NewsPark quirks have Mets working hard
New York (4-4) vs. San Diego (6-3), 7:10 p.m. ET
By Brittany Ghiroli / MLB.com
04/16/09 2:46 AM ET
NEW YORK -- Slowly but surely, the Mets are adjusting to Citi Field.And when the pitching staff becomes comfortable with the mound and the outfielders learn the nuances of the ballpark's vast right field, the Mets have no doubt their new digs will help them win.
"It's definitely a work in progress," outfielder Ryan Church said. ""I think it's going to take a bit."
Church and veteran Gary Sheffield have arguably the most challenging task of all in learning the angles and how to play the ball in spacious right field.
"The biggest thing is don't think too much of it," Church said. "As long as I go out there on a daily basis and practice...I think the more we do, the better we get."
Although the Mets' acquisition of Sheffield stands to take away at-bats from Church, so far, the pair haven't just been professional -- they've been downright chummy.
On Wednesday, Sheffield made his first start in right field since 2007, and said he has been talking with Church and getting his tips on the position's angles.
"I kept running in and asking Church if I was in the right position," Sheffield said. "We always try to go back and forth as to what looks comfortable for us."
They aren't the only Mets putting in extra work to strengthen Citi Field's home defense. Prior to Monday and Wednesday's batting practice, manager Jerry Manuel and various position players were on the field getting in some extra defensive work.
"It's just getting to know the ballpark, getting to know the playing surface," third baseman David Wright said. "We are going to make mistakes -- that's part of the game. The mental lapses are the things we need to clean up."
Following several key fielding miscues in the season's first week, Manuel has put an emphasis on shoring up the defense and improving on the little things, such as converting on necessary double plays.
"We shouldn't have any problem getting accustomed to this beautiful ballpark," he said. " I think there's going to be a lot of good things happening here, I really do."
If history is any indication, the Mets are off to a good start by winning in their second home contest. The team needed three games to win their first contest at Shea Stadium and eight to collect their first "W" at Polo Grounds.
"It was definitely good to get the win in the second one," Jose Reyes said. "Especially with a guy like [San Diego's Jake] Peavy going [today.] This really helped our confidence."
One thing Reyes already has under control are Citi Field's base paths. The Mets all-time leader in steals, Reyes' swipe in the second inning on Wednesday night was the first in stadium history.
Pitching matchupNYM: RHP John Maine (0-0, 3.60 ERA)
He could have pitched longer, but Maine gave way to a pinch-hitter with the Mets rallying in the sixth inning of Friday's game against the Marlins. He gave the Mets just five innings, on a night in which they could have used more. But he showed quite a few encouraging signs, dialing his fastball into the mid-90s, striking out five batters and allowing two runs. Maine takes on the Padres, a team that hit him hard when he last saw them in 2007. SD: RHP Jake Peavy (1-1, 3.52 ERA)
After allowing three runs in seven innings in his first start, an Opening Day loss to the Dodgers, Peavy was exceptionally sharp in his last start, Saturday against the Giants at PETCO Park. The 2007 Cy Young Award winner came within two outs of a complete-game victory. Peavy had the sharp slider back that he showed late in Spring Training, a pitch that didn't always work well for him against the Dodgers. All told, he allowed three runs on seven hits in 8 1/3 innings with 10 strikeouts and no walks. Tidbits
Utilityman Marlon Anderson cleared waivers. The Mets designated Anderson for assignment on Saturday to clear room for pitcher Livan Hernandez. ... Johan Santana welcomed son Johan Alexander Santana, Jr. Tuesday morning in Fort Myers, Fla. It is the third child for Santana and wife Yasmile Garcia. ... Actor Hank Azaria was in attendance for Wednesday night's game. Azaria is most famous for his role as a voice in The Simpsons. ... Mets chairman Fred Wilpon said that the team has eventual plans to open a Mets museum in the center-field area of Citi Field, though there is no timetable for its opening. Tickets
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• WFAN 660, WADO 1280 (Español) Up next
• Friday: Mets (Livan Hernandez, 1-0, 2.70) vs. Brewers (Dave Bush, 0-0, 6.14), 7:10 p.m. ET
• Saturday: Mets (Johan Santana, 1-1, 0.71) vs. Brewers (Yovani Gallardo, 1-1, 6.94), 1:10 p.m. ET
• Sunday: Mets (Mike Pelfrey, 1-0, 8.10) vs. Brewers (Jeff Suppan, 0-2, 12.91), 1:10 p.m. ET
Brittany Ghiroli is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
