NEW YORK -- Mets general manager Sandy Alderson had to hear the booing at Citi Field throughout a miserable homestand. Cody Eakin Jersey . He took steps to begin fixing the problems Monday after a 5-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates, firing hitting coach Dave Hudgens and cutting reliever Jose Valverde. "This is a very difficult decision to make. Ive known Dave for many years, decades," Alderson said. "Our situational hitting is not where we want it to be." Minor league hitting co-ordinator Lamar Johnson will take over for Hudgens. The 63-year-old Johnson has been in this role with the Mets for 10 of his 11 years in the organization and is responsible for helping teach the organizations hitting philosophy throughout the minors. The Mets have tried to implement a plan of patience at the plate but the results have not shown. "Our hitting approach will not change appreciably," Alderson said. "Any time theres a new person, theres a new voice, a new take, a different interpretation both from a mechanical and an approach point of view." The 57-year-old Hudgens was in his fourth season as the Mets hitting coach. The Mets began the day with a .237 batting average, ranking among the worst in the majors. They have scored just 32 runs in losing nine of 12. "This is by no means Dave Hudgens fault. Not whatsoever," manager Terry Collins said. "Its about trying to get the execution better. Well see if change helps." The problems are more glaring with runners in scoring position: New York is 13 for 66 (.197) in that situation in the first seven games of a nine-game homestand after getting one hit in eight tries Monday. The Mets hit into five double plays Sunday in a 2-1 loss to Arizona in the first-game of a doubleheader. Daniel Murphy hit into one of the teams two double plays Monday, wiping out another hit by Jacob deGrom. "Theres frustration at the way were playing. Theres frustration with the way the offence is going and that Dave unfortunately bears the brunt of that," Murphy said. "It stinks." David Wright was unhappy that the popular coach lost his job over what he thinks is the players fault. "When you struggle the way weve struggled offensively, a finger, obviously, gets pointed. A lot of times that finger gets pointed unfairly," Wright said. Alderson said this was not to read as a warning to Collins. "I think this is in response to a specific situation," Alderson said. "Nothing else should be read into it by any means." The Mets have been revamping their bullpen, and Valverdes dismissal after allowing four runs while getting only two outs in the eighth and ninth innings is the next step. With new closer Jenrry Mejia unavailable after pitching both games of the doubleheader Sunday, Collins turned to Valverde. Valverde (1-1) was booed off the field after allowing pinch-hitter Jose Tabatas tying single in the eighth. He returned for the ninth and was even worse, yielding four runs overall. "Dont think for one second that theres not a guy in there that realizes that this is part of it. We just released one of the best professionals I ever been around in Jose Valverde," a fired-up Collins said. "You deal with it, and if you cant you dont belong in the game." With one out in the ninth, Valverde gave up a single to Neil Walker and walked Andrew McCutchen. Gary Sanchez, who homered off Scott Rice to open the eighth, then singled to left, scoring Walker. Juan Centeno couldnt handle Curtis Grandersons throw that bounced to the right of the plate and skittered past Valverde, who was backing up but way too close to the catcher. McCutchen scored on Grandersons error for a two-run lead. Valverde gave up four runs as the Pirates took the lead. The 36-year-old righty was 1-1 with a 5.66 ERA. Valverde joined the Mets this year after pitching for Detroit last season. He briefly was New Yorks closer before losing the job. Reporters were told Valverde had left the ballpark even though his street clothes remained in his locker. Right-hander Vic Black is being recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas to fill Valverdes spot. "Our bullpen will get better when our young pitchers emerge at the major league level," Alderson said. "Not only will we have better arms, but well have more flexibility." In the minors, top prospect Noah Syndergaard was placed on the disabled list, retroactive to May 22, because of a mild flexor-pronator strain in his right elbow. The flexor-pronator muscle is on the inside of the elbow, forearm area. The Mets said the Triple-A Las Vegas ace will be brought to New York for an exam. Syndergaard was acquired in a trade that sent 2012 Cy Young Award winner R.A. Dickey to Toronto. He is Baseball Americas No. 6 righty pitching prospect and is expected to make his big league debut this year. "Were very concerned about it, obviously, I dont know too many guys -- I shouldnt say that, I know a lot of guys who go to the doctor and its nothing. But I know some go to the doctor and its an issue," Collins said. "Anytime you go in and the word elbow shows up, especially when you throw as hard as he does, its a concern. NOTES: The Mets placed OF Eric Young Jr. on the DL because of a right hamstring strain. They recalled OF Matt den Dekker from Triple-A Las Vegas to take his place. ... Up Next: Pirates RHP Edinson Volquez (2-4) faces Mets LHP Jonathon Niese (3-3) on Tuesday night. Oscar Lindberg Jersey . - The Detroit Lions have placed tight end Brandon Pettigrew on injured reserve, ending his season. David Perron Golden Knights Jersey . With the players association in the midst of meetings in Las Vegas, a vote will be held on Friday to decide the CFLPAs presidency and other executive positions. http://www.goldenknightshockeyshop.com/william-carrier-hockey-jersey/ . According to TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie, the deal will pay Schenn $2.25 million in the first year and $2.75 million in the second year. In 82 games with the Flyers in 2013-14, Schenn scored 20 goals and added 21 assists.Mike Conleys return wasnt enough to lead the Memphis Grizzlies to another win in their latest game, but they might have a better showing against the Toronto Raptors with a healthier rotation. The Grizzlies were missing a bevy of players in the first meeting, and the Raptors were performing at a much higher level at that time compared to how they enter the rematch tonight in Memphis. You can listen to the game live on TSN 1050 Toronto at 7pm et. When the teams last met, Toronto was amid a 13-2 start for the first matchup, the Atlantic Division leaders head into this game having lost seven of 10. The Raptors (27-14), though, snapped a season-worst, three-game road losing streak with a 92-89 win over Milwaukee on Monday. We dont give up, no matter what the situation is or how were playing right now, forward Patrick Patterson said. We have great leaders on this team. ... We have great veteran players, great team chemistry so no one gets down even though we may be losing. Everyone may be frustrated, but we still believe in ourselves. Terrence Ross came off the bench for first time in his past 103 games, providing two key baskets in the final 30 seconds and finishing with 16 points after averaging 5.3 in his prior seven contests. DeMar DeRozan was held scoreless for the fifth time in his career after averaging 22.3 points in his first three games back from a torn tendon in his left groin. I thought his legs were a little shot from coming back and being out so long, coach Dwane Casey said. Torontos other top scorer has been off for a while, one reason the team has stumbled. Kyle Lowry has hit 35.1 percent from the field in the new year and iis 1 of 18 from 3-point range in the last three games. Marc-Andre Fleury Golden Knights Jersey. He has not reached 20 points in six consecutive games after previously failing to do so in no more than three straight. Lowry has averaged 20.3 points during Torontos current three-game win streak over Memphis. DeRozans 21 led the way in the November win. Conley scored a team-best 22 points Monday against Dallas after missing back-to-back games because of injured ankles, but Memphis (29-12) faltered down the stretch in a 103-95 home loss. The Grizzlies allowed the Mavericks to score 14 of the final 18 points and had a four-game win streak snapped. They also had one of their worst showings from 3-point range, missing 19 of 22, and have converted at 25.0 percent there in the last four games. Conley and Courtney Lee accounted for 11 of Mondays misses. Theres going to be ups and downs, Lee said. Weve just had a couple of games where we havent been making as many 3s as weve been making throughout the year. We cant get down on that. Its a long season. There are a lot of games left. Lee was among five Grizzlies who sat out in Toronto on Nov. 19 because of a stomach virus, but Memphis still had a competitive performance in a 96-92 loss. Perhaps showing some fatigue because of those absences, the Grizzlies allowed the Raptors to score 11 of the games final 13 points. Conley and Marc Gasol played their most minutes for any non-overtime game this season. The Grizzlies lost despite dominating the paint with Gasol and Zach Randolph combining for 40 points and 30 rebounds. Gasol had averaged 10.3 points on 32.4 percent shooting and 5.3 boards in the prior three matchups. Cheap Jerseys Online Wholesale Black NFL Jerseys Youth NFL Jerseys Wholesale Cheap Jerseys Wholesale Wholesale Nike NFL Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Free Shipping ' ' '