Finally, a non-hideous hat [Image]

This is, by and far, the best stars & stripes hat.

To be worn on Memorial Day, July 4 and Sept. 11.

Well done.

Contest: Jerry Watch

At this point, it seems inevitable.

Jerry Manuel is – for all intents and purposes – likely managing his last few hours/days/weeks as the Mets manager.  Not only is the team losing, but they aren’t playing very good baseball while doing so.

In an effort to make a fun game out of this, I propose “Jerry Watch.”

Take to the comments and post the date of the day you believe Jerry Manuel will be fired.  We’ll work on Price Is Right rules - as close as possible without going over.

(So if you guess June 3, but he is canned on June 2, you don’t win.  But if you guessed June 1, and you were the closest, you win!)

Up for grabs are one, two or possibly all three of these wonderful key chains I have lying around my house.  Amazing, I know!  (There are three in case there is a tie.  If you pick the same date as someone, be prepared to split the prize.  Other Mets stuff might be included if there is a tie.)

When the day comes, I’ll try my best to alert the winner, so please comment with your e-mail address included so I can shoot you an e-mail so I can send you these wonderful prizes.

Hit the comments and guess the day Mr. Manuel gets his pink slip.

Manuel’s Musing

“I thought once we turned that triple play, things would go our way. But to no avail.”

-Jerry Manuel

Game Recap: Nationals 5 – Mets 3

Heaven sent, but still a loss.

The Good

Angel Pagan had a pretty good day.  He hit an inside-the-park home run in the top of the 4th inning.  In the bottom half of the inning, he made a diving grab, turning what could have been an inside-the-park home run, or at least a three-run double into a sac-fly.  One inning later, he started a triple play – the 10th in Mets history.  His grab at his laces, overthrow to second, Henry Blanco’s wherewithal to get the ball, throw to Jose Reyes, who threw to Ike Davis started the 8-2-6-3 triple play.

R.A. Dickey was just fine.  Six innings, allowing five hits and two earned runs – with a little help from his defense – walking four and striking out two.  I’d say that earned another start, but really, who else do the Mets have?

Fernando Tatis finally got a hit off a right-handed pitcher, a solo home run in the 9th off Matt Capps.  But it was too little, too late.

The Bad & Ugly

Raul Valdes and Fernando Nieve combined to give up three earned runs in only 2/3 of an inning in the 7th. 

The Mets loaded the bases in the sixth with one out, and were only able to get one run out of it.  This is a problem and has been for the Mets all year.  When they load the bases, they stink at scoring.

Only four hits off Livan Hernandez.  Five hits overall.  Two of them were home runs.  The other three were singles.

Game Ball

Angel Pagan, of course.

On Deck

The Mets finish their road series – and the second two-game series in a row – tomorrow night at 7 p.m.

Game Chat: NYM @ WAS [Game 41]

Niese to DL, Dickey promoted

The Mets placed Jon Niese on the 15-day DL with a hamstring strain clearing room for R.A. Dickey to join the team.

All as expected.

Take your time, Niese.  You might be the best starter on the team, but there’s no reason to rush back for this season.

Buffalo is banged up

In other words, 2010 Buffalo is 2009 Mets.

Manuel’s Musing

“I’ve got no idea when he’s got it and when he doesn’t. I have no idea.”

-Jerry Manuel on R.A. Dickey

Game Recap: Braves 3 – Mets 2

Not a good night to be David Wright.

The Good

Ike Davis and Jeff Francoeur each hit solo home runs in the fifth inning.  Unfortunately, this accounted for all of the Mets runs.

Johan Santana was better than he’s been.  He tossed seven innings, allowing five hits, including a two-run home run.  He walked two and struck out four.  He was lifted for a pinch hitter after 104 pitches.

The Bad & Ugly

David Wright.  After striking out for the third time in the top of the 9th with a runner on third, Wright’s errant throw on a chopper allowed the winning run to score in the bottom half of the inning.

Jenrry Mejia threw 10 pitches and looked pretty awful doing so.  Back to the minors where you belong.

Jerry Manuel insists on either pinch-hitting for or bunting with his No. 3 hitter.  Tonight, he did both at the same time.  Somehow, though, it worked out.

Game Ball

Johan, poor guy.

On Deck

Another two game series kicks off tomorrow night in Washington, a 7 p.m. start.

Game Chat: NYM @ ATL

Testing a new chat room.  Hope it works.Chat removed, as usual.