Warmth

Ah, warm weather, when thoughts turn to the beach, the pool, bar-b-q and a time when pitchers maybe can stop walking so many batters and the Mets hitters start to go deep. After playing most of the season in October type weather, the Mets travelled to Florida, hoping the warm air would heat up the bats. Last night, the bats started to heat up, against no less than Dontrelle Willis who has owned the Mets till now. But they were overshadowed by John "Bag of Balls" Maine, who flirted with the Mets first no-hitter.

Maine was on last night, showing the skills that Omar and team saw when they traded KrisAnna Benson for him and Jorge Julio prior to last season. Yes, the walks were a little disturbing, but I'm not as worried, as he was not all over the place like other pitchers have been so far. He was not grooving it, he wasn't aiming, he was free. Seven strikeouts is nice to see, and the Mets turned two more double plays to help bail him out. The defense has been very good so far this year. Valentin and Reyes make quite the combo, don't they?

Maine was dealing, despite Mike Jacob's comments to the contrary. Mike of course showed why he will be nothing more than a platoon player as he Bucknered a grounder, and went 0-3 with 2 K's and a BB. After the game Mike said

"You look at it and go, 'How did this guy beat us like that?'" said Mike Jacobs, who went 0-for-2 against Maine with a walk. "Not overpowering stuff at all, but he did a real good job of pitching. He was pitching up in the zone a little bit, and we weren't hitting them."
*from AP/ESPN recap

Bitter much? Note to Jacobs, when you get owned, shut your mouth. I preferred D-Train's comment myself:

"The way the kid Maine pitched tonight, they didn't need much," Willis said. "He is definitely pitching with a lot of confidence out there. You can see it."
*from AP/ESPN recap

Maine impressed in the spring by not taking anything for granted. Every time he was asked about being in the rotation, he just said nothing is guaranteed, and I have to work hard and show I belong. So far this year, he has done that. The confidence comes from knowing he is in the rotation, and that he is a significant part of the team. He is not going to blow anyone away, but he knows how to pitch. His emergence last year and now this, gives the Mets a good middle of the rotation guy, who matches up very well with guys on other teams. It lengthens the rotation having a guy like that out there on the third day. He took the no-no into the 7th, and a borderline no-swing call on a check swing to Cabrera that could have been out #1 in the 7th. Cabrera singled on the next pitch, and the flirtation with ending the Mets futility was over. Jacobs then struck out, and Josh Willingham grounded into a fielders choice. Joe Borchard then sent one to the deepest part of Marlins Stadium, and the shutout was gone as well. The Florida crowd applauded Maine as he left at the end of the inning, classy move on their part (though I'm sure there were a lot of transplanted Mets fans there). Sele pitched the 8th, and Heilman pitched the ninth, needing only 4 pitches to get a 1-2-3 inning.

So, the pitching is improving, though I can't wait to see Pelfrey tomorrow night and Ollie on Saturday. The bats heated up last night as well. Beltran went deep and had 3 RBI. Jose went 4-6 (sweet Jesus, he is on fire). PLD played after taking that foul off his hand the night before. Alou and Wright had 2 hits each. PLD and Maine were the only two starters who failed to get a hit. Nine runs, 17 hits. Not bad. Let's hope they keep it up for at least the next 4 games.

Wright extended his 2007 hitting streak to 13 games, and to 25 overall. He is hitting 327 now, but the power stroke is still MIA. I'm not looking for 40 HR's, I'm looking for 40 doubles. He has been getting better rips at the ball, and Boone made a nice reaction grab of a scorched liner in the 8th. Hopefully, the warmth will awaken his power.

The other player with whom I have some concern is Delgado. He has had a couple of flashes where his power is there, but he is hitting 222. That is not going to get it done. Now, we went through this last year, where Delgado and Wright would struggle, and others were hot so it did not matter. I just hope we see the same this year, or, better yet, how about everyone gets and stays hot.

Tonight, El Duque tries to rebound from Saturday as he faces Rick Vanden Hurk, a 21 year old righty who is 0-0 with a 3.86 ERA and 1.71 WHIP. A classic SUCK ME pitcher. Let's smack him around a little, shall we?

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Don't even ask me about the Islanders. I am beyond pissed. Could they come back, yeah, but you know what, I doubt it. DP is going to have to shutout Buffalo at this rate, and the way the defense has played, that ain't happening. Too many bad clears, lack of taking bodies out up front, and general crappy play do not equal a win against a superior team. I will have a post about what I think is wrong and what I think should be done this offseason once this series is over. The coach ain't the problem. It's the talent, or lack thereof on the ice.