The Mets bats stink

Another excellent Johan Santana start wasted.

Santana gave up only two runs, and the Mets lost again. This reminds me of when Roger Clemens pitched with the Astros. He would dominate the other team, but the 'Stros simply did not score for him.

I sort of feel bad for Santana, because he's doing pretty much all that he can do, and his team still can't manage to win. He may not be the best pitcher in the league anymore, but he's pitching very, very well and the Mets are now 0-6 in his last six starts.

This team always seems to fail horribly with timely hitting. The Mets had the bases loaded and nobody out, and managed to score only two runs. Luckily, at that. Thanks to the speed of Jose Reyes, who beat out a double play ball, and a good eye by David Wright to walk a run in, otherwise the inning could have ended without the Mets pushing any runs across.

I'm not sure if the Mets need to add a bat from elsewhere, but this team needs a jolt. In big games like last night's, the team should be fired up and aggressive, but they still looked flat. Is the team dynamic that different without Ryan Church? Without Moises Alou? Maybe a lineup shakeup will do the trick, but who knows.

Maybe this team really is just a mediocre, .500 team.

TSTDIA: Phillies 4 -- Mets 3

I hate when the Mets lose. I hate when the Mets get walked off against. I hate losing to the Phillies.

This stinks.

Happy Fourth of July!

Happy Fourth of July, everyone!

And Happy Birthday to my mom!

Jose Reyes and Keith Hernandez nearly come to blows on team plane

According to the NY Post, Jose Reyes and Keith Hernandez had to be separated while on the team plane.

From the Post:

Reyes said yesterday he was angry at Hernandez after numerous friends and relatives told him Hernandez accused the Mets of "babying" Reyes during the broadcast of Sunday's 3-1 win over the New Yor Yankees at Shea Stadium.

"He got his point [across] and I got mine," Reyes, when asked to describe the confrontation, told The Post before he drove in three runs in the Mets' 11-1 victory over the Cardinals last night. "I'm not too happy with the way he's been talking."

The article also goes on to say:

Reyes and Hernandez emphatically denied they nearly came to blows, with Hernandez insisting testily that it be described as "a conversation" instead.

"I wouldn't say 'confronted,' " Hernandez said brusquely when approached in the team's broadcast booth at Busch Stadium last night. "We had a conversation. 'Confront' is not the word."

As strange as this whole story is, I can't get over how funny this must have been. In my wildest dreams I cannot picture this happening.

Hopefully everything works out, because Hernandez is a historic part of this organization and Reyes, hopefully, will be a cornerstone of this franchise for years to come.

Here comes the flood of comments about how "immature" Reyes is. A few days ago, I called his tantrum on the field immature, now, I'm not so sure. I think Reyes wants to step away from that image, and I can't think of anything more "manly" than a fight. Sure, that sounds super macho and testosterone driven, but it rings true.

Reyes is a fighter. And that's a good thing. Too bad he was fighting the immortal Keith Hernandez.

Still, color me skeptical. I'd like to see this one reported elsewhere before I fully believe it.

The Mets always make it interesting.

[Thanks Ian, from Sox & Dawgs]

TSTDIA: Mets 11 -- Cardinals 1

The Mets played well, very well. Of course, I lost power at my house and didn't see or know about a pitch after Ryan Church's at bat in the first inning.

Of course. Great game though, from what I read at least.

Castillo to DL, Reyes up

Luis Castillo is on the DL, as reported earlier. The corresponding move has been made, as Argenis Reyes has been promoted to take his spot.

The Reyes-Reyes infield is finally here. Castillo is down with a strained hip flexor.

Chris Aguila is also coming up to the big club to take Carlos Muniz's vacated spot.

Spark this team, young guns.

Castillo to the DL

Luis Castillo is heading to the disabled list, and no one is surprised.

I would expect to see either Argenis Reyes or Abraham Nunez to replace him. I'd love to see Reyes get his shot. Hopefully can't-hit Anderson Hernandez stays down in New Orleans.

Roster rumors: Chris Aguila, Argenis Reyes, and Abraham Nunez

Players being considered for Carlos Muniz's spot, and possibly another spot if Luis Castillo needs to go on the DL:

Chris Aguila: Sure, that's fine. He's been up before and wasn't terrible. The Mets do need an outfielder for the next few days as Moises Alou continues to rehab.

Argenis Reyes: Great! This 25 year old performed pretty well in spring training, and is now batting .290/.353/.333/.686 (AVG, OBP, SLG, OPS). Not super special, but worth a look-see. He also has a pretty slick glove, making only four errors in 78 games (76 of which were played at second base). Why not?

And I'd love to hear "Ground ball to Reyes, flips it to Reyes, and on to Delgado! A 6-4-3 inning ending double play!"

Abraham Nunez: Ugh! Are you kidding? Why is this man even still in the Mets system?

Mid-Morning Madness: Shoulda, woulda, coulda edition

Boy, did it feel good to sleep in...

Last night's game was one the Mets should have won.

Pedro Martinez gave up four in the first inning, but the Mets battled back to tie it. Then Pedro gave up a solo home run, and the Mets again battled back to tie it. Then the Mets took the lead for the first time in the game, and Pedro Feliciano let the Cardinals tie it. Carlos Muniz then let the game slip away entirely, serving up a walk-off home run to end the game.

Shoulda, woulda, coulda.

Sure, the Mets scored seven runs, but they picked up 15 hits. They left 10 runners on base, quickly becoming a terrible habit of the 2008 Mets. The team needs to find some way to start driving those runners in, or the season really will be lost.

** * **

All the time I talk about Carlos Delgado's days being numbered, but now it seems like the clock is running out on Luis Castillo a bit quicker.

Castillo sat out again last night and now the DL is a possibility, again. I just don't think he has enough left in the tank to continue to perform day in and day out as an everyday player.

Easily Omar Minaya's worst contract dished out as the Mets GM. For now, just start Damion Easley and spell him with giving Castillo starts, not the other way around.

** * **

The bench is back?

Tuesday night, Ramon Castro drove in three runs and last night Easley drove in another three. If the Mets are to salvage this season, it might have to come from the play off the bench.

Carlos Muniz punches his ticket back to NoLa

Why Carlos Muniz is pitching in the bottom of the ninth inning against the Cardinals heart of the order is beyond me.

Either way, Muniz served up the game winner to Troy Glaus, and punched his ticket back to the minor leagues. Muniz will be sent packing back to AAA New Orleans.

The roster spot is still yet to be filled by another minor leaguer, but a move will happen some time tomorrow. My money is on Valentino Pascucci. If not Val, then Mike Carp or Dan Murphy. We'll have to wait and see.

They should really name a flight to New Orleans after Muniz. I'm sure he's loading up on the frequent flier miles by now.