ekansekans's blog: "df"

NEW YORK -- Jonathon Nieses elevated heart rate is the only problem a Mets pitcher has run into lately. Ray Lewis Jersey . Niese struck out a career-high 10 in six scoreless innings before he was pulled as a precaution and New York shut down the slumping St. Louis Cardinals for the third straight game, getting a homer and three RBIs from rookie Kirk Nieuwenhuis in a 6-1 victory Sunday night. Niese matched a career high with two hits and said his heart "started racing" after he singled and scored on Nieuwenhuis homer in the fourth. He had the same issue during an outing in Texas last season and wore a heart monitor afterward on the bench in Detroit. But tests checked out fine and the left-hander hasnt had any such problems since. "Its kind of like a huge adrenaline rush," Niese explained. "I kept feeling the heart racing at the end. I said to myself, I went out and pitched six scoreless innings, that is enough, dont do anything stupid." Niese had an EKG during his spring training physical and everything came back fine. He will have more tests Monday, manager Terry Collins said, but Niese insisted hes not worried. "Not really, because I felt it before and its not an issue," he said. "It started in the fourth inning, but then it went away." Andres Torres added a two-run triple and threw out a runner at the plate from centre field. He finished a homer shy of the cycle. Nieuwenhuis, batting leadoff, also had three hits. Niese (4-2) became the latest New York pitcher to dominate the Cardinals, following Johan Santanas no-hitter in the series opener Friday night -- the first in Mets history -- and knuckleballer R.A. Dickeys seven-hit shutout Saturday. "I chart every one of Johans games. I watched him attack hitters, establish his fastball in -- that is what I tried to do today," Niese said. "I think I had a good release point today with my curveball." The only thing that prevented the Cardinals from being blanked in three consecutive games for the first time since October 1976 was a two-out RBI single by Adron Chambers in the eighth off Elvin Ramirez, who was making his major league debut. That snapped New Yorks scoreless streak at 25 innings and ended St. Louis drought at 26 innings dating to Wednesdays 10-7 loss at Atlanta. The Cardinals have lost five straight and eight of 10 to fall back to .500 at 27-27. "We ran into some pretty good pitching. We ran into some at-bats that I think some guys would like to have back," manager Mike Matheny said. "Its just one of those runs. The only way to get out of it is to work." Thanks to some stellar pitching, the surging Mets (31-23) are headed in the opposite direction. They have won seven of nine and 10 of 14 to move eight games over .500 for the first time since July 2010. The latest victory pulled them within percentage points of first-place Washington in the NL East. "They should be very proud of where they are," Collins said. "This is the best atmosphere I have been around in a long time." Mets starters are 7-0 with a 1.38 ERA dating to May 25. Carlos Beltrans first trip to Citi Field since the Mets traded him to San Francisco last summer hasnt included much offence. The Cardinals were the top-hitting team in the National League when they arrived, but they sure havent showed it. "Its a little bit of everything. I think theyre pitching great. Were not hitting the ball, were not getting on base," Beltran said. "Right now it seems like things are not going our way even though our mentality and our focus is there." Not wanting to take any chances, Collins pulled Niese after 96 pitches -- 70 strikes. Four relievers completed the eight-hitter as St. Louis stranded 12 runners. Lucas Duda hit an RBI single off Jake Westbrook (4-5) in the first and Nieuwenhuis drove an 0-2 pitch to right-centre for a two-run homer in the fourth. Niese was aboard after a two-out single. It appeared the Cardinals were finally poised to score in the sixth, but Torres threw out World Series MVP David Freese at the plate on Chambers two-out single. "That does take a little wind out of your sails," Matheny said. Nieuwenhuis added an RBI single in the sixth and Torres greeted Maikel Cleto with a two-run triple to make it 6-0. After that, the only drama that remained was whether the Cardinals could actually push across a run. NOTES: Mets RHP Dillon Gee (4-3, 4.69 ERA) was moved up a day to start Mondays series finale on his regular four days of rest. Kyle Lohse (5-1, 3.36 ERA) goes for the Cardinals as they try to avoid a four-game sweep. ... Collins said RHP Chris Young will be called up to start Tuesday night at Washington, with RHP Miguel Batista coming off the disabled list to back him up. Young missed most of last season because of shoulder surgery but re-signed with the Mets and has been working his way back in the minors. ... Former closer and team captain John Franco was inducted into the Mets Hall of Fame during a 35-minute ceremony on the field before the game. Paul Kruger Jersey . It ultimately wound up in the end zone, and that was just fine with the Chicago Bears. They got back to winning thanks to their defence, with Wright coming up with the biggest play. Ray Lewis Elite Jersey . -- Robert Streb shot a 3-under 69 in rainy conditions Saturday at Del Monte to take a one-stroke lead over Billy Horschel after the third round in the Pebble Beach Invitational. http://www.officialusravensshop.com/dennis-pitta-jerseys-1 . Team officials announced Wednesday that the one-time All-Star forward is expected to miss up to three months after receiving an injection in his left knee to treat patellar tendinosis. Ray Rice Elite Jersey . Carpentier has secured a ride with RAB Racing at the upcoming NAPA Auto Parts 200 NASCAR Nationwide Series race on Aug. Justin Tucker Black Jersey . -- Real Madrid scored early and often in outclassing the Los Angeles Galaxy on Thursday, opening a four-game U.1. L.A. CLIPPERS & CHRIS PAUL: If the Clips can get Chris Paul from the Hornets without giving up Eric Gordon I strongly consider it. They have Minnesotas unprotected No. 1 pick this June in a terrific draft. If Paul is committed to playing long-term with Blake Griffin and Gordon in L.A., I try to do the deal. I honestly have my reservations about Pauls durability but sometimes youve got to roll the dice and this might be the way to go. Im sure they dont want to part with a valuable pick and prospects but if you can have that threesome to build around, thats a very good building point. 2. NBA SCHEDULE: Weve all gotten a chance to look at it and it will be a grind. Three games in a row, four games in five days, five games in six days, etc. Wont be easy. I remember my first year as a Toronto Raptors broadcaster during the lockout-shortened 1998-99 season and I felt like a zombie at the end of the season and I didnt even play - it will beat you up. Above and beyond conditioning and injuries, the overall professionalism, maturity and mental toughness of each player will be challenged and exposed. The teams with the toughest guys will succeed in a season like this, above and beyond who has the healthiest roster of talent. Definitely a character builder and character-revealing season. 3. TORONTO RAPTORS: Im really curious to see if Jerryd Bayless can play extended nightly minutes and help you win as a point guard in this league. He showed me some good flashes at times last year. He can score - hes kind of a 1 1/2, 1 3/4 type of point guard. He needs to show that he can run a club and make the necessary reads and adjustments on the floor and make others better and do it without losing his cool and getting baited by opponents. Ray Rice Limited Jersey. Hes a tough guy and competes - I like that. He has a chance to be a good player. Hes on his third pro team - its time to take another step and become a polished lead guard. Im excited to see him grow and mature as a player. 4. DWIGHT HOWARD (Magic): The man is a beast and wherever he ends up hes going to have a major impact on the direction of a franchise. As much as the game is changing and the little man (upcoming free agents like Paul and Deron Williams for example) is a huge part of the show now, I still would take Howard over both of those guys. He impacts the game in so many ways and I still think there is another gear weve yet to see from him. Im fascinated by the rumours and packages being thrown out there as trade bait for him. You talk to any GM or coach in the league and they all know that he can be a dramatic and - more importantly - durable building block for a long-term winning franchise. You want him? You better put your best chips on the table - all in or go home. 5. CARON BUTLER-TAYSHAUN PRINCE-Arron Afflalo (Free Agents): You hear the big trade rumors and the chatter about guys like Nene, Gasol, Chandler and Company in the free agent discussion. These three guys will bring you productivity, professionalism, efficiency and winning plays. They will be players that can surely make your roster much improved. Wherever they sign it wont bring tons of hype and hoopla but theyll be glue guys who produce and win for you. At a fair reasonable price and term length, theyre a good deal. ' ' '