dodgers just got a single from Kenny Lofton with one out against Guillermo Mota, and now Marlon Anderson is up. Has Anderson been huge for the Dodgers, or what?
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 07:40 PM | Comments (11)
Wow, Mets come right back
They take advantage of Broxton's wildness _ maybe some nerves? to score three runs to take a 7-5 lead. And still there are only one out. Runners at first and third.
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 07:15 PM | Comments (6)
Nomar grounds out, but Dodgers leading
Wow, what an inning.
Now it's Jonathan Broxton's turn to keep this score right where it is.
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 07:09 PM | Comments (4)
Nomar up!
Bases loaded, Dodgers leading 5-4. Great move by Grady Little. If he can break this open right now we're looking at a Game Four tomorrow.
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 07:06 PM | Comments (0)
Jeff Kent goes BOOM
And now the game is tied 4-4.
Wow, this place just exploded.
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 06:49 PM | Comments (3)
Dodgers are very much in this game
Mark Hendrickson worked a nice fifth inning, getting pesky Endy Chavez to ground into a inning ending double play.
Darren Oliver stays out their to pitch the bottom of the fifth, and he faces the top of the oder.
Amazingly, Hendrickson's turned out to be an important piece to the Dodgers' bullpen. With Joe Beimel out, he's pitched in all three games and hasn't given up a run yet.
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 06:42 PM | Comments (4)
Twp pitches, two outs
Wow. Oliver gets Ethier to line out to him, then he throws to third to double up Wilson Betemit to end the inning.
At the least the Dodgers are back in the game.
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 06:35 PM | Comments (13)
Funny
While Olver was warming up, they showed a clip of Kirk Gibson's home run to beat the A's in Game One of the 1988 World Series. Mets third baseman David Wright and SS Jose Reyes couldn't take their eyes off the scoreboard.
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 06:33 PM | Comments (2)
Nice job Loney
Finally, the Dodgers are on the board.
His two-run double cuts the lead to 4-2. Andre Ethier pinch hitting for Maddux.
The Mets are bringing in Darren Oliver to pich to Ethier.
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 06:29 PM | Comments (14)
Bases loaded, one out
James Loney at bat.
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 06:24 PM | Comments (8)
Finally something going
One out, runners at first and second, and Trachsel looking very, very shaky.
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 06:19 PM | Comments (0)
Bases loaded, two outs
Left hander Pedro Feliciano in to pitch to James Loney.
Isn't it about time the Dodgers get to this guy? This is the third time he's pitching in this series.
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 06:18 PM | Comments (1)
Quick inning for Maddux
He needed that after throwing more than 50 pitches through the first three innings.
It doesn't mean anything if the Dodgers can't get something started against Trachsel. Nothing against the former Long Beach State standout, but this is a guy the Dodgers roughed up for five hits and for runs in two innings September 10th.
And now they're making him look like Sandy Koufax. Incidentally, Sandy is at Dodger Stadium tonight. I wonder who he's rooting for. Obviously he played for the Dodgers, but he's a lifelong friend of Mets owner Fred Wilpon, too.
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 06:01 PM | Comments (0)
Desperation?
With the Dodgers trailing 4-0 in the fourth inning, Grady Little opted let pitcher Greg Maddux bat to lead off the inning.
OK, I could understand of Maddux was pitching well and still trailing, but the Mets have plastered him with seven hits. He hasn't fooled anyone.
Why keep him in the game _ and give away an out _ right there? Pinch hit for him and bring another pitcher in.
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 05:56 PM | Comments (0)
Desperation?
With the Dodgers trailing 4-0 in the fourth inning, Grady Little opted let pitcher Greg Maddux bat to lead off the inning.
OK, I could understand of Maddux was pitching well and still trailing, but the Mets have plastered him with seven hits. He hasn't fooled anyone.
Why keep him in the game _ and give away an out _ right there? Pinch hit for him and bring another pitcher in.
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 05:56 PM | Comments (0)
I'm not saying Steve Trachsel works slow or anything
But, I've figured out a few things one can do while waiting _ and waiting _ for him to throw a pitch.
1. Calculate the BCS formula for the last four college football seasons.
2. Read the Bible _ backward.
3. Watch the first and second seasons of Curb Your Enthusiasm.
4. Hang out with Joe Beimel on a night on the town in New York City.
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 05:40 PM | Comments (2)
Can we get a rally started, or what?
The Mets just ran themselves out of the second inning when the Dodgers guessed right on a pitch out to throw Jose Reyes out at second.
Now Russell Martin starts the bottom of the inning with a hard liner to right for a single. It's time for the offense to finally wake up.
This isn't Steve Glavine on the mound _ or even John Maine for that matter. It's Steve Trachsel!
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 05:35 PM | Comments (295)
Dodgers can't take advantage
David Wright opened the door for a rally by throwing wide to first base on a grounder by Jeff Kent, putting runners at first and second with two outs.
But J.D. Drew grounded weakly to first base to end the inning.
That's the story of the series thus far. The Dodgers haven't taken advantage of any opening the Mets provide. Meanwhile the Mets have made their own breaks and taken advantage of the ones the Dodgers provided.
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 05:22 PM | Comments (3125)
Maddux gets pounded in the first inning
It could not have started worse for the Dodgers, as the Mets sent eight men to the plate and scored three runs. It could have been worse, too. Paul Lo Duca made a base-running blunder and got thrown out at third, and Jose Valentin was robbed of a double with two runners on when James Loney climbed the ladder to nab a hard liner behind first base.
Maddux wasn't fooling anyone, and it will be interesting to see how he rebounds in the second inning.
With the Dodgers facing elimination, Grady Little can't afford to stick with him much longer if he continues to struggle.
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 04:54 PM | Comments (11)
Dodger Stadium is very, very loud
And the first pitch hasn't even been thrown yet.
You know fans mean business when they boo the snot out of the other team's strength coach in pre-game introductions!
But wow, the love for the home team is electrifying.
Incidentally, the fans here at Dodger Stadium saved their loudest boos for former Dodgers Paul LoDuca, Shawn Green and Guillermo Mota.
I'd get the hate if any of those three players left the team as free agents. But all three were traded _ reluctantly, I might add.
If the fans want to be mad at anyone, they should be mad at Paul DePodesta, the GM who traded them.
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 04:19 PM | Comments (0)
Dodgers vs. Mets, Game Three NLDS
The Dodgers hope to avoid elimination in game three of the NLDS against the New York Mets today at 5:05 p.m. at Dodger Stadium. The Mets bring a 2-0 lead into the best-of-five series, having won the first two games Wednesday and Thursday at Shea Stadium.
Pithing matchups:
METS: RH Steve Trachsel (15-8, 4.97 ERA) proves if you stick around with the Mets long enough, good things might actually happen. The longest tenured Met is finally making his first playoff appearance with the Medtropolitans after six mostly miserable seasons. Trachsel is pitching for the first time in 12 days, having left the team in the final week to tend to a personal issue.
DODGERS: Greg Maddux (15-14, 4.20) has been a blessing for the Dodgers after joining them at the trade deadline last July, going 6-3 with a 3.30 ERA in 12 starts. However, he's 1-2 with a 7.36 ERA in three starts against the Mets this year.
Lineups:
METS
SS Jose Reyes
C Paul Lo Duca
CF Carlos Beltran
1B Carlos Delgado
3B David Wright
LF Cliff Floyd
RF Shawn Green
2B Jose Valentin
RHP Steve Trachsel
DODGERS
SS Furcal
CF Lofton
LF Anderson
2B Kent
RF Drew
C Martin
3B Betemit
1B Loney
RHP Maddux
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 04:15 PM | Comments (3061)
October 05, 2006
Right now the Dodgers have no answers
For the Mets speed, power, and tremendous bullpen.
It's going to be very, very, very tough for the Dodgers to come back from the 0-2 hole they've dug for themselves.
The good news is they have Greg Maddux going in Game Three, but you can count on a determined Mets team intent on finishing this thing off sooner rather than later in Game Four.
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 08:14 PM | Comments (4)
On to the ninth....
The good news for the Dodgers is they got a look at Mets' closer Billy Wagner yesterday, so they have some familiarity with him going into their half of the ninth.
The bad news is Wagner usually works best the more work he gets. Prior to yesterday's ninth inning he hadn't pitched in five days.
He loves pitching on back-to-back nights, then taking a day off the third day.
So he's right where he wants to be.
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 08:04 PM | Comments (0)
Paging Mr. Betemit....
Kaaaa-BOOM.
The Dodgers are finally on the board on a bomb by Wilson Betemit.
Unfortunately no one was on base. The score is 4-1 Mets heading into the bottom of the eighth.
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 07:57 PM | Comments (0)
Billingsley with some heat
He's pitching in relief, and doing very well.
This is great experience for the 22-year old.
However, he's a starter, not a reliever, so I hope the 1-2-3 he just tossed in the seventh doesn't get someone thinking.."hmmmmm, maybe another Eric Gagne?"
He's a dominant starter in waiting, regardless how he just abused the Mets middle of the order.
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 07:47 PM | Comments (0)
Dodgers running out of chances
And the most glaring thing of all is the difference in bullpens.
The Mets have one.
The Dodgers don't.
The Dodgers are throwing guys who pitched in their rotation earlier in the year _ Hendrickson, Tomko _ while the Mets use the bullpen they've nutured and developed all year long.
That's a huge advantage for Willie Randolph, and a big disadvantage for Grady Little.
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 07:34 PM | Comments (0)
Furcal big mistake
He totally let a ball play him on a certain double play, allowing 48-year old Julio Franco to reach base safe at first. That extended an inning, and gave the Mets two bonus runs.
It's the little things in the playoffs, and right now the Dodgers aren't doing them very well. 4-0 Mets.
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 07:24 PM | Comments (0)
Wow, big out by Hendrickson
He gets Endy Chavez to dribble a ball to him, then throws out David Wright at the plate for the first out.
But the bases are still loaded.
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 07:22 PM | Comments (0)
All things considered.....
Not too bad getting out of that inning behind 2-0.
However, I still have to wonder what might have happened had Little pinch-hit for Kuo the previous inning.
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 07:01 PM | Comments (3)
Kuo lets Grady down
Little showed faith in Kuo by letting him hit in the top of the fifth with a runner in scoring poisition _ even though you really have to wonder how wise that was.
So what does Kup do? He walks the weak-hitting right-handed hitting Jose Valentin to start the bottom of the sixth, then gives up a hit to lefty Endy Chavez. Glavine follows with a poerfect sac bunt to move the runner to second and third, then Kuo is ordered to walk Jose Reyes to walk the bases loaded so righty reliever Brett Tomko cabn pitch to righty Paul LoDuca.
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 06:53 PM | Comments (0)
Little has no faith in his bullpen
At least not the middle of the bullpen.
He lets Kuo bat with one out in the top of the fifth with a runner at second in a 1-0 game.
Why? Because he's got no faith in his middle relievers to get the job done, especially with Joe Beimel out with a hand injury.
Think about it. He let his left-handed pitcher hit against a left-handed pitcher.
Give credit to Kuo for at least moving the runner to third on a ground out.
But Glavine beared down after walking Rafael Furcal to get Kenny Lofton to ground out to second base to end the inning.
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 06:46 PM | Comments (0)
Thank you, Mother Nature
Cliff Floyd just crushed a ball to right field that looked like it was going to end up in Smithtown, Long Island.
But the wind said: No, no, no.
J.D. Drew caught it at the wall for the third out of the fourth inning.
Still 1-0, Mets.
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 06:35 PM | Comments (0)
Rookie mistake by Martin
Once again it looked like Glavine was working around Martin to get to the left-hander Marlon Anderson, working a 3-0 count.
Then he tempted Martin with a pitch in the zone _ and Martin bit. The result was an easy pop out.
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 06:28 PM | Comments (0)
Drew out looking
He just got abused by Tom Glavine.
There really isn't any other way to describe it.
But I like Russ Martin right here.
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 06:25 PM | Comments (0)
Situation for the Dodgers
One out, runner at first and second.
J.D. Drew up to bat.
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 06:24 PM | Comments (17)
All respect to Nomar
But am I the only one who crosses my fingers everytime he runs the basepaths?
I'm hurting just watching him run _ and limp.
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 06:21 PM | Comments (0)
Give credit to Kuo
For getting a big out on the strikeout of Carlos Beltran with Paul LoDuca at second base. The bad news is the Mets are really making Kuo work, and if Grady Little has to go to the bullpen earlier than he wants the advantage goes to the Mets.
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 06:17 PM | Comments (2)
Kuo working way too hard
The Mets manufactured a run by using their speed, and now Lo Duca is on second after a ground rule double.
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 06:10 PM | Comments (3022)
Kuo had to work a little
He threw 27 pitches in the bottom of the second. That's way too many. The Mets plan is obvious, especially considering their struggles against left-handers. Make him work, drive up his pitch count, hope Glavine holds his own and get into the Dodgers' bullpen.
That's why the Dodgers have to get something going against Glavine. If they can get a lead, then the Mets won't be as patient at the plate, and that meams Kuo sticks around a little longer.
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 05:50 PM | Comments (0)
Great at bat for Martin
He battled Glavine through 11 pitches, then finally got the walk. But something tells me Glavine gave in so he could pitch to the left-hander Marlon Anderson.
Sometimes as a pitcher you just have to say: Next.
Glavine got Anderson to ground out to end the inning.
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 05:35 PM | Comments (0)
Good start for Kuo
1-2-3. The key was the strikeout against lead-off hitter Joe Reyes. Kuo has to keep Reyes off the bases if he has any chance in this game.
Staring Kuo may seem like a gamble by Grady Little, and on some level it is. But anyone who's paid attention to the Mets this year understands they aren't nearly as good against left-handers as they are right-handers. It was the right call by Little.
Still, how great would it have been to see Tom Glavine against Greg Maddux tonight?
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 05:32 PM | Comments (0)
Would love to know what Grady was doing
The game had hardly began when he marched out to the umpire with his copy of the line-up. It almost seemed like he noticed a problem with the line-up the Mets gave him.
Nothing came of it, but I'd love to know what Grady thought he saw.
1-2-3 inning for Mets' starter Tommy Glavine.
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 05:23 PM | Comments (0)
Dodgers Vs. Mets, Game Two NLDS
DODGERS VS. METS, GAME TWO, NLDS
The Los Angeles Dodgers visit the New York Mets today in Game Two of the National League Division Series at Shea Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 5:20 p.m. The Mets lead the best-of-five series 1-0.
Pitching Matchup
LHP Tom Glavine (15-7, 3.82 ERA) is pitching in his first playoff game since 2002, but he's hardly a stranger to the postseason. In 32 playoff appearances, he is 12-15 with a 3.44 ERA. Glavine is 2-0 against the Dodgers this year.
LHP Hong Chih-Kuo (1-5, 4.22 ERA) is the somewhat surprise starter for the Dodgers, who hope to capalalize on the Mets' struggles against left-handers this year. Kuo earned the start on September. 8th when he limited the Mets to just three hits over six innings in a Dodgers' victory. He had seven strikeouts in the game. Kuo is making his first playoff appearance.
The Lineups
Dodgers:
Rafael Furcal SS
Kenny Lofton CF
Nomar Garciaparra 1B
Jeff Kent 2B
J.D. Drew RF
Russell Martin C
Marlon Anderson LF
Julio Lugo 3B
Hong-Chih Kuo P
METS:
Jose Reyes - SS
Paul Lo Duca - C
Carlos Beltran - CF
Carlos Delgado - 1B
David Wright - 3B
Cliff Floyd - LF
Jose Valentin - 2B
Endy Chavez - RF
Tom Glavine - SP
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 04:40 PM | Comments (172)
Coming up: Dodgers vs. Mets, Game 2
First pitch of Game 2 of the NLDS is less than an hour away, and in this must-win game, the Dodgers hopes rely on a rookie named Hong-Chi Kuo. A lot of pressure for a rookie. But Kuo has one thing going for him - he's left-handed, and the Mets have struggled against lefties all year.
As the game unfolds, we'll be hear to tell you about it. Daily News sports writer Vincent Bonsignore will be providing commentary and analysis and answering your questions right here throughout the game. If you have questions, submit them as a comment, and Vinnie will get you the answers...
Posted by Josh Kleinbaum at 04:10 PM | Comments (0)
October 04, 2006
Not this time
Wagner got him to chase a ball in the dirt after throwing one away over his head.
Game 1 to the Mets.
But this one looks like a classic series.
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 04:14 PM | Comments (0)
Can Garciaparra do it again?
One-run game, tying run at second base after Martinez's RBI double.
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 04:12 PM | Comments (0)
Down to one out
Ramon martinez up to bat.
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 04:10 PM | Comments (0)
Lead-off double Betiment
Exactly what the Dodgers needed against Wagner. He nearly got thrown out at third on an trmendous throw by Carlos Beltran, but with one out he's standing at third.
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 04:07 PM | Comments (0)
Big strikeout for Broxton
That's what power pitching can do for you. Bases loaded, full count and he reached back and blew one by Carlos Delgado to get out of the inning.
Now the Dodgers have to go to work against Billy Wagner, one of the top closers in the game.
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 03:55 PM | Comments (0)
Broxton throwing heat
Boy does this kid have a bright future.
On a side not, Garciaparra just made a very, very nice pick at first base to save a wild throw by Rafael Furcal.
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 03:50 PM | Comments (0)
The difference in this game right now
Are those two outs at the plate in the top of the second inning.
I have a feeling we'll be hearing about that play quite a bit.
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 03:48 PM | Comments (0)
If I'm Grady
I come back in the eighth with Jonathan Broxton. This game has to stay close. Billy Wagner is waiting in the Mets bullpen.
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 03:45 PM | Comments (0)
Nice to see Eric Gagne in the dugout
But it sure would have been nicer if he was actually playing.
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 03:41 PM | Comments (0)
Dodgers have answered back all day
But then the Mets answer their answer back.
The ball is back in the Dodgers court, and they simply have to get something going against Mets eighth-inning set-up man Aaron Heilman in the top of the eighth.
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 03:39 PM | Comments (0)
Tough spot for Penny
It's difficult for a guy to switch gears and jump from one role to another, especially when you're not 100 percent. His pitches are all over the place, and the Mets have made him pay with back-to-back its by Carlos Delgado and David Wright to make it 6-4.
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 03:35 PM | Comments (0)
Runner at first and second with one out
Delgado up. Penny is struggling with his control.
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 03:32 PM | Comments (0)
Penny on in the seventh
It's amazing how much can change in a week. This is a guy who was looking to start Game 3, and still might get the nod in Game 4. But a bad back took him out of consideration the first three games, and now he's on to keep this a tied game in the seventh.
Jose Reyes, who walked to lead off the inning, just stole second.
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 03:29 PM | Comments (0)
Garciaparra, huge double
Game is tied, 4-4. Kent is up with a chance to put the Dodgers in front.
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 03:18 PM | Comments (0)
Big hit, Furcal
Line-drive base hit to drive in Anderson to make it 4-2. Lofton flys out for the second out. Runners at first and third.
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 03:12 PM | Comments (0)
Anderson on with a bunt to start the seventh
Then moves to third on a really questionable play by Jose Valentin, who tried to throw Anderson out at second on a deep grounder to the lip of right field. Now it's first and third with none out.
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 03:08 PM | Comments (0)
Give hendrickson credit
He kept the game at 4-1 by striking out Shawn Green then getting Mota to pop out with the bases loaded.
Still, the Dodgers have their work cut out for them over the next three innings.
It looks like Mota's got the seventh, with Aaron Heilman and Billy Wagner taking the eighth and night, respectively.
Don't be surprised to see Brad Penny pitch the seventh for the Dodgers, who have to get something going against Mota.
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 03:03 PM | Comments (0)
Grady Little's hands are tied
Losing left-handed reliever Joe Beimel to a cut hand really, really limits his bullpen options.
As a result, Lowe had to intentionally walk Cliff Floyd to put runners at first and third with one out to set up a double-play situation with left-hander Shawn Green coming to the plate.
Looks like Grady is calling in Mark Hendrickson to pitch to Green.
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 02:56 PM | Comments (0)
Ouch
David Wright just sent a screamer to the right field wall to score Paul Lo Duca and Carlos Delgado to make it 4-1 Mets, bottom of the sixth.
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 02:55 PM | Comments (0)
Situation for the Mets
Runners at first and third with one out. David Wright up to bat.
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 02:51 PM | Comments (0)
Think Mota isn't pumped up?
He just dominated the Dodgers 1-2-3, striking out J.D. Drew and Russ Martin to end the sixth.
Be afraid of former players biting you in the playoffs.
The Mets know all about this. Marlon Anderson was their top reserve a year ago, but he fled to Washington when the Nationals offered a two-year contract.
Anderson, a key late-season pick up for the Dodgers, has the only L.A. RBI.
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 02:47 PM | Comments (0)
Guierllmo Mota now pitching for the Mets
Dodger fans might remember this guy. He was traded with Paul Lo Duca for Brad Penny two years ago.
Somewhere former Dodgers G.M. Paul DePodesta is smiling. Or grimicing.
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 02:42 PM | Comments (0)
Hurt and all, Lowe gets the job done
That was a big inning for him, and he responded by retiring the side in order. Now the offense has to pick him up. The Mets are a little deeper into the pen they they wanted to be in the sixth inning, so it will be interesting to see whp pitches from this point on.
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 02:39 PM | Comments (0)
Lowe looks like he's limping
Everytime he bounces off the mound after throwing a pitch he seems to be grimicing, then he sort of stretches his right leg a little. It's obvious that calf is bothering him a little bit.
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 02:35 PM | Comments (1)
Dodgers miss a chance
Well, Randolph's quick hooks paid off for the Mets. Bradford got Garciaparra to ground weakly to SS Jose Reyes, who threw to second to get the force out on Furcal to end the inning.
It is imperative that Lowe keeps this a one-run game in the bottom of the fifth, because if the Mets move any further ahead they have the type of bullpen that can close a game out.
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 02:32 PM | Comments (0)
Get used to this
I hope Randolph has the Mets' bullpen on speed dial, because he's going to be dialing it up often in this series.
After Feliciano got Lofton swinging for the second out, Randolph marched onto the field to pull Feliciano for right-hander Chad Bradford, who now faces Nomar Garciaparra.
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 02:28 PM | Comments (0)
Willie bringing in a left-hander
Is this the playoffs, or what?
Mets manager Willie Randolph didn't hesitate to pull surprise Game 1 starter John Maine, who learned last night he'd be replacing the injured Orlando Hernandez on the mound.
After Maine walked Rafael Furcal to put runners at first and second with one out, Randolph pulled Maine in favor of left-hander Pedro Feliciano to pitch to Kenny Lofton.
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 02:23 PM | Comments (0)
Dodgers trainer working on Lowe's calf
After Lowe got back to the dugout after moving Betiment over with a bunt, a Dodgers trainer was rubbing down Lowe's left calf.
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 02:22 PM | Comments (0)
Big inning for the Dodgers
A runner at second, one out. Top of the lineup coming up.
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 02:20 PM | Comments (0)
And Cliff Floyd goes boom
2-1, Mets.
Funny thing about Floyd is a week ago there was question if he would even be on the playoff roster. But he took a cortistone shot to ease the pain in his right leg, and is gutting it out. The Mets need his big bat.
The home run to Delgado was a good piece of hitting,. Lowe made a good picth, and Delgado just went down and got it.
But he served one up to Floyd and he made him pay.
Bad leg and all.
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 02:16 PM | Comments (0)
Just as I write that
Carlos Delgado just put a ball into the deepest part of Shea Stadium to tie it, 1-1.
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 02:10 PM | Comments (0)
Maine has settled down nicely
And that's not good news for the Dodgers.
The Mets pitching strength is their bullpen, which is second best in baseball and tops in the National League. No matter who their starter is, the objective is always the same: Keep up in the game into the sixth or seventh, then let or offense and bullpen take care of the rest.
Maine rebounded from a shaky second inning and cruised through the third and fourth. He's two innings from meeting his objective.
The good news for the Dodgers is Derek Lowe is on top of his game right now. He's woking quickly, keeping the ball down and limiting a very, very potent Mets offense.
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 02:06 PM | Comments (0)
Should be 3-0, at least
So many mistakes happened on the double-put-out at the plate in the top of the second inning.
First of all, why is Jeff Kent hesitating at all? Take one look back after the ball is hit, then run to second base and pick up the third base coach from there. Maybe he had trouble picking up the ball, but all he had to do was watch Shawn Green to understand the ball was soaring over his head.
Secondly, what in the world is third base coach Rich Donnelly doing, eating a hot dog and drinking a soda pop? He has no business sending Kent, let alone J.D. Drew. Cut your losses when you figure out Kent didn't get a good jump, hold everybody and you're looking at bases loaded, no outs.
Instead, you ran the Dodgers into two outs and one giant wasted opportunity.
Credit Marlon Anderson for picking up Donnelly on the RBI double.
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 01:29 PM | Comments (0)
Dodger-Mets Game 1NLDS
Dodgers vs. Mets pregame
The Dodgers visit the New Yorks Mets this afternoon in the first game of the National League Division Series in Shea Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 1:20 p.m.
Pitching Matchup:
RHP John Maine gets the start for the Mets after Orlando Hernandez suffered a Grade 2 tear in his right calf Tuesday afternoon. Hernandez was subsequently left off the Mets' 25-man playoff roster. The Mets are 10-2 in Maine's last 12 starts, and he's given up three runs or less in 10 of 15 starts. In his only appearance against the Dodgers this year he gave up six hits and four runs in a Dodgers ' victory.
RHP Derek Lowe starts for the Dodgers, and he's been their hottest starter over the last four weeks while going 9-1 with a 2.69 ERA. He shut down the Mets earlier this year while giving up just two runs on five hits.
Mets player to watch:
Carlos Beltran is hitting .455 with four Home Runs and nine RBI in 22 at-bats in the NLDS. However, he is just 2 for 20 against Lowe over his career.
Dodgers player to watch:
Rafael Furcal is batting .286 with 21 RBI, 10 SB, three Home Runs, 10 doubles and four triples against the Mets over the last three seasons.
The Lineups:…
Dodgers:
Rafael. Furcal SS
Kenny. Lofton CF
Nomar. Garciaparra 1B
Jeff. Kent 2B
J.D. Drew RF
Russ. Martin C
Marlon. Anderson LF
Wilson. Betemit 3B
Derek. Lowe P
Mets:
Jose Reyes-SS
Paul LoDuca-C
Carlos Beltran-CF
Carlos Delgado-1B
David Wright-3B
Cliff Floyd-LF
Shawn Green-RF
Jose Valentin-2B
John MainMaine-P
Posted by Vincent Bonsignore at 01:05 PM | Comments (1)
Coming up: Dodgers vs. Mets
We know the 1 p.m. gametime is a pain. You're at work, the boss is always looking over your shoulder, and you can't get away to watch the Dodgers in their first playoff game. You try to follow the game on CBS Sportsline or MLB.com, and their pitch-by-pitch gamecast is great, but you can't really tell what's happening. There's no description, no analysis.
Don't worry. We've got you covered. The Daily News' Vincent Bonsignore will be here throughout the game, blogging about the action, giving his analysis and answering any questions from fans how don't have the benefit of a television. Have a question? Just use the 'comments' section below, and Vinnie will get back to you.
Enjoy...
Posted by Josh Kleinbaum at 12:29 PM | Comments (0)