Your Thursday morning dose of New York Mets and Major League Baseball news, notes, and links.
Meet the Mets
Jacob deGrom bent but did not break against Milwaukee on Wednesday night, but the Mets' lineup mustered only five hits and a lone run. deGrom walked only one and struck out four in his five-and-two-third innings of work, but he was very hittable, yielding nine knocks and three runs on his way to the loss. Only Curtis Granderson made much noise at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a walk and a run scored. Wily Peralta and the bullpen held the rest of the Mets' offense in check and cruised to a 3-1 victory.
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In the rubber game slated for 7:10 this evening, the Mets will send Jon Niese (3-3, 2.68) to the mound to face off against Milwaukee's Kyle Lohse (7-3, 3.27).
Travis d'Arnaud homered twice in the 51s' trouncing of Colorado Springs on Wednesday.
Ken Davidoff argues that this year's Mets team proves that the pitching side of the old pitching-and-defense adage isn't always enough to add up to winning baseball.
Terry Collins likes the Mets' batting order with Ruben Tejada leading off.
The Mets would like to seeScott Rice work to regain the sinker that made him so successful in 2013 while he's with Las Vegas.
Dan Capwell of Mets Today says that when it comes to Sandy Alderson, the game has passed him by.
Emma Span looks at the strange situation of Terry Collins. In case you're worried about him, Collins is handling all of the speculation about his job security with serenity.
On this date in Mets' history in 2009, Luis Castillo most likely lost the last of his supporters with one fateful misstep against the Yankees.
Yesterday At AA
Alex Nelson profiled 17th-round draft pick David Roseboom and 18th-round draft pick Raphael Ramirez.
Steve Sypa detailed all of the Mets' farm action from Tuesday.
Zach Lutz signed with the Rakuten Eagles and will play in Japan for the rest of the season.
Here's the 73rd episode of Amazin' Avenue Audio.
Sean McNeill thinks that Daisuke Matsuzaka has been among the Mets' most valuable players so far in 2014.
The 2014 Mets Draft Pick Results Tracker continues to be updated.
Who might represent the Mets in the upcoming All-Star Game.
Francisco Rodriguez nearly signed with the Mets this past offseason.
Around the NL East
The Bravesfell to Colorado 8-2. Scott Coleman explains why Evan Gattis is a top-five offensive catcher.
The Marlinswere shut out by the Rangers 6-0. Michael Jong conjectures who might be replaced in the rotation if Fish prospect Andrew Heaney is promoted.
The Philliesdefeated the Padres 3-0. Aaron Nola, the Phils' first-round 2014 draft pick, has agreed to a contract.
The Nationalswon 6-2 against the Giants, ascending to the top of the NL East. It looks like Nationals' catcher Wilson Ramoswill be heading back to the DL.
Around the Majors
It was a Carnival of Defense in last night's Athletics versus Angels contest (prepare for another installment of: Cespedes Hose™). Joe Posnanski explores Cespedes's throw for the ages from Tuesday night's game.
Cliff Corcoran says Jonathan Papelbon's 300th save is an accomplishment but not a milestone.
Jeff Sullivan looks at the tighter-than-expected race in the AL Central and wonders how easy the Tigers will have it the rest of the way.
When it comes to depression and mental illness, Jen Mac Ramos is comforted by the fact that the game of baseball helps... sometimes.
Yasiel Puig works to try to overcome his fear of snakes and then he calmed his nerves feeding the giraffes.
The jersey from Gregory Polanco's Pirates debut sold at auction for $26,100.
Maybe Tim Lincecum is a vampire?
Baseball historian John Thorn celebrates the 75th anniversary of the Hall of Fame.
Might a great general manager be worth more than Mike Trout?
If you read an article or find a link that you think would be a great addition to a future edition of Mets Morning News, please forward it to our tips email address tips@grission.com and we'll try to add it in.