Justin Hampson

In the 8^th inning of last night’s game, two left-handed hitters were due to bat for the Yankees.  Terry Collins elected not to bring in LHP Tim Byrdak, but kept Miguel Batista in for a second inning of work.  Batista threw a tailing fastball to Robinson Cano, who drove it over the home run apple in center field for the eventual game-winning run.

It’s possible, with a shorthanded bullpen in a tie game, Collins wanted to get multiple innings out of Batista.  It’s also possible he wanted to save Byrdak for another situation in the 9^th or 10^th.  On Saturday, he said he was saving Byrdak and Parnell for the 9^th inning in lieu of Frank Francisco, who had injured his oblique during warmups.

Francisco would go on the DL on Sunday, at which point Collins said Parnell would be his interim closer.  Still, he chose not to use Byrdak in the 8^th.

To give Collins another left-handed option, the Mets recalled LHP Justin Hampson today from Buffalo.  Hampson was killing it at Triple-A to the tune of a 2.13 ERA and a .218 opposing batting average against left handers.  He has also held right handers to a .233 average.

Having 2 lefties in the bullpen is something this team has needed all year.  Robert Carson was recalled from Double-A earlier this season, but Collins used him sparingly, and usually in a mop-up role.

To make room for Hampson on the 40-man roster, the Mets designated OF-1B Vinny Rottino for assignment.  Rottino has been a useful right-handed bat off the bench, and was in the middle of the Mets’ 4-run, game-tying rally.  Rottino will have to clear waivers before being sent back to Buffalo.

Hampson last pitched in the majors for the San Diego Padres.  He has a career 3.38 ERA over three seasons.  He was a member of the independent Long Island Ducks in 2010.

After teeing off on the Orioles this week, the Mets head to the links to tee off on their off day.  Ah, team bonding.  Anyways, the Mets have decided to alternate series sweeps – loss, win, loss, win.  This weekend would be a fine time to buck that trend, as they take on the Yankees at Citi Field.

Fore, please.  The Blogs are now teeing off:

• Mets Police has pictures of our very own Ryder Cup team.  Tim Byrdak and Dillon Gee channel their inner Francis Ouimet.
• NY Sports World looks at how valuable Kirk Nieuwenhuis has been to the Mets this year.
• Amazin’ Avenue has their weekly player performance-o-meter.  R.A. Dickey is so hot, he gets his own animated GIF.
• Midwest Sports Fans writes an ode to R.A. Dickey.  At this point, we really can’t get enough of these, can we?
• Kerel Cooper interviewed Jerry Koosman.
• Surfing the Mets says Jordany Valdespin has caught the attention of Terry Collins.  Is this a budding Bromance?

So, sweep your way through the links, or hit the links.  Either way, keep coming back to Mets Today.

Francisco has struggled in April.

Somewhere in the swirling mess of Saturday’s game against the Giants is a disappointing performance by Frank Francisco.  The Mets’ closer let up 2 hits and a walk in the ninth while attempting to protect a 3-run lead.  After it was obvious Francisco didn’t have his stuff or his command, he was pulled by Terry Collins in favor of Tim Byrdak, and then Jon Rauch.

The big story this Spring has been the comeback of Johan Santana.  Johan missed over a year following shoulder surgery to repair a torn anterior capsule.  His recovery will be a difficult one, if history is any indication.  But so far, he’s looked sharp, and seems closer to his old self (well, his Mets old self anyway – which isn’t bad) than anyone predicted.  Meanwhile, nagging injuries begin to mount, further raising the paranoia alert level to code orange among Mets fans.

Here’s the Blogs’ take:

• Tedquarters feels positive about Santana.
• Mack’s Mets shares his thoughts on Santana’s latest start.
• Adam Rubin reports that David Wright and Tim Byrdak will return to New York for further examination.  Deja vu?
• Call to the Pen has reason to believe the Mets will re-sign Chris Young.
• Uni Watch takes a look at Mets uniform choices this Spring.
• Real Dirty Mets has a link to some 50 year-old Mets history.

In other news, Mets Today underwent an MRI, but the results were negative.  So stay tuned…