When you think of the Philadelphia Phillies, you likely first think about their imposing lineup. But the team’s pitching is going to have to be stellar if the team is going to win back-to-back World Series championships. On Friday against the New York Mets, the team’s pitching unit looked very good as the Phillies won 4-2.
To start the game, Cole Hamels went 6.2 strong innings — allowing only one earned run while striking out six. Chan Ho Park and Brett Myers set the table for the new closer Ryan Madson. Madson, who has replaced Brad Lidge as the closer, pitched …read more

Late last week, the Boston Red Sox claimed Billy Wagner off waivers. Today, the Red Sox and the New York Mets agreed on a trade that will send Wagner to Boston. In return, the Mets will receive two players to be named.
With the Red Sox, Wagner will likely become the team’s setup man in front of closer Jonathan Papelbon. Although Wagner has been one of the best closers in the history of baseball, he said that he’s willing to alter his role in hopes of winning a World Series championship.
Last season, Wagner was forced to undergo Tommy John surgery after …read more

When the Philadelphia Phillies traded for Cliff Lee, they knew they were getting a good pitching — especially considering he was the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner. However, little did they know he’d be this good.
In five starts with the Phillies, Lee is now 5-0 with a 0.68 ERA. In his latest start, he helped the Phillies beat the New York Mets by a final score of 6-2 on Monday. In seven innings, Lee gave up six hits and no earned runs while he struck out five batters.
Offensively, Ryan Howard carried the Phillies. In the first inning, he hit …read more

Early in the season, Livan Hernandez was a bright spot for the New York Mets. However, the native of Cuba has struggled so mightily lately that the Mets decided to cut their ties and release the pitcher.
In May, Hernandez was 3-0 with a 2.70 ERA. In June, his ERA was 3.69. But the last two months have been a nightmare. In July, his ERA was 7.33. This month, he was 0-3 with an 11.30 ERA. Against the San Francisco Giants in his last start, Hernandez gave up six earned runs and 11 hits in 5.1 innings.
All told, Hernandez has a …read more

David Wright, the star third baseman for the New York Mets, has been placed on the disabled list after getting hit by a pitch in Sunday’s contest. Jerry Manuel, the manager for the Mets, has also hinted that Wright could be out for the rest of the season.
The pitch in question, a 94 mile per hour heater from Matt Cain of the San Francisco Giants, hit Wright in the helmet. Wright suffered a concussion and is suffering from concussion-related symptoms. He’s scheduled to undergo further tests.
The 26-year-old Wright was having an interesting season for the Mets. While his batting average …read more

Last week, it was revealed that New York Mets executive Tony Bernazard unleashed a tirade aimed at a minor league team. Today, Tony Bernazard’s reign of terror came to an end when Mets general manager Omar Minaya fired him.
Bernazard’s tirade aimed at the minor league team in which he reportedly took off his shirt was only one of the items that apparently led to his exit. His other incidents include a verbal confrontation with closer Francisco Rodriguez, a tirade due to the fact that a seat he wanted was being used by a scout and rumors that he was the …read more

Jose Reyes, the superstar shortstop for the New York Mets, is currently sidelined due to mysterious leg injuries. The native of the Dominican Republic hasn’t played since May 20th.
The bad news for Mets fans is that there isn’t a definite plan for when he can return to the lineup. His initial injury was a calf strain. However, he has since suffered a hamstring tear.
On the season, Reyes is hitting .279 with two homers, 15 RBI, 18 runs and 11 stolen bases. At 25, many experts thought this could be a huge year for Reyes but that hasn’t happened. Instead, the …read more

Francisco Rodriguez, the star closer for the New York Mets, was taken by ambulance from Fenway Park to a local hospital. According to Jerry Manuel, the manager of the Mets, Rodriguez suffered back spasms and was unable to walk. It’s unknown how long Rodriguez will be out of action.
On the season, Rodriguez has 12 saves and no blown saves in 20 appearances. His record is 1-0 to go with a 0.87 ERA. Last year while with the Los Angeles Angels, he set a major league record with 62 saves in one season. He broke the record formerly held by Bobby …read more

Albert Pujols got the St. Louis Cardinals off to a good start and then Joel Pineiro’s pitching did the rest. Thanks to that duo. the Cardinals were able to defeat the New York Mets by a final count of 5-2.
In the first inning, Albert Pujols got an RBI on a sacrifice fly. In the third inning, Pujols hit an RBI single to put the Cardinals up 2-1. St. Louis would never trail again.
Pujols finished the outing by going 2-for-3 to lift his batting average to .315. He also has four homers and 18 RBI on the season.
In eight innings, …read more

Gary Sheffield of the New York Mets entered the 2009 baseball season with 499 homers. On Friday, Sheffield became the 25th player in Major League Baseball history to hit 500 home runs.
Sheffield’s homer actually was very helpful for the Mets. With New York trailing by a run in the bottom of the seventh, Sheffield’s solo shot tied the score. In the bottom of the ninth, the Mets got the winning run when Luis Castillo hit an infield single and scored Carlos Delgado from third base.
The 40-year-old Sheffield has already been through a lot in the 2009 season. Before the …read more