Your Thursday morning dose of New York Mets and Major League Baseball news, notes, and links.
Meet the Mets
Jon Niese was less than sharp out of the gates last night, and the Nationals took full advantage, putting up three in the first inning. Doug Fister quieted the Mets' offense until the game got out of hand in the sixth when Danny Espinosa took Niese deep for three more, and the Mets eventually lost 7-1.
Choose Your Recap: Amazin' Avenue Short, Long, MLB.com, ESPN NY, Daily News, New York Times, Associated Press, StarLedger, NY Post, Newsday
The rubber game, slated for 12:35 this afternoon, will pit Jacob deGrom (6-5, 2.77) against right-hander Jordan Zimmerman (7-5, 3.00).
When the question of his interest in Bud Selig's job arose, Sandy Alderson made it clear he plans to remain Mets general manager until the job is done.
Bill Price takes some time to look at the effect that Jacob deGrom is having on fans at Citi Field.
Over at Mets Minor League Blog, Toby Hyde analyzes the 51s' Matt Reynolds as a potential utility player for the Mets.
Daisuke Matsuzaka's elbow inflammation is improving.
Savannah's Hunter Carnevale is no longer in the Mets organization. He has been acquired by the Blue Jays for cash.
Around the NL East
The Bravesfell to the Mariners 7-3. Talking Chop's Dan Simpson remembers Skip Caray and Pete Van Wieren.
The Fish were harpooned by Pittsburgh 7-3. Dakota Schmidt at Fish Stripes takes a look at the downfall of Jacob Turner.
The Philliestook out the Astros 10-3. Cliff Lee is out for the season.
Federal Baseball's Patrick Reddington revisits the decision to send Jayson Werth home in the bottom of the sixth of Washington's 6-1 loss to the Mets on Tuesday.
Around the Majors
Troy Tulowitzkireiterates that "something needs to change" with the Rockies organization, but he insists that vocalizing his frustrations does not mean he wants to be traded. It was reported that Tulo looked good in his first batting practice session after suffering an injury to his hip flexor.
A wayward baseball skipped onto the field during an Indians' rally against the Reds on Tuesday, stifling it in the process. Rob Neyer breaks down how the rules failed Cleveland.
According to Maury Brown, baseball broadcasts on regional sports networks are dominating prime time summer television.
Cole Hamels and Marlon Byrdwere claimed by way of revocable waivers on Wednesday.
The Rays' and Red Sox's general managers were instructed that they could trade their prized pitchers to anyone but the Yankees.
Twelve-year-old Dawson Batts impressed all in attendance at the Baseball Youth NYBC All-Star Challenge last weekend. Thing is, Dawson was born without a left arm.
Matt Harvey: from elbow of a nation to teardrop of the internet, back to elbow of a nation again.
Craig Robinson of Flip Flop Fly Ballcreates baseball cards inspired by recent spam emails.
Yesterday At AA
Lukas Vlahos wonders whether former Met and current Astro, Collin McHugh, might be one who got away.
Steve Schreiber explores the idea of the Mets taking a chance on recently-released former prospect, Jacob Turner [update: Too late...The Cubsclaimed him].
Michael Avallone fears we may have just witnessed another #LOLMets moment.
David Roth pitches the idea that as prudent as it would have been to trade Bartolo Colon, it's simply too much fun to have him on the team.
Andrew Gould reveals that Zach Wheeler is all but untouchable.
Brock Mahan runs down all of Tuesday's Mets farm action.
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.