PITTSBURGH – In his first start of the season, Mike DiFelice had one of the best games of anyone for the Mets last night.
DiFelice got the nod behind the plate in the 5-4 victory over the Pirates because Paul Lo Duca’s on the disabled list and Ramon Castro’s suffering from back arthritis. Castro said yesterday he believed he could play but he didn’t sound too convincing. He said he is “better” but still feels tightness. He had a cortisone shot on Monday, and he’s listed as day to day.
“He’s going to let it calm down for a day or two,” Willie Randolph said, “and hopefully he’ll be ready to play [tonight].”
DiFelice went 2-for-4 with an RBI double last night. He said “without a doubt,” he took pride in his performance.
“You’re going to sleep a little bit better tonight,” he said, “but I’m not going to make a big deal about it.”
If Castro weren’t available, the emergency backstop, according to Randolph, could be either Damion Easley or Carlos Delgado.
*
Randolph slightly changed his lineup, moving David Wright into the third spot and Carlos Beltran to fourth. Randolph said it guarantees Wright of batting in the first inning. It could also allow Wright to get an extra at-bat later in the game. Randolph said Wright has been running more frequently than Beltran has this season. Wright’s played 17 more games than Beltran, but he’s attempted 10 more steals.
Beltran was 2-for-4 with two RBIs, including a solo home run in the fourth inning. Wright went 2-for-4.
When the Mets acquired Luis Castillo on July 30 Omar Minaya said the team would have “three switch-hitters at the top of the lineup” with Jose Reyes, Castillo and Beltran. But with Wright hitting third, the Mets may have essentially abandoned that already.
*
Marlon Anderson returned from the bereavement list. The Mets demoted David Newhan to make room. Anderson did not play. . . . Mets VP of development Tony Bernazard said Endy Chavez could start his minor league rehab assignment “hopefully within a week.” Last week, Minaya said that Chavez, out since early June with a strained left hamstring, could be back this month. . . . Duaner Sanchez is throwing on flat ground, according to Bernazard.
