Your Friday morning dose of New York Mets and Major League Baseball news, notes, and links.
Meet the Mets
Mets villain Adam LaRoche and Bryce Harper both homered, while Stephen Strasburg shut down the Mets' offense in a 4-1 Nationals win last night. It was Washington's 11th straight victory in Queens.
Recap Parade: Amazin' Avenue short, long, MLB.com, ESPN NY, New York Times, Post, Daily News, Newsday, Star-Ledger
Before the game, the Mets announced that they have signed Bobby Abreu to a minor league contract.
Matt Harveytalked to ESPN Radio about his rehab from Tommy John surgery, ice water challenges, and men's underwear.
Terry Collins made it clear that he didn't appreciate Harvey rushing the rehab process or doing radio interviews in the middle of Mets games.
The team also came to terms with a 16-year-old Venezuelan shortstop named Kenny Hernandez.
Joel Sherman reports that the Mets could be playing for Terry Collins' job during the remainder of the season. This is in contract with a Jon Heyman report that we discussed in yesterday's MMN.
Travis d'Arnaud, who has slugged .511 since being promoted from Las Vegas in late June, has solidified his presence as the Mets' starting catcher.
Mark Simon interviewed Jerry Seinfeld about his lifelong love of the Mets. "There's no such thing as too many stats," says the comedian.
Around the NL East
The results are never good when you continue to start Aaron Harang long after his deal with the devil has run out. The Braves found that out the hard way. Also, Yasiel Puig made a great catch in center field.
The Marlinscame from behind to beat the Diamondbacks 5-4. Marcell Ozuna notched the game-winning hit in the bottom of the 10th.
With Troy Tulowitzki out for the rest of the season, Giancarlo Stanton has a real shot at the NL MVP award.
That Phillie Phanatic sure plays a mean banjo.
Around the Majors
Bud Selig's right-hand man Rob Manfred has been elected to become MLB's next commissioner.
The Cardinals defeated the Padres 4-3 with the help of another controversial call at home plate.
Tigers closer Joe Nathanapologized for the strange gesture he made towards Detroit fans the other night.
If you still judge pitchers by their win/loss record, then Jose Quintana of the White Sox is the unluckiest pitcher alive.
Speaking of wins, Max Scherzerstruck out 14 Buccos en route to his 14th of the season.
Along with Tulowitzki, Colorado's star outfielder Carlos Gonzalez is also likely to be shut down for the season. Who the heck are Mets fans supposed to gossip about now?
Houston's Domingo Santana is having to wait a long time for his first big league knock.
Here's a bunch of major leaguers getting ice water dumped on them in honor of ALS awareness.
Yesterday at AA
Peter Quadrino broke down how Sandy Alderson finally formed a competent Mets bullpen.
Michael Avallone tells us why Matt Reynolds could be the Mets' shortstop of the future.
On this date in 1965, the Beatles played the most famous concert in Shea Stadium's history.