Offensive Explosion: Mets roll with big 3rd

Zack Wheeler's now 7-3 on the year after the New York Mets use a 6-run 3rd inning in their 11-3 win over the Washington Nationals.

Already with a 2-0 lead in the 3rd, The Mets pieced together three straight singles before Ike Davis provided the first out via a sacrifice fly to left field to plate the 2nd run of the inning.  Then three more straight singles chased starting pitcher Dan Haren from the game.  Two straight walks from new pitcher Tanner Roark plated the 4th run of the inning, and then back to bat for the 2nd time in the inning, Eric Young brought the last two runs of the inning home with a single to left to give the Mets a 8-0 lead.

Zack Wheeler retired the first 8 of the game before surrendering the first hit of the game to relief pitcher Roark.  He and following hitter Denard Span would be stranded after Ryan Zimmerman lined out.

The Nationals would get on the board after Zack Wheeler started the bottom 6th by hitting Anthony Rendon, who moved to 3rd base on Denard Span's single.  A walk to Bryce Harper loaded the bases, and then Jayson Werth and Ian Desmond brought runs home.  But the threat was over when Adam LaRoche lined out, with the Mets up 8-2 at that time.

The Mets would add three more runs in the 8th, and the Nationals would plate one in the 9th, but it would be the Mets taking their second straight against the Nationals with their 11-3 victory.

Zack Wheeler gave up 5 hits in his 6 2/3rd innings, striking out 3 and walking 1, as his record improves to 7-3 on the year.  Dan Haren pitched only 2 2/3rd innings, his shortest start since September 7th, 2005, when he gave up 5 runs on 8 hits against the Seattle Mariners as a member of the Oakland A's.  This was the second time this year that Haren failed to make it to the 4th inning, the last coming on June 22nd when he pitched 3 1/3rd innings against the Colorado Rockies.

Associated Press via NorthJersey.com

No Ike: Ike Davis left the game in the 3rd inning with a side injury during his sacrifice fly.  There's no timetable for his return, but sources are saying that the Mets 1st Baseman will be out for the remainder of the season.

Under The Lights: The Mets aim to sweep the Nationals on national television tonight as Jonathan Niese will try to carry a winning record for the first time since his April 12th outing against the Minnesota Twins.  This is Niese's first time seeing the Nationals hitters this year.  Last year Niese was 1-0 with 1 no-decision against the Nationals, giving up only one run in the two outings at Nationals Park.  Ross Ohlendorf will take the mound for the Nationals, giving up 6 hits and only 1 run in his last start against the Mets on July 26th.  In that game, he struck out 8.

Radio: 7:25PM - 1230 FOX Sports Radio - TV: 8:00PM - ESPN2

Mother Nature washes Matt Harvey away

Matt Harvey was looking good.  Both on the mound and in the batter's box.

Up until Mother Nature came and washed Matt Harvey away from the game on Sunday.  After pitching 6 innings of two-hit ball, it was determined by Terry Collins and the Mets brass that Harvey would not return following a twenty minute rain delay to start the 7th.

The damage was already done.  Up 7-0 at that time and well in line to earn his 7th win of the season, they felt it was best to sit Harvey and get him prepped for his next scheduled start, which is Friday against the Washington Nationals in New York.

The bullpen preserved the shutout as the Mets win the rubber game against the Philadelphia Phillies, 8-0.  LaTroy Hawkins and Brandon Lyon pitched the remaining three innings, holding the Phillies to two total hits during the final frames.

Matt Harvey's bat in the 5th inning helped open the game for the Mets, as his double brought home Juan Lagares, who benefited from a Ben Revere fielding error that put him at third base.  Harvey would be led home by Eric Young as the Mets plated three in the 5th.

On the mound, Harvey pitched six innings, allowing only two hits.  His shutout helped lower his ERA to 2.05, polishing his candidacy to start in the All-Star Game coming up next month at Citi Field.

His pitching performance was supported by the bat of David Wright, who went 4-for-5, all being for extra bases.  Eric Young and Marlon Byrd also had multi-hit games for the Mets.

Weekend Notes: Lucas Duda is on the 15-day Disabled List, retroactive to June 22nd, as he is out with a left intercoastal strain.  His departure brought speculation that Ike Davis would be returning from the Las Vegas 51s, however the Mets opted to see Davis spend more time tweaking his swing. Instead, the Mets went with Josh Satin at 1st Base the last two games, a position he played at for eight games back in 2011.  In 10 Major League starts at 1st Base, he has never been charged with an error.

On Friday, Jeremy Hefner won his 2nd game of the season as the Mets came back from a 3-0 deficit to win, thanks to some help from Eric Young.  His 2-RBI single tied the game in the 5th inning, and then Juan Lagares brought Duda home in the 6th for the go-ahead run.

Saturday saw the Mets bounce back from a 7-1 hole after Dillon Gee saw three of his pitches go beyond the wall, two of them to Ryan Howard, who has always had Gee's number.  The other homer Gee surrendered was to Michael Young, who with Ryan Howard combined for back-to-back solos in the 5th inning.  The 7th and 9th innings were huge for the Mets as they scored 4 in the 7th and 2 in the 9th to tie the game before Kevin Frandsen took the 2nd pitch he saw deep for the Philly walk-off.

The 9th inning comeback brought the 3rd straight blown save for Jonathan Papelbon, who remembers a blown save effort against the Mets back in July last year when David Wright walked off with a single in the bottom 9th at Citi Field.

Young Choice: Eric Young has enjoyed his time with the Mets already.  Since being traded from the Colorado Rockies in exchange of Collin McHugh, the switch-hitter from New Brunswick, New Jersey has hit .364.  He has batted in 5 runs, one fewer than the 6 he had through 50+ games with the Colorado Rockies.  Meanwhile, Collin McHugh was immediately optioned to Double-A, and lost in his first start with his new team, the Tulsa Drillers of the Texas League.  In that game, McHugh allowed two runs on five hits in 6 innings pitched.

Wheeler's on Deck: The Mets travel to the midwest for a pair of games against the Chicago White Sox.  The two teams split the pair played at Citi Field in May, one which included a Matt Harvey gem where the Mets finally tacked on the game's first run in the 10th inning. The White Sox won't have to face Harvey in this pair, but will find themselves facing Zack Wheeler on Tuesday night.  Wheeler kept the Braves scoreless in the nightcap of a day-night doubleheader, settling down to strike out 7 in his six innings of work.

North Country Sports Radio Recaps: May 7 (Mets won 1-0) | May 8 (White Sox won 6-3)

Radio Coverage: 7:30PM Tuesday, 1230 FOX Sports Radio

Midday Recap: You can't spell Miami Heat without "TEAM"

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LeBron James didn't have a triple-double, and it didn't matter.

A fine team effort sends Miami to San Antonio with the series tied, bouncing back from their Game 1 loss with a 103-84 win over the Spurs.  Scoring 17 points on 7/17 was James, while Mario Chalmers contributed with 19 points on 6/12 shooting.  Chris Bosh had a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. In addition to the fine offensive team effort, the Miami Heat molded a fine defensive effort as the team collaborated for 6 blocks, including the one pictured above as LeBron James rejects a Tiago Splitter dunk attempt for one of his three blocks.  James also had three steals.

The defense threw Tim Duncan was off his game, shooting 3/13 as the veteran forward put forth only 9 points.  Danny Green was untouchable as he was perfect from beyond the arch as 5 threes helped score him 17 points for the game.

Game 3 is Tuesday night, in San Antonio.  TV Coverage: ABC (Locally 10ABC WTEN - 9PM)

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS, MY FRIEND...

L: Fort Ann Girls Softball Champions - Dan Little for the Albany Times Union.  

R: Fort Ann Boys Baseball Champions - Jeff Miller for the Glens Falls Post-Star.

Congratulations needs to be said here as the Fort Ann Cardinals won two state titles over the weekend.  The Girls claimed the Class D State Championship here in Queensbury on Saturday with a 5-2 win over Afton, the state's number one ranked team.  It was the school's third state softball title. Meanwhile, down in Binghamton, Joe Foran and George Lehoisky are two-time champions as the boys came away Class D state champs with their 14-0 win over Hancock.  The two won the title as Freshmen back in 2010.

Over at NYSEG Stadium in Binghamton, the Queensbury Spartans season came to an end in the Class A State Semifinals, falling to Bayport-Blue Point 4-0.  P.J. Weeks nailed a two-out two-run single to widen Bayport-Blue Point's lead in the bottom 6th.  Bayport-Blue Point would go on to beat Williamsville South later in the afternoon to claim the Class A state championship.

North Country Sports Radio would like to congratulate all our local champions and state tournament participants on a fantastic season.  We look forward to when fall sports kicks off this September!

TAKE A HIKE, IKE
Ike Davis is heading to the desert.  The first baseman declined to speak with reporters after the Mets lost their second consecutive extra-inning game to the Miami Marlins, 8-4, one day after the Mets and Marlins played a 6 1/2 hour affair that went 20-innings before the Marlins came away victorious.

Davis was 0 for 3 with a strikeout, and following the game, it was learned that he, Mike Baxter and Robert Carson were sent packing by Sandy Alderson as he demoted all three to their Triple-A team in Las Vegas.

Daniel Murphy capped a three run third inning with his long ball, which gave Jonathan Niese a 4-1 lead to work with at that point.  But the 6th and 8th innings brought the Marlins back, as Ed Lucas and Derek Dietrich scored on a Marcell Ozuna double, aided by a fielding error by Juan Lagares.  Then in the 8th inning Derek Dietrich brought himself home with his 5th homer of the season off Scott Rice.

Bobby Parnell and Robert Carson both had trouble in the 10th inning, as Adeiny Hechavarria reached on a Murphy error, as Logan Morrison scored.  Then a Greg Dobbs pinch-hit sac-fly brought Justin Ruggiano home.  Hechavarria came home thanks to Miguel Olivo's 4th of the season.

A 1-2-3 bottom 10th brought the Marlins their 18th win of the season, the 8th against the New York Mets.

The Mets are off today as they prepare for three against the Cardinals.

STEWART LITTLE
Chris Stewart became the hero Sunday afternoon as the New York Yankees won 2-1 against the Seattle Mariners.  Stewart's hit in the 9th brought home Ichiro Suzuki, who earlier walked to lead-off the away 9th.  Stewart helped David Robertson earn his 4th win of the season in relief of David Phelps.

Phelps allowed 3 hits, walked 3 and struck out 6 as he went 6 innings against the Mariners.  Felix Hernandez pitching 7 innings for the Mariners, striking out 7 and surrendering 5 hits during that span.  Yoervis Medina, who pitched the 9th, was credited with the loss.

Midday Recap: Ike!

John Munson | The Star-Ledger/nj.com

Hopefully this is the beginning of a change for the Mets 1B.

Davis broke a 2-2 tie in the 8th inning with a two-run single that powered the Mets over the Braves in the series-finale at Citi Field, 4-2. 

The hit came at the right time.

With a demotion to Las Vegas looming, Ike's hit came before a national audience on Sunday Night Baseball.  He was on base three times, twice on a hit and once on a walk.  He finished what John Buck started in the 8th, and helped preserve a fantastic pitching performance from Shaun Marcum.

Marcum pitched 7 innings, striking out 12.  He allowed 4 hits and gave up two runs, both of them  when Dan Uggla took Marcum's 100th pitch deep.

Bobby Parnell came in for his 7th save of the season, striking out 2 in the 9th inning.

Subway Series: Major League Baseball kicks off their "rivalry week" as the Mets welcome their cross-town rivals, the New York Yankees, for the start of a home-and-home series.  Matt Harvey fans will keep an eye on Tuesday's game as he faces Hiroki Kuroda, but on Monday it will be Jonathan Niese vs. Phil Hughes.

Broadcast Schedule:
- Monday: Yankees at Mets - Pregame: 6:30PM; First Pitch: 7:10PM.  TV: WRGB CBS-6; Radio: WMML 1230 FOX Sports Radio
- Tuesday: Yankees at Mets - Pregame: 6:30PM; First Pitch: 7:10PM.  TV: WRGB CBS-6; Radio: WMML 1230 FOX Sports Radio
- Wednesday: Mets at Yankees - Pregame: 6:25PM; First Pitch: 7:05PM.  Radio: WMML 1230 FOX Sports Radio
- Thursday: Mets at Yankees - Pregame: 6:25PM; First Pitch: 7:05PM.  TV: WCWN CW-15; Radio: WMML 1230 FOX Sports Radio
Remember: We've got the Mets all season long on 1230 FOX Sports Radio.

Now, before we go today, we remind you to thank all those men and women who have bravely served for our country, past and present.  Happy Memorial Day!

Midday Recap: Marlins get first win over Mets

The New York Mets were hoping to rebound from their Thursday 2-1 loss to the San Diego Padres as the Miami Marlins came to town to start a three game series at Citi Field.  On paper, they should be in good position to, after all, the Marlins only scored 1 run against the Washington Nationals during their three game series. 

The 1st inning started off well enough, as Jeremy Hefner got the Marlins to go down in order.  Then Jordany Valdespin led off with a line-drive single, and then stole 2nd base.  After Daniel Murphy walked to set up 1st and 2nd with no outs, David Wright lined out.  Ike Davis, batting clean-up, cleaned up the bases hitting into a double play to end the threat.

Greg Dobbs doubled the Miami Marlins season run output with a homerun to lead off the 2nd Inning.  That would be Jeremy Hefner's only blemish, made worse as the Mets could not figure out Alex Sanabia.

7th Inning Mayhem
The New York Mets got on the board in the 7th inning after  Daniel Murphy cleared the left field wall for a 3 run homerun off relief pitcher Chad Quails, who replaced Sanabia at the start of the inning.  The only problem: The Marlins scored 5 runs in the top of the 7th inning off Greg Burke to build a 6-0 lead.  So Murphy's homerun only closed the gap in half.

Turning Point
The Mets would load the bases in the bottom of the 8th after Jordany Valdespin was hit by a pitch.  With two outs, Daniel Murphy would come to the plate, and bounced a 3-1 cutter to Donovan Solano, who easily threw to Dobbs for the final out.  The Mets would again send the tying run to the plate in the 9th inning, but a bouncer to first ended the game, and the Mets would fall to the Miami Marlins 7-5.

Ike's Woes
In the first game of the season, Howie Rose commented that Ike Davis' swing resembled that of the first half of last season when he was going through his hitting troubles.  And after four games of the season, he is 1-for-16, batting a rocky .063.  Of his 18 plate appearances this season, he has reached base only three times, and has struck out 7 times.  On Friday, he provided the third out three times, grounding into a double play in the 1st inning, and fly outs to left field in the 3rd and 5th innings.

RISP-Troubles
The Mets went 2 for 11 with runners in scoring position on Friday.  Coupled with Thursdays 0-for-5, the Mets now are 2-for-16 in their two losses this season.

Will Saturday be nice for Niese?
The Mets will try to rebound as Jonathan Niese pitches his 2nd game of the season on Saturday.   Only allowing 2 runs against the Padres on Monday, he'll try to stop the Marlin bats.  For the Marlins, Ricky Nolasco will be on the mound as he tries to curb his opening day loss where he surrendered two solo home runs against Bryce Harper.  Not a lot of time to think about the Friday loss - it's a day game with a 1:10PM first pitch.

Coverage begins with Mets Extra with Ed Coleman at 12:30PM on 1230 FOX Sports Radio.

Cowgill's Grand Slam Caps Mets Explosive Opening Day Offense

It was a Spring Training of sorts for the New York Mets.

At first, it was planned to have Johan Santana as their opening day starter, similar to last year when he started the season with a win over the Atlanta Braves.

However, that plan didn't work out the way the Mets would have hoped.

Instead Terry Collins went to Jonathan Niese, who went 13-9 last year with a 3.40 ERA, to kick off the Mets season against the San Diego Padres on Monday.  Despite surrendering a base hit on the first pitch of the game, Niese and the Mets made sure that the base runner wouldn't score.

After a quiet bottom of the first inning, the bottom of the order got things going as Rubin Tejada and Niese would bring home the first runs of the season.

In the 3rd and 4th innings, Byrd was the word as Matt Byrd brought home a run in each inning, helping the Mets jump out to a 7-1 lead.

The game would be sealed in the 7th inning when the Mets loaded the bases.  Jordany Valdespin, who showed he had power last year, grounded and reached on-base on a fielder's choice when they opted to force-out the runner going home.  Then Collin Cowgill came to the plate, and with a single swing of the bat, Cowgill became the RBI leader for the Mets this season as he hit one that barely made it over the home-run line, making the score 11-2.

Scott Rice came in to finish the game for the Mets with a non-save situation, and fanned two of his three batters as the Mets defeat the San Diego Padres, 11-2.

Mets Starting Pitcher Line:
Jonathan Niese (W, 1-0): 6.2 IP, 4H, 2R, 2ER, 2BB, 4K, 1HR   ERA: 2.70

Batter Woes: Of the nine starters, only two did not record a hit.  Lucas Duda struck out once and reached base twice on walks.  But Ike Davis did not reach base at all, striking out 4 out of the 5 times he was at the plate.  Jay Bruce of the Cincinatti Reds had a similar fate in his game against the Los Angeles Angels with 4 K's on 5 at bats, however he did reach base on a walk.

Base-Thief: David Wright leads the majors with 2 steals after he took advantage of two curve balls early in the game, helping to propel the Mets offense.

Around The Majors: Bryce Harper is not the only player with a 2.000 slugging percentage after one game.  He is joined with Justin Maxwell of the Houston Astros, who had two triples in their first game against the Texas Rangers.

Next Mets Game: Matt Harvey makes his season debut for the Mets as he goes up against Clayton Richard of the San Diego Padres on Wednesday night.  First pitch is schedule at 7:10pm, with Mets Extra with Ed Coleman getting the coverage started at 6:30pm on AM1230 FOX Sports Radio.