CHAT ROOM
Santana was superb yesterday, but it was only a glimmer. One game does not mean a turnaround.
The same scintillating line-up will go against Javier Vazquez:
Angel Pagan, CF
Luis Castillo, 2B
Daniel Murphy, 1B
David Wright, 3B
Jeff Francoeur, RF
Jeremy Reed, LF
Alex Cora, SS
Brian Schneider, C
Fernando Nieve, RP
CHAT ROOM
“I’m excited to be in New York, I’ve always enjoyed playing here,’’ Francoeur said. “I’ve always loved the city, so to finally get this chance, I’m excited.’’
One of the first calls he received came from Tom Glavine, who, despite the venom he took from Mets fans, endorsed them and the city to Francoeur.
From Glavine: “Make the most of it, if you play hard, hustle, and do things right, the fans will love you.’’
FRANCOEUR: Mets need his spark.
Francoeur said that’s him.
“I like to think I’m that kind of player, who gets dirty and plays the game the right way,’’ Francoeur said. “I’m 25 years old, and I feel like my best years are ahead of me… and I look forward to driving in runs, and throwing people out.’’
Francoeur starts in right tonight.
Here’s the line-up behind Johan Santana:
Angel Pagan, CF
Luis Castillo, 2B
David Wright, 3B
Gary Sheffield, LF
Jeff Francoeur, RF
Daniel Murphy, 1B
Omir Santos, C
Alex Cora, SS
Johan Santana, LP
Santana is 9-7, but the Mets are 2-5 in his last seven starts.
CHAT ROOM
The Phillies have not commented, but the report is on several media outlets. The Phillies could be also in the market for Roy Halladay.
Meanwhile, the Mets, behind Livan Hernandez, will be trying to win this series with the Dodgers.
Here’s the line-up that will face Randy Wolf:
Luis Castillo, 2B
Nick Evans, LF
David Wright, 3B
Gary Sheffield, RF
Fernando Tatis, 1B
Ryan Church, CF
Omir Santos, C
Alex Cora, SS
Livan Hernandez, RP
CHAT ROOM
Wright spoke for all his teammates last night after the Mets were blown away by the Dodgers.
“I just think we stink right now, we’re just not very good,’’ Wright said. “When you don’t pitch, you don’t hit, you don’t play defense, you’re not going to win very many games. We’re not playing very good baseball… I don’t think anybody’s having very much fun right now.’’
That’s an understatement.
Trying to stop the slide is the original slide-starter himself, Oliver Perez.
He’ll have this forgettable line-up behind him:
Alex Cora, SS
Daniel Murphy, 1B
David Wright, 3B
Gary Sheffield, LF
Ryan Church, RF
Jeremy Reed, CF
Brian Schneider, C
Luis Castillo, 2B
Oliver Perez, LP
Mike Pelfrey will be pitching tonight to snap the Mets out of their latest losing streak. In the bigger picture, the Mets’ slide is eight losses in ten games.
And, help isn’t coming anytime soon.
Jose Reyes took a cortisone injection because he still feels pain in his right leg, and Carlos Beltran will need a rehabilitation assignment once the bone bruise below his right knee heals.
Neither will be back prior to the All-Star break.
Tonight’s line-up:
Luis Castillo, 2B
Alex Cora, SS
David Wright, 3B
Gary Sheffield, RF
Fernando Tatis, 1B
Ryan Church, CF
Nick Evans, LF
Omir Santos, C
Mike Pelfrey, RH