MET NOTES
There may be an explanation for Mike Piazza’s hitting woes. There may also be some more bad news for the Met slugger.
Mets GM Jim Duquette said Piazza underwent an MRI yesterday because of “some recurring left knee issues.” Piazza, who missed his third straight game last night, initially hurt the knee while sliding into the base of the stands to catch a pop-up in Philadelphia on Memorial Day.
“Obviously his knee is still bothering him a little bit,” Art Howe said. “I don’t think we knew how much.”
Maybe this much: Since July 1, Piazza is a miserable 14-for-86 (.163) with one homer, two doubles and just six RBIs. The knee may be as good an explanation as any for his struggles.
“Probably,” Howe said when asked if the injury explained some things. “You need your legs to hit. He’s probably been favoring it without even knowing it.”
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Kaz Matsui (back spasms) felt improvement yesterday but was not in the lineup. Duquette reiterated that at this point, the disabled list is not an option for Matsui. In his place last night, Jose Reyes played shortstop, while Joe McEwing was at second.
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Vance Wilson, who left Sunday’s game in the first inning after being smacked by Albert Pujols’ backswing, was still sore and battling a headache yesterday morning. He was available last night in an emergency role. With Piazza, Wilson and Matsui ailing, the Mets were very short-handed last night. The only available bench players were Gerald Williams and Todd Zeile.
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Incredibly, Reyes’ ninth-inning walk in St. Louis on Sunday was his first walk since June 27. That’s a span of 34 games . . . The pitching matchups for the final two games of the Astros series remain unclear due to Tom Glavine’s injury situation. Tonight’s Met starter is TBD, while Houston will go with RHP Roy Oswalt (12-8, 3.59). Tomorrow’s afternoon finale matches up RHP Victor Zambrano (1-0, 6.75) with LHP Andy Pettitte (6-4, 4.07).