Mets baseball blog

Niese and Hairston take it to Phils for 11-2 win

Carlos Beltran took a sick day yesterday, but an even sicker day by his replacement in right field made everything just fine in the Mets’ world.

The last time anyone had heard Scott Hairston’s name, he was taking Brian Wilson deep in the ninth inning to help the Mets get a victory in San Francisco nine days ago. As Beltran rested with the flu — and offered a possible preview of life without him in Queens should he be traded — Hairston played right field, batted third and punished the Phillies with a career performance.

“That’s why I put the stuff in Carlos’ coffee,” manager Terry Collins joked after Hairston went 3-for-5 with a home run and career-high five RBIs in the Mets’ 11-2 dismantling of the Phillies at Citi Field.

In truth, Collins likely would have started Hairston somewhere even if Beltran were healthy. The fact Hairston was a .353 (6-for-17) lifetime hitter against Phillies starter Cole Hamels made the decision easy. Hairston delivered two doubles against Hamels yesterday before hitting a three-run homer off Danys Baez in the seventh. (continue)

 

Another road win for Mets

Fear the Beard? Not Scott Hairston.

Sent up to pinch hit to lead off the ninth inning with the score tied, Hairston battled Giants closer Brian Wilson for six pitches, then smacked a slider into the leftfield seats to spark a 5-2 victory for the Mets Friday night at AT&T Park.

"You can't help but stare at it sometimes," Hairston said of Wilson's imposing facial growth. "You've got to be focused. I faced him in the past without the beard, and now he has a beard. I've seen his commercials -- his commercials are hilarious. Give him credit. He's pretty funny. But it's just part of his persona, I guess.

"When the music comes on, he comes in, the fans get excited. As a player, your adrenaline kicks in. I love being in that situation. It's a lot of fun."

Giants manager Bruce Bochy called on Wilson to start the ninth and Terry Collins stuck with Hairston, who had only three hits -- and one homer -- in 24 pinch-hit at-bats. Hairston, batting for winning pitcher Pedro Beato, fell behind 1-and-2 but worked the count full before taking Wilson deep. (continue)

Mets comeback vs Mo, salvage game 3 of series

For two entire games and more than eight innings of the third, everything in this installment of the Subway Series had gone against the Mets. From the scores to Saturday's injury to Jose Reyes to Sunday's injury to starter R.A. Dickey, the Mets had endured an avalanche of misfortune.

But in what is becoming a theme for their season, the Mets rose up when they seemed down for the count.

The Mets touched Yankees closer Mariano Rivera for the game-tying run in the last of the ninth and then got a walk-off single from Jason Bay in the 10th to emerge with a 3-2 victory over their cross-town rivals before 45,153 at soggy Citi Field, where the teams endured an 89-minute rain delay and played through occasional showers. (continue)

Mets explode for 14 runs in win over Texas

A week and a half ago, Lucas Duda was taunted at Turner Field by a rain-soaked crowd that joyfully screamed "Doo-dah, doo-dah" as the stadium's organist banged out "Camptown Races."

For Duda, it was a tired act, and it made his frustrating stint with the Mets to that point even more irritating. But that all changed yesterday when Duda's presence elicited a much different reaction from the sun-baked fans at Rangers Ballpark: loud boos.

It was a shocking reversal for a crowd used to watching the Rangers throttle visiting teams. Instead, Duda had four hits, including three doubles, and four RBIs as the Mets matched a season high with 17 hits in a 14-5 demolition of Texas.

"It was certainly a big confidence-booster," Duda said. "Hopefully, I can build on it and continue to do it." (continue)

 

Mets have some interest in Kazmir

The Mets' recent surge to .500, which they reached again Wednesday night with a 4-0 win over the Braves, has been built largely on the team's inexplicably successful starting pitching.

But that doesn’t mean GM Sandy Alderson isn’t still looking around — apparently everywhere.

Alderson confirmed the Mets could be interested in former Mets pitching prospect Scott Kazmir, who was released by the Angels on Wednesday.

"We talk about everyone on the waiver wire," said Alderson, who added Kazmir's history with the organization would play a role in any possible decision. "That's a factor in this particular case, but it all goes into making a good baseball decision." (continue)

Mets score late, blank Pirates 7-0

It was a confusing moment, but Jason Bay will take it. The lost leftfielder drove in his team's only necessary run in a 7-0 win over Pittsburgh Sunday with a seventh-inning sacrifice fly, which somehow turned into an inning-ending play.

Daniel Murphy was on third and Angel Pagan on first when Bay flied to center. Murphy scored - but Pagan, who had crossed second base, retreated to first without re-touching second on his way back.  That gaffe resulted in a standard 8-2-3-6 sacrifice double play.

Moments later, Pagan was at the center of still more drama, when Lyle Overbay lofted a deep fly to center. Pagan leaped to catch it, and fireworks exploded: HOME RUN! Except it wasn't, athough Pirates manager Clint Hurdle was ejected claiming that the ball hit the wall. While Hurdle chirped at the umpires, Pagan waved his arms at the fireworks, as if to say, "Stop that."

Jose and solid pitching = 2-1 win

Chris Capuano had the best of all worlds last night. He heard cheers from Brewers fans -- appreciative of his seven-year tenure with the organization -- and then turned in maybe his best performance of the season for the Mets.

"You don't expect [the ovation]," the lefty said after pitching six superb innings in the Mets' 2-1 victory at Miller Park.

"I'm a New York Met, and that's where my loyalties are now, but it's nice that the fans recognize you."

Capuano (4-6) can thank Jose Reyes for the victory. Reyes' recent torrid play continued with a two-run triple in the seventh inning off reliever Marco Estrada, accounting for the Mets' runs.

Other than Capuano's brilliance -- the only run he allowed came on a Prince Fielder homer leading off the sixth -- the best sign for the Mets might have been K-Rod entering to pitch a perfect ninth for his 17th save in 18 opportunities. (Continue)

Gee to the rescue

When the Mets started the season without Johan Santana, the most likely candidate to fill in as the ace of the staff was Mike Pelfrey.

If it wasn't going to be Pelfrey, maybe R.A. Dickey would settle into the role, or young lefty Jon Niese.

But right now, the starter who has gotten the best results this season is Dillon Gee, the right-hander who started the season at Triple-A Buffalo and as recently as a month ago couldn't find his way into the Mets' rotation.

Gee had another excellent outing last night, throwing seven shutout innings in the Mets' 5-0 win over the Braves at Citi Field. He also got help from Jason Pridie, whose seventh-inning, pinch-hit single with the bases loaded gave the Mets a lead they wouldn't relinquish. (Continue)

Mets seeking $100,000,000 payroll in 2012

Mets general manager Sandy Alderson has hinted since taking the job last off-season that his team's $142 million payroll could decrease significantly in 2012, but principal owner Fred Wilpon now seems to have a dollar figure in mind.

In a SI interview, Wilpon says the Mets' payroll could drop 30 percent -- to about $100 million -- next year.

"That's fair," Wilpon told the magazine. "If you invest your $100 million properly, as most clubs that are competitive are in that range ... we have to see what Sandy wants to do, and Sandy wants flexibility. And I'm trying to give him the ultimate amount of flexibility. He's going to have to make those decisions." (Continue)

Gary Carter has brain tumors

Mets Hall of Fame catcher Gary Carter has been diagnosed with four small tumors on his brain and will be going to Duke University Hospital for surgery in the next day or so, the Daily News has learned.

According to sources close to Carter, the 57-year-old Met icon has been complaining of headaches and forgetfulness in recent days and underwent an MRI in a hosptial near his Palm Beach Gardens home Friday, where the tumors were discovered. (Continue)