No Mets links today… Tune in tomorow morning to see what’s going on in the Mets-o-sphere.
TODAY’S GAME
The Mets (42-32) take on the Twins (42-33) in the rubber game of the 3-game series. Jon Niese (4-2, 4.17) will face Minnesota’s Scott Baker (6-6, 4.61).
Here is the Mets starting lineup:
Jose Reyes – SS
Jesus Feliciano – CF
David Wright – 3B
Ike Davis – 1B
Jason Bay – LF
Rod Barajas – C
Jeff Francoeur – RF
Ruben Tejada – 2B
Jonathon Niese – LHP
The Brooklyn Cyclones routed the Hudson Valley Renegades on Thursday night, by a score of 16-5. Brooklyn improved to 5-2 on the young season, good enough for first place in the New York Penn League’s McNamara Division. The game was highlighted by Brooklyn’s 18-hit offensive barrage and Wally Backman’s first ejection of the season.
Things weren’t looking so good on the night before, when Backman’s Cyclones blew a lead in the seventh inning with shoddy defense to lose Wednesday night’s game. Brooklyn’s bats were just as bad, as the team was held to three hits on the night. It’s interesting to note that Backman actually argued with an umpire following the ejection of centerfielder Darrell Ceciliani and he wasn’t ejected. You read that right – Wally Backman confronted an umpire and wasn’t ejected. You don’t see that everyday… But you can see the video below:
According to Stephen Brown at the Brooklyn Heights Courier, the team’s uninspired play on Wednesday prompted Backman to call a team meeting. The meeting seemed to have helped jumpstart the Cyclones:
“They didn’t swing the bat well yesterday, so I called a meeting. They sure came out swinging today,” Backman said after the game. (YourNabe.com)
Backman doesn’t like losing, but he absolutely hates losing because of fundamental mistakes. His postgame speech probably sounded alot like the video below, which is from 2007:
CAUTION: Video contains adult language. Not Safe For Work!! NSFW
Fast forward back to Thursday night’s contest. With his team comfortably ahead, en route to a 16-5 victory, Backman argued a home run call and – you guessed it – he was ejected:
Backman showed his intensity — or temper, depending on your perspective — in the ninth, as he was ejected from the game after challenging a questionable two-run dinger that appeared to be foul. His team may have been up by 13 runs, but Backman ripped off his cap and got nose to nose with the umpire, much to the crowd’s delight.
“I said a word he didn’t like,” Backman said. “The ump said, ‘Don’t say that again,’ — and I let him have it. If he wants to jaw, I’ll jaw.” (YourNabe.com)
Andrew Marchand is reporting that Angel Pagan will likely take another night off tonight as the Mets start a three-game series against the visiting Minnesota Twins. It seems the Mets are proceeding with caution and that Pagan is on board with the decision:
“I don’t think they are going to let me play,” Pagan said.
Pagan didn’t disagree with the anticipated decision.
“I just don’t want it to be a bigger deal,” Pagan said. (ESPN New York)
In other news, Jerry Manuel doesn’t think Rod Barajas’ back injury is serious, but he expects to start Josh Thole behind the plate tonight.
The first place Mets! Seriously… With the Braves loss this afternoon, the Mets are now a half game ahead of the second place Braves. Nice…
NY Post – Angel Pagan will not start tonight’s game becaue of muscle spasms on his right side. The injury does not appear to be serious and Pagan should be back in a day or two.
OnTheBlack – Kerel Cooper points out the Mets are getting alot of production for very little cost.
MetsToday – Loge Mezzanine (he’s new here, go easy) claims the Mets have lucked their way into some speed.
Brooklyn Met Fan – The return of the Boogey Met? I see where BMF is going with this, but how can the Boogey Met be back if the Mets just moved into first place?
ESPN – Jerry Manuel is making bold statements about Carlos Beltran’s return. Today, Jerry says Beltran may join the Mets for Monday’s game in Puerto Rico. On astroturf.
TONIGHT’S GAME
The first-place Mets (41-30) look for the sweep against the visiting Detroit Tigers (38-32). Hisanori Takahashi (6-2, 3.13) will be faced by Armando Galarraga (2-1, 3.32).
Discuss…
And here is a random YouTube video spoof on instructional baseball videos. Watch as Coach Ron tries to teach players how to block the plate, including the “Gary C” technique. I’m sure Joe Janish can add to this:
MetsBlog – Matt Cerrone has a recap of Omar Minaya’s interview on the Boomer and Carton show this morning.
NY Post – The Mets are still reeling from the Madoff debacle, allegedly…
Daily Stache – Michael Ganci adds Nick Evans to the list of great prospects the Mets might deal for a starting pitcher.
NBC – Jerry Seinfeld is getting rave reviews for his stint in the broadcast booth last night.
Amazin’ Avenue – Sam Page analyzes how the return of Carlos Beltran will affect the outfield situation.
NY Times – Bobby Valentine may be headed to Florida to manage the Marlins.
ESPN New York – Adam Rubin has an update on the Mets’ farm system. Jenrry Mejia started for Binghamton, allowing one run and two hits, while striking out three in 2 1/3 innings. Tim Teufel was ejected in the 7th inning. Sounds like an interesting game…
