Mets Can't Put It Together
21 games into the season, and very rarely have the Mets got a full game-pitching, defense, hitting come together. Sure looks like 2007 and 2008. This team just cannot afford to miss out on Johan Santana games. Johan wasn't awesome today, but he left with a lead.
I was a little surprised that Jerry Manuel let Onir Santos hit in the 9th. Ramon Castro had two hits, and with the bases loaded Santos is called FROM THE BILLPEN to pinch hit? That's silly. We know the Mets don't love Castro-he's overweight and slow earning 2 million dollars. BUT-he was in the game, on the bench, ready to go. Santos wasn't 'into the game'-the action was delayed for about 5 minutes so he could be ready to hit. Unless I see Carlos Delgado swinging a bat, Castro has to have the AB.
Not that it mattered. The Mets had plenty of chances to tie the game and go ahead. The biggest culprit-David Wright. He's REALLY struggling, honestly 'rightfully' being booed for his hideous defense AND his struggling offense. Wright hasn't been the same since that Home Run Derby a few years ago.
The buillpen craps out-again. Last night Sean Green, today, J.J. Putz, who just walked another batter. He took the loss today, and Santana has a no decision.
Somewhere Willie Randolph is chuckling. Different year, same underwhelming team.
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Comments: 1
David Wright admitted following the game that he is not seeing the ball well. I do not agree with your assessment that David has not been the same since the Home Run Derby. Why justify the booing? David Wright is a stand up guy that works probably too hard. David Wright had good numbers with runners in scoring position in 2006 and 2007. He did struggle last year in those situations. Hitting with runners in scoring position and clutch hitting are cyclical. David will succeed in these situations this year.
Usually, when one area or more of the team fails each day, that defines a losing or .500 baseball team. Through 21 games, the 9-12 record would attest to this. With April in the book, I would concur that this looks much like 2007 and 2008. We still have five months to go in the 2009 baseball season. There are many ebbs and flows to a major league season. Too early to define the 2009 New York Mets.
The decision by Jerry Manuel to pinch hit a career minor leaguer Omir Santos was curious. Yes, Omir has been impressive and hit a grand slam on Monday, but Ramon Castro is a proven major league hitter who had two hits, including an rbi single earlier in the game. His reason was that Omir's short stroke would be better served than Ramon's longer swing, against the high 90's fastball of Matt Lindstrom. Ramon had two single against the 95 mile and hour fastball from impressive young right hander Josh Johnson. I disagree with Jerry's move in this regard. Maybe Jerry is trying to offset the lack of performance from the team by thinking too much and over managing.
As for the bullpen, blown games happen. In 2008, it was an epidemic that cost the Mets a playoff spot. Back to back days from Sean Green and J.J. Putz is certainly disappointing. I was hoping for a clean season for Johan Santana related to blown saves. The Mets bullpen owed him this after blowing seven games for Johan in 2008.
Last week after the Thursday afternoon game on April 23, Lolita mentioned that you, Saul and Eric were very upset regading the pitching. I told you guys to take some "Mets Decaf." Calm down. It seems you wrote this as an immediate reaction to yesterday's difficult loss. Step back and get perspective. "Don't Stop Believing"