New York Mets at Washington Nationals
Carlos Torres(1-1, 0.94 ERA) vs. Taylor Jordan (0-3, 3.68)
Starting Lineup
- Eric Young, Jr. – LF
- Josh Satin – 3B
- Daniel Murphy – 2B
- Marlon Byrd – RF
- Ike Davis – 1B
- John Buck – C
- Juan Lagares – CF
- Omar Quintanilla – SS
- Carlos Torres – RHP
Game Notes
Though he still remains a ways off from active duty, left-hander Jon Niese made his first Minor League rehab appearance Saturday for the Rookie-level Gulf Coast Mets. Niese, who has been on the disabled list since June 21 with a partial tear of his left rotator cuff, allowed three hits and four runs (two earned) in two innings against the Nationals’ affiliate, striking out one.
Despite Saturday’s loss, the Mets already have more wins over the Nationals than they had all of last season with five. The 2013 series stands at 6-5 in Washington’s favor, and the Nationals took the ’12 series, 14-4.
The Mets have officially set up their new six-man starting rotation, which they hope will allow both Matt Harvey and Zack Wheeler to continue pitching through September. The six-man rotation requires a four-man bench, at least with seven relievers. The Mets currently have an all-righty bench with Justin Turner, Josh Satin, Andrew Brown and Anthony Recker, although Collins said Satin and Turner can hit righty pitching. Collins added the Mets are prepared to be shorthanded in position players for at least a little while.
After sitting out a game and a half with a sore right knee, Eric Young Jr. was back in the Mets’ starting lineup Saturday, batting leadoff and playing left field. Young originally injured his knee Wednesday on the play that broke Braves pitcher Tim Hudson‘s right ankle.
Infielder Justin Turner, who left Game 2 of Friday’s doubleheader with soreness in his right shoulder and knee, was “still sore” Saturday, according to manager Terry Collins, but “able to play” if needed.
Collins said Saturday that there is “a possibility” reliever Jeurys Familia, who underwent surgery last month to remove bone spurs and loose bodies from his right elbow, could pitch again this season. But Collins also cautioned that he has “heard that before.” The Mets assumed at the time of Familia’s surgery that he would be done for the year.
Rehabbing prospect Travis d’Arnaud drove in three runs Saturday for the Class A Gulf Coast Mets, catching a full game for the second straight day. Outfielder Lucas Duda, who is also rehabbing an injury for the GCL Mets, went 0-for-4 Saturday and is hitless in 13 at-bats since joining that team.
MetsBlog reports that Terry Collins doesn’t think Mets will make any moves at trade deadline. Yawn…
Game Preview
The Mets wrap up their current series today looking for the series split against the Nationals after dropping yesterday’s game. Today Carlos Torres will take the mound in what is becoming an interesting discussion about the future of the rotation once Niese returns. Do the Mets go to a 6-man rotation with Torres and Mejia? Does Mejia stay a starter and Torres go back to the bullpen? Such questions are more in the hypothetical realm right now with Niese’s return more of a mysterious “soon” rather than a firm date. Torres will be facing Taylor Jordan.
Carlos Torres is 1-1 this season pitching in 12 games making 2 starts while pitching 28.2 innings with a 0.94 ERA. He has pitched 11.0 innings in his last two starts allowing 2 ER, one in each, and striking out 11 batters. He has pitched 2.0 innings against the Nationals this season allowing only 1 hit, no runs, 1 walk and striking out 3. The Nationals have the following numbers against him:
Hairston 1-3, 2B
Suzuki 1-1, 2B
Bernadina 0-1
LaRoche 0-1
Lombardozzi 0-1
Rendon 0-1
Taylor Jordan is 0-3 over 5 starts this season pitching 29.1 innings with a 3.68 ERA. In his last two starts he has pitched 13.0 innings allowing 7 runs, 6 earned while striking out 8. He made his major league debut against the Mets this season where he allowed 3 runs, 1 earned in 4.1 innings of work. The Mets have the following numbers against him:
Byrd 0-2
Murphy 2-3
Satin 1-2
Wright 0-2
Young 0-3
Buck 1-2
Lets Go Mets!
