Robert Carson News

Terry Collins told reporters this morning LaTroy Hawkins is unavailable to pitch in this afternoon's game against the Reds.

Scott Feldman pitched into the seventh inning and contributed two RBI as Chicago took an 8-2 win over the New York Mets in the second of three from Wrigley Field on Saturday.

Having won their previous two games, the Mets came into Saturday afternoon with a shot at their longest winning streak in quite some time.

Scott Rice pitched to one batter Wednesday. His first delivery, a splitter, skidded passed John Buck for a wild pitch.

Robert Carson allowed four earned runs and two home runs in only two innings of work, although Greg Burke and Brandon Lyon combined for two innings of scoreless relief.

Shaun Marcum was ineffective for 4 2/3 innings, allowing six runs and nine hits, including a three-run home run to Garrett Jones in the fifth inning.

Out of all the left-handed relievers the New York Mets had in spring training this year, who would have thought Scott Rice would end up being the best? Not only has Rice been the team's most reliable lefty out of the bullpen this season, but his story is also one of the best in all of Major League Baseball .

Sometime during the 13th inning Monday night, Terry Collins approached Anthony Recker, his backup catcher and the only position player not yet to have played.

While the New York Mets have gotten off to a disappointing start considering their early-season schedule, the injury bug has not bitten them as badly as other teams - especially the crosstown rival New York Yankees .

The opening game of the New York Mets and Miami Marlins series saw both bullpens and more.

The Marlins were able to put together a few hits and a sac-fly against Shaun Marcum in the 15th inning to win the ballgame.

Until they do, depressing days like yesterday at Citi Field will happen. General manager Sandy Alderson has not been able to build a shut-down bullpen and that continues to be one of the Mets' biggest downfalls.

The Mets' lineup has been slumping for a week, yesterday's starter Shaun Marcum struggled in his debut and reliever Robert Carson was even worse.

Faith and Fear in Flushing made its debut on Feb. 16, 2005, the brainchild of two longtime friends and lifelong Met fans.

Shaun Marcum , fully recovered from a neck injury, made his debut both for the 2013 season and as a Met this afternoon in Queens against the Phillies, but it didn't go quite as well as he had hoped.

Robert Carson allowed five runs in the fifth inning - he allowed two home runs and a walk in the process.

When Shaun Marcum makes his long awaited season debut for the New York Mets Saturday, they'll be forced to remove someone from their bullpen to free up a spot for Marcum on the roster.

One day after X-rays taken of his lower right leg came back negative, left-hander Jon Niese had some swelling and tightness in the area but fully expects to make his next start.