MET NOTES
Carlos Beltran was back in the lineup in Game 2 of yesterday’s doubleheader, and his left knee contusion did not limit him too much, as the Mets’ center fielder stole second base in the first inning and made a nice running catch in the fourth.
Beltran had missed two games after leaving Saturday’s game in the ninth inning when he hurt the knee in Houston. He didn’t play in Game 1 yesterday, but before that, Willie Randolph said it was possible he could play in the encore. After Game 1, Randolph then said he didn’t believe Beltran would be playing, but the center fielder obviously was healthy enough.
Beltran received a nice ovation when he came to the plate in the first inning. He walked in that atbat and stole second, his 17th swipe this year.
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The Mets have been using Norfolk as a minor league affiliate for 38 years, but their two-year deal has expired. It’s still possible for them to return, though.
“We’re hopeful that we’ll be back and work something out with them,” Mets COO Jeff Wilpon said yesterday.
Virginia native David Wright would like to see Norfolk stick around. He said his family still goes to games.
“Those were some of my favorite baseball childhood memories, was going out to Met Park and going out to Harbor Park and seeing the Tides play. That’s why I grew up a Met fan. That’s why I have this infatuation with this organization,” Wright said, adding, “definitely, it’d be sad to go, and I think that the whole Hampton Roads and Tidewater community would be sad to see those guys go.”
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Pedro Martinez said he was “a little sore, but good” the day after his bullpen session. He is on track for a simulated game on Saturday.
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Carlos Delgado won the Mets’ 2006 Roberto Clemente Award for, according to the Mets’ release, “sportsmanship, community involvement and positive contributions to [the Mets].” Delgado can win the national Clemente award as well, if he beats out the 29 other team winners.
Delgado is also up for the Marvin Miller Man of the Year Award as the Mets’ representative. Fans can help Delgado become one of the Miller Award finalists by voting for him on mlbplayers.com.
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Cliff Floyd didn’t play in the first game yesterday but was in the lineup for Game 2. He made a sliding catch in the second inning on Kyle Davies’ fly to left. He went 1-for-3 over six innings before being replaced in left field by Endy Chavez . . . Randolph said that in the final few weeks of the season, he’ll consider sitting Paul Lo Duca more than he has.
