ESPN.com presents New York Mets http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/mets 60 en-us Thu, 23 May 2013 03:25:35 webmaster@espn.go.com http://assets.espn.go.com/i/espn/teamlogos/lrg/trans/espn_dotcom_black.gif 110 110 FIRST PITCH: Forget Ike Davis’ struggles for a second. Forget even the payroll constraints, which is asking a lot to look past. Here’s one question that rarely gets asked: Where are the Moneyball players with the Mets? And by that I mean: Why have there not been more productive free agents signed to those $2 million to $4 million contracts? Or how about some low-cost acquisitions via other routes that provide placeholders until a prospect is ready to assume the role?]]> http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/mets/post/_/id/67573/morning-briefing-moneyball-players Thu, 23 May 2013 05:55:13 EDT 67573 This was a grim series, with little good to report from a three-game sweep, but a few topics caught our attention. Ike’s slump Ike Davis’ slump continued both at bat and in the field, as he went 0-for-8 in the series, was called for obstruction, and missed handling Brandon Phillips’ go-ahead ninth-inning double in the series finale. Davis has now been held hitless over multiple at-bats in 22 of the Mets’ 44 games this season.]]> http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/mets/post/_/id/67531/the-series-in-metrics-mets-vs-reds Wed, 22 May 2013 18:40:21 EDT 67531 LAS VEGAS 9, IOWA 4: After missing a turn in the rotation and receiving a cortisone shot Wheeler for inflammation in the AC joint in his right shoulder, Zack Wheeler earned a win in his return to Pacific Coast League action. Wheeler surrendered solo homers to Brian Bogusevic and Edwin Maysonet and was charged with three earned runs on five hits, two walks and a hit batter while striking out two in five innings. He threw a conservative 67 pitches (43 strikes).]]> http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/mets/post/_/id/67521/minors-5-22-13-wheeler-earns-w-in-51s-return Wed, 22 May 2013 18:36:28 EDT 67521 Matt Harvey expressed disappointment with his performance after allowing a career-high nine hits and surrendering a season-high four runs in a no-decision in what became a 7-4 loss to the Cincinnati Reds. Brad Penner/USA TODAY Sports Matt Harvey surrendered a career-high nine hits Wednesday. "It was a tough day -- whether it was the changeup I couldn't necessarily throw for a strike when I wanted to -- and everything just crept over the middle," said Harvey, who tossed 6 1/3 innings.]]> http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/mets/post/_/id/67540/harvey-it-was-one-of-those-days Wed, 22 May 2013 18:17:22 EDT 67540 Brad Penner/USA TODAY Sports Ike Davis' ninth-inning fielding decision put him in the spotlight postgame. Ike Davis, who allowed Brandon Phillips' tiebreaking double to bounce past him at first base in the ninth inning Wednesday, calmly explained his reasoning after the 7-4 loss to the Cincinnati Reds: Davis said, at least in his mind, he saw the one-out grounder with runners on the corners bounce foul the hop before it got to him. It was close, though.]]> http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/mets/post/_/id/67530/ike-explains-9th-inning-faux-pas Wed, 22 May 2013 17:57:02 EDT 67530 WHAT IT MEANS: Matt Harvey, who once every five days gives Mets fans a reason to cheer, is not invincible. He remains unbeaten, though. Ike Davis, meanwhile, continues to draw the ire of Mets fans. Rick Ankiel’s third extra-base hit of the game -- a run-scoring triple in the seventh -- knocked out Mat Latos, pulled the Mets even at 4 and got Harvey off the hook for his first loss since last Sept. 12. The Cincinnati Reds nonetheless ultimately completed their second straight three-game sweep at Citi Field with a 7-4 win on Wednesday afternoon.]]> http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/mets/post/_/id/67523/rapid-reaction-reds-7-mets-4 Wed, 22 May 2013 16:20:38 EDT 67523 Steve Mitchell/USA TODAY Spors MLB denied the Mets' request to change one run charged to Matt Harvey to unearned. Matt Harvey's ERA will remain at 1.55 entering his Wednesday afternoon start against the Cincinnati Reds. Major League Baseball denied the Mets' request to change the scoring on Alfonso Soriano's grounder Friday at Wrigley Field, which would have changed an earned run to unearned and dropped Harvey's ERA to 1.41. The thrust of the argument was that there should have been a straight error on Ruben Tejada's throw that bounced past Ike Davis and allowed Anthony Rizzo to score from second base in the first inning.]]> http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/mets/post/_/id/67519/mlb-declines-matt-harvey-appeal Wed, 22 May 2013 11:21:45 EDT 67519 Here are the lineups for the Mets' 1:10 p.m. ET game Wednesday against the Cincinnati Reds as Matt Harvey and the Amazin's try to avoid getting swept. Mets Daniel Murphy, 2b Rick Ankiel, cf David Wright, 3b Lucas Duda, lf Marlon Byrd, rf Ike Davis, 1b John Buck, c Ruben Tejada, ss Matt Harvey, rhp Reds Shin-Soo Choo, cf Zack Cozart, ss Joey Votto, 1b Brandon Phillips, 2b Jay Bruce, rf Xavier Paul, lf Jack Hannahan, 3b Devin Mesoraco, c Mat Lat ...]]> http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/mets/post/_/id/67506/wednesdays-mets-reds-lineup Wed, 22 May 2013 10:09:32 EDT 67506 Binghamton outfielder Cory Vaughn is the reigning Eastern League Player of the Week. He starred alongside Nats ace Stephen Strasburg and White Sox closer Addison Reed for Tony Gwynn at San Diego State. And Vaughn’s father, Greg, played 15 big league seasons, primarily with Milwaukee. Courtesy of New York Mets Cory Vaughn Yet the 24-year-old Vaughn’s story extends beyond all of those topics. Since being diagnosed with juvenile diabetes at 11 years old, Vaughn has been required to monitor his blood sugar, even during games.]]> http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/mets/post/_/id/67504/farm-report-vaughn-in-mix-in-september Wed, 22 May 2013 08:25:43 EDT 67504 Seth Wenig/Associated Press Relax everyone, Matt Harvey pitches at Citi Field today ... hopefully without the bloody nose. FIRST PITCH: Matt Harvey gives Mets fans their once-every-five-days reprieve from an otherwise miserable season when he opposes unbeaten Cincinnati Reds right-hander Mat Latos (4-0, 2.91 ERA) at 1:10 p.m. Since his major league debut last July 26 at Arizona, Harvey has compiled a 2.12 ERA, which ranks third in the majors during that span.]]> http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/mets/post/_/id/67500/morning-briefing-harvey-day-at-last Wed, 22 May 2013 02:31:26 EDT 67500