Go Braves!
Pitching Performance
Another spectacular start down the drain. Mike Pelfrey threw seven brilliant innings of baseball, scattering seven hits. His control was a little off, as he walked four, but he also struck out four batters. Pelfrey allowed one earned run in the fifth inning, off a Christian Guzman ground-rule double, scoring opposing pitcher Odalis Perez.
Pelfrey was efficient, needed 111 pitches while on the mound, but was the hard luck loser tonight as the Mets couldn't do anything with the bats.
This must be so frustrating for the Mets, but especially for pitchers who go out, do almost as much as humanly possible, but have nothing to show for it. It's frustrating for the fans, I'll tell you that.
Joe Smith worked the eighth inning, striking out one.
Woo.
Offensive Output
What output? The Mets could only manage four hits off of Perez.
Odalis Freakin' Perez.
They were all singles, off the bats of David Wright, Brian Schneider, and pinch hitters Ramon Castro and Robinson Cancel.
Seems like the Mets should have played all catchers tonight. Maybe then they could have done something.
The Rest of the Story
I broke my beloved helmet tonight, out of anger and frustration.
Wright, Carlos Delgado and Carlos Beltran are a combined 1-23 this series.
Willie Harris made another spectacular catch. Figures.
Fernando Tatis had to leave the game, after separating his shoulder on an attempted dive in the fifth inning. He will miss the rest of the season.
Game Ball: Mike Pelfrey.
9/16/08
I never thought I'd say this...
But...GO BRAVES!
The Phillies and the Braves begin a three game series tonight in Atlanta, with the Phillies only a 1/2 game behind the Mets with two weeks to go.
Seriously, go Braves!
It'd be great to see Atlanta take two of three here, and maybe the Mets can figure out how to beat the Nationals in September, which seems to be the toughest thing to do for this franchise of late.
The Mets can't worry about anyone else but themselves. If they win, then everything else doesn't matter. So Mets, just win, and don't scoreboard watch. Learn to tack on runs to a lead, hit in clutch situations, and above all else, if someone who enjoys striking out opposing batters would please raise their hand, that would be really helpful.
GO BRAVES!
I need a shower now. I feel dirty.
Such a fitting song
I wish you would step back from that ledge my friend,
You could cut ties with all the lies,
That you've been living in,
And if you do not want to see me again,
I would understand,
I would understand,
The angry boy,
A bit too insane,
Icing over a secret pain,
You know you don't belong,
You're the first to fight,
You're way too loud,
You're the flash of light,
On a burial shroud,
I know something's wrong,
Well everyone I know has got a reason,
To say,
Put the past away,
I wish you would step back from that ledge my friend,
You could cut ties with all the lies,
That you've been living in,
And if you do not want to see me again,
I would understand,
I would understand,
Well he's on the table,
And he's gone to code,
And I do not think anyone knows,
What they are doing here,
And your friends have left,
You've been dismissed,
I never thought it would come to this,
And I, I want you to know,
Everyone's got to face down the demons,
Maybe today,
We can put the past away,
I wish you would step back from that ledge my friend,
You could cut ties with all the lies,
That you've been living in,
And if you do not want to see me again,
I would understand,
I would understand,
I would understand...
Can you put the past away,
I wish you would step back from that ledge my friend,
I would understand...
Mr. Met found entering DeLorean outside of Shea Stadium
I just don't know how he's going to fit his head past the gull-wing doors.I thought lightning couldn't strike twice
And this isn't good lightning. The way the Mets are playing, it looks like they'll be fried by weeks end.
I, like every other member of the Shea Faithful, is thinking the exact same thing: Here we go again. And how can we not. Look at this team, look at the situation, and can you honestly tell me this isn't 2007?!?
Sure, there a few different cogs in the machine, but it's still playing the same tune. Everyone brings up Johan Santana as the main difference, that he's not Tom Glavine, he's a true ace, and a winner. I'm not blaming Santana here, but the Mets seem scared of winning games he pitches.
The bullpen has handed away seven possible wins for Santana and the Mets, so unless he plans on pitching complete games everyday from here on out, there is reason to worry and no need to bring him up in the "this is a different team" argument.
The other popular arguing point is that Jerry Manuel is not Willie Randolph. While I love Manuel, there is only so much a manager can do. If the players he puts out on the field can't perform, that's not his fault. He's been playing the hot hand, and it doesn't seem to be working.
If, one day, Manuel plays Fernando Tatis because he had a good game last time out, Tatis will end up going 0-4. If instead, he chooses Nick Evans, Evans will go 1-4, or something sad like that. His moves just don't seem to be working, even if they are the logical choice.
And the bullpen is a whole other story.
Who can he trust out there? Who can he put into the game, in a tight situation? No one. And where does that leave Manuel? Between a rock and a hard place.
Don't look to Manuel to be the savior, because his role is limited. Look to the players, especially the pitchers.
2007, here we go again.
I, like every other member of the Shea Faithful, is thinking the exact same thing: Here we go again. And how can we not. Look at this team, look at the situation, and can you honestly tell me this isn't 2007?!?
Sure, there a few different cogs in the machine, but it's still playing the same tune. Everyone brings up Johan Santana as the main difference, that he's not Tom Glavine, he's a true ace, and a winner. I'm not blaming Santana here, but the Mets seem scared of winning games he pitches.
The bullpen has handed away seven possible wins for Santana and the Mets, so unless he plans on pitching complete games everyday from here on out, there is reason to worry and no need to bring him up in the "this is a different team" argument.
The other popular arguing point is that Jerry Manuel is not Willie Randolph. While I love Manuel, there is only so much a manager can do. If the players he puts out on the field can't perform, that's not his fault. He's been playing the hot hand, and it doesn't seem to be working.
If, one day, Manuel plays Fernando Tatis because he had a good game last time out, Tatis will end up going 0-4. If instead, he chooses Nick Evans, Evans will go 1-4, or something sad like that. His moves just don't seem to be working, even if they are the logical choice.
And the bullpen is a whole other story.
Who can he trust out there? Who can he put into the game, in a tight situation? No one. And where does that leave Manuel? Between a rock and a hard place.
Don't look to Manuel to be the savior, because his role is limited. Look to the players, especially the pitchers.
2007, here we go again.
9/15/08
Game Recap: Nationals 7 -- Mets 2
Ed. note: Sorry everyone, I built a time machine and brought us all back to September 2007. You'll just have to live with it until I fix this thing.
If you're a masochist, find the recap yourself.
This is getting scary. I know they're still in first, but this is the NATIONALS!
Oy.
If you're a masochist, find the recap yourself.
This is getting scary. I know they're still in first, but this is the NATIONALS!
Oy.
John Maine wants to close
Please, let him.
According to Jeremy Cothran's notebook, John Maine threw some pitchers today, and wants to come back by next week.
According to Jeremy Cothran's notebook, John Maine threw some pitchers today, and wants to come back by next week.
Maine threw 35 pitches from flat ground Monday, and later said he felt great. He has designs on pitching at the tail end of next week's homestand...and wants to close.Why not? Can't get any worse.
Thanks a lot, Phillies
Never thought I'd write that headline.
The Brewers have fired their manager Ned Yost, after getting swept by the Phillies and losing seven of eight.
With the Mets struggling a bit, and the Phillies getting hot atop the Wild Card, this might be just what the teams from the NL East need.
The Phillies and Brewers are tied atop the WC standings, so as the Brewers vault into the unknown, with their third base coach taking over, this may open up some space for two NL East teams to get into the postseason.
I still think the Mets will win the division, but this may turn out to be a nice safety net, somewhat thanks to the Phillies dominance.
The Brewers have fired their manager Ned Yost, after getting swept by the Phillies and losing seven of eight.
With the Mets struggling a bit, and the Phillies getting hot atop the Wild Card, this might be just what the teams from the NL East need.
The Phillies and Brewers are tied atop the WC standings, so as the Brewers vault into the unknown, with their third base coach taking over, this may open up some space for two NL East teams to get into the postseason.
I still think the Mets will win the division, but this may turn out to be a nice safety net, somewhat thanks to the Phillies dominance.
Where the heck is Al Reyes?
The man has been MIA.
Way back on August 20th, the Mets signed pitcher Al Reyes. He went to the minors to work back into shape before coming up in September to supposedly help the beleaguered bullpen.
Well, he's up, and he's yet to pitch.
Reyes, who converted 26 saves for the '06 Rays, has yet to even make an appearance for the Mets since joining them roughly two weeks ago.
Meanwhile, the Mets normal bullpen staff continues to get overworked and fails to preform. The perfect combination.
Is this Jerry Manuel trying to limit the number of Reyes' on the field at once, or was he really just not worth the contract? Who knows, but he might as well get a shot. It's not like the other guys are blowing people away.
Way back on August 20th, the Mets signed pitcher Al Reyes. He went to the minors to work back into shape before coming up in September to supposedly help the beleaguered bullpen.
Well, he's up, and he's yet to pitch.
Reyes, who converted 26 saves for the '06 Rays, has yet to even make an appearance for the Mets since joining them roughly two weeks ago.
Meanwhile, the Mets normal bullpen staff continues to get overworked and fails to preform. The perfect combination.
Is this Jerry Manuel trying to limit the number of Reyes' on the field at once, or was he really just not worth the contract? Who knows, but he might as well get a shot. It's not like the other guys are blowing people away.
Here come the Phillies
Objects in mirror may be closer than they appear.In September, the Mets are 7-4. The Phillies are 8-5. Over their last ten games, the Mets have won six, while the Phillies have won seven.
One would think that the Mets have been staving off the Phillies, and maintaining their lead. Not so. In fact, the Mets have seen their lead shrink from as large at 3.5 games, down to one, where it sits right now.
The Mets have 14 games to play in 14 days. The Phillies play 12 games in that same time span.
I hate to say it, but here come the Phillies...again. You can't deny the similarities between this year and last. Sure, there are a few different variables, but it's playing out like a broken record.
Scary to think, and I obviously still have hope (they are in first place), but it's getting a little nerve wracking.
This is going to be a crazy two weeks. Every game is precious. They are all "must wins" from here on out.
One would think that the Mets have been staving off the Phillies, and maintaining their lead. Not so. In fact, the Mets have seen their lead shrink from as large at 3.5 games, down to one, where it sits right now.
The Mets have 14 games to play in 14 days. The Phillies play 12 games in that same time span.
I hate to say it, but here come the Phillies...again. You can't deny the similarities between this year and last. Sure, there are a few different variables, but it's playing out like a broken record.
Scary to think, and I obviously still have hope (they are in first place), but it's getting a little nerve wracking.
This is going to be a crazy two weeks. Every game is precious. They are all "must wins" from here on out.
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