Results tagged ‘ Francisco Rodriguez ’
Mets vs Braves
The New York Mets take on the Atlanta Braves in Turner Field. The Mets will send Oliver Perez on the mound to take on Derek Lowe. It will be the first time the Mets will take on the Braves since the outfield swap of Ryan Church and Jeff Fracoeur. Who will have the last laugh? We’ll have to watch the series and find out, and its a four game series so it should be a fun one.
Here’s the current standings in the National League East
Phillies have 48 wins, 38 losses and are leading the division.
Marlins have 46 wins, 44 losses, and 4 games behind.
Braves have 43 wins, 45 losses, and 6 games behind
Mets have 42 wins, 45 losses, and 6 and 1/2 games behind
Nationals have 26 wins, 61 losses, and 22 1/2 games behind*
*Do not count the Nationals out just yet, they still have time to make up to clinch this divison.
I hope the Mets can become more healthy and make a big run. Really, Carlos Delgado, and Jose Reyes have been missing in action too long. Carlos Beltran and John Maine have been hurt for a while now, and so is JJ Putz. The big key for the Mets to take the division, (any team in this divsion for that matter) is to go on a big winning streak of at least nine games. Whoever is the first team to do it, then they should feel more comfortable now and take this divison with ease, I bet the Phillies are feeling that way right now, comfortable, but anything can happen.
The Mets have the Braves and Nationals to worry about, I hope the Mets can take at least 3 out of 4 from the Braves and 2 out of 3 versus the Nationals at their ballpark and 2 out of 3 over the Houston Astros. After that, it’s a nice homestand against the Rockies (four game series) , Diamondbacks, and then Cardinals (again) only a two game series against the redbirds.
If Billy Wagner comes back and JJ Putz, there will be three closers for the Mets. Do the Mets stick with Francisco Rodriguez, or give the closers role to Billy Wagner or JJ Putz?
That is all, good luck for the sechond half of the season.
Mets performance in 2009 All Star Game
The Mets players in this All Star game did pretty good while they were playing, David Wright (starting third baseman) and Francisco Rodriguez (reliever) were in the spotlight, Johan Santana didn’t throw one pitch though, so the American League would not have to play long-ball against him.
David Wright scores the first National League’s run on a base hit by Yadier Molina (Cardinals), (in the bottom of the second inning) Shane Victorino (Phillies) would also score on Josh Hamilton’s (Rangers) wild throw at third base.
Now it was Francisco Rodriguez’s turn to shine. He pitched in the top ninth inning.
He has Brandon Inge (Tigers) ground out.
Carl Crawford strikes out (Rays, MVP)
Justin Morneau flies out to Jayson Werth.
At least it was a 1-2-3 inning for Frankie. He did his job, so did David Wright. Johan Santana was only going to be used in the game only if it went into extra innings (which did not happen) This was a good game regardless of who won, however, the National League is going to eventually break out of this All-Star slump some time.
Mets’ All Stars
The New York Mets will have four All Stars tomorrow, well actually only three since Carlos Beltran can not play due to a knee injury.
The Mets will have just three players, David Wright (starting third baseman in NL squad), Johan Santana, and Francisco Rodriguez.
Here’s my thought about the three players.
David Wright has hit for average, .324 with 5 home runs and 44 runs batted in. 
He had 17 home runs last season going into the All Star Break at Yankee Stadium. The Citi Field probably played a factor in why he’s not doing that great with power, but his batting average was amongst the highest in the National League, so that’s a positive. He’s been the team leader so far, even talking to pitchers when they’re down or when they’re struggling.
Johan Santana is 10-7 with a 3.08 ERA. He’s given up 15 home runs this season, which is a bit scary. He could have won at least 5-6 more if he stepped his game up a knotch. He often recieves little or no run support sometimes, which I wonder, does Johan take his frustrations on his teammates? He’s going to be a big help for the NL tomorrow.
This was Johan Santana pitching versus the Reds, in which the Mets won. 
Francisco Rodriguez was brought in to fix the Mets’ bullpen issues, he’s done well with that. He’s 2-2 with a 1.90 ERA, and he’s 23-26 in save opportunities. Rodriguez as a closer for the NL? He’s had some tough luck losses.
But never fear, he’ll bounce back in the second half of the season. 
Well that’s the Mets All Stars. Let’s hope they do good tomorrow.
Mets go on a good note heading into All-Star Break plus more Softball personalities
The New York Mets finally win a series versus the Reds in what has become their worst week in about six years. A really bizarre weekend to say the least, the Mets are currently 42-45 as of right now and are in fourth place in the National League East. The Mets and Braves swapped outfielders, Ryan Church and Jeff Francoeur.
Now it’s time to sum up the game.
David Wright gets the Mets started.
This is the hit he has off Aaron Harang of the Reds in the first inning, driving in Luis Castillo who runs from first base all the way to home on this play.
In the third inning, the Mets score four more runs and eventually knock off Aaron Harang off the game. Luis Castillo gets a base hit, David Wright hits a single, and Luis Castillo is off to third base. Aaron Harang makes a wild pitch, allowing Wright to go to second base. Both Wright and Castillo eventually score on a base hit by Gary Sheffield. Daniel Murphy brings home Gary Sheffield with two outs with a double. Alex Cora singles to bring Murphy home.
The 4th inning was quite interesting, Mike Pelfrey, the starting pitcher for the Mets strikes out Joey Votto, the Reds first baseman, in which Joey decides to argue, and later is taken out of the game by Bill Welke. 
The pitch in which Votto is arguing appears to miss the plate just slightly. Good thing Dusty Baker restrained him. I think MLB can sure use a “defined strike zone” because right now with these arguments, there is none.
The Mets grab two more runs in that inning with a Luis Castillo single, then Gary Sheffield drives him home with a single. Jeff Francoeur and Daniel Murphy hit back to back singles with Murphy drving in Gary Sheffield. That’s all the runs the Mets will take.
Mike Pelfrey pitches into the fifth inning and is called for a balk (illegal motion by the pitcher) by stepping out of the rubber and throwing to first base. Ramon Hernanzed who walked and went to 2nd base on the balk scores on the ground rule double by Adam Rosales. Chris Dickerson singles to bring home Edwin Encarnacion. Willy Taveras, the center fielder singles to bring home Adam Rosales.
As of that point, the scoring was 7-3 in favor of the Mets.
In the 7th inning, Brian Schnieder hits a home run off David Weathers to make it 8-3 Mets.
Fernando Tatis, pinch hitting for Mike Pelfrey hits a home run to make it 9-3 Mets.
8th inning begins, Brandon Phillips brings home Willy Taveras to make it 8-4 Mets. Laynce Nix singles to load the bases with Jonny Gomes at 3rd and Brandon Phillips to 2nd. Ramon Hernandez singles to bring home Jonny Gomes. Jerry Hairston Jr. hits into a ground out and driving in Brandon Phillips. The Reds score three runs in that inning, now it is 9-6 Mets.
9th inning, Francisco Rodriguez is brought into the game. The only scoring for the Reds is Brandon Phillips grounding out, while Paul Janish scores. Mets win. 9-7.
Yesterday, Jeff was clutch for the Mets, driving in two runs on his first base hit. 
Now I’d like to bring up some extra info from the softball world.
I forgot to talk about this other pitcher, Catherine “Cat” Osterman, who pitches for Team USA and currently for the Rockford Thunder of the National Pro Fastpitch. She has that rising fastball working for her, or simply “riseball” She is currently in second place all-time in the NCAA division one career strikeout list with 2,265, and Monica Abbott with 2,440. While pitching for the University of Texas at Austin (Longhorns) she lead them to the Women’s College World Series, but missing winning the Championship title.
Cat Osterman pitching for Team USA
Vicky Galindo is another
fast baserunner for Team USA. She was used
rarely in the 2008 Olympics. Vicky is currently playing for the Chicago Bandits
of the NPF, usually in left field. However, she was mostly playing the infield
during the summer Olympics. Vicky played for the University of California, Berkeley Golden Bears
team. She nearly missed making the 2008 US softball Olympic team with a broken arm from a hit
by pitch. Luckily her arm healed by the time the games were about to start.
Here’s Vicky Galindo playing in the infield.
Another pitcher, Stacey Nelson
pitched the Florida Gators to the 2009 NCAA Championship Series, (Women’s
College World Series) versus the Washington Huskies. Her team lost though, but
she pitched a great college softball career. She is currently a member of the
USSSA Pride and is a member of Team USA this year. She did not go to the
2008 Olympics.
This is Stacey Nelson doing the
wind-up during her pitch.
Thanks for reading today.
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