NEW YORK (AP) -Carlos Delgado was out of the New York Mets’ starting lineup on Monday night, a day after aggravating a right hip injury while sliding on a triple.
Fernando Tatis started at first base in his place. Mets manager Jerry Manuel said it was possible Delgado could be used as a pinch-hitter.
Gary Sheffield was inserted into the lineup as the left fielder and cleanup hitter. It was just the sixth start in 19 games for Sheffield, who signed with the Mets on the eve of the season after Detroit released him.
“I was looking for a little more pop in the lineup,” Manuel said. “We’re getting a lot of hits, but not extra-base hits.”
Sheffield began the day with a .136 average, a double and a home run. Ryan Church started in right.
New York hit just five home runs in its first nine games at Citi Field – none between the power alleys. Manuel doesn’t believe batters are become psyched out by the big dimensions.
g drive for Washington on Sunday that landed on the painted black turf that serves as the batters’ eye.
“They put one out to center field, so everybody’s going to say, `Dang, we’re out there to do that,”’ Manuel said.
David Wright, who led the NL with 23 strikeouts, had a new look. Between Sunday’s and Monday’s games, he shaved his hair into a crewcut, as he did last year.
Manuel also said that left-hander Oliver Perez, 1-2 with a 9.31 ERA, will take his next scheduled turn in the rotation, on Saturday at Philadelphia. Manuel thinks Perez’s issues are related to mechanics.
“I have to watch, evaluate and see what happens after that,” Manuel said. “He’s pitched well against them, and I’d like to see what he does.”
Add A Comment