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July 11, 2008
New and improved Mets?
The big buzz in the Mets clubhouse after they won their sixth straight Thursday was if manager Jerry Manuel was the reason why the team has suddenly started to be successful.
While players expressed happiness with playing for Manuel, nobody was handing him all the credit.
"I think we are such a good, talented team it was inevitable this would happen," closer Billy Wagner said.
"We are playing complete games now," added David Wright. "We are focused and it shows in the win column."
Perhaps the biggest benefit of having Manuel in charge is the team no longer has to deal with the day-to-day status of Willie Randolph as manager. Willie was not the lone problem with the team the first half of the season, but firing him seem to relax the team and take away one more distraction for the team.
Wright, who should be the team's All-Star representative Tuesday at Yankee Stadium, not Wagner, said the team's recent surge has him thinking about the 2006 team.
The bench players from that squad were a big key to the success, according to Wright. So far, Fernando Tatis, Damion Easley and Marlon Anderson have come up big on the six-game win streak, while Argenis Reyes might have found a home at second base.
"We are taking care of business at home and that's what championship teams do," he said. "We need these guys to continue to step it up."
NOT ALL WRIGHT – In a tight race, Wright fell a few votes short to Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Corey Hart for the final spot in the National League’s All-Star roster on Thursday.
Hart edged Wright in the fan voting, which was conducted on MLB.com, and left the Mets with only one All-Star, Wagner, in Tuesday’s game at Yankee Stadium.
“Naturally I’m disappointed,” Wright said. “It’s definitely a thrill to go to the All-Star game no matter how you get there. I want to thanks all the fans for voting for me.”
Hart and Wright were the top two vote getters for the final NL spot, with outfielders Pat Burrell of the Phillies, the Giants’ Aaron Rowand and the Astros’ Carlos Lee in the race.
Tampa Bay third baseman Evan Longoria won the voting on the American League side, beating out the White Sox’s Jermaine Dye and the Yankees’ Jason Giambi among the five candidates in the race.
END OF THE ROAD? – GM Omar Minaya announced after the game that outfielder Moises Alou tore his left hamstring in Wednesday night’s rehab game with the Class Binghamton Mets and is expected to be lost for the season. It also figures to be the end of Alou's career with the Mets.
“It’s going to be tough (for him to return),” Minaya said. “When you tear a hamstring and you are looking at the middle of July, it would be pretty difficult for him to return.”
Alou, who was trying to return from the disabled list from a strained left calf, injured the hamstring diving for a ball in the game and left after five innings.
WHICH OLLIE? – Manuel said he is confident starter Oliver Perez will be ready to go tonight against the Colorado Rockies at Shea Stadium.
Perez has pitched well in his last two starts, against the Yankees and Phillies, but has a tendency to struggle against weaker opponents. The Rockies come into the game with a 39-54 record and are in fourth place in the NL West.
“Oliver has a made an adjustment in his delivery and he has been consistent with that over the last two starts,” Manuel said. “I think as long as he is sound mechanically that he will perform well.”
Perez has allowed only one run and two walks with 14 strikeouts over the last 14 innings in wins against the Yankees and Phillies.
Posted by Bill on July 11, 2008 9:49 AM
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