MINNEAPOLIS — How cold is too cold for baseball?
The Mets would love to know the answer to that question as they prepare to leave tonight for a four-game series against the Rockies in Denver, where one projected low temperature for Wednesday night was nine degrees. There is also snow in the forecast three of the four days, with low temperatures in the 20s.
Is that too cold for baseball?
“I’ve asked that question and I don’t think there’s an objective bright line test,” general manager Sandy Alderson said before the Mets beat the Twins 4-2 Saturday.
Before considering their series in Colorado, the Mets have to wonder about their scheduled finale today against the Twins. Rain is expected for most of the day, but because the Mets only make one trip to Minnesota, the teams may be subjected to a long wait.
The teams played Friday’s game at Target Field with temperatures in the low 30s. The biggest issue was pitchers getting a grip on the baseball in the frigid conditions.
The Mets also make only one trip to Colorado, raising the issue of how those games will be rescheduled should there be postponements. Alderson said it’s extremely unlikely the Rockies would move the games from Denver to another city at this late juncture.
“There’s so many variables,” Alderson said. “Getting to another venue, I think, is remote and remote in regards to the short time frame.”
Ultimately, the Rockies will have the final call on playing the games, but Alderson said the Mets and Major League Baseball would be involved in the discussions.
* John Buck was held without a homer for the first time in five games. Buck would have tied Richard Hidalgo’s club record for home runs in consecutive games had he homered. Hidalgo set the mark in 2004.
“You all jinxed me,” Buck said. “Someone brought up ‘streak’ [Friday]. It wasn’t my fault.”
* Bobby Parnell allowed a run in the ninth, but escaped trouble to earn his first save of the season. It was Parnell’s first save opportunity. Josh Willingham stroked an RBI double against Parnell, who then retired Justin Morneau before striking out Ryan Doumit to end the game.
* The seven straight hits the Mets recorded in the fifth inning were their most in a row since Aug. 1, 2001 at Houston. The club record is eight consecutive hits…. Justin Turner started at designated hitter and finished 3-for-4. The three hits tied a career high. … Chris Leible, one of Jose Reyes’ agents, tweeted last night Terry Collins contacted the former Mets shortstop, who is out until after the All-Star break with a bad ankle sprain.