Mets 7, Indians 2 (30-33, 4.5 GB)

Tuesday, June 15, 2004

First of all, I don't want to hear how the Mets responded to the firing of hitting coach Denny Walling with an offensive breakout. Last night's game had nothing to do with Walling or interim hitting coach Don Baylor. It had everything to do with Jason Davis. The Indians pitcher has given up 106 hits in 78 and 2/3 innings this season, and has an ERA of 5.72 so far this season. So I'll buy into the hitting coach theory if the Mets score 7 runs on 11 hits against C.C. Sabathia tonight.

Still, last night was a good win. Finally, a good start from Steve Trachsel. It had been a while.

And I mentioned it the other day - it looks like Mike Cameron is getting back to himself at the plate. Last night, in the first inning, the big hit came from Cameron - a 2-run single with the bases loaded. And Ty Wigginton is swinging an unbelievably hot bat right now. He looks great.

Vance Wilson in the first inning ended the threat by striking out looking. At least swing the bat, Vance. And he left the game in the fourth after coming up lame trying to score from second. He was out. Jason Phillips replaced him and immediately threw out a runner trying to steal second. I don't think we'll be seeing Wilson for a while.

A couple of player progress notes: Stop me if you've heard this one - Jose Reyes is making progress. He's in the middle of a three game stop with Double-A Binghamton. After those three games, he'll be re-evaluated.
And ESPN is reporting the Astros have talked to the Mets about trading them Richard Hidalgo. He would fit nicely in right field. And the Astros would take on much of Hidalgo's salary. The price would be a prospect - no word on who that prospect would be.

WRIGHT WATCH (new feature, tracking 3B David Wright at Norfolk): Last night, Wright went 2-4, scoring 3 runs and driving in 2 in Norfolk's 15-8 win. In 2 games in Triple-A, Wright is 5-8 with 2 RBI and 4 runs scored.

In case you missed it: Last night, the Florida Marlins led the Chicago White Sox 4-0 in the top of the 8th inning. With two men on, Jack McKeon calls in Armando Benitez to slam the door. First batter, Frank Thomas - 3 run homer, to make it 4-3, Marlins. Florida gets another run in the bottom half to make it 5-3. Top of the ninth, man on, Timo Perez homers off Benitez to tie the game, the Sox go on to win it in the 11th! I always knew there was a reason I still liked Timo.