New York Mets

Francisco Rodriguez gave up a two-run home run to Roger Bernadina, his second of the day, in the top of the ninth inning that put the Mets down 6-4. Mike Pelfrey started the game and pitched so-so, but he and the bullpen kept the team in the game as the Mets tied it.

Carlos Beltran ran pain-free for the first time this season on Wednesday. Beltran also told the press he hopes to rejoin the Mets soon. 

Newsday's David Lennon posted on his Twitter account that the 32-year-old center fielder took four laps around a baseball field in Port St. Lucie, Fl. this afternoon, and later took batting practice.

Beltran has had knee problems over the past few years. The condition limited him to 81 games in 2009.

The New York Mets finally made an overdue roster move late Monday night, when utility man Frank Catalanotto was designated for assignment to make room for Chris Carter.

Carter came over from the Boston Red Sox in the Billy Wagner trade, and introduced himself to Mets fans during spring training when he had arguably the strongest spring of any offensive player.

Well, with 32 games now in the books, we probably have enough of a window to figure out exactly what this team is slated to be for the 2010 season. Approximately 20 percent, or one fifth of the season has come and gone, and the big question to ask is, are the New York Mets a .500 baseball team, masquerading as a contender?

After all, they are 17-15, and struggling to keep pace with the Washington Nationals, much less the Philadelphia Phillies, in the National League East.

The time has come for the New York Mets to end the Oliver Perez experiment once again.

Perez has not proven himself ready to be a consistent Major League pitcher. He cannot do the one thing pitchers need to be able to do to stay in the Majors: throw strikes.

With 25 walks in 30 innings, Perez’s walks per nine innings is a dismal 7.5. Very few pitchers can survive by giving away that many base on balls and Perez is no exception.

Gotta love Keith Hernandez.

Whether he is snorting lines, allegedly, all the way to the World Series, putting down women for having the audacity to be in a major league dugout, or simply asking you to help him move too early in your friendship, he is certainly an interesting character.

Here is a clip from the Mets 5-4 victory over the San Francisco Giants last Saturday that shows he was caught sleeping.

According to Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork , the Mets have designated outfielder/pinch hitter Frank Catalanotto for assignment and have promoted outfielder/first baseman Chris Carter to take his spot on the roster.

Catalanotto, 36, has served primarily as a pinch hitter off the bench, but has had a truly putrid season putting up a .160 batting average, a .192 OBP, and a .200 SLG.

There are certain batters you associate with strike outs. Adam Dunn comes to mind. So does Mark Reynolds.

One guy you don’t normally think of when it comes to strikeouts is New York Mets’ 3B David Wright. But now perhaps we should.

Wright is striking out at a prolific rate in 2010.

Before we get to what is going on with Wright in 2010, we have to first go back to 2009 to see the start of Wright’s increased strikeout rate. Four the first four years of Wright’s career, he struck out about 19 percent of the time every year.

The New York Mets wasted a quality start last night in the loss to the Washington Nationals . The two teams entered the night tied for second place in the National League East .

The Mets were at home this past windy weekend taking on the San Francisco Giants. After Sunday's game, the Mets now stand at 17-14, tied for second place in the National League East . They are two games back of the first place Philadelphia Phillies. The Mets are 5-5 in their last ten games.

Here are some thoughts from this past series with the Giants:

Back On The Winning Track