Tag Archives: Houston Astros

Jul 10

Today in Mets’ History: Matlack throws one-hitter.

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On this date in 1973, the Mets’ Jon Matlack threw a one-hit shutout at Shea Stadium over the Houston Astros, 1-0.

Tommy Helms doubled in the sixth for Houston’s only hit, and Duffy Dyer’s double drove in Rusty Staub for the game’s only run.

With the victory, the Mets improved to 36-46, sixth place in the National League East, 12 games off the pace.

It was a different time then, but the message is the same. Those Mets didn’t give up on the season and reached the World Series. The road is different today, but looking  back history tells us good things can still happen in this season.

BOX SCORE

 

Apr 20

Where’s the light for the Mets?

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The Mets didn’t exactly win one for Brad Emaus last night, but in his honor played crappy baseball as they were stuffed by the Houston Astros, a team they should handle.

Guess not.

“Our team has not played well in any aspect,’’ GM Sandy Alderson said last night, narrowing it down. The Mets were supposed to be under talented on the field, but they were supposed to hustle and play sound fundamentally. That was going to keep them competitive.

The foundation is pitching, but the Mets have cracks all over. Jon Niese was behind in the count all evening and it is somewhat of a surprise he only gave up two runs through six innings.

RA Dickey goes tonight. He kept the ball around the plate for the most part last season, but that’s past tense. His control, like that of Mike Pelfrey, is also off. Dickey is no longer a surprise, he no longer sneaks up on teams. Teams are waiting for him.

The bullpen has been a disaster, and now we learn Bobby Parnell has numbness in his middle finger and can’t properly grip the ball. His velocity has been down. So much for him being the eighth-inning set-up reliever and future closer. There are just too many issues for him. Should the numbness persist, the disabled list can’t be far away.

Numbers wise, the Mets are averaging giving up roughly three runs a game after the fifth inning, a clear indictment of their bullpen. On the bright side, Francisco Rodriguez in on a pace to not reach 55 competed games.

But, there’s light at the end of the tunnel. Jason Bay is back tomorrow.

 

Aug 27

Mets Chat Room; Pelfrey to continue rebound.

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Games #128-129

At one time this season Mike Pelfrey was 9-1 and headed for the All-Star Game in a breakthrough season.

Then July came to derail his year and leave us wondering whether the first half was a fluke, a mirage and whether the good times were over and he had regressed as he went 3-6.

True growth comes from adversity and it looks as if July might become a watershed moment for him as he fought his way out of a tailspin to pitch great ball with a 1.64 ERA over his last three starts.

He’ll continue the rebound tonight against the Houston Astros at Citi Field.

I thought Pelfrey had pitched too good for too long in the first half to lose it completely, but I was concerned. Was it an injury? A loss in mechanics and subsequent loss in confidence?

Whatever it was, Pelfrey is once again pitching aggressively and quickly. That aura about him has returned.

If it comes back to say, it will be one of the highlights of this season.

NOTE: I have programmed the chat room to open around game time. I am currently getting ready to go to New Jersey for a wedding. No, not mine. I won’t be able to monitor t0night or tomorrow, but should be back in time for Sunday’s game.

My best to you, JD

Oct 05

About yesterday …. Figueroa throws a gem in season finale.

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The Mets closed one of their most disappointing seasons in recent memory with Nelson Figueroa’s 4-0 blanking of the Houston Astros. Figueroa’s gem was the Mets’ third complete game of the season, with all of them thrown by pitchers who won’t be with the team, or don’t figure highly in their plans for next year. That would be Livan Hernandez, Figueroa and Pat Misch.

FIGUEROA: Has moment in sun with blanking of Astros.

FIGUEROA: Has moment in sun with blanking of Astros.


Figueroa is an underdog in every sense of the word and it is comforting to see players like that have their moments in the sun. Still, Figueroa is a journeyman, and the Mets need to upgrade their rotation. He doesn’t figure to be in it, but he could have a chance as a long-man and spot starter.

Yesterday’s season finale also marked a four-hit effort from Angel Pagan as he finished hitting over .300. Pagan fell a homer shy of hitting for the cycle.

Catching prospect Josh Thole, who broke a 1-for-22 slide with a triple Saturday, had two more hits yesterday.

Sweeping the Astros can’t erase all that went wrong for the Mets this year, but for one weekend at least they felt good about themselves.