Brad

The Angels are starting to put themselves into a tough position, what with being fourth in the Wild Card chase. Aside from Weaver and Greinke, the rest of the rotation is shaky as is the bullpen. I have no idea why Sciosia continues to call on Isringhausen; they guy is toxic. They have some good hitters but not up and down the lineup. Now, you may be saying why is a Mets fan going on about the Angels. My son, for some reason, is an Angels fan and we bought Extra Innings and now, sleep permitting, we watch their games

I used to feel that way until the O'Malleys sold the team but then again since it moved west haven't been really part of it. Funny, how Stoneham never came in for the same animosity that O'Malley received.

What about the women

Surely you've heard of the Yankees and Red Sox. Just sayin'. Giants/Dodgers go back some 112 years....almost 2200 games...longest rivalry & most games played any 2 teams. Surely you've heard both teams originally came from NYC? Just sayin' Giants and Dodgers were in the NL together as of 1890. The Highlanders (now known as the Yankees) were founded in Baltimore as the Orioles and moved to NY in 1903.

I agree. Great to see the glee on the faces of the training partners.

Belated happy wishes Lon, one of the true gents around here

Having seen Pence play some (mostly agaiinst the Mets), I can say he's ok, but not more than not.

I don't think Wheeler is targeted to be with the Mets in 2013 but could be called up later in the year depending on his progress. They don't want to rush him.

And we thank the Giants for Zack Wheeler

Mets finally won one. Yaaay! Also watched the Angels game. Greinke was as good as advertised but even with no Trout the offense looks lifeless. Think they haven't scored in 23 innings. I know somebody who will and has. Gets an A for persistence/loyalty

Sorry to hear that, RIP. Tenorman is one of my favorites.

Had the Mets had a half decent bullpen, they would have swept the series. If they want to stay relevant they need bullpen help NOW! In a way I think Alderson wouldn't be that unhappy if they dropped out of the race. That way, they could continue to develop under his plan under the radar. I know that sounds crazy but if they hang around, he's under pressure to do something and he doesn't want to deviate from his plan. For instance, he doesn't want to bring up Matt Harvey to address a pitching need. He only wants to bring Harvey up if Harvey is ready.

Not "must have," do have. The GM Sandy Alderson did something about it this year but what he did was just god awful. Their closer Frank Francisco is on the DL, with no apparent timetable for his return, so the designated closer is Bobby Parnell. He can throw fast (high 90s) but can't spot the ball worth shit. On Tuesday night, the Nats are down to the last strike and he's been getting people out on curve ball so on a 2-2 pitch he throws a fastball low and in and the Nats hitter hits it for a single to tie the game. The catcher set up for outside for a waste pitch but Parnell couldn't locate it properly. The guy has a lot of talent but always fails. He's frustrating to watch as is the whole bullpen these days.

Would you say that if the Nats had lost?

Mets find new ways to lose: wild pitch with bases loaded. Five in a row. Other shoe has dropped. They don't have the worst pen for nothing. Two blown saves in one game. Hard to do

Thanks for bringing this back up. Just ordered it.

Angels seem afflicted with problems of most teams: spotty middle relief. My son was beside himself last night as they blew a 5-2 lead.

Today's Tour ended in Pau, a wonderful little town that I visited on business a couple of times. Hope to get back there someday. It's not that far from Spain.

Lin has signed an offer sheet with the Rockets that contains a poison pill: the back end (the third year) is $15 million. Originally, Knicks were going to match but will not. Also, Lin had worked out a contract with Rockets that wasn't as rich but then when Knicks said they would match, he had the Rockets make the deal richer. Obviously, Lin didn't want to be here anymore. He got his 15 minutes of fame and parlayed into a barrel of cash, and then some.

I stand corrected: Happily the Giants won and if not for a Sanchez throwing error, Lincecum could have gotten the win. From what I read sounded like he had a great game.

Well, Mets are starting the second half like they have the last two: losing. Last two seasons they have gone in with a winning record and proceeded to swoon. Looks like more of the same. Other shoe is dropping

He finally sees the light Boo, hiss. Did we forget our roots. I was at Yankee Stadium today to see the Angels play (my son is an Angels fan; Yankee fans werent too bad). History is all around that place. The history of the Yankees is the history of base ball. Yankee Stadium is located at 161st and Jerome Avenue. My mother was telling me tonight at dinner that when she was a kid in the 1920s and 1930s and living on Jerome Avenue they used to go on the roof and watch the games. However, she grew up as a Giants fan.

He finally sees the light

Using that theory maybe they should have started Cliff Lee. After all he was 17-8 last year and 11-2 after the break. On the other Dickey and Cain were both 4-6 after the break in 2011, not exactly all star material. Yes, Lee definitely should have started. It's not second half performance that is the judge and I think we all know that except LaRussa.

I thought it was a nice performance but the blues licks were pretty standard. Fun to watch though. The Ronnie Scott concert is an amazing concert in every which way for those who haven't seen it.