Pirates-Mets game rained out

4/28/2008 6:26 PM

By BILL KONIGSBERG
AP Sports Writer

NEW YORK (AP) -A steady rainfall and a dicey evening forecast gave Carlos Delgado a one-day respite from Mets fans and how they might react to what some in the New York media are calling ``the snub.''

The Pittsburgh Pirates and Mets were rained out Monday night, the game postponed nearly two hours before the schedule first pitch. The game was rescheduled for Monday, Aug. 11, at 1:10 p.m.

That means Delgado will have to wait until Tuesday night - weather permitting - to see how the always outspoken crowd at Shea Stadium reacts to him.

On Sunday, Delgado hit two home runs in the Mets' 6-3 win over the Atlanta Braves, the slugger's first multihomer game in nearly a year. After his second solo shot put the Mets up three in the seventh, the fans gave him a standing ovation and cheered loudly, waiting for him to come out to the top step and tip his cap. Delgado didn't comply.

``There are moments and there are moments,'' Delgado said before the game was rained out Monday. ``I didn't think this was a moment.''

The 35-year-old has heard boos all season from passionate fans fed up with his lack of production. Delgado came into Sunday's contest hitting .186 with one homer. Delgado hit 24 homers and drove in 87 runs last season, his lowest totals since 1995, before he became a regular.

On Monday, he was unapologetic about his decision not to take a bow.

``I hit a solo home run in the bottom of the seventh. We were ahead by two,'' he said. ``Every time you do something good you have to go out to the top step? That's not baseball.''

Delgado recalled coming out of the dugout to tip his hat twice in his career: for his four-homer game in 2003, and his 400th home run in '06. He has 434 home runs.

``Five hundredth home run. World Series,'' he answered when asked what is an appropriate time for a curtain call.

When asked if he worried he might have alienated fans who were trying to show they still loved him by cheering, Delgado shrugged.

``If that's the case, that's the case,'' he said. ``I appreciate the support, I appreciate the fans.''

This is not the first time Delgado has abstained from a practice that many consider traditional. He refused to stand on the field during the playing of ``God Bless America'' in 2004 and 2005, while with the Marlins, as a protest of the U.S.-Iraq war. Once he got to the Mets, he dropped that protest because manager Willie Randolph expects his players to ``stand at attention and honor the flag'' during the song.

On this one, however, his teammates and manager are fully behind Delgado.

``It's not my decision, but I'm gonna back him either way,'' David Wright said. ``He's old school. He's very aware of not showing the other team up. He's a little more reserved, a little more laid back.''

Randolph also backed Delgado.

``I think a curtain call should be special. A ninth-inning homer, an event, something to be remembered,'' Randolph said. ``All that talk radio stuff shouldn't even come into play.''

For the Pirates, a day off meant an extra day of rest for a pitching staff that hopes to build on Paul Maholm's two-hitter on Sunday, a 5-1 win over the Phillies. That could be most important to Tom Gorzelanny, scheduled now to pitch Wednesday against former Pirate Oliver Perez.

Monday night's scheduled starters Johan Santana and Ian Snell, will now pitch Tuesday night.

Gorzelanny is 1-3 with an 8.46 ERA, and twice in five starts the lefty has failed to get out of the third inning.

``With Gorzy, it's all about him attacking the zone with quality pitches,'' manager John Russell said. ``He's got good stuff.''

Meanwhile, Mets outfielder Moises Alou was scheduled to fly to New York to have an MRI on his swollen left ankle, but was held up because of the weather. On the 15-day disabled list after hernia surgery, Alou has been in extended spring training in Florida. But after the ankle swelled up two straight days, the team decided Alou needed an MRI.

General manager Omar Minaya said he hoped to have more information about Alou's prognosis on Tuesday.

Catcher Brian Schneider was still in the hospital because of a thumb infection that began as a blister on Thursday night. Minaya said there was still some swelling and tenderness there, but that Schneider was ``making progress.''

Notes: Also rained out was Jets Night at Shea. Former Jets Pro Bowlers Joe Klecko and Wesley Walker were among those who showed up at the stadium for a pregame ceremony, only to have it rained out. No makeup date was announced. The Jets played at Shea from 1964-83. ... The only Mets starter who will miss a turn in the rotation is Nelson Figueroa, who was supposed to pitch Saturday at Arizona. Instead, Mike Pelfrey will pitch Saturday and Santana will take the mound again Sunday. ... Tickets for Monday night's game will be honored on Aug. 11.