Nymet31
08-22-2003, 12:46 PM
Al Leiter's season can easily be defined by what he did prior to going on the disabled list and what he's done since coming back from the right knee injury that kept him on the shelf for a few weeks.
With the knee nagging at him through the first half of the year, Leiter was mediocre, going 8-5 with a 5.60 ERA. Since returning from the injury, however, he has been a different pitcher. Leiter is 4-1 through six starts with a 1.75 ERA. He has allowed one earned run or less in four of those starts, proving that he can still be a dominant pitcher.
Leiter, who faces the Dodgers on Friday, is 2-3 with a 5.56 ERA at Dodger Stadium but has not faced Los Angeles since 2001. The Mets took two-of-three last season at Chavez Ravine.
Pitching matchup:
NYM: LHP Al Leiter
12-6, 4.53 in 2003
First appearance vs. LA in 2003
6-4, 4.13 lifetime vs. LA
LA: RHP Hideo Nomo
14-9, 2.75 in 2003
1-0, 1.23 vs. NYM in 2003
2-3, 3.38 lifetime vs. NYM
Players to watch: Mike Piazza returning to Los Angeles always makes for interesting theater. Seeing how the former All-Star catcher is greeted during such a trying season should be worth watching.
Quotable: "Two nights in a row we pitched great and came up with nothing. We can't make those games up. If you get your tail kicked it's easier to swallow believe it or not." -- Mets manager Art Howe on losing close games Tuesday and Wednesday in San Diego.
Quick hits: Cliff Floyd finished the season with a team-high eight outfield assists. Timo Perez is second with five. Perez led the club last year with nine outfield assists. ... Thursday marked the anniversary of Tom Seaver's return to Shea Stadium after his trade to Cincinnati in 1977. He tossed a six-hitter and struck out 11 in a 5-1 victory. ... Double-A Binghamton manager John Stearns celebrated his 52nd birthday on Thursday.
With the knee nagging at him through the first half of the year, Leiter was mediocre, going 8-5 with a 5.60 ERA. Since returning from the injury, however, he has been a different pitcher. Leiter is 4-1 through six starts with a 1.75 ERA. He has allowed one earned run or less in four of those starts, proving that he can still be a dominant pitcher.
Leiter, who faces the Dodgers on Friday, is 2-3 with a 5.56 ERA at Dodger Stadium but has not faced Los Angeles since 2001. The Mets took two-of-three last season at Chavez Ravine.
Pitching matchup:
NYM: LHP Al Leiter
12-6, 4.53 in 2003
First appearance vs. LA in 2003
6-4, 4.13 lifetime vs. LA
LA: RHP Hideo Nomo
14-9, 2.75 in 2003
1-0, 1.23 vs. NYM in 2003
2-3, 3.38 lifetime vs. NYM
Players to watch: Mike Piazza returning to Los Angeles always makes for interesting theater. Seeing how the former All-Star catcher is greeted during such a trying season should be worth watching.
Quotable: "Two nights in a row we pitched great and came up with nothing. We can't make those games up. If you get your tail kicked it's easier to swallow believe it or not." -- Mets manager Art Howe on losing close games Tuesday and Wednesday in San Diego.
Quick hits: Cliff Floyd finished the season with a team-high eight outfield assists. Timo Perez is second with five. Perez led the club last year with nine outfield assists. ... Thursday marked the anniversary of Tom Seaver's return to Shea Stadium after his trade to Cincinnati in 1977. He tossed a six-hitter and struck out 11 in a 5-1 victory. ... Double-A Binghamton manager John Stearns celebrated his 52nd birthday on Thursday.