(Article) David Wright's New Challenge: Making the Playoffs

Posted on 06 Sep 2008 by Danielle

Standing behind home plate at Shea Stadium, Gabrielle Mileti sobbed.

David Wright of the New York Mets had just stopped where Mileti stood with her husband and 4-year-old son, who is ill with an incurable disease. Wright talked briefly with the family, smiled for photos, then autographed a pair of batting gloves and handed them over.

With a goodbye, Wright moved along to greet more of the fans gathered behind a barrier as the Mets took batting practice before Friday's game with the Philadelphia Phillies.

And the aching emotion of the moment overtook Mileti.

"It's just wonderful that he'd even do this," said Mileti, of New Rochelle, N.Y. "I didn't expect any of that. I'll be a David Wright (fan) the rest of my life."

Hours later, in the quiet of New York's 3-0 loss, Wright reached into his locker to touch a uniform top hanging there.

"Putting on this jersey, especially in this city, you can put smiles on people's faces," Wright said.

Chesapeake's Wright realized that early. One of the first things he did upon becoming the Mets third baseman four years ago was create a charitable foundation.

Wright's eagerness to raise money and give time has him up for baseball's Roberto Clemente Award for public service. (Chesapeake's Michael Cuddyer, of the Minnesota Twins, also is in the running.)

"It's huge," Wright said of his nomination. "Unbelievable."

It is a particular satisfaction of Wright's life off the field. Now, for Wright and his teammates, the need for fulfilling work on the field intensifies again here in September, their cruelest month...

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Mets v. Phillies (Game 2) Postponed

Posted on 06 Sep 2008 by Danielle

Today's game against the Phillies has been postponed due to the imminent storm.

The game will be played tomorrow, as part of a day-night doubleheader, starting at 2:15 p.m.

Tickets for Saturday's game will be honored for tomorrow's afternoon game.

The 2:15 game will feature Martinez v. Moyer and can be viewed on SNY.

The 8:05 game will feature a matchup of Aces, Johan Santana v. Cole Hamels on ESPN.

The only downside is listening to Joe Morgan tomorrow night. Sorry, everyone.

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9/5 - What Wright Said...

Posted on 06 Sep 2008 by Danielle

(On Pelfrey's excellent effort against the Phillies)

"Pelfrey kept us right in the game," David Wright said. "More often than not, if we get seven innings and three runs, we're going to win that game. We just ran into a guy that was a little better."

Credit: Newsday

(On how this series will be different than last September's start of the collapse)

"Last year, I felt like we were beating ourselves quite a bit," David Wright said. "This time, they came out and beat us. There was very little we could do against Brett Myers."

Credit: Star Ledger

(On Mike Schmidt's e-Mail)

"It is what it is," Wright said with a smile. "He's a Phillie. Obviously he's loyal, and biased in his e-mails or whatever. But a starting pitcher that goes out there and throws the ball like Brett Myers did -- that works better than a rallying cry from a former player."

Credit: Star Ledger

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Phils blank Mets, 3-0.

Posted on 06 Sep 2008 by Danielle

Brett Meyers has been unstoppable in his last six games and unfortunately, the Mets couldn’t do much to stop him either.

Shane Victorino helped manufacture a run in the first inning, giving Myers all the offense he needed. The right-hander allowed three hits and struck out 10 in another overwhelming performance.

Greg Dobbs hit a two-run homer off Mike Pelfrey, which narrowly skimmed off of the top of Ryan Church’s glove, and the Phillies took the opener of a crucial series between the top teams in the division. Brad Lidge got through a shaky ninth, retiring Carlos Beltran and Ryan Church with two on to end New York's sixth loss in 23 games.

Wright doubled with one out in the bottom of the ninth and went to third on Carlos Delgado's single. But Beltran flied to shallow left on a 3-1 pitch and Victorino ran down Church's long drive to center.

Lidge remained perfect in 34 save chances this year. He completed Philadelphia's NL-leading 11th shutout this season, while New York was blanked for the fifth time.

David Wright was 1-3 with a double and a walk.

His average remains at .291.

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Pre-game: 9/5

Posted on 05 Sep 2008 by Danielle

Hey, everyone! If you're attending the game tonight, and sitting in the upper deck, please come and say hi! I'll be wearing my light-up hat, per usual, and will be sitting in Row B of section 39.

Yeah, I know it's out there... but I got the seats for free at the Hawaiian Tropics Zone.

Be sure to say hello and let me know what you think of the new site design!

Let's go Mets!
Danielle

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Break out the brooms and the beer! Mets sweep Brew Crew, 8-2.

Posted on 03 Sep 2008 by Danielle

The Mets struck early once again in their victory over the Milwaukee Brewers.

In the first inning, Daniel Murphy singled, David Wright singled, and Delgado singled, allowing Murphy to score. 1-0.

Beltran walked on four pitches and the bases were loaded for Ryan Church, who has struggled a little bit since returning from the disabled list.

But this afternoon, he didn't struggle at all... in fact, he slammed the ball. Grandly.

Church's grand slam made it 5-0 and Brian Schneider's solo home run made it 6-0.



Oliver Perez was phenomenal in today's game. He hurled 6.2 innings and gave up two runs on five hits and five walks, while striking out five. His ERA is down to 3.86.

Interestingly enough, the big three of the Mets rotation, Johan, Ollie, and Pelf, are all under 4.00. Who would have thought?

In the bottom of the sixth, he gave up a double to Gabe Kapler and then a double to Corey Hart, but limited the damage after that. It was then 6-1.

In the seventh, he gave up a home run to J.J. Hardy to make it 6-2 and Joe Smith came in to strike out Ryan Braun.

In the eighth, the Mets got those two runs back when both Beltran and Castillo walk, then executed a double steal, and Nick Evans shot a single between third and short into left field.

But the Mets weren't done.

In the ninth, Dan Murphy doubled to center and advanced on a wild pitch. Wright then hit a sac fly to Kapler out in center field to allow Murphy to score and make it 9-2.

With Endy Chavez now playing in left, Scott Schoeneweis stepped in to close out the game. After allowing a hit to the rookie Escobar, in his first big league at bat, Rickie Weeks hit into a double play.

Notable performances came from:

Binghamton Boy No. 1, Daniel Murphy, who never ceases to amaze Mets fans everywhere. He was 2-4 in today's game with two runs scored on a double, single, and walk.

Carlos Beltran was 1-3 as he continues to run red hot, getting a single and two walks today, scoring twice and garnering a stolen base for his 7th career 20-20 season.

Brian Schneider was 2-3 with a home run and a single, not to mention an RBI and a run scored.

Nick Evans in his pinch hit appearance was 1-1 with a single while Beltran and Castillo were on third and second respectively.

Ryan Church smashed a grand slam into the bleachers on his four-RBI performance today.

David Wright was 1-4 today with a run scored and an RBI.

His average is still .291.

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Wright in the News: David Wright Nominated for Roberto Clemente Awards

Posted on 02 Sep 2008 by Danielle

To consider David Wright for baseball's most prestigious individual award might sidle toward redundancy. Most valuable? Perhaps. But Wright has already proven plenty valuable -- if not invaluable -- in a discipline that can't be ranked.

He is, for a laundry list of good reasons, the Mets' nominee for this year's Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevrolet. And it is a nomination that Wright does not take lightly.

"It's an incredible honor," Wright said. "Anything that comes along with a man that gave his life doing something for others is just incredible."

The Roberto Clemente Award recognizes the player who best exemplifies sportsmanship, community involvement and contribution to one's team. It is named in honor of the former Pirates outfielder whose spirit and goodwill will always be remembered. Clemente died in a plane crash while attempting to transport relief supplies to earthquake-stricken Nicaragua in 1972...

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Wright in the News: A Little Slump

Posted on 02 Sep 2008 by Danielle

By most accounts, David Wright has had a terrific season. His 103 runs batted in ranked second in the league going into Tuesday. He is the first Met with four career 100 R.B.I. seasons, and has joined Eddie Mathews and Eric Chavez as the only third basemen in major league history with four 25-homer seasons before their 26th birthday.

But lately, Wright has been struggling with men in scoring position and less than two out. On Monday he struck out twice in such situations, with runners at the corners in the sixth and the Mets down, 2-0, and again in the eighth with Daniel Murphy at second as the potential tying run.

Carlos Delgado's two-run homer bailed out Wright. But Wright admitted before Tuesday's game that he had started to press.

"I'm extremely hard on myself," Wright said. "Considering where I am in the lineup, and what I'm supposed to do in our offense, I need to do a much better job getting those runs in.

"That being said, that's part of the problem I've had lately. Maybe I'm trying to do a little too much in those situations instead of just relaxing and doing what I've always done. It's tough when you're a guy who takes it to heart, like I do. It happens a few times, it starts snowballing, and I'm pressing. I need to be able to make the adjustments and find a way to get the job done."

Credit: NY Times

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Niese doesn't earn a win in his debut, but the Mets still beat the Brew Crew in 10, 6-5.

Posted on 02 Sep 2008 by Danielle

Milwaukee leadoff batter Rickie Weeks hit the second pitch from Niese for a home run to left. Niese then walked the next two batters but got out of the inning by stranding runners at second and third.

New York took a 2-1 lead in the second on a run-scoring double by Fernando Tatis and an RBI groundout by Damion Easley.

Beltran, who left Monday's game in the eighth with a bruised knee, gave the Mets a 5-1 lead with his 22nd homer in the third. New York has homered in 13 straight games.

Milwaukee tied the score at 5 in the fourth after Niese gave up hits to the first five batters of the inning.

New York lefty Jonathon Niese lasted three-plus innings in his big league debut. The 21-year-old Niese, starting in place of injured John Maine, gave up five earned runs and seven hits to go with four walks and two strikeouts.

Brewers starter Manny Parra hit a two-run double and J.J. Hardy drove in a run with a single that ended Niese's night. Nelson Figueroa struck out Ryan Braun but walked Prince Fielder before Corey Hart tied the game with a single. Hardy, however, was thrown out at the plate on a strong throw from Beltran in center.

Parra tossed five-plus innings, giving up five runs - four earned - and six hits. He struck out six but has just one win in his last eight starts.

Joe Smith got the final out in the ninth and Luis Ayala pitched the 10th for his fifth save in six opportunities since coming to the Mets in a trade with Washington.

Ayala gave up a two-out double to pinch-hitter Brad Nelson, his first major league hit, and walked pinch-hitter Gabe Kapler before striking out Rickie Weeks.

Pinch-hitter Daniel Murphy opened the 10th with a single off Salomon Torres and went to third when catcher Jason Kendall made a throwing error on Jose Reyes' sacrifice bunt. Murphy scored easily on Chavez's sacrifice fly to right.

Six relievers combined for seven shutout innings, helping the NL East leaders remain two games ahead of second-place Philadelphia. The Mets improved to 5-2 on their eight-game road trip against playoff contenders, winning for the 16th time in 21 games overall.

Milwaukee's wild-card lead was cut to 4 1/2 games over the Phillies. Still missing injured closer Billy Wagner, New York goes for a three-game sweep Wednesday in this potential postseason preview.

Notable performances came from:

Carlos "Esta en fuego" Delgado, who was 1-3 on the night with an RBI single.

Carlos Beltran, who was working through a knee injury, continued his hot streak, going 2-3 with with three RBI's and two run scored on his home run and single.

Dan Murphy was 1-1 in his pinch hitting role, eventually scoring the game winning run in the top of the tenth.

Endy Chavez made a phenomenal throw to throw out Rickie Weeks as he tried to stretch out a double AND hit the sac fly to score Daniel Murphy in the top of the tenth.

David Wright also had two excellent fielding plays, however he continues to struggle slightly at the plate, going 1-5 with a run scored.

His average is .291.

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Delgado propels Mets into lead, take first of series from Brewers 4-2.

Posted on 01 Sep 2008 by Danielle

The Mets have made a habit of scoring early and staying silent late.

This afternoon, they reversed that game
plan.

The Mets had little success against Ben Sheets, but the Brewers' right-hander left the game after five scoreless innings as a precautionary measure with tightness in his left groin.

In the bottom of the first, J.J. Hardy tripled and Ryan Braun doubled him in.

Then, in the bottom of the sixth, Prince Fielder singled to right, Corey Hart singled to center, and Mike Cameron sacrificed them over. With a man on second and third, Santana balked and Fielder scored.

In the top of the seventh, with Villanueva pitching for the Brewers, Beltran doubled to center and was moved over on Damion Easley's groundout. After Anderson walked, the clearly shaken Stetter threw a wild pitch and Beltran scored.

Nelson Figueroa came into the seventh inning and sent Gwynn, Jr., Weeks, and Hardy down in order.

Gagne pitched for the Brew Crew, giving up a double to Murphy and then a home run to Carlos Delgado, his thirty first of the year.

Beltran singled to center and Ryan Church doubled him in to make it 4-2 Mets.

However, after this play, Beltran's knee connected with the home plate umpire's foot, causing him some discomfort.

Feliciano came in after Figueroa had given up a double and struck out Fielder. Then Joe Smith came in and struck out both Hart and Cameron.

After former Met (Thank God) Guillermo Mota held the Mets to a zero, Luis Ayala closed it out, sending down Durham, Kendall, and Nelson for the save.

It was announced during the game, after Endy Chavez had come into the game to play center field, that Beltran had suffered a contusion in his knee and was day to day.

It was the fourth win in five games for the Mets, and all four victories have been comebacks.

Carlos "Esta en Fuego" Delgado's 462nd career homer tied him with Jose Canseco for 31st place on the all-time list.

The Mets first baseman has 20 homers and 60 RBI since June 27, the most of any NL player in that time.

Johan Santana pitched six innings, giving up two runs and seven hits. He struck out TEN.

Notable performances:

Jose Reyes was 2-4 with a walk. He is only one SB away from Mookie Wilson's franchise record of 259 career stolen bases.

Daniel Murphy, batting cleanup, was also 2-4 today, with a single, a double, and a run scored on Carlos Delgado's home run.

Delgado ALSO went 2-4 with a run scored and two RBI's on his 31st home run of the season.

And guess what Carlos Beltran did? He went 2-4 with a double, a single, and two runs scored.

David Wright went 0-5 today and his average dropped to .292.

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