In last night's New York Mets game, starter Orlando Hernandez's numbers were horrendous. In three plus innings, against 19 batters, he gave up eight runs on six hits and four walks. He averaged almost 25 pitches an inning.
El Duque attributed his poor performance to a lack of control rather than to the foot problem that sidelined him for 12 days. It appears that the Mets coaches prematurely returned him to the battle zone. Unfortunately, all the Mets' minor league teams' regular seasons have ended, so he couldn't get sent down for a rehab start. Instead, for his rehab start he faced the Braves. They did more than help him to return to pitching form; they sent notice that the Mets will pay when they put a not-ready-for-prime-time pitcher on the mound against them.
With both Pelfrey and Humber on the roster, there was no need for the Mets to rush El Duque back into service.
Humber did make it into the game, eight innings too late. In the ninth he faced Johnson, Escobar, and Prado. Ten pitches later he'd retired the side on two groundouts and a lineout.
In the Pacific Coast League playoffs, Adam Bostick pitched much better than did El Duque, but New Orleans also lost, 5-3, though Bostick wasn't the losing pitcher. In six innings, he gave up just two hits and two runs. He walked three while striking out nine.
Six innings seems to be his limit. Since June 12, in his last 10 starts he was able to reach the sixth inning only three times and complete it only twice. Only 20% of those starts were quality starts.
Unfortunately for the Zephyrs, with star reliever Willie Collazo promoted to the New York Mets, their available relievers couldn't prevent Sacramento from scoring. The last run was given up in the ninth by ex-Met Joe Smith. Unlike Humber, who pitched a scoreless ninth yesterday, Smith gave up two hits, a walk, and one run. Didn't matter though. The Zephyrs would have lost anyway.
Showing posts with label Humber. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Humber. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Start the best
One of the visitors who leaves comments on this blog, Dave, gave a lot of thought to the one he left on September 9; however, his philosophy as how the New York Mets should fill vacancies in their 2008 starting rotation differs dramatically from mine.
I'd commented that I'd set aside spots for Tom Glavine and El Duque, if they both return, and put the other three up for grabs. That seemed to surprise Dave, who responded "Have they [Maine and Perez] not already proven themselves as legitimate starters this season?"
That's a valid question.
"Proven" themselves? To me, no.
In my book, a pitcher has proven himself when he can produce quality starts on a consistent basis. As of September 8th, Tom Glavine had 21 quality starts in 29 starts (72%), El Duque 17 in 23 (74%), John Maine 15 in 28 (54%), and Oliver Perez 14 in 25 (56%).
A pitcher who can produce a quality start in at least 70% of his starts has proven himself to me. A pitcher who can only produce a quality start about half the time he's on the mound hasn't. Glavine has proven himself, as has El Duque.
As a result, I'd make both John Maine and Oliver Perez compete for spots with Mike Pelfrey, Philip Humber, Adam Bostick, Jason Vargas, and Kevin Mulvey. The Mets need to give their best pitching prospects a better chance to make it into their rotation than they have in the past. Otherwise,what message are they sending to them? Pitch well so you can pitch for someone else?
In pro football, many coaches in training camp encourage competition for all positions except possibly a few manned by stars. It adds a spark to the camp. If the Mets did that next string training with their starting rotation, I believe it would have the same effect. If either Maine or Perez complains, so be it. Let's see if they have the wherewithal to ward off the challengers. And if they don't, that should send a message loud-and-clear to the Mets front office.
It's all about winning, not maintaining the status quo just to keep players happy.
To make matters more interesting, the Mets should invite Dylan Owen to spring training. Last night in Brooklyn's first playoff game, Owen pitched five innings of four-hit, no walk, shutout ball in which he struck out seven. He's continuing to pitch in the playoffs as he did during the regular season when he led the New York-Penn League in both wins and ERA while compiling a strikeout to walk ratio of almost 6 to 1. If any Mets' pitching prospect deserves a chance to rub shoulders with its big leaguers, it's Owen. And though he's a long shot to win a spot in the rotation, he's a winner, so I wouldn't bet against him.
Finally — Dave, keep the comments coming. You've stirred up my thinking, and I really appreciate it.
I'd commented that I'd set aside spots for Tom Glavine and El Duque, if they both return, and put the other three up for grabs. That seemed to surprise Dave, who responded "Have they [Maine and Perez] not already proven themselves as legitimate starters this season?"
That's a valid question.
"Proven" themselves? To me, no.
In my book, a pitcher has proven himself when he can produce quality starts on a consistent basis. As of September 8th, Tom Glavine had 21 quality starts in 29 starts (72%), El Duque 17 in 23 (74%), John Maine 15 in 28 (54%), and Oliver Perez 14 in 25 (56%).
A pitcher who can produce a quality start in at least 70% of his starts has proven himself to me. A pitcher who can only produce a quality start about half the time he's on the mound hasn't. Glavine has proven himself, as has El Duque.
As a result, I'd make both John Maine and Oliver Perez compete for spots with Mike Pelfrey, Philip Humber, Adam Bostick, Jason Vargas, and Kevin Mulvey. The Mets need to give their best pitching prospects a better chance to make it into their rotation than they have in the past. Otherwise,what message are they sending to them? Pitch well so you can pitch for someone else?
In pro football, many coaches in training camp encourage competition for all positions except possibly a few manned by stars. It adds a spark to the camp. If the Mets did that next string training with their starting rotation, I believe it would have the same effect. If either Maine or Perez complains, so be it. Let's see if they have the wherewithal to ward off the challengers. And if they don't, that should send a message loud-and-clear to the Mets front office.
It's all about winning, not maintaining the status quo just to keep players happy.
To make matters more interesting, the Mets should invite Dylan Owen to spring training. Last night in Brooklyn's first playoff game, Owen pitched five innings of four-hit, no walk, shutout ball in which he struck out seven. He's continuing to pitch in the playoffs as he did during the regular season when he led the New York-Penn League in both wins and ERA while compiling a strikeout to walk ratio of almost 6 to 1. If any Mets' pitching prospect deserves a chance to rub shoulders with its big leaguers, it's Owen. And though he's a long shot to win a spot in the rotation, he's a winner, so I wouldn't bet against him.
Finally — Dave, keep the comments coming. You've stirred up my thinking, and I really appreciate it.
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Reds sink the Maine
John Maine continued his slide yesterday, and New York Mets pitching coach Rick Peterson seems unable — or unwilling — to stop it. At the Reds' stadium in Cincinnati, Maine lasted only four and a third innings before being sent to the showers. It was his his second-shortest start of the season. His shortest occurred on August 4 when he lasted only 2.2 innings agains the Cubs.
During yesterday's brief stint, he threw 85 pitches, or about 21 an inning. Worse, he surrendered nine hits, three walks, and six runs, enough to make Willie Randolph wave a white flag and call for the cavalry.
“I think for the first time in a while, I didn’t feel good out there pitching and it showed,” the New York Post quoted Maine as saying.
If he was "feeling good" in his six starts before yesterday's, the Mets are in trouble. His ERA in his last seven starts is 7.07.
Coming into the game to try to stop the Maine massacre was a reliever who should have been called up a month ago. Willie Collazo was not only the best reliever on the Mets' Triple-A farm team, the Zephyrs, he was their best pitcher. He had the lowest ERA of anyone who pitched more than 35 innings (2.46), a WHIP of only 1.11, and a strikeout to walk ratio of 3.6:1. Against a Reds team red-hot for the day, Collazo pitched 1.2 innings of shutout ball. Though he walked one batter and gave up two hits, he also got two batters to hit into double plays.
His successor, fellow Zephyr Philip Humber, didn't fare as well. In the bottom of the seventh, he fell victim to two doubles and a single before he was able to get out of the inning. He did better in the eighth, not allowing a batter to reach base.
The bottom line? It's time to remove Maine from the starting rotation for at least one start and replace him with either Mike Pelfrey or Humber. Give Maine a breather. The season's taken its toll on him.
Radical? Some would consider it to be? Will Willie do it? No. He doesn't like to make radical moves. But in my view, it's riskier to remain with Maine.
During yesterday's brief stint, he threw 85 pitches, or about 21 an inning. Worse, he surrendered nine hits, three walks, and six runs, enough to make Willie Randolph wave a white flag and call for the cavalry.
“I think for the first time in a while, I didn’t feel good out there pitching and it showed,” the New York Post quoted Maine as saying.
If he was "feeling good" in his six starts before yesterday's, the Mets are in trouble. His ERA in his last seven starts is 7.07.
Coming into the game to try to stop the Maine massacre was a reliever who should have been called up a month ago. Willie Collazo was not only the best reliever on the Mets' Triple-A farm team, the Zephyrs, he was their best pitcher. He had the lowest ERA of anyone who pitched more than 35 innings (2.46), a WHIP of only 1.11, and a strikeout to walk ratio of 3.6:1. Against a Reds team red-hot for the day, Collazo pitched 1.2 innings of shutout ball. Though he walked one batter and gave up two hits, he also got two batters to hit into double plays.
His successor, fellow Zephyr Philip Humber, didn't fare as well. In the bottom of the seventh, he fell victim to two doubles and a single before he was able to get out of the inning. He did better in the eighth, not allowing a batter to reach base.
The bottom line? It's time to remove Maine from the starting rotation for at least one start and replace him with either Mike Pelfrey or Humber. Give Maine a breather. The season's taken its toll on him.
Radical? Some would consider it to be? Will Willie do it? No. He doesn't like to make radical moves. But in my view, it's riskier to remain with Maine.
***
In Brooklyn, Dylan Owen excelled on the mound again. In seven innings, he surrendered just three singles, didn't walk a batter, and struck out 11. Though the Cyclones won, Owen didn't get the win, but he did lower his ERA to 1.49. He's my nominee for the Mets Minor League Pitcher of the Year award.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Mets phlop in Philly
Pedro Martinez pitched well last night. In six innings he gave up five hits and just one unearned run. Unfortunately for the Mets, he was pitching in the Florida State League. However, Martinez's success could mean that Brian Lawrence's name won't be on the New York Mets roster much longer.
And if Martinez doesn't make onto the Mets roster within the week, expect Philip Humber to. Last night in Triple-A, Humber limited Oklahoma to two hits and no earned runs in five innings to notch his eleventh win, throwing only 58 pitches. It was Humber's second well-pitched game in a row. On August 22 he held Iowa to one hit and one run in eight and a third innings.
Whichever pitcher gets recalled will likely replace Brian Lawrence. Lawrence was one of four Mets pitchers who got pummeled for 18 hits in the series opener in Citizens Bank Park.
Lawrence had an excuse for his underwhelming performance. "I've been disappointed the last couple games," Lawrence said. "I'm a ground ball pitcher and balls have been finding holes," the New York Post reported.
Excuses don't win games.
The balls weren't finding holes because Lawrence's command of his pitches lacked precision. The Phillies were "hitting them where they ain't" because he was throwing them where their bats were.
Lawrence wasn't the only Mets pitcher who was ineffective. Of the three relievers who followed him, Sosa, Schoeneweis, and Sele, only Sele didn't give up a run. But his ERA's 4.70.
Why Minaya considered them worthy of being on a team capable of contending for a division title mystifies me? What did he see in them? If this season has done anything, it's tarnished in my mind Minaya's reputation as a skilled talent scout. The relievers he let go, such as Chad Bradford, have pitched more effectively this season than have their replacements.
On the mound, the Mets pitchers didn't seem to have any "fire in their eyes," but then neither did Willie Randolph in the one shot of him in the dugout that I saw. In comparison, on the Phillies both Chase Utley and Jason Worth's eyes were aflame. They came to play and their performances were as hot as their eyes.
Lo Duca summed up the Mets problem. "You've got to have the attitude [of] no mercy," the Post reported. "Come out and play hard."
Was he implying that the Mets didn't play hard last night?
I can't say that they didn't play hard, but I can say that they neither pitched nor hit well.
Reyes and Castillo reached base once. They went 1-8. Neither walked. They weren't alone. Not one Met got a base on balls.
And neither Reyes nor Castillo seemed to know how to work a pitcher. In fact, yesterday no Met showed that ability.
When a pitcher's mowing you down as Durbin was doing, make him throw more pitches. Try to increase his pitch count earlier. Tire him. Unfortunately, that didn't seem part of the Mets' strategy. Worse, I couldn't even tell what their strategy was for the game.
Not only did they seem to lack a game strategy, their advance scouting paled in comparison to the Phillies. The Phillies knew the Mets batters' weaknesses and pitched to them effectively. The Mets pitchers seem to have either less knowledge of the Phillies batters' weaknesses or an inability to pitch to them.
Hitting-wise it looked like the Mets hitters should have been using lighter bats. Delgado struck out three times. The last time his bat didn't seem to budge. Too heavy?
Wright also struck out three times, blaming home plate umpire C.B. Bucknor for his first strikeout. That strikeout pitch did look high.
And Phillies reliever J. C. Romero made pinch-hitter Lastings Milledge look foolish with slow stuff and a sweeping curve that almost scraped home plate, a pitch that Milledge struck out on. He swung fruitlessly at it, stranding two runners on base. Only a good golf swing would have made contact with that ball.
It was a bad day at the ballpark for a team that can't afford many more of them against a pennant contender.
And if Martinez doesn't make onto the Mets roster within the week, expect Philip Humber to. Last night in Triple-A, Humber limited Oklahoma to two hits and no earned runs in five innings to notch his eleventh win, throwing only 58 pitches. It was Humber's second well-pitched game in a row. On August 22 he held Iowa to one hit and one run in eight and a third innings.
Whichever pitcher gets recalled will likely replace Brian Lawrence. Lawrence was one of four Mets pitchers who got pummeled for 18 hits in the series opener in Citizens Bank Park.
Lawrence had an excuse for his underwhelming performance. "I've been disappointed the last couple games," Lawrence said. "I'm a ground ball pitcher and balls have been finding holes," the New York Post reported.
Excuses don't win games.
The balls weren't finding holes because Lawrence's command of his pitches lacked precision. The Phillies were "hitting them where they ain't" because he was throwing them where their bats were.
Lawrence wasn't the only Mets pitcher who was ineffective. Of the three relievers who followed him, Sosa, Schoeneweis, and Sele, only Sele didn't give up a run. But his ERA's 4.70.
Why Minaya considered them worthy of being on a team capable of contending for a division title mystifies me? What did he see in them? If this season has done anything, it's tarnished in my mind Minaya's reputation as a skilled talent scout. The relievers he let go, such as Chad Bradford, have pitched more effectively this season than have their replacements.
On the mound, the Mets pitchers didn't seem to have any "fire in their eyes," but then neither did Willie Randolph in the one shot of him in the dugout that I saw. In comparison, on the Phillies both Chase Utley and Jason Worth's eyes were aflame. They came to play and their performances were as hot as their eyes.
Lo Duca summed up the Mets problem. "You've got to have the attitude [of] no mercy," the Post reported. "Come out and play hard."
Was he implying that the Mets didn't play hard last night?
I can't say that they didn't play hard, but I can say that they neither pitched nor hit well.
Reyes and Castillo reached base once. They went 1-8. Neither walked. They weren't alone. Not one Met got a base on balls.
And neither Reyes nor Castillo seemed to know how to work a pitcher. In fact, yesterday no Met showed that ability.
When a pitcher's mowing you down as Durbin was doing, make him throw more pitches. Try to increase his pitch count earlier. Tire him. Unfortunately, that didn't seem part of the Mets' strategy. Worse, I couldn't even tell what their strategy was for the game.
Not only did they seem to lack a game strategy, their advance scouting paled in comparison to the Phillies. The Phillies knew the Mets batters' weaknesses and pitched to them effectively. The Mets pitchers seem to have either less knowledge of the Phillies batters' weaknesses or an inability to pitch to them.
Hitting-wise it looked like the Mets hitters should have been using lighter bats. Delgado struck out three times. The last time his bat didn't seem to budge. Too heavy?
Wright also struck out three times, blaming home plate umpire C.B. Bucknor for his first strikeout. That strikeout pitch did look high.
And Phillies reliever J. C. Romero made pinch-hitter Lastings Milledge look foolish with slow stuff and a sweeping curve that almost scraped home plate, a pitch that Milledge struck out on. He swung fruitlessly at it, stranding two runners on base. Only a good golf swing would have made contact with that ball.
It was a bad day at the ballpark for a team that can't afford many more of them against a pennant contender.
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Two outs away, Burgos fails Humber
The New Orleans Zephyrs blew it yesterday. Not the game, but the way the team's manager and pitching coach managed it.
Starter Philip Humber was pitching his best game in a long time and appeared to finally be notching his 11th win, something he's been unable to do since July 16. Entering the ninth, he'd held Iowa hitless. He'd struck out 10 while walking only one.
In the ninth with the Zephyrs ahead 3-0, he got the first batter to pop out. But after the next batter, John Nelson, ended the no-hitter by singling, Oberkfell pulled Humber from the game, replacing him with a pitcher whom I wish the Mets never traded for: Ambiorix Burgos.
All Burgos, owner of a high nineties fastball, had to do was to get two batters out. He did that, but at a high cost.
The first batter Burgos faced, Eric Patterson, doubled, scoring Nelson. 3-1. The second batter grounded out. Bucks Coat stepped to the plate. Burgos threw a wild pitch, advancing Patterson to third. Does Burgos bear down and blow the ball past Coats? No. Coats doubled to left, scoring Patterson. 3-2. Oberkfell left Burgos in the game. The next batter, Geovany Soto, singled. Coats scores. 3-3. Josh Kroeger struck out.
Compare Burgos' performance yesterday with this one, the paragraph taken from a Chicago Tribune article written about the Royals game on September 1, 2006:
But Humber's failure to gain the win is just part of the problem.
Humber's performance yesterday ended a streak of average to below average performances by Zephyr starters. If just one or two of the Zephyr starters still considered prospects were showing noticeable improvement this season, I'd think they would have to bear the bulk of the responsibility for their performance; however, when four of them haven't shown noticeable improvement I'm tempted to look elsewhere. I hinted at that in my column this week. But after what happened last night, my suspicions are getting stronger.
The Zephyrs allowed Humber to pitch into the ninth because he had been tossing a no-hitter, which ended with the second batter he faced in the inning. He was then removed from the game. At that point, Humber had thrown 123 pitches. That's a lot of pitches to throw in 90-something degree heat, especially for a pitcher who had undergone Tommy John surgery in June 2005 and then spent almost 12 months rehabbing.
Sure, it's nice to have a no-hitter on your record, but this is Triple-A. I'd think it's more important to protect a pitcher's arm than to have him try to get onto the record books.
My question is why the Zephyrs' pitching coach, Mark Brewer, allowed Humber to throw that many pitches. I've questioned his judgment before, but now I'm really questioning it.
The Mets have burned out too many young pitchers in the past (Wilson, Pulsipher, and almost Isringhausen) to risk ruining another good arm.
Speaking of good arms, the Cyclones appear to have one in Dillon Gee. Last night, in four innings Gee limited Oneonta to two hits and one run (a home run) while striking out four and walking one. His ERA's now 2.58. But he's not the only Cyclone with a low ERA. Of the six who pitched in yesterday's 4-2 win, two had ERA's below 2.00 and only one had an ERA above 2.68: Eddie Kunz. And his ERA's bloated because of one outing in which he gave up three runs. In his other six appearances since joining Brooklyn he's held the opponent scoreless. And he already has the second most saves on the team behind Stephen Clyne.
Finally, when I first viewed espn.com's homepage today and saw that Texas beat Baltimore 30-3, I thought they were referring to a football game. They weren't. You can read all about it here.
Besides Burgos, another Mets organization reliever had a bad outing. The New York Mets lost as Guillermo Mota succeeded again in elevating his ERA, surrendering three runs in two innings. It's now 6.28 and rising.
Starter Philip Humber was pitching his best game in a long time and appeared to finally be notching his 11th win, something he's been unable to do since July 16. Entering the ninth, he'd held Iowa hitless. He'd struck out 10 while walking only one.
In the ninth with the Zephyrs ahead 3-0, he got the first batter to pop out. But after the next batter, John Nelson, ended the no-hitter by singling, Oberkfell pulled Humber from the game, replacing him with a pitcher whom I wish the Mets never traded for: Ambiorix Burgos.
All Burgos, owner of a high nineties fastball, had to do was to get two batters out. He did that, but at a high cost.
The first batter Burgos faced, Eric Patterson, doubled, scoring Nelson. 3-1. The second batter grounded out. Bucks Coat stepped to the plate. Burgos threw a wild pitch, advancing Patterson to third. Does Burgos bear down and blow the ball past Coats? No. Coats doubled to left, scoring Patterson. 3-2. Oberkfell left Burgos in the game. The next batter, Geovany Soto, singled. Coats scores. 3-3. Josh Kroeger struck out.
Compare Burgos' performance yesterday with this one, the paragraph taken from a Chicago Tribune article written about the Royals game on September 1, 2006:
In the eighth, the first three [White] Sox batters reached base safely, but Jim Thome struck out. Ambiorix Burgos relieved Jimmy Gobble, but Burgos hit Paul Konerko to force in a run, and A.J. Pierzynski and Ross Gload had RBI singles before Joel Peralta retired Cintron on a fly to end the inning and the Sox's best chance.Sound familiar? Some things never change.
But Humber's failure to gain the win is just part of the problem.
Humber's performance yesterday ended a streak of average to below average performances by Zephyr starters. If just one or two of the Zephyr starters still considered prospects were showing noticeable improvement this season, I'd think they would have to bear the bulk of the responsibility for their performance; however, when four of them haven't shown noticeable improvement I'm tempted to look elsewhere. I hinted at that in my column this week. But after what happened last night, my suspicions are getting stronger.
The Zephyrs allowed Humber to pitch into the ninth because he had been tossing a no-hitter, which ended with the second batter he faced in the inning. He was then removed from the game. At that point, Humber had thrown 123 pitches. That's a lot of pitches to throw in 90-something degree heat, especially for a pitcher who had undergone Tommy John surgery in June 2005 and then spent almost 12 months rehabbing.
Sure, it's nice to have a no-hitter on your record, but this is Triple-A. I'd think it's more important to protect a pitcher's arm than to have him try to get onto the record books.
My question is why the Zephyrs' pitching coach, Mark Brewer, allowed Humber to throw that many pitches. I've questioned his judgment before, but now I'm really questioning it.
The Mets have burned out too many young pitchers in the past (Wilson, Pulsipher, and almost Isringhausen) to risk ruining another good arm.
Speaking of good arms, the Cyclones appear to have one in Dillon Gee. Last night, in four innings Gee limited Oneonta to two hits and one run (a home run) while striking out four and walking one. His ERA's now 2.58. But he's not the only Cyclone with a low ERA. Of the six who pitched in yesterday's 4-2 win, two had ERA's below 2.00 and only one had an ERA above 2.68: Eddie Kunz. And his ERA's bloated because of one outing in which he gave up three runs. In his other six appearances since joining Brooklyn he's held the opponent scoreless. And he already has the second most saves on the team behind Stephen Clyne.
Finally, when I first viewed espn.com's homepage today and saw that Texas beat Baltimore 30-3, I thought they were referring to a football game. They weren't. You can read all about it here.
***
Besides Burgos, another Mets organization reliever had a bad outing. The New York Mets lost as Guillermo Mota succeeded again in elevating his ERA, surrendering three runs in two innings. It's now 6.28 and rising.
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Is Minaya missing something?
On a Mets discussion board, Chico posted a message revealing the highlights of WFAN host Mike Francesa's recent interview with Omar Minaya.
According to Chico, Minaya said that he
Here's an abbreviated log of what Zephyr Philip Humber's did in his final inning of a start that lasted just 3.2 innings:
Should Minaya be calling up Humber to be a Mets reliever during a pennant race? The Mets need relievers with nerves of steel who won't flinch in the face of adversity.
Three other Zephyr pitchers didn't do any better in their last starts. Adam Bostick gave up six earned runs in five innings. Dave Williams gave up seven earned runs in 6.1 innings. Jason Vargas gave up five runs in five innings.
The only two who had decent last starts were Mike Pelfrey and Jose Santiago. Pelfrey gave up three earned runs in five innings; however, he threw 94 pitches, which indicates control problems. Only Jose Santiago had a quality start, giving up only one run in six innings, but his ERA's 5.27.
According to Chico, Minaya said that he
- has tried to claim relievers who were placed on waivers, unsuccessfully
- tried to trade for Eric Gagne
- may call up Zephyr starters to relieve (The Zephyrs are the Mets Triple-A affiliate)
Here's an abbreviated log of what Zephyr Philip Humber's did in his final inning of a start that lasted just 3.2 innings:
- Single
- Walk
- Double steal
- Home run
- Home run
- Popout
- Flyout
- Walk
- Double
Should Minaya be calling up Humber to be a Mets reliever during a pennant race? The Mets need relievers with nerves of steel who won't flinch in the face of adversity.
Three other Zephyr pitchers didn't do any better in their last starts. Adam Bostick gave up six earned runs in five innings. Dave Williams gave up seven earned runs in 6.1 innings. Jason Vargas gave up five runs in five innings.
The only two who had decent last starts were Mike Pelfrey and Jose Santiago. Pelfrey gave up three earned runs in five innings; however, he threw 94 pitches, which indicates control problems. Only Jose Santiago had a quality start, giving up only one run in six innings, but his ERA's 5.27.
Monday, August 13, 2007
Gee! Dillon does it again
It wasn't a victory that converted me back into a believer that the Mets will steamroll into the Series. Not when starter Oliver Perez surrendered six hits and four walks in just five innings. Plus, the four runs he gave up upped his ERA to 3.46.
The Mets won because Moises Alou, at age 41, can still hit better than most younger players. Twice he drove the ball out of the park. His three hits produced four RBIs. And Carlos Delgado, who almost always hits better in the second half of the season, continued that trend, homering and driving in two more runs.
Meanwhile, the Mets mega-million-dollar man, Carlos Beltran, went 0 for 5, striking out twice and leaving five men on base to lower his batting average to .258.
Triple-A: Round Rock beat the Zephyrs 3-0. Philip Humber surrendered all the runs in five innings, the decisive blow a two-run homer in the top of the third. It was Humber's eighth loss against 10 wins. Humber's last win came on July 16.
Double-A: Binghamton got clobbered, 11-4. Starter Salvador Aguilar's ERA jumped to 13.50 after he yielded 11 hits, three walks, and six runs in just four innings.
Single-A: St. Lucie also was involved in a shutout; however, they came out on top, 4-0. Jonathon Niese pitched the complete game, which in the Florida State League is seven innings. His record's now 11-6. It's the third start in a row in which the lefty has pitched the whole game. Niese limited Sarasota to three hits and no walks. He struck out six. Niese now has more wins than any other Mets minor leaguer.
Single-A: At home, Brooklyn beat the Auburn Doubledays, 4-2. Four Mets pitchers powered the win, starting with Dillon Gee, who had another strong outing though he didn't earn the win. In four innings Gee gave up a run on five hits. He didn't walk anyone and struck out five. His successor, Tim Stronach, had even more success. In three innings he didn't give up a run and picked up the win.
Two high 2007 draft choices pitched the final two innings. Brant Rustich pitched the eighth, surrendering the first run of his pro career on a triple and a groundout. Eddie Kunz pitched a hitless ninth, striking out the last two batters.
The Mets won because Moises Alou, at age 41, can still hit better than most younger players. Twice he drove the ball out of the park. His three hits produced four RBIs. And Carlos Delgado, who almost always hits better in the second half of the season, continued that trend, homering and driving in two more runs.
Meanwhile, the Mets mega-million-dollar man, Carlos Beltran, went 0 for 5, striking out twice and leaving five men on base to lower his batting average to .258.
Triple-A: Round Rock beat the Zephyrs 3-0. Philip Humber surrendered all the runs in five innings, the decisive blow a two-run homer in the top of the third. It was Humber's eighth loss against 10 wins. Humber's last win came on July 16.
Double-A: Binghamton got clobbered, 11-4. Starter Salvador Aguilar's ERA jumped to 13.50 after he yielded 11 hits, three walks, and six runs in just four innings.
Single-A: St. Lucie also was involved in a shutout; however, they came out on top, 4-0. Jonathon Niese pitched the complete game, which in the Florida State League is seven innings. His record's now 11-6. It's the third start in a row in which the lefty has pitched the whole game. Niese limited Sarasota to three hits and no walks. He struck out six. Niese now has more wins than any other Mets minor leaguer.
Single-A: At home, Brooklyn beat the Auburn Doubledays, 4-2. Four Mets pitchers powered the win, starting with Dillon Gee, who had another strong outing though he didn't earn the win. In four innings Gee gave up a run on five hits. He didn't walk anyone and struck out five. His successor, Tim Stronach, had even more success. In three innings he didn't give up a run and picked up the win.
Two high 2007 draft choices pitched the final two innings. Brant Rustich pitched the eighth, surrendering the first run of his pro career on a triple and a groundout. Eddie Kunz pitched a hitless ninth, striking out the last two batters.
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
An in-depth look at Humber's latest loss
Yesterday, Justin Leone continued to be a Zephyrs nemesis. This time his victim was Philip Humber, who tried, but failed, to lead the PCL in wins. Humber's last win was four starts ago on July 16.
In the first, Fresno third baseman and lead-off hitter Leone walked and then got a free pass to second on Humber's errant pickoff throw. Six batters later, Humber got out of the inning, escaping with only one run crossing the plate. But in the second he had to face Leone again.
This time Leone reached second on his own, doubling to center. I've no idea whether Leone's double shook up Humber, but he gave the next batter, Luis Figueroa, a trot around the bases. Three nothing, Fresno.
Humber got the side out in order in the third, but in the fourth, bad luck struck again. With a runner on second, courtesy of a single and a sacrifice bunt, Leone walked again. (Can't Humber get him out?) Up stepped Figueroa, who cleared the bases with a double. Another single scored the Grizzlies' sixth run. Fortunately for the Zephyrs, the batter tried to stretch a single into a double and didn't make it.
In the top of the fifth, Humber led off and struck out. The next two Zephyrs also failed to reach first base.
Why did Zephyrs manager Ken Oberkfell allow Humber to hit? The Zephyrs were losing 6-0 and Humber's only hitting .143. Oberkfell did the same thing in the previous game, which Adam Bostick pitched.
In the bottom of the fifth, Oberkfell sent in Eddie Camacho to pitch. Camacho pitched the next two innings, setting the side down 1-2-3 in both.
Willie Collazo pitched the seventh and eighth. He started the seventh by walking Justin Leone. With Figueroa at bat, Collazo did what Humber couldn't. He picked Leone off first.
Joe Smith pitched the final inning of the Zephyrs 6-4 loss. He faced three batters, walking one. The other two grounded out, one into a double play. It appears that his sinker's working again.
In the first, Fresno third baseman and lead-off hitter Leone walked and then got a free pass to second on Humber's errant pickoff throw. Six batters later, Humber got out of the inning, escaping with only one run crossing the plate. But in the second he had to face Leone again.
This time Leone reached second on his own, doubling to center. I've no idea whether Leone's double shook up Humber, but he gave the next batter, Luis Figueroa, a trot around the bases. Three nothing, Fresno.
Humber got the side out in order in the third, but in the fourth, bad luck struck again. With a runner on second, courtesy of a single and a sacrifice bunt, Leone walked again. (Can't Humber get him out?) Up stepped Figueroa, who cleared the bases with a double. Another single scored the Grizzlies' sixth run. Fortunately for the Zephyrs, the batter tried to stretch a single into a double and didn't make it.
In the top of the fifth, Humber led off and struck out. The next two Zephyrs also failed to reach first base.
Why did Zephyrs manager Ken Oberkfell allow Humber to hit? The Zephyrs were losing 6-0 and Humber's only hitting .143. Oberkfell did the same thing in the previous game, which Adam Bostick pitched.
In the bottom of the fifth, Oberkfell sent in Eddie Camacho to pitch. Camacho pitched the next two innings, setting the side down 1-2-3 in both.
Willie Collazo pitched the seventh and eighth. He started the seventh by walking Justin Leone. With Figueroa at bat, Collazo did what Humber couldn't. He picked Leone off first.
Joe Smith pitched the final inning of the Zephyrs 6-4 loss. He faced three batters, walking one. The other two grounded out, one into a double play. It appears that his sinker's working again.
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Big night for the Big Club
Yesterday, a Single-A pitcher who hadn't lost did, a Double-A reliever saved his 22nd game, a Triple-A pitcher who had disappeared from the pitching scene reappeared, and a Big Club starter who got bombed in his first two innings calmed down and notched his tenth win.
Single-A: In Lowell, MA, Brooklyn starter Dillon Gee picked up his first defeat in the Cyclones 2-0 loss. Gee gave up both two runs. Tim Stronach followed Gee, pitching three innings of hitless relief. Gee's ERA is still under 2.00 (1.91); however, Stronach's is even better at 1.26.
Double-A: Binghamton won at home, 5-2, beating the Trenton Thunder, a Yankees farm team. The B-Mets scored all five runs in the sixth as 10 batters came to the plate. Left fielder Jamar Hill's line-drive single to center in the big inning was one of his three hits, elevating his batting average to .357.
Reliever Carlos Muniz saved another game, his 22nd, for the cellar dwellers. Only Connecticut 's Brian Anderson has more, 23. In third place is ex-Met Matt Peterson, who now pitches for Altoona.
Triple-A: Philip Humber, who hadn't pitched for the Zephyrs since July 22, started and pitched four innings. Rumor has it that he had food poisoning. The Zepher's media relations guy failed to return a request for information about Humber's absence.
Humber did well in his return. In four innings he gave up just two hits and a run, though his control was a bit erratic. He walked four. His successor did even better. Willie Collazo held Sacramento run-less to gain his fifth win and lower his ERA to 3.05. In the 93 degree heat, the two Mets threw a lot of pitches, 136. Humber threw 76 of them. The Mets won 4-1.
Majors: Oliver Pérez started last night's Mets game "hyper," according to catcher Ramon Castro, and was lucky to last past the second inning after giving up five runs in the first two. One was Prince Fielder's first inning, three-run blast off the center-field scoreboard that, fortunately, didn't disable it. But then, Pérez settled down, not allowing another run and only two singles during his final four innings while striking out seven, all swinging, including Fielder. He finished the game with 11 K's, his season high.
Fortunately, the bottom of the Mets order saved them from defeat. Ramon Castro hit a three-run shot in the second. Marlon Anderson, starting in center field in place of Lastings Milledge, drove in four runs, three with a third-inning homer. And Shawn Green sent one into the seats in the sixth.
Guillermo Mota pitched last night as he should have the night before when Glavine was seeking his 300th win, giving up no runs, no hits, and no walks in two innings of work. He even struck out Fielder. Did the pressure get to him the night before?
Single-A: In Lowell, MA, Brooklyn starter Dillon Gee picked up his first defeat in the Cyclones 2-0 loss. Gee gave up both two runs. Tim Stronach followed Gee, pitching three innings of hitless relief. Gee's ERA is still under 2.00 (1.91); however, Stronach's is even better at 1.26.
Double-A: Binghamton won at home, 5-2, beating the Trenton Thunder, a Yankees farm team. The B-Mets scored all five runs in the sixth as 10 batters came to the plate. Left fielder Jamar Hill's line-drive single to center in the big inning was one of his three hits, elevating his batting average to .357.
Reliever Carlos Muniz saved another game, his 22nd, for the cellar dwellers. Only Connecticut 's Brian Anderson has more, 23. In third place is ex-Met Matt Peterson, who now pitches for Altoona.
Triple-A: Philip Humber, who hadn't pitched for the Zephyrs since July 22, started and pitched four innings. Rumor has it that he had food poisoning. The Zepher's media relations guy failed to return a request for information about Humber's absence.
Humber did well in his return. In four innings he gave up just two hits and a run, though his control was a bit erratic. He walked four. His successor did even better. Willie Collazo held Sacramento run-less to gain his fifth win and lower his ERA to 3.05. In the 93 degree heat, the two Mets threw a lot of pitches, 136. Humber threw 76 of them. The Mets won 4-1.
Majors: Oliver Pérez started last night's Mets game "hyper," according to catcher Ramon Castro, and was lucky to last past the second inning after giving up five runs in the first two. One was Prince Fielder's first inning, three-run blast off the center-field scoreboard that, fortunately, didn't disable it. But then, Pérez settled down, not allowing another run and only two singles during his final four innings while striking out seven, all swinging, including Fielder. He finished the game with 11 K's, his season high.
Fortunately, the bottom of the Mets order saved them from defeat. Ramon Castro hit a three-run shot in the second. Marlon Anderson, starting in center field in place of Lastings Milledge, drove in four runs, three with a third-inning homer. And Shawn Green sent one into the seats in the sixth.
Guillermo Mota pitched last night as he should have the night before when Glavine was seeking his 300th win, giving up no runs, no hits, and no walks in two innings of work. He even struck out Fielder. Did the pressure get to him the night before?
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Victories for both the Mets and the Zephyrs
The Mets weren't the only ones to get good pitching yesterday. Though limited to two hits by Cards starter Mike Maroth, they managed to hit two home runs, the second the gamewinner, as they defeated St. Louis 2-1 in 11 innings. Former New Orleans Zephyr, Jorge Sosa, limited the Cards to six hits and a run in six innings, throwing 101 pitches in the process.
"What's a Zephyr?" you ask.
Until this year, the Mets Triple-A team was the Norfolk Tides. Now it's the New Orleans Zephyrs.
I can relate to tides. I've seen many a tide while standing on the Coney Island boardwalk watching the waves roll in. I've never seen a Zephyr, at least I don't think I have. In fact, I had no idea what a Zephyr was until I looked it up today in a dictionary. Turns out it's a breeze gently blowing in from the west. Why a baseball team would be named after a breeze beats me. But while the team's name is “beating” me, the team's beating its Pacific Coast League competition. Yesterday, behind Philip Humber's seven innings of shutout ball, the team upped its division-leading record to 42-35.
Humber, the Mets' first-round draft choice (third overall) in the 2004 First-Year Player Draft who missed a number of games earlier in his pro career due to Tommy John Surgery, upped his record to 8-5. He's not having a great season, not with a 4.46 ERA nor with giving up 89 hits in just 84.2 innings. But then the Zephyr's pitching staff's not having a great year. Starter Jason Vargas, whom the Mets got in a trade with the Florida Marlins along with Adam Bostick for Henry Owens and Matt Lindstrom, both of whom are on the Marlins roster, has an ERA of 4.48; starter Adam Bostick has an ERA of 6.71; starter Jose Santiago has an ERA of 5.29; starter Brian Lawrence has an ERA of 4.36; and starter Mike Pelfrey has an ERA of 3.44. Not very good.
In contrast, the Yankees Double-A team in Trenton, NJ, has four pitchers with such low ERA's they're ranked among the top eight in the Eastern League in ERA. Their ERA's are 2.30, 2.39, 2.96, and 3.07. No wonder its division-leading record is 47-27.
Maybe the Mets can trade the Zephyr's pitching coach for the Trenton Thunder's.
Not all is on the dark side. The ninth-rated pitcher in the ERA is a Binghamton Met: Kevin Mulvey. His ERA is 3.11.
To put the aforementioned Zephyr pitchers ERAs in perspective, Humber's ERA places him 17th in the PCL, and Varga's 18th. Interestingly, the PCL pitcher ranked tenth in ERA is Yusimero Petit, a former Met prospect who was traded to Florida along with Mike Jacobs and Grant Psomas (who?) for Carlos Delgado.
"What's a Zephyr?" you ask.
Until this year, the Mets Triple-A team was the Norfolk Tides. Now it's the New Orleans Zephyrs.
I can relate to tides. I've seen many a tide while standing on the Coney Island boardwalk watching the waves roll in. I've never seen a Zephyr, at least I don't think I have. In fact, I had no idea what a Zephyr was until I looked it up today in a dictionary. Turns out it's a breeze gently blowing in from the west. Why a baseball team would be named after a breeze beats me. But while the team's name is “beating” me, the team's beating its Pacific Coast League competition. Yesterday, behind Philip Humber's seven innings of shutout ball, the team upped its division-leading record to 42-35.
Humber, the Mets' first-round draft choice (third overall) in the 2004 First-Year Player Draft who missed a number of games earlier in his pro career due to Tommy John Surgery, upped his record to 8-5. He's not having a great season, not with a 4.46 ERA nor with giving up 89 hits in just 84.2 innings. But then the Zephyr's pitching staff's not having a great year. Starter Jason Vargas, whom the Mets got in a trade with the Florida Marlins along with Adam Bostick for Henry Owens and Matt Lindstrom, both of whom are on the Marlins roster, has an ERA of 4.48; starter Adam Bostick has an ERA of 6.71; starter Jose Santiago has an ERA of 5.29; starter Brian Lawrence has an ERA of 4.36; and starter Mike Pelfrey has an ERA of 3.44. Not very good.
In contrast, the Yankees Double-A team in Trenton, NJ, has four pitchers with such low ERA's they're ranked among the top eight in the Eastern League in ERA. Their ERA's are 2.30, 2.39, 2.96, and 3.07. No wonder its division-leading record is 47-27.
Maybe the Mets can trade the Zephyr's pitching coach for the Trenton Thunder's.
Not all is on the dark side. The ninth-rated pitcher in the ERA is a Binghamton Met: Kevin Mulvey. His ERA is 3.11.
To put the aforementioned Zephyr pitchers ERAs in perspective, Humber's ERA places him 17th in the PCL, and Varga's 18th. Interestingly, the PCL pitcher ranked tenth in ERA is Yusimero Petit, a former Met prospect who was traded to Florida along with Mike Jacobs and Grant Psomas (who?) for Carlos Delgado.
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