PRESS RELEASE - Syracuse beats Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, 5-1, on Sunday afternoon for series victory

 

Moosic, PA - The Syracuse Mets won their final road game of the 2021 season with a 5-1 victory over the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders on Sunday afternoon at PNC Field. After starting the season series 1-12 against the RailRiders, the Mets went 10-5 in their last 15 games against the RailRiders in 2021, including winning three of five games in this final series.

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (70-52) scored the game's first run in the bottom of the first inning. With one out, Oswaldo Cabrera hit a solo home run over the right-field wall to give the RailRiders a 1-0 lead. The homer was Cabrera’s third long ball in five Triple-A games with the RailRiders.

That run was the only one allowed by Syracuse starting pitcher Jerad Eickhoff. The 31-year-old pitched five innings, allowed four hits, one run, and struck out six batters. Eickhoff was the winning pitcher and now has a 9-2 record on the mound for Syracuse in 2021.

Syracuse (50-71-1) tied the game in the top of the second. Chance Sisco led off with a walk, and Cheslor Cuthbert singled to put runners at first and second base. Drew Jackson then bunted into a fielder’s choice where Sisco advanced to third and Jackson was safe at first, but Cuthbert was out at second base. Mason Williams followed with a groundout to second base, but Sisco scored from third base on the play to knot the game up, 1-1.

The Mets took the lead in the third. With one out, Mark Vientos singled. Khalil Lee followed with a double to the wall in right-center field that scored Vientos to give the Mets a 2-1 advantage.

Syracuse extended its edge in the fifth. With one out, Travis Blankenhorn singled, and Vientos walked, putting runners at first and second base. Two batters later, with two outs, Brandon Drury launched a three-run home run over the left-field wall to give Syracuse a four-run lead, 5-1.

The Mets’ bullpen shut down the RailRiders. Jesús Reyes pitched three scoreless innings, and Yeizo Campos pitched a scoreless ninth as Syracuse beat Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, 5-1, to win the five-game series, three games to two.

Syracuse is off on Monday and Tuesday before returning to the field at NBT Bank Stadium on Wednesday evening for the final series of the 2021 season. The Mets begin a five-game series against the Buffalo Bisons with first pitch on Wednesday scheduled for 6:35 p.m. in Syracuse.

OPEN THREAD - 2B

 

Turning right from first...

Second Base

Baez?

Jeff?

Cano?

I can't wait to see the debate on this one.

Tom Brennan - It Has Been the Mets’ Hitting All Along

Stats show interesting pictures.

The Mets are 0-81 in losses this year, despite a 4th best in baseball 5.31 ERA in those losses.

The median ERA for teams when they’ve lost is 6.10.

The 3 teams with lower ERAs when losing?

LAD - 4.52, 0-56.

Marlins - 5.15, 0-90. But their payroll is bupkis. 

SFG - 5.21, 0-54.

Hopeless, hapless Baltimore is 7.36, 0-105. An ERA 2 runs higher than the Mets in losses.

The above is why Mets’ fans are so frustrated.  Theirs is a team that has its pitchers fighting…and it’s batters sleeping…all season long.

Much might have been forgiven had they made the playoffs. But for the 5th year running, no playoffs.

With this franchise, it is the lack of hitting.

As in, they’ve hit .199 with 2.3 runs per game in those 81 games.

Never more so frustrating than in 2021. 

That whiff of a stench is emanating from the batter’s box. The stench is overpowering.

PRESS RELEASE - Mets split Saturday doubleheader with RailRiders

 

Moosic, PA - The Syracuse Mets split a Saturday doubleheader with the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders at PNC Field, losing the first game, 4-0, before scoring four runs in the sixth inning of game two en route to a 6-3 win. In game one, Noah Syndergaard made his second Major League rehab start for Syracuse. Syndergaard pitched another scoreless frame, allowing one hit with no walks while striking out two batters. The 29-year-old threw 12 pitches with 10 strikes. In Syndergaard’s two rehab starts, he’s delivered two scoreless innings, allowing just one hit with no walks. 

In game one, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (70-51) put a pair of runs on the board in the bottom of the second. Greg Allen hit a one-out single, and then Armando Alvarez flied out. With Max Burt at the plate, Allen stole second base. Later in his at-bat, Burt hit a two-out single to move Allen to third base. Andrew Velazquez followed with a two-run double to put the RailRiders up, 2-0.

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre added a run in the fourth when Oswaldo Cabrera hit a leadoff solo home run to extend the RailRiders lead to 3-0.

In the bottom of the sixth, Ryan LaMarre worked a one-out walk. While Cabrera struck out, LaMarre swiped second base. That brought up Greg Allen, who hit an RBI single to make it a 4-0 RailRiders advantage, which was the final score.

In game two, the RailRiders struck first again, this time in the third inning where Estevan Florial gave Scranton/Wilkes-Barre a 1-0 lead with a leadoff home run.

Syracuse (49- 71-1) scored its first run of the day in the top of the fifth. Travis Blankenhorn hit a leadoff single. After Wilfredo Tovar struck out, Drew Jackson hit a go-ahead, two-run homer to give the Mets a 2-1 lead. 

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre tied the game up in the bottom of the fifth with Florial’s second home run of the game, a solo shot to make it a 2-2 game. 

Vance Worley got the start in game two for the Mets and delivered four innings. The right-hander allowed two runs on eight hits while walking one and striking out two.

The Mets erupted for four runs in the top of the sixth. Mark Vientos hit a leadoff single, and then Khalil Lee walked. After David Thompson struck out, Travis Blankenhorn hit a one-run single to score Vientos and give Syracuse the lead back, 3-2. Tovar followed with an RBI single of his own to bring home Lee and make it 4-2 Mets. After Drew Jackson grounded out, Mason Williams hit a two-run single to extend the lead to four, 6-2.

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre made things interesting, however, in the bottom of the seventh. Florial hit a leadoff single, and then with Cabrera at the plate, Florial stole second base. After Cabrera worked a walk, Chris Gittens popped out. Then Rob Brantly hit a one-out single to load the bases. LaMarre followed with a walk with the bases loaded to bring home Florial and bring the RailRiders within three, 6-3 Mets. Tom Hackimer then came out of the bullpen to replace Stephen Nogosek. Hackimer retired Socrates Brito via a line out and then struck out Trey Amburgey to end the game to secure Syracuse’s 6-3 victory.

The Mets and RailRiders return to PNC Field on Sunday for the series finale. First pitch is set for 1:05 p.m. in the fifth game of the Triple-A Final Stretch.

PRESS RELEASE - St. Lucie Mets Announce 2022 Schedule

 

Mets scheduled to play 132 games, 66 at Clover Park

 

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. – The St. Lucie Mets are pleased to announce their 2022 regular season schedule. The Mets will play 132 games, including 66 at Clover Park. The schedule spans April 8^th-September 11^th.

 

For the first time since 2012 the Mets will open the season on the road. They play a three-game series at the Daytona Tortugas (Reds) Friday, April 8^th-Sunday, April 10^th.

 

Opening Night at Clover Park is Tuesday, April 12^th. The Mets will host the Clearwater Threshers (Phillies) for a six-game series.

 

The Mets will also be home for the weekend of Friday, July 1^st-Sunday, July 3^rd for an Independence Day celebration against the Jupiter Hammerheads (Marlins).

 

The Mets will end their home schedule with 12 games in 13 days from August 23^rd-September 4^th. They will host the Palm Beach Cardinals (Cardinals) and Jupiter Hammerheads (Marlins) in that stretch.

 

The Mets finish the season with a road series at the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels (Twins) from September 6^th-11^th.

 

The Mets will play eight of the other nine Low-A Southeast teams. The only team the Mets do not play in 2022 is the Bradenton Marauders (Pirates). The Mets will play East Division rivals Daytona 27 times, Jupiter 27 times and Palm Beach 24 times. The Mets will have home and home series against West Division opponents Clearwater, Lakeland (Tigers), Dunedin (Blue Jays) and Tampa (Yankees).

 

Like in 2021, the Mets schedule is primarily set up in six-game blocks played Tuesdays-Sundays. The exceptions are the three-game series at Daytona to start the season and a three-game visit to the Jupiter from July 22^nd-24^th coming out of a four-day midseason break.

 

Also in 2022 is the return of Monday off days, with the exception of July 4^th when the Mets play at Daytona.

 

Ticket information, game times and promotions will be announced in the coming weeks and months.

PRESS RELEASE - Syracuse splits Friday night doubleheader with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre

 

Moosic, PA - The Syracuse Mets split a doubleheader with the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders on Friday night at PNC Field with the RailRider’s winning the resumption of Wednesday’s game, 5-3, before the Mets won the second game, 7-3. Khalil Lee and David Thompson both had three RBIs in the second game for the Mets.

Game one was the resumption of Wednesday night’s game that was postponed because of an electrical issue that affected part of the lights at the stadium. On Wednesday, Syracuse (48-70-1) struck first with a run in the top of the first inning. After Albert Almora Jr. hit a leadoff single, Mark Vientos and Khalil Lee both flied out. With two outs, Brandon Drury doubled to right-center field to score Almora Jr. and give Syracuse a 1-0 lead. 

The Mets added to their advantage In the top of the second. Chase Sisco and Wilfredo Tovar led off with singles. Thompson then grounded out, but Sisco and Tovar moved to second and third base on the play. Drew Jackson followed with a groundout to third base, scoring Sisco and giving the Mets a 2-0 edge. 

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (69-50) got on the board in the bottom of the second. Donny Sands and Oswaldo Cabrera led off with singles. After Ryan LaMarre grounded into a fielder’s choice, Greg Allen provided a one-run single to score Sands and bring Scranton/Wilkes-Barre within one, 2-1 Syracuse. 

The RailRiders came all the way back in the bottom of the fourth. With two outs, Cabera singled with nobody on base. Then, LaMarre hit a go-ahead, two-run home run to give Scranton/Wilkes-Barre a 3-2 lead. Allen followed with a single, and then with Rob Brantly at the plate, Allen stole second base and then third base. Brantly then hit an RBI double to extend the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre lead to two, 4-2.

The lights on the left side of the ballpark went out once at the end of the fourth inning and again with two outs in the top of the fifth. The game was suspended until Friday night.

On Friday, the game picked up with Mark Vientos at the plate with two outs in the top of the fifth inning. Vientos homered on the second pitch he saw to cut the deficit to one, 4-3 with the RailRiders still in front.

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre regained its two-run edge in the seventh. With two outs, Oswald Peraza hit a solo home run, giving the RailRiders a 5-3 advantage, which was the final score.

Game two was scoreless through the first three innings before Syracuse got on the board in the fourth. With two outs, Brandon Drury reached base on a throwing error by Scranton/Wilkes-Barre shortstop Oswald Peraza. Cheslor Cuthbert then worked a walk to put runners on first and second base. Thompson followed with a three-run home run to give the Mets a 3-0 lead.

The Mets added another two-out run in the fifth. Martin Cervenka led off with a double and moved to third base on a Wilfredo Tovar groundout. After a strikeout, Vientos walked, putting runners on the corners. Lee then reached on an infield single, scoring Cervenka to make it a 4-0 ballgame.

In the top of the sixth, Cuthbert led off with a solo home run, his team-leading 16th homer of the season, as the Mets took a 5-0 lead.

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre scored its first runs in the bottom of the sixth. With one out, Estevan Florial was hit by a pitch. After Chris Gittens struck out, Cabrera hit a two-run home run, trimming the Mets lead to three, 5-2.

Syracuse responded in the top of the seventh. Mason Williams led off with a walk. Two batters later, Lee crushed a two-run home run over the right-field wall to give the Mets a five-run advantage once again, 7-2. 

The RailRiders scored a run in the bottom of the seventh on a Miguel Andújar RBI single, but that’s as close as Scranton/Wilkes-Barre got as Syracuse won the second game, 7-3.

The Mets and RailRiders play another doubleheader on Saturday afternoon at PNC Field. First pitch of game one is scheduled for 2:05 p.m. The second game will begin approximately 30-40 minutes after the conclusion of the first game.

OPEN THREAD - 1B

 

Okay...

We move on to first base.

Your plan for:

2022

2023

2024

Options...

Pete

Dom

Freddy

???

You're on...

Reese Kaplan -- Managerial Approach Up for Grabs, Too!

Yesterday we examined the question of what type of GM would the Mets want for 2022 and beyond.  Obviously this question is one for the President of Baseball Operations and owner Steve Cohen to tackle.  However, it's not the only staffing decision that needs to be made.

Right now people are seemingly fed up with Luis Rojas after the shortened 2020 season where he finished in last place and this year when he rode an improbable hold on first place until spiraling completely out of control and now existing 6 games under .500 (prior to Friday night's game).  Now as a glass half-full kind of person you could indicate that he's shown great improvement if the metric in question is wins and losses.  

However, if you are a glass half-empty type, then you would look far beyond the record and delve into lineup choices, bullpen management, flaws in fundamentals, non-existing hitting and puzzling handling of the starting staff.  The number of wins isn't a solid guarantee of returning.  After all, sexual predator Mickey Callaway went from 77-85 in his rookie season upward to 86-76 in year two but was fired anyway.  

So here we are at the same crossroads on who should manage the Mets in 2022?  

Keep Luis Rojas in the Dugout

With Sandy Alderson still around we must look back with agita about his unwillingness to demand more from a manager when he kept Terry Collins in the dugout for seven painful years where he set a record with more losses than any other Mets manager.  His overall performance was 32 games under .500 having lost 583 games yet wasn't replaced with anyone better.

I refresh your memory because Luis Rojas may be a younger version of Terry Collins.  He doesn't have the depth and breadth of major league managerial experience that Collins did, but after being unceremoniously booted out of both Houston and Anaheim it was clear that he was not well suited to the job.  Players seem to like Rojas but it's a business, not a friendship forum.  Rojas has not demonstrated the ability to deal with issues like injuries, poor performances and even basic baseball fundamentals.  However, it is much easier for Alderson to advocate doing nothing than it would be to do something.  Of course, he could also use the excuse that the managerial selection is his yet-to-be-named GM's choice so he won't look like the bad guy.  

A Bigger Name Manager With More Experience

Just as this option existed for GM choices, there are veteran managers available who have a track record of success (and failure) who could be lured into New York to take charge.  The issue here is that veteran managers often get 7-figure salaries over multiple seasons, so it's a deep pocket commitment if you wanted to see someone like Buck Showalter or Mike Scioscia then you had better be prepared to relinquish the front office dictatorial control over metrics and let them do what they do best.  Nowadays, that may not be a viable way of doing things.

A Former Player With Minor League Managerial Credentials

Bringing in a known name like Edgardo Alfonzo helps address the familiarity and marketing of the manager.  Add in the dugout credentials from the minors and you have a somewhat easier sell.  However, there's no guarantee that someone who did well with the would-be players working their way up the ladder would be able to translate that success in the majors.  Look at Luis Rojas.  It's also possible to look outside the organization for another well-known player whose name recognition may not have Mets roots but could be an easy choice for the fans and the media.  Joe McEwing does have a Mets association but his post-playing career has been mostly with the White Sox as a manager of the year in the minors and as a coach in the majors.  He has yet to get the lineup pencil in his hands at the major league level.  

A Totally Raw Rookie Manager

Back in 2020 the Mets were prepared to hand the reins to new manager Carlos Beltran before his Houston Astros cheating scandal torpedoed his chances.  They were banking big time on his name recognition and Mets affiliation to compensate for the fact he had not a single inning of managerial experience.  There are many former players who sometimes make this leap.  Usually it's the bigger name folks like Ozzie Guillen or Don Mattingly.  Often folks think a hard nosed player like Chase Utley would bring his energy and attitude with him, but usually if you are not a perennial All Star you have to pay your dues with some years coaching and managing in the minors.  This approach is clearly the most risky to take and I would suspect it's not even on the table.  

So what do you all think?  Should Rojas return?  Should they go the big name route?  Should they find another seasoned minor league manager/major league coach and take a chance?

Syracuse Mets Homestand Highlights: September 29th-Octrober 3rd

 

SYRACUSE, NY – The Syracuse Mets have five home games left at NBT Bank Stadium for the 2021 season. The final series is part of the Triple-A Final Stretch, beginning Wednesday, September 29th to Sunday, October 3rd when Syracuse hosts the Buffalo Bisons (Triple-A Toronto Blue Jays). This homestand features our second Bark in the Park night, a Jacob deGrom vs. Pete Alonso bobblehead giveaway battle, Frederick J. Karle Fan Appreciation Day, and two nights of fireworks. 

 

Wednesday, September 29th (6:35 p.m.) – Bark in the Park, Sponsored by Tito’s Handmade Vodka – Bring your dog to the game on Wednesday, sponsored by Tito’s Handmade Vodka. Fans can visit with local animal rescue groups on a special section of the concourse Wednesday. All dogs need a ticket to the game. Tickets for Dogs are $5 each, and proceeds will benefit the animal rescue groups in attendance at the game. Please visit syracusemets.com for more information on Bark in the Park.  

 

Thursday, September 30th (6:35 p.m.) – $1 Thursday, Jacob deGrom vs. Pete Alonso bobblehead giveaway battle! – The greatest invention in the history of baseball is back again! $1 Thursday, sponsored by 95X, means $1 Hofmann hot dogs, $1 fountain Coca-Cola beverages, $1 item in the souvenir store, and $2 draft Saranac, Labatt, Coors, Budweiser, and 1911 products. 

 

Plus, we’re giving away 1,000 Jacob deGrom bobbleheads and 1,000 Pete Alonso bobbleheads. The first bobblehead to run out will be declared the Most Valuable Bobblehead! Be one of the first 2,000 fans in attendance to secure a bobblehead. Choices may vary based on which bobblehead is remaining. 

 

Friday, October 1st (6:35 p.m.) – Craft Beer Friday, Heart Health Awareness Night, Ted and Amy bobblehead giveaway, and postgame fireworks – On Friday, we’re celebrating our good friends Ted Long and Amy Robbins from 93Q. The first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive a limited-edition Ted & Amy bobblehead.  It is also Heart Health Awareness Night, sponsored by St. Joseph’s Health. Amy Robbins has been a supporter of Go Red for Women for many years, supporting women suffering from cardiovascular disease and raising awareness about this growing problem.  

 

It’s also a Craft Beer Friday, presented by The Hops Spot Syracuse, so fans 21 & older can purchase a $25 ticket package that includes (1) 200-level ticket to the game & (2) vouchers that can be redeemed for unique beers in The Hops Spot Craft Corner at NBT Bank Stadium (upgrade to 100-level seat for just $27).  Another fantastic fireworks show immediately follows the game, presented by St. Joseph’s Health and 93Q. 

Saturday, October 2nd (6:35 p.m.) – Stem Night and Postgame Fireworks – The Mets are highlighting Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math on Saturday night at NBT Bank Stadium. Come out to the ballpark with the whole family and learn more about STEM Night, presented by Northland Communications. Fans can also support the Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science & Technology, MOST, during the game Saturday night by bidding on various items in an online auction using the Livesource app. The auction will feature baseball memorabilia, Syracuse Mets experiences, and gift certificates from local business. Plus, fans can enjoy another postgame fireworks extravaganza, presented by Northland Communications. 

 

Sunday, September 19th (1:05 p.m.) – Frederick J. Karle Fan Appreciation Day and NBT Bank Kids Eat Free Family Sunday – The final day of the 2021 season is all about the fans as we celebrate the best fans in the world with our Fourth Annual Frederick J. Karle Fan Appreciation Day. During the day, we will introduce a new member to the Fan Wall of Fame. 

 

Plus, bring the family out for an afternoon ballgame on NBT Bank Family Sunday where kids eat for free! Kids 12 & under will receive vouchers upon entry for a kids Hofmann Hot Dog, a bag of chips, a 12 oz. Coca-Cola fountain drink, and a kids Perry’s ice cream cup.  

 

All kids 12 and under will receive a cinch bag upon entry, courtesy of NYS529 College Savings Program. 

 

Gates will open one hour before the game each day. Fans can purchase tickets for the Syracuse Mets online at syracusemets.com anytime, or at the Onondaga Coach Ticket Office at NBT Bank Stadium or over the phone (315-474-7833) during regular office hours (Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.)