MET NOTES
HOUSTON – Doug Mientkiewicz didn’t start last night against a right-handed pitcher. And with left-handed pitchers scheduled to throw for the Astros the next two games, there’s no guarantee he’ll be in there against them.
Last night, Marlon Anderson – who hit two homers on Wednesday night – got the start at first base, as Mientkiewicz sat against righty Ezequiel Astacio. Southpaws Wandy Rodriguez and Andy Pettitte are scheduled to pitch tonight and tomorrow.
Asked if he was going to give Mientkiewicz a couple days, manager Willie Randolph said, “We’re going to play our lineup day to day. It’s nothing to do with Doug or anybody. . . . I’m going to play the guys that I think can help us win that particular day.”
Randolph said that righty Chris Woodward would play tonight, though it’s possible that Woodward could play a position other than first base. Woodward, though, has not started at a position other than first base since July 3.
Mientkiewicz would not admit to being surprised or disappointed about not starting last night, saying, “I don’t make the lineup.”
Asked if he thinks he has Randolph’s confidence, Mientkiewicz said, “I don’t make the lineup.”
Mientkiewicz did not gripe about not playing, though, taking a team-first point of view.
“Would I like to be in there everyday? Yeah, of course. Everybody would,” he said. “But that’s why it’s called a team, not the New York Mientkiewiczes. God help us all.”
Since returning from the DL on July 16, Mientkiewicz has gone 8-for-30, which is a respectable .267. He is only hitting .225 for the season, though.
“He’s the manager. I’m not mad. I’m not upset,” Mientkiewicz said. “We’re trying to win games. I respect his decisions 150 percent.”
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Carlos Beltran was back in Houston yesterday for the first time since signing with the Mets as a free agent. The fans appeared to be gearing up for a bad reception, as outlets near Minute Maid Park were selling “Beltran [Stinks]” t-shirts.