04/27/2002
Astacio flirts with no-no, Mets top Brewers
Pedro Astacio loses no-hit bid on Geoff Jenkins' one-out single in the seventh, but closes out Brewers with the ninth-inning help of Armando Benitez, 2-1.
The Mets, who have played 6,375 games in 41 seasons, are among only five teams that have never thrown a no-hitter. The others are San Diego, Colorado, Arizona and Tampa Bay.
Astacio made another bid for the Mets the next afternoon, holding Milwaukee hitless until Geoff Jenkins lined a single to left with one out in the seventh. New York held on for a 2-1 win.
The Brewers busted up Astacio's shutout in the eighth inning but it took nothing away from the Dominican native's performance.
Armando Benitez pitched the ninth inning for his seventh save of the season and No. 150 of his career.
Astacio went eight innings [105 pitches], struck out two and walked only one. His previous longest no-hit bid was on April 16, 1997 at Shea while pitching for the Dodgers.
He hurled seven no-hit innings before Carlos Baerga broke up that bid with a double to lead off the eighth.
04/26/2002
Estes almost perfect vs. Brewers
Shawn Estes flirted with perfection Friday night and settled for a one-hitter as the Mets squeaked by the Brewers, 1-0.
The veteran southpaw blistered through the Milwaukee lineup for six innings before Eric Young led off the seventh with a single to left on Estes' 74th pitch of the evening. It was the 23rd one-hitter in team history and Estes' first victory as a Met. New York have never had a no-hitter.
The last one-hitter thrown by a Met was on July 14, 2001 by, ironically enough, Milwaukee starter Glendon Rusch [1-2], who pitched eight innings in that game and combined with Armando Benitez to defeat Boston. Bobby Jones tossed New York's last complete-game one-hitter, blanking the Giants in the deciding game of the 2000 Divisional Series at Shea.
It was the first complete-game one-hitter of Estes' career and his 10th complete game overall. It was also his seventh complete-game shutout.
Estes came into the game with an 0-2 mark in four starts. He had not looked particularly sharp in his previous two outings, surrendering nine earned runs in 10 innings to Montreal and Atlanta.
04/23/2002
Piazza, Perez should be fine
Hamstring injuries sustained by New York's All-Star catcher Mike Piazza and teammate Timo Perez on Tuesday night proved not to be as serious as originally thought.
Both players went down with strained left hamstrings within a matter of moments during a 4-3 victory over the Cardinals at Shea Stadium. Both, however, aren't expected to be out for a prolonged period of time and are listed as day-to-day.
Piazza, a nine-time All-Star, came up to bat with one out and runners on first and second against St. Louis starter Matt Morris. He lined a 1-0 pitch into left center field, scoring Timo Perez from second base. But as Piazza approached first base, he reached down and grabbed his left hamstring.
Manager Bobby Valentine trotted out to check on Piazza and immediately pinch-ran for him with backup backstop Vance Wilson. Piazza, who is now hitting .500 [7-for-14] in his career against Morris, has no history of serious hamstring problems but immediately knew something was wrong.
04/21/2002
Cedeno's outfield adventure
Roger Cedeno's irrepressible personality was put to a stern test on Sunday afternoon. Good day or bad, the boisterous outfielder usually flashes a smile worthy of a toothpaste advertisement. But after a troublesome sixth inning against the Expos, even Cedeno had a hard time showing his pearly whites.
The Venezuelan native failed to get down a sacrifice bunt at a critical point in the top half of the inning and then got turned around on a fly ball in the bottom half of the frame, allowing Montreal to score a pair of runs in a 6-3 Expos victory at Olympic Stadium. The loss dropped the Mets a game behind Montreal, which jumped into first place this late in the season for the first time since 1996.
"This is the worst game I've ever had," said Cedeno, whose average dropped to .190 after going 0-for-5 on Sunday. "Things are going bad for me now. I wish I had a game tomorrow. I want to go back out there and try to do something good for this team. I want to have my best game ever on Tuesday."
Cedeno's been experiencing a rough stretch of late both on the field and at the plate. It all came to a head in the sixth inning with New York trailing 4-3. Rey Ordonez and Joe McEwing led off the inning with back-to-back singles against former Met Bruce Chen [2-0]. Cedeno, who has only one sacrifice this season, then came to the plate and attempted to move the runners over.
After taking a ball he bunted the second pitch foul. Chen then snuck strike two by him before he bunted the next pitch foul for a third strike. Cedeno went back to the dugout and threw his batting gloves against the rail in disgust.
04/18/2002
Mets' Vaughn eyes Sunday return
Mo Vaughn was swinging the bat free and easy early Thursday afternoon at Olympic Stadium.
The slugger was taking batting practice in the empty ballpark, ringing balls off the left center field wall, depositing shots into the right field seats.
With each swing, it became apparent that Vaughn is ready for a return to action.
He'll get the chance on Sunday when he is activated off the 15-day disabled list, where he has reluctantly been taking up residence since April 6 with a non-displaced fracture of the fifth metacarpal in his right hand.
04/17/2002
Wilpon closer to becoming sole owner of Mets
Completion of an independent appraisal of the New York Mets has established a deadline of August 13 for Fred Wilpon's next step in the process that would leave him as sole owner of the National League club. That process was triggered by co-owner Nelson Doubleday on October 5, when he exercised a long-standing agreement between the men to sell his share to Wilpon based on the franchise's valuation by an independent appraiser.
That appraisal was completed Monday. The agreement between the two co-owners includes a provision to complete the sale within 120 days of the appraisal.
Independent appraiser Robert Starkey, recommended by the Commissioner's Office and agreed upon by both parties, set the team's value "at somewhat less than $450 million," according to The Associated Press.
By comparison, the Boston Red Sox were sold in January for $660 million, in a deal that also included Fenway Park and a regional sports network (NESN).
Doubleday was en route to Florida and not available for comment Wednesday afternoon.
According to a statement issued by Wilpon's attorney, Wilpon is eager to complete the transaction.
"Now that the appraisal has been issued, Mr. Wilpon has the absolute right to purchase Mr. Doubleday's share at the appraised value on the terms specified in the contract," Lewis Kasden said. "(Wilpon) is prepared to close the acquisition promptly."
Terms of the agreement between the men call on Wilpon to submit a payment for 20 percent of Doubleday's 50 percent stake within 120 days of the submission of the binding appraisal. Wilpon then would have to pay the balance within five years.
04/16/2002
Komiyama out, Yates recalled
Satoru Komiyama's lacerated right index finger normally wouldn't be cause for much concern.
But the combination of two more games against the Braves and the recent workload placed on the bullpen necessitated a move, leaving the Mets no choice but to put the Japanese native on the disabled list.
Komiyama was placed on the 15-day DL Tuesday afternoon, retroactive to Sunday, after getting his finger caught in his garage door the previous day.
While the injury did not appear serious Monday afternoon, it became apparent later that evening that Komiyama would not be able to pitch for several days, leaving the Mets without a long man for the near future.
Tyler Yates was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk to take Komiyama's place in the bullpen.
04/13/2002
Defensive troubles continue for Mets
Rey Ordonez has three Gold Gloves in his trophy case at home. If he wins a fourth, though, he won't be doing it with the hunk of leather with which he played during Saturday's 9-8 loss to Montreal.
That glove is history. Ordonez trashed it not long after the Mets got back into their Shea Stadium clubhouse. That's because the slick fielding Cuban shortstop committed a career-high three errors with that glove, bringing his season total to an astonishing seven miscues in 11 games. He's also had a pair of two-error games [Tuesday against Chicago and April 6 against the Braves].
Ordonez, however, was not the only New York fielder who struggled on Saturday. Pitcher Al Leiter and first baseman John Valentin also committed errors. The five errors were the most committed by the Mets since they set a franchise record with seven errors on Aug. 1, 1996 against Pittsburgh.
Ordonez mishandled a pair of ground balls and dropped a throw against Montreal but wouldn't be the only Met on that trip to the shopping center. New York has committed a Major League-leading 19 errors in 11 games. The early-season defensive struggles have manager Bobby Valentine, as well as his charges, groping for answers.
04/08/2002
Mo Vaughn placed on DL
The Mets' worst fears were confirmed on Monday when they learned that Mo Vaughn would have to be placed on the 15-day disabled list with a small non-displaced fracture of the fifth metacarpal on his right hand.
The first baseman was placed on the disabled list retroactive to April 6 and is eligible to be reinstated on April 21. Outfielder Timo Perez was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk of the International League to take Vaughn's place on the roster and will be in Chicago for Tuesday's series opener against the Cubs.
Vaughn was also expected to join the team in Chicago after having the hand X-rayed Monday morning in New York at the Hospital for Joint Diseases. The injury occurred last Thursday in New York when Vaughn was hit on the hand by a Jimmy Anderson pitch. He stayed in that game and then played again Friday night in Atlanta.
04/07/2002
Piazza leaves game with bruised knee
Mike Piazza suffered a contusion of his left knee and was taken out of the game after the sixth inning Saturday night as the knee began to swell. X-rays were negative and he is listed as day-to-day.
The nine-time All-Star suffered a contusion of his left knee and was taken out of the game after the inning as the knee began to swell. X-rays were negative and he is listed as day-to-day. Piazza isn't expected to play in the series finale on Sunday, especially with an off day on Monday.
He could return to action on Tuesday when the Mets open a three game set against the Cubs in Chicago.
04/05/2002
Mets deal Chen for Strickland to strengthen 'pen
Steve Phillips pulled off his second deal in three days Friday, acquiring right-hander reliever Scott Strickland from Montreal in exchange for southpaw Bruce Chen, minor leaguers Dicky Gonzalez and Luis Figueroa and a player to be named later.
New York also received a pair of minor leaguers in the deal in southpaw Phil Seibel and outfielder Matt Watson, both of whom will report to Double-A Binghamton in the Eastern League.
The move strengthens the New York bullpen, adding another fireballer to a group that already boasts hard throwers in Armando Benitez, Grant Roberts and Kane Davis.
Not only will Strickland assume most of Franco's responsibilities as setup man, he may also get the occasional save opportunity should Benitez need a day off.
Strickland, 25, has a durable arm as evidenced by a career-high 77 appearances (10th among NL relievers) last season with the Expos. He was 2-6 with a 3.21 ERA in 81 1/3 innings and struck out 85 while holding the opposition to a .222 batting average. Right-handed batters hit .189 against him in 2001 and have hit .189 against him during his career.
04/04/2002
Mets deal Matthews Jr. to O's
The Mets dealt outfielder Gary Matthews Jr. to Baltimore on Wednesday in exchange for southpaw reliever John Bale, who will report to Triple-A Norfolk of the International League.
Matthews, 27, was acquired for cash from Pittsburgh on Dec. 28. Though his career numbers were not encouraging, manager Bobby Valentine said on several occasions how intrigued he was with the possibilities Matthews presented, stressing the fact that he was a switch hitter.
The well-traveled Matthews -- Baltimore is now his fifth team in four years -- was given the opportunity when Spring Training started to unseat incumbent Jay Payton for the center field spot.
He hit .159 [10-for-63] with four runs scored and six RBIs in 26 Spring Training games.
The move opens up a spot on the roster for outfielder McKay Christensen, whom the Mets had claimed earlier in the day off waivers from Los Angeles.
Bale, meanwhile, gives the Mets left-handed insurance in the bullpen should John Franco's stint on the disabled list last longer than expected. Franco likely won't be back on the mound before May. Bale, 27, was 1-0 with a 3.04 ERA in 14 games [26 2/3 innings] last season for Baltimore. Left-handed batters hit only .138 against him. He also appeared in nine games [seven starts] for Rochester of the International League, going 1-1 with a 2.05 ERA.
04/03/2002
Mo hits 300th career homer in 5-3 loss to Bucs
Mo Vaughn ran his massive hand over his head Wednesday afternoon and just sighed. Whether he was hitting tape-measure shots in South Orange, N.J., or Boston or Anaheim, he has been forever linked to the long ball. But Vaughn found little joy in the blast he sent out of Shea Stadium on Wednesday. The best he could manage was a subdued smile and hope for a better tomorrow.
That it was his 300th career round tripper mattered little to the big first baseman. The more important numbers were the ones on the scoreboard when the final pitch was thrown: Pirates 5, Mets 3. It may have only been the second game of the season, but a loss is a loss whether it's Game 7 of the World Series or game No. 2 in April. It can't be any other way for Vaughn.
Vaughn cranked out a 2-2 slider that didn't move nearly as much as Wells would have liked. The result: The ball came to rest some 411 feet from home plate, between the right-center-field fence and the big Shea scoreboard.
It was the first time Vaughn had broken into his home-run trot since Sept. 24, 2000. He was still with Anaheim then, still struggling to adjust to life after two seasons on the West Coast. But this is the East Coast, home for the Norwalk, Conn., native. The 25,952 fans in Queens were on their feet by the time Vaughn reached first base and didn't sit down until he came out of the dugout for a curtain call. They rose and cheered again when he went out on the field in the top of the fourth inning.
04/01/2002
Leiter leads Mets to victory over Pirates
Al Leiter picked up the first Opening Day victory of his career on Monday as the Mets upended Pittsburgh, 6-2, in front of a sellout crowd of 53,734 fans at Shea Stadium. It was the largest Opening Day crowd in Shea history.
Leiter went the first six innings, scattering four hits and striking out four. He walked only one and the run he surrendered was unearned. The veteran southpaw, who threw 107 pitches (65 strikes), improved his career mark to 4-1 against Pittsburgh while lowering his ERA against the Bucs to 0.92 (6 ER/58 1/3 IP).
New York took a 3-0 lead in the second inning without any of its big guns really having to unload against Pittsburgh starter and loser Ron Villone. The Bergenfield, N.J. native -- he grew up just minutes from Shea Stadium -- allowed back-to-back bloop hits to Mike Piazza and Edgardo Alfonzo to begin the inning. After Jeromy Burnitz was hit by a pitch to load the bases, Jay Payton walked in the first run of the game.
Rey Ordonez followed with a sacrifice fly to left to give New York a 2-0 lead. Two batters later, Roger Cedeno blooped a fly ball down the right field line that Craig Wilson had trouble handling. Burnitz scored to make it 3-0.
It would have been 4-0 had Payton not dallied and broke late off first base. The New York center fielder atoned for his miscue two innings later, though, when he rocketed a 1-0 Villone fastball into the left field bullpen to give his club that 4-0 lead. Roberto Alomar added a two-run single in the eighth.
The game also marked the first time since 1998 that the Mets have opened at home. The victory was their 26th in their last 33 openers. Overall, the Mets have the best Opening-Day winning percentage in Major league history at .634 (a record of 26-15). Heading into Monday, the Yankees were second at .580 (58-42-1).