No Misch-stake here

Pat Misch just threw a complete-game shut out for the New York Mets.

I repeat.

Pat Misch just threw a complete-game shut out for the New York Mets.

The Mets won 4-0, taking the series against the Florida Marlins.

Misch surrendered eight hits in the game, seven of them being singles.  He also owes Jeff Francoeur a steak dinner, as the right fielder went up and over the wall to bring back a would-be home run off the bat of Chris Coghlan.

Francoeur also hit a two-run home run in the game.  The Mets also got runs off a Josh Thole sac-fly and an Anderson Hernandez solo home run.

Misch tossed 101 pitches through eight innings and needed only nine more to get through the final innings.  Sixty-seven of those pitches went for strikes.

Oh, and this is six days after Jerry Manuel told reporters that Misch would be pulled from the rotation.  Figures.

Nice to see Thole behind the plate for this, too.

Misch out of rotation; Lineup for Game 152

Jerry Manuel confirmed to reporters that Pat Misch will be pulled from the rotation for the rest of the season, likely to be replaced by Tobi Stoner or Lance Broadway, reports Adam Rubin.

I’m torn.  On one hand, why not let Misch keep pitching for the rest of the year?  What’s two or three more starts and possible losses? 

On the other hand, I do want to see what the Mets have in Stoner and Broadway.  Doesn’t look like either can be an impact player for next year, but they are under the team’s control and could help a few years down the road.  Let’s get a preview now.

And here’s the lineup they will run out at Citi Field tonight…

1. Angel Pagan – LF
2. Luis Castillo – 2B
3. David Wright – 3B
4. Carlos Beltran – CF
5. Daniel Murphy – 1B
6. Jeff Francoeur – RF
7. Brian Schneider – C
8. Anderson Hernandez – SS
9. Nelson Figueroa - RHP

Two problems

Here are two things that troubled me with the Mets box score from last night’s 11-3 loss to the Braves.

First, of course, is the pitching lines, specifically the first two…Pat Misch and Lance Broadway didn’t have good nights, did they?

Secondly, not so much from the box score, but still a troubling sight…When Daniel Murphy, who we all complain about not having enough power, is leading your team in home runs (with only 11, no less), something is seriously wrong.

Poll: Pelfrey’s the resident ace right now

In a somewhat joke of a poll, I asked fans who the ace of the Mets rotation was now that Johan Santana is on the DL. 

Here are the results…I’m shocked how many votes Pat Misch and Nelson Figueroa garnered.

Now if only Mike Pelfrey can turn in his last performance for the every start.

Next Poll: Is Omir Santos your starting catcher in 2010?

Stokes surrenders 8th inning home run in loss

Pat Misch was excellent.  Mets struggled to score runs.  Bullpen surrendered home runs.  Mets lost.

Just another day for the Mets.

Misch, making his first start for the Mets, lasted seven innings, allowing only one run.  He let up six hits, walked two and struck out two.  It was his longest outing of his career, tossing 98 pitches.

Brian Stokes entered, allowed a game tying hit, then surrendered a three-run home run to Alfonso Soriano.  Those were the first runs Stokes has given up since August 1, over 12 1-3 innings.

The anemic Mets offense managed only two runs on seven hits.  Omir Santos and Fernando Tatis drove in the runs on a single and double respectively.

But hey, no one got hurt.

Notes: Perez back to NY, Evans and Misch up for Wagner and Santana, Putz scratched from rehab

-Omar Minaya just told reporters that Oliver Perez will head back to New York to have his knee checked on by doctors.

-David Lennon bumped into Nick Evans in Florida, which means he’s likely the player promoted to take Billy Wagner’s roster spot.  Pat Misch has been called back to the major leagues to fill Johan Santana’s spot.

-Also, J.J. Putz has been scratched from his first rehab appearance.  He was scheduled to pitch for the Brooklyn Cyclones tonight.  “To give him more time,” says Minaya.

Misch down, Takahashi up

Pat Misch has been sent down.  Ken Takahashi has been called up from Triple-A Buffalo.

Move along.  Nothing to see here.

Redding surprises, Mets lose anyway

Tim Redding, making his first start since July 2, tossed five innings of one-hit baseball.  He walked three and struck out four.  And then the Mets let it slip away.

Removed due to a high pitch count, Redding gave way to Pat Misch, who was recalled from the minor leagues earlier yesterday.  A lead-off walk to Shane Victorino was followed by a two-run home run off the bat of Chase Utley.  The 1-0 Mets lead turned into a 2-1 Mets deficit.

After Misch recorded an out, Sean Green took over.  Green allowed back-to-back two-out doubles for another Phillies run, giving them a 3-1 lead.

Though the Mets knocked out eight hits and walked twice, they were only able to plate one run.  The run came in the bottom of the second when a groundball from Omir Santos was just out of the reach of third baseman Pedro Feliz.  As it glanced off his glove and into the outfield, Jeff Francoeur was able to trot home with the Mets first, and only, run.

The Mets ended up using seven pitchers in last night’s game, with Pedro Feliciano giving up the other run in the Phillies eventual 4-1 victory.

At one point it looked like a little of the 1969 magic may have worn off on the 2009 Mets.  But in the end, the ‘69 celebration was marred by the ‘09 talent.

Andy Green DFA’d, Pat Misch recalled

In a move that signals little to no confidence in Tim Redding, the Mets have recalled Pat Misch from Triple-A Buffalo, reports Adam Rubin.

To make room for Misch, Andy Green has been designated for assignment.

Misch has pitched 14 1-3 innings for the Mets in 2009, posting a 2.51 ERA and a WHIP of 1.744.  He walked nine and struck out nine with the Mets.

Green had five plate appearances with the Mets, singling once and walking once.

Cancel out for Sheffield, Misch out for Figueroa

Robinson Cancel has been designated for assignment to make room for Gary Sheffield.  Sheffield made his return from the disabled list on Sunday, but did not start.  He eventually entered the game in the sixth inning and went 0-2.

Pat Misch, the lefty who saw his first action in two weeks today, was optioned back to Triple-A Buffalo to make room for Nelson Figueroa.  Figueroa will make a spot start Monday against Dan Haren.  He had been up twice previously, starting one game.

Mets after lefty reliever

Two writers, Jon Heyman and Danny Knobler, have both said that the Mets are actively searching for a left handed reliever.

What, Pat Misch isn’t doing it for them?

Pedro Feliciano, the main lefty in the bullpen, is on pace to break his appearance record of 86 games, set last season.  He’s been effective all season, especially lately, as he hasn’t allowed a run in his last six appearances.

Out on the market, there are some decent lefties relievers that might be available.  My main candidate is Joe Beimel from the Washington Nationals.  He’s currently sporting a 3.43 ERA and a WHIP of 1.347 with the lowly Nats.

You may remember Beimel as the player that missed the NLDS against the Mets back in 2006 after he cut his hand in a bar the night before the first game.

I considered Beimel in the off-season, saying he was “worth a look.”  He might be worth another now.

But I’d rather the Mets stand pat.  Billy Wagner is supposedly on the comeback trail and if he can still be effective at the major league level, the Mets may just have to wait until he’s ready instead of shipping away players for a reliever.

Game Recap: Dodgers 11 – Mets 2

The Livan magic has run out.

The Los Angeles Dodgers (55-31) beat the New York Mets (40-45) by a score of 11-2.

Livan Hernandez has given the Mets half a season.  I think that’s a lot more than anyone could have expected.  It’s run it’s course and the Mets should be thankful.  But that looks like it’s about it for Livan and the team should bring up Jon Niese for the next start.

11 hits in four innings, with eight earned runs is pretty terrible.  It was good while it lasted.

Other than Hernandez, not much of note happened.  Pat Misch and Brian Stokes were good.  Tim Redding, not so much.

The offense sputtered again against Randy Wolf and couldn’t overcome the four-spot the Dodgers put up in the first inning.

Game Recap: Yankees 9 – Mets 1

Slppy.  Slopy.  Lopy.  Sloppy.

The New York Yankees (40-32) beat the New York Mets (37-34) by a score of 9-1.

Three errors led to two unearned runs off of Mike Pelfrey, who surrendered four runs total over five innings. Pat Misch pitched well for his 1 1-3 innings on the mound.  Elmer Dessens escaped trouble in the seventh, then surrendered two home runs in the 8th inning.

Bobby Parnell got one out, but also balked and threw a wild pitch.  Sean Green allowed two runs on three hits in mop-up duty.

Overall, not a great night for the Mets pitchers.

Also, not a great night for the Mets batters.

The Mets managed just three hits and CC Sabathia carried a perfect game into the fifth inning.  Gary Sheffield broke up the bid with a solo home run to deep left field.  Sheffield now leads the Mets in home runs with nine.

That says something when a 40-year-old outfielder who doesn’t play everyday leads your team in home runs.  Yeesh!

Carlos Beltran to DL; Flurry of roster moves

Carlos Beltran is officially heading to the disabled list.

Beltran was found to have a bone bruise, as he suspected, and could be out through the All Star Break.

Taking Beltran’s place on the roster is Fernando Martinez.  Martinez, sent down just days ago, is allowed to come back to the Mets without waiting the required 10 days due to a player going on the DL.

Ken Takahashi has been sent down and Wilson Valdez was designated for assignment with two relievers coming up to take their place.  Pat Misch, a lefty, and Elmer Dessens, a righty, will join the Mets bullpen tonight.

Misch, picked off of waivers from the Giants back on June 5, was sporting a 6.43 ERA and 1.571 WHIP in 7 1-3 innings pitched for Triple-A Buffalo.

Dessens was 3-2 in 27 relief appearances with Buffalo.  He had a 2.31 ERA and 1.000 WHIP in 35 against the International League.

This means the Mets will be playing slightly short on the bench, opting for more arms in the bullpen.

OUT	IN
Carlos Beltran - OF	Fernando Martinez - OF
Wilson Valdez - IF	Pat Misch - RP
Ken Takahashi - RP	Elmer Dessens - RP

Rubin: Beltran to DL, Misch, F-Mart up; Takahashi optioned

Update – 4:14 p.m.: Carlos Beltran must be heading to the disabled list, according to Adam Rubin.

That’s because Fernando Martinez is heading back to the Mets, he reports.

Also coming up is Pat Misch to replace Takahashi.

Original Post: According to various tweets, the Mets have optioned Ken Takahashi back to Triple-A Buffalo.

Does this mean that Lance Broadway is coming?  Maybe.

Mets promote Nieve, claim Misch

The Mets have promoted Fernando Nieve from Triple-A  Buffalo to take J.J. Putz’s spot on the roster.  Putz has been placed on the 15-day DL.

Nieve, a righty, has started five games with Buffalo and is 3-0 on the seaosn.  He allowed 10 earned runs in 24 1-3 innings for a 3.75 ERA and a WHIP of 1.167.  Nieve has walked 10 and struck out 23, allowing 18 hits.

With Double-A Binghamton this season, Nieve made four starts and appeared in one other game.  In 18 1-3 innings, he has a 5.00 ERA and 1.22 WHIP.  He allowed 10 earned runs, walked six and struck out 19.

The Mets now have three “Fernando’s” on the roster.

** *** **

In a related move, the Mets have claimed Pat Misch off of waivers from the San Francisco Giants.

Misch will be optioned to Triple-A Buffalo, likely replacing whomever gets the call to the big leagues.  Billy Wagner was moved to the 60-day DL to make room for Misch on the 40-man roster, according to Bart Hubbuch.

In four games with the Giants in 2009, Misch allowed six hits and four earned runs in 3 1-3 innings.  He has a 10.80 ERA and 2.700 WHIP.