Home >> Mess Archive: July 2008

Thursday, July 31st, 2008
Amazin's out of First

Mike PelfreyPelfrey returned to old form.
The Marlins roughed up Mike Pelfrey and tightened the NL East race by beating the New York Mets 7-5 on Wednesday night.

Pelfrey threw 42 pitches in a 24-minute fourth inning. The four-inning outing equaled his shortest of the season. He allowed eight hits and five runs. The Mets had been unbeaten in his past nine starts.

The defeat knocked the Mets out of first place in the division. Philadelphia, which beat Washington 8-5, moved into first, a half-game in front of New York and 1 1/2 ahead of the Marlins.

Tuesday, July 29th, 2008
Bullpen blows another game

Scott Schoeneweis The Angel of Death in Mets bullpen.
Dan Uggla and Cody Ross hit RBI singles to spark a five-run eighth inning, and Florida overtook New York 7-3 Monday night.

The Marlins have rallied to win 31 times this year, most in the National League.

With Florida trailing 3-2, Josh Willingham led off with a double against Joe Smith (1-3), and Uggla followed with a tying single. Uggla took third when pinch-hitter Wes Helms singled off Scott "Angel of Death" Schoeneweis, and Ross followed with a base hit to put the Marlins ahead.

John Baker’s sacrifice bunt went for a hit to load the bases. Schoeneweis retired the next two batters and was one strike from getting out of the inning, but a wild pitch let in a run, and pinch-hitter Robert Andino hit a two-run double.

Sunday, July 27th, 2008
Amazin' clutch hitting by Mets
Albert Pujols hit a two-run homer in the 14th inning to match a career high with five hits, Skip Schumaker added a career-best six hits and St. Louis beat the New York Mets 10-8 with one out in the 14th against a Aaron Heilman.

At the plate, the Mets were a pitiful 1-for-16 with runners in scoring position, going hitless in their final 15 at-bats in that situation. That included three chances to tie it in the eighth, one in the 10th, two in the 11th and one in the 12th. The Mets left two on in the 11th and the bases loaded in the 12th.

Carlos Delgado hit a pair of homers and finished with three RBIs for New York. Delgado's two homers gave him 453, moving him past Carl Yastrzemski for 32nd place on the career list.

Jose Reyes also homered and had two doubles among his four hits a day after getting married. No reports if he danced or not before or after ceremony.

Portly Mets catcher Robinson Cancel stole his first career base in the fifth inning.

Friday, July 25th, 2008
Mets in 1st, but for how long?
Carlos Delgado hit a tiebreaking, two-run double in the eighth inning and Oliver Perez stifled the Phillies again, helping the Mets earn a 3-1 victory Thursday that gave them sole possession of first place in the NL East.

The Mets took two of three in the series after blowing a three-run lead in the ninth inning of the opener, putting them alone in first place for the first time since April 19.

New York got another dominant outing from Perez, who had a season-high 12 strikeouts and allowed one run in 7 2/3 innings. The left-hander is 1-0 with a 0.35 ERA in 26 innings against Philadelphia this year and has a 1.35 ERA over his last four starts overall.

Thursday, July 24th, 2008
Reyes needs to be beaned
Jose Reyes gestures as he rounds the bases after knocking in a three-run home run during the sixth inning With the score tied 3-all, Damion Easley opened the sixth with the second of his three infield singles before Brian Schneider also singled against Ryan Madson (2-1).

John Maine struck out trying to bunt, but Jose Reyes drove Madson's next pitch to right for his 11th homer. He raised his right index finger high as he trotted from first to second.

"I was excited there," Reyes said. "I have to enjoy it because that's big there."

Well someone should put one in Jose's ear the next time he comes up. How could this guy act like this, Reyes is 6-29 since the All-Star Game. Reyes will now be swinging for the fences every time he comes up for the next week.

Pedro! Who's your daddy?
Pedro Martinez left Shea Stadium in the seventh inning after learning his father died in the Dominican Republic, and the Mets right-hander was scratched from his scheduled start Friday night against St. Louis.

RHP Mike Pelfrey will move up a day to pitch on regular rest in Martinez's place, and New York is undecided about a starter for Saturday. Martinez hasn't pitched since leaving his July 12 start with a sore shoulder and tightness in his groin.

Billy the coward shows up
For the second consecutive night, the New York Mets built a three-run lead going into the ninth inning against Philadelphia. This time, they had Billy Wagner ready to close it out -- and that made all the difference.

With Wagner back from a sore shoulder, rebounded from a demoralizing defeat by beating the Phillies 6-3 on Wednesday.

Wagner declared himself available Wednesday after testing his left shoulder before the game by playing long toss from about 250 feet and throwing off a bullpen mound.

The All-Star entered in the ninth and got three quick outs for his 25th save in 31 chances, securing New York's eighth victory in nine home games.

Wednesday, July 23rd, 2008
Just like last September
Pedro Feliciano sucks How can lose a game like that? Up by three runs in the 9th, just needing three outs to win the first game of the series. How can you give up three straight singles? Misplay a ground ball by missing the bag? Give up two hits to two .200 batters including a washed up Japanese player?

Not bring in your closer who was alright according to a MRI, but must be a coward. Wagner also did not play last August in a big series against the Phillies. Duaner Sanchez…you suck! Joe Smith who got a ground play but Reyes missed the bag, got the loss. You suck! Pedro Feliciano you suck! Aaron Heilman, you suck.

Why did Endy Chavez get thrown out at the plate twice, don't you know the arms of the outfielders Mets third-base coach Luis Aguayo? Chavez was thrown out at home in the third and seventh innings, both times as the first out, both on unhesitating wave-ins by Aguayo.

Johan Santana was brilliant retiring 16 out of 18 batters at one point, scattering 8 hits over 8 innings, 2 runs, 4 K's and walking none. He received a standing ovation from the 55,081 in paid attendance. Actually more like 40,000. By the bottom of the 9th, the attendance dropped to 15,000 as the Mets were booed as they left the field.

Tuesday, July 22nd, 2008
I can fix Zambrano in 10 minutes
Scott Kazmir Former Met prospect Scott Kazmir is an All-Star who's beginning to pitch like one again.

Tampa Bay's ace won for the just the second time in his last eight starts, allowing a season-low two hits in seven innings of the Rays' 4-0 victory over the struggling Oakland Athletics on Monday night.

"It feels great. I feel like it's long overdue," Kazmir (8-5) said after his first start since the All-Star break. "This is certainly something to build on, but it's just huge that we set the tone for the series with this win."

After going 6-0 with an 0.88 ERA from May 10 to June 6, Kazmir was 1-4 with a 4.97 ERA over seven starts leading up to last Tuesday's All-Star Game, which he won by pitching a scoreless 15th inning on one day's rest.

Rick Peterson and Victor Zambrano were not available for comment while on vacation in baseball puritory.

Monday, July 21st, 2008
Wagner to have shoulder examined
New York Mets closer Billy Wagner will have his left shoulder examined Monday after experiencing tightness in his pitching arm during Sunday’s contest.

Wagner struck out the side during a perfect 10th inning, recording his 24th save in New York’s 7-5 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday.

The lefthander apparently said he has felt discomfort in his left shoulder for about two weeks and is taking advantage of New York’s off-day on Monday to have it examined.

“I hope I don’t have to spend that much time in the city,” Wagner said. “I’m old - I’m supposed to hurt.”

The Mets open a three-game series with the Philadelphia Phillies, with whom they are currently tied for first place in the National League East, on Tuesday.

“It doesn’t seem bad,” Wagner said. “If it is, I’ll miss the first game (of the Phillies series). And if we’re winning by more than three (runs), that won’t matter.”

Sunday, July 20th, 2008
Mets are in a Fogg now
Right-hander Josh Fogg extended his midseason resurgence by getting New York to hit into three double plays, and Joey Votto drove in three runs Saturday night, leading the Cincinnati Reds to a 7-2 victory over the Mets.

After winning 10 in a row and moving into a first-place tie with Philadelphia in the NL East, the Mets have dropped two in a row. In this one, their clutch hitting, their defense and their bullpen all let them down.

Fogg (2-2) escaped serious damage by inducing three double plays in his six innings—just what he needed to get his first victory since April 9, when he was in his first stint in the rotation. He has overcome a demotion to the bullpen and a stint on the disabled list before settling in.

“The defense played great behind me,” said Fogg, who gave up eight hits in six innings but only two runs. “I got into a little trouble here and there, and those guys bailed me out.”

He wasn’t the only one who gave the Mets fits with runners on base. New York loaded the bases with one out in the seventh, but David Wright—who was 3-for-3 with a homer at that point—and Carlos Beltran took full-count third strikes from Mike Lincoln. Those two pitches became a turning point. Wright was frozen by a curve for strike three.

Surgery has been recommended for OF Angel Pagan, who tore the labrum in his left shoulder on May 7. He’ll get a second opinion next week.

Orlando Hernandez will be examined by a foot specialist on Monday. Hernandez had soreness in his right foot while pitching in a minor league game on Thursday night. Hernandez is trying to come back from foot surgery last Oct. 18.

Saturday, July 19th, 2008
Arroyo, Reds snap Mets’ 10-game winning streak
A whole lot of little things ended the New York Mets’ winning streak.

Bronson Arroyo extended his latest surge by pitching eight innings Friday night, and the Cincinnati Reds used a minimal rally to beat the Mets 5-2, ending their 10-game winning streak.

It took a lot of Arroyo and a little bit of luck to end the Mets’ run, which ended one win shy of the franchise record. The 10 straight victories put them back in contention in the NL East. Their first loss in exactly two weeks dropped them one game behind Philadelphia in the division.

The Reds scored four times in the fifth off John Maine (8-7) despite getting only two balls out of the infield. Ken Griffey Jr. drew a bases-loaded walk, Brandon Phillips lofted a two-run single into shallow right field, and Edwin Encarnacion got hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.

Arroyo (8-7) has been extremely streaky this season. The right-hander is in one of his upturns, winning his last four starts. The majors’ hottest team managed only four hits off Arroyo, including Carlos Beltran’s RBI double.

The Mets won 11 straight in 1969, 1972, 1986 and 1990.

Friday, July 18th, 2008
Mets rally late, win 10th straight
Ten straight wins and a share of first place. The New York Mets don’t look like a $138 million disappointment anymore.

David Wright’s two-run homer in the ninth inning sparked New York’s biggest comeback of the season Thursday night, a 10-8 victory over the Cincinnati Reds that extended Mets’ winning streak to 10 games and brought them a share of first place in the NL East.

The Reds scored five runs off Johan Santana in the fourth, piling up a single, a double, a two-run triple by Jeff Keppinger and solo homers by Adam Dunn and Edwin Encarnacion. It was Dunn’s 27th homer and sixth in the last eight games.

Wednesday, July 16th, 2008
Mess All-Stars Shine
Clint Hurdle sounded out David Wright about his mound prowess. Hurdle sought out Wright, the New York Mets third baseman who was a late addition to the roster as an injury replacement.

“I told David, `You were the last pick, I went and got you. Have you ever pitched in an All-Star game?” Hurdle said. “I was doing Chinese arithmetic from the sixth inning on. I felt like I was in algebra class. It got wild.”

It was the 15th inning of the final All-Star game at Yankee Stadium, and the bullpens were empty. As goodbyes go, this was a long, long one.

In a game that began at dusk Tuesday and ended at 1:37 a.m. Wednesday morning, the grand old ballpark was half-empty when Michael Young stopped a 4-hour, 50-minute marathon on the 453rd pitch.

Already in the middle of a special season, the Tampa Bay Rays left their mark on the All-Star game. Winner Scott Kazmir, the record 12th AL pitcher, thought he could have pitched one more inning.

Mets closer Billy Wagner allowed pinch-hitter Evan Longoria of the Rays delivered a tying ground-rule double in the eighth off Mets closer Billy Wagner.

Former Mets manager Willie Randolph accepted Yankees owner George Steinbrenner’s invitation to the All-Star game.

Where was Tom Seaver?

Randolph, a former All-Star second baseman and longtime coach with the Yankees, was fired last month after the Mets got off to an inconsistent start this season. He was selected to be a coach for the game during the final season for Yankee Stadium, then was replaced by Chicago Cubs manager Lou Piniella.

“George invited him to the All-Star game on the basis of his great friendship for him and he wanted him to take part in this momentous occasion,” Steinbrenner spokesman Howard Rubenstein said.

Tuesday, July 15th, 2008
Foot in the mouth, time for a researcher
Joe Niekro is still dead. While broadcasting from DHL All-Star Fan Fest at the Javits Center, WFAN's Joe Benigno asked Hall of Famer Phil Niekro on the radio, "How's your brother Joe doing? What's he up to?" Niekro replied..."He had an aneurysm a year ago and died."

Fitting after Benigno and partner Evan "Howdy Dowdy" Roberts criticized ESPN broadcast of the Home Run Derby and remarks by Steve "Met Killer" Phillips and Chris "Boomer" Berman. Back, back, back!

Benigno also appears on SNY's Daily News Live with Chris Cotter. Benigno is the one they don't do close-ups of, due to Joe's complexion that is like the surface of the Long Island Expressway.

Mets RHP Pelfrey earns NL honor
Mike Pelfrey After not allowing a run in 15 innings over two starts, New York Mets righthander Mike Pelfrey was named National League Player of the Week on Monday.

Pelfrey extended his winning streak to six games, going eight innings with six hits in Sunday’s 7-0 victory over the Colorado Rockies. The winning streak is the longest for a New York pitcher since Steve Trachsel won seven straight starts from June 6-July 14, 2006. Since May 31, Pelfrey has posted a 2.26 ERA in nine outings.

He has been part of a dominant run of pitching by the Mets, who have posted shutouts in four of their last six games. The only other time New York accomplished that feat was in 1969, when they posted four consecutive shutouts.

Last week, Pelfrey allowed nine hits with just one walk and 10 strikeouts. Overall, he is 8-6 with a 3.64 ERA in 18 starts this season.

Monday, July 14th, 2008
Church has a headache
Mets outfielder Ryan Church received encouraging news when a second opinion at the Cleveland Clinic determined his headaches were migraines and not post-concussion syndrome.

Church said he’s hopeful of coming off the disabled list when he’s eligible to be reinstated, July 21. “I believe I’ll be back sooner than what a lot of people are saying out there and what I’ve been reading,” Church said.

“I definitely think I’ll be back and won’t be sitting the rest of the year out.” Prior to the second opinion, Church had missed extended periods on four occasions since he was injured, May 20.

Each time he had been cleared by the Mets’ medical staff only to sit down again. “Whenever doctors feel that he’s clear and he says he’s clear, then we’ll go with it,” general manager Omar Minaya said. Church said he’s suffered with migraines since high school.

Longtime official scorer Red Foley dies at 79
Red Foley, the most celebrated official scorer of his time in major league baseball, has died. He was 79.

Foley died Monday morning at Booth Memorial Hospital in Flushing, according to his family attorney, Kevin Brosnahan.

From 1981 to 2001, Foley was an official scorer in 10 World Series, more than any other scorer in modern history. That included the Series of 1985, 1987 and 1991, which did not involve New York teams.

Foley was a sports writer for the New York Daily News for 34 years, before retiring in 1981. He began working as an official scorer in 1966 and continued to do so until 2002, scoring more than 3,000 games.

During his years at the Daily News, Foley covered the New York Rangers hockey team along with pro soccer, college football and some baseball. He covered baseball almost exclusively from 1970 on, principally the New York Mets. During those years, he had a question-and-answer column entitled “Ask Red” which ran in the New York Post for a couple of years after he left the Daily News.

He served for many years as an officer of the Baseball Writers Association and chaired the New York chapter in 1969-70.

Foley never married and is survived by a nephew and two nieces.

Sunday, July 13th, 2008
Amazin's win 9th straight
Then Carlos Beltran hit a three-run homer Sunday night, Mike Pelfrey dominated over eight innings and New York pounded the Colorado Rockies 7-0 for a ninth straight win.

Mixing a four-seam fastball with a sharp sinker, Pelfrey (8-6) allowed only six hits and didn’t walk a batter for the second consecutive game. Pelfrey hasn’t allowed a run in a career-best 16 innings.

The Mets were 5 1/2 games back in the NL East on July 4. But after a tumultuous first half that included Manuel replacing the fired Willie Randolph, they’ll resume play Thursday at Cincinnati trailing division-leading Philadelphia by just a half-game.

New York’s nine-game run is its best since April 16-25, 2000.

Joe Smith worked the ninth to run the streak of scoreless innings by Mets relievers to 19 1-3. Still, the seven hits by Colorado snapped New York’s string of allowing three or fewer in a record five straight games.

Saturday, July 12th, 2008
Pedro hurt again, Mets shoot him
Pedro Martinez Pedro Martinez couldn’t remember the last time he didn’t get his way. Turns out Jerry Manuel can be just as stubborn.

The Mets manager pulled Martinez after four innings on Saturday because of tightness in his right shoulder, but New York’s resilient relievers held the Colorado Rockies without a hit the rest of the way in a 3-0 victory.

The bullpen has gone 18 1-3 innings without allowing a run, and the one-hitter made the Mets the first team in modern baseball history to allow three hits or less in five consecutive games, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

Jose Reyes homered and Fernando Tatis and Brian Schneider also drove in runs for the Mets (50-44), who have won eight straight for the first time since June 7-15, 2006. They’re a season-best six games over .500 and moved within a half-game of Philadelphia in the NL East, after the Phillies lost 10-4 to the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Argenis Reyes stole his first career base in the fifth inning. The Mets were 4-for-4 stealing against Chris Iannetta.

The one-hitter was the 33rd in Mets history.

Mets OF Angel Pagan (shoulder), rehabbing at Class A St. Lucie, could be back after the All-Star break, general manager Omar Minaya said. …

Mets 2B Damion Easley, who hit the go-ahead homer in the eighth inning Friday night, was out of the lineup to rest a sore quad.

Friday, July 11th, 2008
If Mets keep Heilman, he could get chance to start in 2009
Despite his spotty season, Aaron Heilman continues to draw trade interests and could be used as a chip by the New York Mets before July 31.

Arizona, Boston, Oakland and the Cubs are the teams that call the most with the Diamondbacks among the clubs around the majors that continue to believe Heilman is miscast as a reliever and should be given a shot to start.

Heilman has been mixing in his slider more recently. The Mets have believed Heilman's delivery would preclude him from ever being consistent enough with a breaking pitch to be a starter. Nevertheless, the strongest advocate against Heilman as a starter, former pitching coach Rick Peterson, has been removed. And it is possible that if the Mets hold on to Heilman, they might experiment with him in the rotation next spring.

Thursday, July 10th, 2008
Moises DLou done for year
Moises Alou Mets left fielder Moises Alou likely will miss the rest of the year because of a torn left hamstring, a setback that could mean the end of his 17-season career.

Trying to rehab a lingering strained left calf, the oft-injured Alou left Wednesday’s game for Double-A Binghamton because of cramping in his hamstring. Doctors in New York discovered the tear Thursday.

“He’s going to be out for a very long time,” Mets general manager Omar Minaya said after a 7-3 win over San Francisco.

Minaya said surgery was the recommended remedy, but added the 42-year-old Alou would make the final decision.

Alou missed the first month of this season after hernia surgery. He has played just one game in the majors since May 22 because of the calf problem.

Always a solid hitter when healthy, Alou is batting .347 with nine RBIs in 49 at-bats this year. He has not played 100 games in the majors since 2005 with San Francisco.

Alou is a career .303 hitter with 332 home runs and 1,287 RBIs. He homered three times in the 1997 World Series in helping the Florida Marlins win the championship.

The Mets have started a whopping 11 different players in left field this season. Ryan Church, their regular right fielder, is currently on the disabled list with the effects of his second concussion this season—Minaya said he expected Church would be OK to play when he’s eligible to come off the DL later this month.

Fernando Tatis started in right field Thursday and homered, doubled twice and drove in four runs. He’s also made 11 starts in left, and his production might have stemmed the Mets’ rush to trade for an outfielder.

“It’s a good day for Fernando Tatis to have a good day,” Minaya said. “Right now, we’re going to go with our guy.”

Wednesday, July 9th, 2008
Mets place RHP Tony Armas Jr. on 15-day DL
The Mets placed right-hander Tony Armas Jr. on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday with a strained abdominal muscle.

Armas’ last game was Monday at Philadelphia, when he allowed three runs and three hits in 1 1-3 innings of relief. He is 1-0 with a 7.56 ERA in three games, including one start, with the Mets this season.

New York recalled right-hander Carlos Muniz from Triple-A New Orleans to take Armas’ roster spot. Muniz is 0-1 with a 6.17 ERA in nine appearances for the Mets this year.

New Mets stadium to get Shake Shack, Blue Smoke
The Mets' new baseball stadium will be a culinary destination as well.

The team said Wednesday that the new Queens stadium, Citi Field, will include a Blue Smoke restaurant and a Shake Shack stand when it opens next spring.

Danny Meyer's Union Square Hospitality Group's other offerings will include a taqueria (tah-kuh-REE-uh) and Belgian-style fries with dipping sauces.

The award-winning restaurateur also will open the Sterling Club, which will provide premium seating and views of home plate; a bar and lounge, and a cafe serving comfort foods.

The Mets' longtime food and beverage provider, Aramark, will manage all of its concessions, retail stores, kiosks and luxury suites.

Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Mets nearly blow 9-run lead, edge Phils
Pedro Martinez Pedro Martinez and the New York Mets appeared to be cruising to a win that would move them above .500 for the first time in more than a month.

Nothing comes easy for the Mets in Philadelphia.

Martinez pitched effectively into the sixth inning then watched the Mets give back nearly all of a nine-run lead before holding on for a 10-9 victory over the Phillies on Monday night.

David Wright homered and drove in four runs as the Mets built a 10-1 lead going into the bottom of the sixth. But three relievers, including closer Billy Wagner, combined to nearly blow it.

“I was going, ‘Wow, what’s going on,”’ said Mets manager Jerry Manuel, who was ejected in the seventh inning on a disputed home run call.

The Mets had a 10-7 lead heading into the ninth, but Wagner, who blew a save in the Mets’ win Sunday, gave up a two-out RBI single to Pedro Feliz, scoring Shane Victorino. Eric Bruntlett, who had walked, also came around to score on a throwing error by center fielder Carlos Beltran. Jayson Werth hit a soft liner to right, ending the comeback and giving Wagner his 20th save in 26 opportunities.

Ryan Howard hit a two-run homer to right in the seventh off Tony Armas, which was initially called a ground-rule double because a fan reached over the right-field wall and touched the ball. The four umpires convened and ruled the ball would have left the park had the fan not interfered. Television replays were inconclusive.

Manuel disputed the reversal and was ejected.

Monday, July 7, 2008
Billy blowing ballgames
The Mets have won two in a row in a big series against the NL East-leading Phillies. They trail Philadelphia by 3½ games with a chance to move closer in the finale Monday night.

New York was one strike away from winning when Jason Werth drove a 1-2 pitch from Billy Wagner into the left-center field seats to tie it at 2. Wagner, named to the All-Star team for the sixth time in his career earlier in the day, has six blown saves in 25 chances.

Fernando Tatis hit a two-run homer in the 12th inning, lifting the Mets to a 4-2 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday in a game that ended more than seven hours after it started.

Wagner was the only Mets player picked for the All-Star team. 3B David Wright is among the five players up for the final spot to be chosen by fans through online voting. He'll compete with Pat Burrell and three other outfielders.

Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Keith sticks foot in mouth again
During last night's broadcast on SNY, a viewer poll was posted of whether Mark McGwire should be elected into the Hall of Fame? SNY color man and former Met Keith Hernandez gave his spin on why McGwire shouldn't be elected, because McGwire was an admitted steroid user.

SNY broadcaster Gary Cohen immediately corrected Keith while both were on camera. Cohen said McGwire never admitted taking steroids but did appear before congress and gave his famous "I am not here to talk about the past" as Keith looked miffed and finally said, "I stand corrected."

76% of SNY's viewers voted "No" on McGwire's election into the Hall of Fame.

Later on SNY played a video tribute of great Cardinal players of the past. When after showing The Gashouse Gang, Stan Musial, Bob Gibson, and just as Lou Brock was being shown, Hernandez seem excited about seeing the next great Cardinal. Instead of showing Hernandez, SNY jumped to Ozzie Smith and Mark McGwire. Imagine if they showed Whitey Herzog.

Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Mets lose to another end of the rotation bum pitcher
The Cardinals Kyle Lohse allowed an unearned run in seven innings to win his seventh straight decision with a 7-1 victory over the New York Mets.

Bum Arms Mets Can't Beat
Pitcher2008
W-L		Career
W-L		Final Score
Kyle Lohse10-273-76Loss 7-1
Sidney Ponson5-187-102Loss 9-0
R.A. Dickey2-418-23Loss 11-0
Ryan Rowland-Smith2-13-1Loss 5-2
Chad Billingsley7-726-16Won 3-2*
Chan Ho Park3-2116-90Loss 5-9
Jason Bergmann1-59-13Loss 0-1
Tim Redding6-330-43Loss 3-5
Odalis Pérez2-568-75Loss 10-4
Bronson Arroyo5-761-66Loss 7-1
Hong-Chih Kuo3-15-11Loss 4-5
Chad Billingsley7-726-16Loss 1-5
Tom Gorzelanny6-622-22Loss 13-1
* Bullpen Blew Game
In the last week the Mets have lost to Sidney Ponson, R.A. Dickey and Ryan Rowland-Smith.

This season the Mets offense has been shut down by the likes of Hong-Chih Kuo, Tim Redding, Bronson Arroyo, Chan Ho Park, Jason Bergmann, Tom Gorzelanny, Chad Billingsley and Odalis Pérez.

Against Lohse the offense mustered five hits, seven in all.

It was one of the most comprehensive Mets defeats of the season as all areas of their game broke down.

Starter John Maine gave up five runs in four innings.

The defense committed three errors to equal a season high. Luis Castillo (6, ground ball); John Maine (1, throw); David Wright (12, throw).

Reyes temper tantrum
Jose Reyes said his temper tantrum Sunday at Shea Stadium wasn't directed at first baseman Carlos Delgado.

Reyes threw away Melky Cabrera's two-out grounder in the seventh, and after Jose Molina flied out to end the inning, he slammed his glove to the ground.

"I was mad at myself," Reyes said. "There are no excuses. I made a bad throw."

The perception, especially after manager Jerry Manuel said the ball should have been caught, was Reyes was showing up the veteran first baseman.

Mets recall RHP Armas, designate 1B Phillips
The New York Mets on Monday recalled righthander Tony Armas Jr. and from Class AAA New Orleans and designated first baseman Andy Phillips for assignment.

Armas, 30, signed a minor league contract with the Mets in the spring and has spent the entire season at Class AAA New Orleans, compiling a 5-7 record with a 2.54 ERA and 88 strikeouts in 102 2/3 for the Zephyrs.

A veteran of nine major league seasons, Armas owns a 52-65 career record with a 4.62 ERA. He went 4-5 with a 6.03 ERA in 31 games - 15 starts - for Pittsburgh last season.

Phillips went 1-for-5 in a brief four-game tenure with New York.