The New York Mets newly acquired pitcher Kris Benson delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Atlanta Braves Saturday, July 31, 2004.July 31, 2004 - Kris Benson arrived at Turner Field at 3:30 Saturday afternoon, a Pittsburgh Pirates bag draped over his left shoulder as he loped down the hallway to the visitors' clubhouse.
By 8:30, Benson was headed back to the visitors' clubhouse at The Ted, having been hit hard by the Braves in his New York debut. Benson, who spent much of the previous evening traveling to join his new club, looked more than a little tired and shaky and found himself on the losing end as the Mets dropped an 8-0 decision before 51,125, the third-largest crowd in the history of Turner Field.
The loss was the Mets' second in a row and 13th in its last 18 games, leaving them eight games behind the first-place Braves in the National League East.
The veteran right-hander had seen the Braves in each of his previous two outings and the familiarity seemed to work in favor of Atlanta. Benson scattered five hits over eight innings in defeating the Braves on July 21 at The Ted. But Monday in Pittsburgh, he allowed four runs on seven hits in six innings.
He lasted five innings Saturday night. It was his shortest outing since April 24, tying for his shortest stint of the season. He allowed seven runs, all earned, on seven hits. He also hit a batter and uncorked a wild pitch. The seven runs were the most he has allowed since May 31.
Mets land Benson, Zambrano
July 30, 2004 - New York general manager Jim Duquette turned the Mets starting staff into possibly the best in the National League East, acquiring Kris Benson from Pittsburgh and Victor Zambrano from Tampa Bay in stunning separate trades Friday afternoon.
the Mets had transformed their rotation for 2004 and beyond, landing righthanders Kris Benson and Victor Zambrano despite a thin starting pitching market. The deals came at the expense of Ty Wigginton and pitching prospects Scott Kazmir and Matt Peterson, the jewels of the system, whom principal owner Fred Wilpon had pledged to build around as recently as spring training.
The Mets dispatched Wilpon's jet to Milwaukee to pick up Benson (8-8, 4.22 ERA with Pittsburgh) and deliver him to his home in Atlanta, where he is scheduled to start tonight against the Braves rather than Matt Ginter. Zambrano, who has experienced a tender elbow but satisfied Mets doctors despite tendinitis, will replace Jae Seo in the rotation, though he's not expected to pitch this weekend.
Zambrano (9-7, 4.43 with the Devil Rays) is eligible for arbitration this winter, but won't be a free agent until after the 2007 season. Benson, earning $6 million, can test the market after the season, but agent Gregg Clifton - who also represents Tom Glavine and Ricky Bottalico - indicated yesterday he would recommend Benson re-sign.
Kazmir, a flame-throwing lefthander, was shipped to the Devil Rays with Double-A pitcher Jose Diaz for Zambrano and Triple-A closer Bartolome Fortunato. The Mets sent catching prospect Justin Huber to the Royals for Jose Bautista, then packaged the infielder with Wigginton and Peterson to Pittsburgh for Benson and Double-A infielder Jeff Keppinger.
The Mets spoke all winter about a new-found philosophy to build from within, rather than trade away talent and overpay for free agents. They had pledged not to deviate from their plan. And then came yesterday.
Mets' Valent hits for cycle in Montreal
Eric Valent slides safe in to third base for a triple after Expos Tony Batista couldn't catch the relay during seventh inning. Valent became the eighth player in Mets history and the first in almost seven years to hit for the cycle.Valent motored into third base after rocketing that ball into the right-field corner, the proud owner of a triple that completed the first cycle of his career and the eighth in Mets history. It marked the first cycle for a Met since John Olerud turned the trick on Sept. 11, 1997, against the Expos at Shea Stadium.
It was also the third time a player has ever hit for the cycle against the Expos and the second this year. Valent became the fourth Major Leaguer to hit for the cycle this season, joining Philadelphia's David Bell (June 29 against Montreal), Pittsburgh's Daryle Ward (May 27 against St. Louis) and Milwaukee's Chad Moeller (April 27 against Cincinnati).
Mets designate Erickson, Outfielder Spencer suspended indefinitely
July 28, 2004 - The Mets ended one experiment on Wednesday while taking steps toward pulling the plug on another, designating pitcher Scott Erickson for assignment and suspending outfielder Shane Spencer without pay.
Neither move comes as much of a surprise considering the circumstances surrounding each player's situation. Still, it leaves the club with a pair of holes to fill and some decisions to make as Saturday's trade deadline approaches. Erickson was hit hard in his start against the Expos on Monday night, allowing seven runs on seven hits in two-plus innings. Though he pitched well in his initial outing last Monday against the Marlins, the Mets weren't inclined to give him much rope. Now, the team has to find someone to start in place of Erickson on Saturday night in Atlanta.
Shane SpencerSpencer was also involved in a Spring Training incident with former teammate Karim Garcia and was served notice at that time by the team's principal owner Fred Wilpon that no further infractions would be tolerated. Garcia and Spencer were originally brought in to serve as a platoon in right field, but that platoon was eliminated once the Mets acquired Richard Hidalgo.
Duquette wouldn't go so far as to say he would release Spencer, who was banned from the complex.
Wright gets short rest
July 28, 2004 - David Wright was supposed to get the night off on Wednesday, after starting in his first six Major League games.
Wright has struggled some at the plate, hitting .167 (4-for-24) with a homer and an RBI going into Wednesday's game against the Expos. He has also committed three errors and has looked nervous on the field. Ty Wigginton moved back over to third base for the start of Wednesday's game, while Mike Piazza got the nod at first base, his first start since suffering a sprained left wrist last Tuesday against the Marlins.
"I just felt it was a good time to give David the night off," manager Art Howe said. "I think he's had some problems (on the field). We just have to get him to relax and throw the ball." To that end, Wright and Wigginton were out on the field early Wednesday afternoon with infield coach Matt Galante and bench coach Bobby Floyd. Wright was fielding grounders and working on his throws across the diamond, attempting to stabilize what had been some shaky footwork.
It was the second career appearance for Zeile.July 27, 2004 - Art Howe had used five relief pitchers by the time the eighth inning rolled around Monday night and he wasn't about to see his bullpen taxed further.
So, rather than use Mike DeJean, whom he may need Tuesday night, or burn closer Braden Looper, Howe turned to Todd Zeile and asked the well-traveled veteran if he had a few pitches in his 38-year-old right arm. Zeile obliged but allowed five runs on four hits and two walks as the Expos went on to defeat the Mets, 19-10, at Olympic Stadium.
It was the second career appearance for Zeile, who also pitched a scoreless inning in 2002, while playing for Colorado. Zeile became the first position player to pitch for the Mets since Desi Relaford threw an inning against the Padres on May 17, 2001, at Shea Stadium.
"It wasn't a lot of fun," said Zeile, who threw 31 pitches, 18 for strikes. "You kind of saw how it unfolded. So when Art asked me if I'd be able to go out there for the eighth, I went inside and threw a couple to Rac [bullpen catcher Dave Racaniello]. If we scored some runs in the eighth inning, Mike [Stanton] would have stayed out there."
Spencer on DL with cut foot
July 23, 2004 - The Mets were forced to place Shane Spencer on the 15-day disabled list Friday after the outfielder cut his foot on a piece of glass the evening before at a Manhattan bar.
Wright collects first hit
July 22, 2004 - David Wright turned on Zach Day's offering and drilled it down the third base line on Thursday afternoon at Shea Stadium. The fourth-inning bullet represented Wright's first Major League hit.
David Wright era begins
July 21, 2004 - The Mets announced on Tuesday night that they would be calling up their top prospect, 21-year-old David Wright. His arrival coincides with the injury sustained by Mike Piazza.
Erickson stars, but Mets fall short
July 19, 2004 - Scott Erickson, making his first Major League start in nearly two years, had his sinker working well early against the Marlins and wound up throwing six very effective innings but received a no-decision as Florida rallied for a 6-5 victory over the Mets before 23,176 at Shea Stadium.
Piazza, Clemens 'amicable'
July 14, 2004 - They talked. They were businesslike. And while Mike Piazza called it an honor to start in an All-Star Game with Roger Clemens, the Mets catcher stopped short of saying the two departed Tuesday night as friends.
Piazza, Clemens turn the page
July 12, 2004 - Roger Clemens and Mike Piazza are probably so tired of answering questions about their past incidents that it wouldn't be surprising if they decided to walk onto the field arm-in-arm Tuesday when the National League takes the field for the 75th All-Star Game at Minute Maid Park on Tuesday. "It's not a big deal," Clemens said. "It's definitely not larger than the game, unless you make it that. I'm not too concerned. I'm professional about my work, and so is Mike." Piazza: "We both have a job to do. I'm just going to go out and do the best I can. It's not really a situation. It's just two guys who are going out to do the best they can and be professional." But as long as Clemens and Piazza are in the same ballpark, the controversy will linger.
Mets stage rally, but fall to Fish
July 11, 2004 - Starter Al Leiter labored through three innings, throwing 88 pitches as the Marlins topped the Mets, 5-2, before 25,735.
Deal with Soler nearly done
July 8, 2004 - The Mets are indeed close to an agreement with Cuban defector Alain Soler, as was reported by several New York papers on Thursday.
Mike Piazza and Tom Glavine have been selected to a combined 20 All-Star Games.July 4, 2004 - Mike Piazza found himself in a familiar position Sunday after being told he was going to have to give up a summer vacation.
That's okay, though. The slugger has had to go without a July break before and will be glad to give up those days off again after being voted as the National League's starting catcher for the July 13 All-Star Game at Minute Maid Park in Houston. It marked the 11th time Piazza has earned a trip to the Midsummer Classic and his first since 2002.
But Piazza won't be traveling to the Lone Star State alone. Batterymate Tom Glavine, who leads the Major Leagues with a 2.16 ERA, was chosen by Florida manager Jack McKeon, marking the ninth time he has been tabbed an All-Star.
Piazza received 2,296,667 votes, nearly 800,000 more than runner-up Brad Ausmus. He and Detroit's Ivan Rodriguez also matched Johnny Bench's Major League mark for 10 elections as a starting catcher. In addition, Piazza also passed Carlton Fisk as the all-time votegetter among catchers. He now was 23,381,226 to Fisk's 22,710,613.
Piazza's selection by the fans signals the completion of his comeback from a lost 2003 season. He missed most of last year after severely tearing his groin in May and was not chosen for Midsummer Classic for the first time in his career. But he has returned with a vengeance this season, hitting .309 with 16 homers and 40 RBIs.
Wigginton spurs sweep of Yankees
July 4, 2004 - Ty Wigginton hopped behind the controls of the 7 Train Sunday afternoon and drove the Mets to a Subway Series II sweep.
Wigginton blasted the second of his two homers in the eighth inning, a solo shot off Tom Gordon, to power the Mets to a 6-5 victory over the Yankees before a sellout crowd of 55,437 at Shea Stadium. The victory was New York's fourth straight, putting Art Howe's club a season-high two games over .500 (41-39), the first time it has been that far above the break-even point since Aug. 3, 2002.
The Mets remain two games back of the first-place Phillies as they head down to Philadelphia for the start of a four-game East Division showdown Monday night. Still, the victory marked the first time in franchise history that the Mets swept a three-game series from the Yanks. The Mets also won the season series (4-2) from the Yankees for the first time.
