Starting Lineup
- Jose Reyes – SS
- Josh Thole – C
- David Wright – 3B
- Carlos Beltran – RF
- Ike Davis – 1B
- Angel Pagan – CF
- Scott Hairston – LF
- Justin Turner – 2B
- Jonathon Niese – LHP
Game Notes
ROSTER MOVE: The New York Mets today recalled infielder Justin Turner from Buffalo (AAA) of the International League and designated infielder Brad Emaus for assignment… Turner will wear uniform #2… Turner, 26, was hitting .300 (12-40) with six runs scored, three doubles, two triples and two RBI in 10 games with the Bisons this season… The 6-0, 208-pounder went 1-8 (.125) with a double in four games with the Mets last July… He batted .333 (104-312) with 22 doubles, 11 home runs and 35 RBI in 78 games last season with Buffalo after he was claimed off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles on May 25, 2010… Turner also appeared in five games with the Orioles last year, going hitless in nine at-bats… Turner batted .231 (9-39) with two doubles and five RBI in 19 games this spring.
RONNY PAULINO: Caught seven innings last night for St. Lucie (A) of the Florida State League vs. Fort Myers in his fourth major league rehabilitation game… Went 1-3 with an RBI single and is 1-12 with one RBI over those four games… He has thrown out one of two baserunners… He is expected to play for St. Lucie tonight vs. Fort Myers.
JASON BAY: Will continue his major league rehabilitation assignment tonight for the St. Lucie Mets when they host Fort Myers (Minnesota Twins) in a Florida State League matchup… Bay is expected to play nine innings tonight and Wednesday at Port Charlotte (Tampa Bay Rays) and then rejoin the Mets on Thursday for their game vs. Houston… Bay is 1-5 with a single and one walk in two rehabilitation games with St. Lucie.
MINOR NOTE: Buffalo outfielder Kirk Nieuwenhuis has reached base safely in all 11 games and has a seven-game hitting streak (.400, 10-25).
THIS DATE IN METS HISTORY: Ed Kranepool hits the first of his 118 home runs with a shot off Bob Shaw at the Polo Grounds in a 5-4 win over the Braves on April 19, 1963… After dropping their first two games at Shea, the Mets finally christen their new ballpark with a win on April 19, 1964 with a 6-0 triumph over the Pirates.
Game Preview
The 5-11 Mets will face the 5-11 Astros at Citi Field tonight. The Mets just ended a 7 game losing streak and are looking to rebound against a struggling Houston Astros team. When you have two teams with similar records, especially early on in the season, you’d expect to find other similar stories as well. Both of tonight’s starters (Wandy Rodriguez and Niese) have struggled at the start of the season, and they both would like to reverse that tonight.
Niese is 0-2 this season with a 6.88 ERA over 17 innings of work. One positive for Niese has been his control. He has has struck out 15 batters while walking 5, and that would be a nice trend to continue. He pitched against the Astros once last season where he allowed 1 earned run in 7 innings of work while walking none and striking out 5. The Astros have these numbers on Niese:
Lee 0-5
Pence 1-6
Sanchez 1-4
Bourn 0-2
Hall 1-2
The Mets batters come back to Citi tonight where they will have to deal with Wandy. Rodriguez is 0-2 in three starts on the season with a 7.31 ERA pitching 16 innings, walking only 3 and striking out 11 batters. He got a no decision last year against the Mets in a game where he pitched 7 innings, allowing 1 earned run over 4 hits. The Mets have the following numbers on Wandy:
Beltran 6-16, 2 2B, 2 HR
Wright 6-16, 2 2B
Hairston 6-11, 2 2B, 2 HR
Pagan 2-11, HR
Harris 2-3, HR
Let’s Go Mets!
