Saturday nights loss was a bad one for the New York Mets as they gave up single runs in the eighth and ninth innings and the Flordia Marlins finished off the comeback with a 4-3 victory over the Mets. When you are in a playoff race like the Mets are right now, you can’t be losing games like that.

With the Mets up 3-0 on a two-run home run by David Wright and a rbi single by Luis Castillo, the Marlins started their comeback in the sixth inning. Dan Uggla singled to center field off of Mike Pelfrey to score the first two Marlins run. Then in the eighth inning, MIke Jacobs hit a solo home run to tie the game. In the ninth it was Aaron Heilman who walked in the game winning run to give the Marlins the 4-3 victory.

With the loss and a Phillies win, the Mets are only up one game in the division. Pedro Martinez will get the start on the mound Sunday so hopefully we will see a Mets victory.

Last night, the Mets blew a seven run lead, they also helped Jimmy Rollins into the record books as he became just the 4th player in 50 years to have five hits three stolen bases and three RBI in one game, and our team managed just four hits after the fourth inning.  Amazing.  How do you blow a seven run lead?  Well… 

When you can’t trust the bullpen you’re in trouble every night.  And that is the case.  Pedro struggled to finish the fourth, but knowing what the bullpen is like night after night, Pedro pitched the fifth.  Bad idea.  In the fifth, Pedro gave up a lead off double to the pitcher, and then Jimmy Rollins came in and hit a two run homer, he then walked Chase Utley, struck out Pat Burrell but Ryan Howard came through with a two run homer.  In five innings of work, Pedro allowed five runs on seven hits, he walked two and struck out eight.  Ok, so the score was 7-5, the Mets still held on to the lead.  Did they score any more runs?  NOPE.  After the fourth inning the Mets had just four hits.  I just don’t get how the Mets can score like crazy in the first three innings and then can’t do a thing there after.  They scored late against the Astros on Monday night, but I think it is one of a few times we’ve seen them tack on runs.  That is why they have so few come from behind wins.   

The Phllies cut into the Mets lead again adding one more off Duaner Sanchez.  Sanchez allowed a single, he was then replaced by Pedro Feliciano who gave up a single allowing the inherited runner to score.  In the ninth inning, with the Mets barely holding on, Luis Ayala who hasn’t allowed anything since joining the Mets, showed us why the Nationals let him go.  The Mets were two strikes away from getting the win when Ayala gave up a RBI double to pinch hitter Eric Bruntlett.  The Mets have now blown 22 saves.  Can you imagine if the Mets had just half of those games back, today they could have a ten game lead or better.  Aaron Heilman gets a lot of credit, he worked three innings of scoreless relief.  Scott Schoeneweis, who has been pretty much worthless since he signed with the Mets gave up the winning run in the bottom of the 13th.   

All in all this is just a putrid performance by the Mets.  I think I’ve used that term before, and you think it can’t get worse, but some how having another game like this against the Phillies makes it all that much more upsetting.  The Mets had this game right there, they put themselves in good position early on, and then just failed to do what had to be done.  Yes, you can blame the bullpen, they are part of the problem, but last night it was a collective effort, how do you score seven runs early and then give it back, or how do you score seven runs early and only then get four more hits the rest of the way-the Mets are loafing when they get a lead, I wish out team had a little more of the heart that the Phillies have.  

Damion Easley had a great night, he had four hits.  Both Jose Reyes and David Wright had ftwo hits.  David became the first player in Mets history to put together four consecutive years with 100 plus RBI.  What sticks out though is that neither Carlos Beltran nor Carlos Delgado did anything.  Delgado was the hero the night before, and in his last 55 games he has 55 RIB-just didn’t have any last night.  And while Beltran is like ninth in the league in RBI he is just shy of 90, he hasn’t really done anything for the Mets this season.  Can you name the last time Beltran was in the middle of it big time.  When did he last get a game winning hit?  Yes, in this past week he had a multihomer game, but really, when was the last time he won the game for the Mets?  I know you get  a lot out of him as far as defense goes and he did steal a base last night, but it was only his 18th this season.   

I think today I am nearly speechless.  Lucky for me that last night I actually went to bed before the wheels came off.  I was tired from being out late at the game the night before.  I went to bed the Mets were winning 7-1, and when they scored that run I told my husband, if the Phillies score here, they are very likely to come back and win this game.  I knew that it could happen because how many times have we’ve seen it.  They play in a band box-and yes the Mets were hitting in that park too-and got the cheap homers by  Fernando Tatis and Easley earlier in the game, we all know that no lead in that park is safe, the Phillies are fighting for first-just like the Mets are supposed to be.  I decide to go to bed because I knew if things went south, I’d be too mad to sleep.   

So while last night doesn’t fall squarely on the shoulders of the pitching staff it is hard not to focus that it was the pitching staff that blew a seven run lead, because really, when you have a seven run lead, you should win the game.  However, hopefully last night the Mets learned a lesson, that you can’t just stop playing because you have a lead.  Even down 7-0 the Phillies never thought they weren’t going to win that game.  That is the difference between the Mets and the Phillies the Mets kept playing as if they had already won the game. 

The Mets will hope that Johan Santan can pitch as well as he did in his last outing.  Game time is scheduled for 7:10 p.m.

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The Mets completed the sweep of the Braves on Thursday night 5-4, it was the first time the Braves have been swept at Shea since 2003.  This game also marked the 27^th time that the Braves lost a road game in which they had a one run lead.  That stretch of 27 dates back to last season, and is now a major league record.   

The Braves jumped out to an early lead when Yunel Escobar took the first pitch he saw from Pedro Martinez over the fence in left field.  From there it seemed as it if would be a long night.  But, Pedro settled in and really didn’t have a problem again until the sixth inning when the Braves scored three in the inning to take a 4-3 lead.  Pedro pitched to one batter in the eighth and was visibly irritated when Jerry Manual came out to make the pitching change.  On the night, Pedro worked seven innings, allowing four runs on seven hits, he walked one and struck out six.  

Pedro Feliciano pitched two thirds of an inning allowing a hit and a walk.  Again, Luis Ayala entered the game in a tough spot, with two on a two out in the eighth inning, Ayala got Omar Infante to fly out to center to end the threat.  Ayala also worked the top of the ninth, he allowed a two out hit to Martin Parado but then retired Gregor Blanco on a ground out to second to end the inning.  Ayala has pitched well for the Mets so far, and yes I realize it has only been a couple of innings, but both in Wednesday night’s game on last night he came in in a tough spot and got the outs the Mets needed.  Maybe the bullpen is on the way.   

Carlos Delgado had a monster night, he was 5 for 5 with three RBI and was the reason the Mets won, as he got the hit in the eighth inning that tied the game at four, and he delivered the game winning hit in the bottom of the ninth.  Delgado who has had a lot of issues this season- with the crowd, at the plate, and probably with Willie Randolph seems to have figured some things out.  I can’t even believe that this is the same guy.   

David Wright was great last night too.  He hit two doubles, his 25^th homer of the season, and he was the guy who scored the winning run in the bottom of the ninth.  If only we could get Carlos Beltran to start hitting, the Mets could really scores some runs.  Although, I do have to say that Beltran did do a good job drawing that walk in the eighth inning to keep the Mets alive, but it would have been nice if he got a hit there.   

In this series, the Mets got some gifts as the Braves did not play good defense or get good relief pitching.  At one point, I almost felt bad for them-only because we’ve seen the Mets play like that this season and as a fan you know what it feels like to watch your team stink it up!  Do you suppose though that Bobby Cox will continue to bring in the lefty to pitch to Carlos Delgado?  Also, good job by Nick Evans in the eighth inning to score on that play.   

 I think the Braves visit one more time this season and I have to say, I would love it if they asked Chipper Jones to tear down one of the numbers-he’ll probably miss the stadium more than anyone!  Also, I  know that I didn’t mention the return of Mike Hampton, but who really cares the guy has basically been out of baseball for two years and is a nonentity at this juncture.    

Ryan Church is expected to be in the line up tonight and on Saturday.  He will probaby sit on Sunday to get him readjusted to the game.  I am looking forward to having Church back, I just hope for him that he doesn’t press too hard trying to be exactly where he was when he got hurt.  What a long road back for this guy-I hope things go well in his return. 

The Mets open a three game set with Astros tonight at Shea Stadium.  The Mets might be looking for pay back for that three game sweep the suffered in Houston earlier this month.  The Mets will have Johan Santana on the mound and he will be opposed by Roy Oswalt.  Game time is scheduled for 7:10 p.m.  

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It is hard to believe that just a few short months ago I wrote that Mike Pelfrey wasn’t ready for the majors.  Boy was I wrong!  Pelfrey dazzled the Amazin’s crowd last night, pitching the first complete game of his young career and earning his twelfth win of the season.  Not only did Mike pitch well, but he also drove in a run on a single in the first inning.  Pelfrey allowed just three runs on three hits walking three and striking out three.  Clearly with the bullpen where it is right now, the fact the Pelfry went nine throwing only 108 pitches was a good thing.  However, as Gary, Keith and Ron were talking about before the game, do we have to worry about how many innings Pelfrey has thrown because he as the season progresses he will end up pitching more innings than he ever has before.  I guess we can only wait to see what happens.   

The Mets scored early of Jair Jurrjens last night.  Jurrgens struggled with his control walking two in the inning, but was his defense didn’t help him either, as runs scored on throwing errors by both Chipper Jones and Yunel Escobar.  The Mets scored five in the inning all of those runs coming with two out.  There were only two charged errors in the inning, but Kelly Johnson showed that he has no range at second base.  One ball went right under his glove and while it wasn’t an error, it is a ball that most second basemen get to.  The Mets added one more run in the fifth inning, when David Wright hit his 24^th homer of the season.  David is still third in the NL with 97 RBI.   

Again though, the Mets bats were quiet after the first inning.  It is so strange that they just outscore every body in the first three innings and then do nothing there on out.  That is why Tuesday night’s win was such a big deal because we aren’t use to seeing the Mets score runs like that late in the game.   

The Mets and the Braves wrap things up tonight.  Pedro Martinez will be on the mound for the Mets and the Braves will counter with Mike Hampton.  Game time is set for 7:10 p.m.   

Mets Blog

The Mets beat the Braves last night 7-3.  Going into the eighth inning, it looked as if the Mets would drop yet another game to the Braves, but lucky for the Mets, because for one night, the bullpen that blew the game was wearing red and blue, not orange and blue.   

The Mets scored two in the first inning off Braves’ starter Jo-Jo Reyes on a David Wright sac fly and a double by Fernando Tatis.  However, the offense stopped there and for six straight innings the Mets did not get another hit.  However, in the bottom of the eighth, down 3-2 the Mets got a little help from the Braves bullpen.  Jeff Bennett retired Jose Reyes on a ground out, but then he issued back to back walks to Nick Evans and David Wright and Carlos Beltran got aboard to load the bases on a little blooper that Chipper Jonescould not make a plan on. The Mets, who have just been awful with the bases loaded, now had Carlos Delgado at the plate, Delgado who has cooled off since that amazing run in July had a terrible game at the plate on Monday against the Pirates.  For whatever reason, Bobby Cox elected to bring in the lefty-now I know that is by the book, but Delgado has smoked lefty pitching, Delgado hit a double off the fence in left center that was only a few inches from leaving the yard, two runs scored to put the Mets on top 4-3.  Easley hit a single to center that scored both Carloses, and then Ramon Castro drove home a run with a double to left.  In all, the Mets scored five in the inning and won the game 7-3.  The Mets finally got someone to hit with runners in scoring position.  It’s about time.  It was really unexpected also because after the first inning, the offense looked like it wasn’t going to do anything.  And for one night, the bullpen didn’t blow it.   

Oliver Perez struggled last night, he walked five stuck out three and allowed three runs on seven hits.  Luis Ayala jumped right into the fire, as he entered the game in relief for Perez with two on, Ayala got both batters he faced to pop up, ending the threat there.  Aaron Heilman worked the eighth inning, he allowed one hit and walked one but did not give up any runs.  Scott Schoeneweis worked the ninth inning to close the game out.  And, after it was all said and done, Schoneweis basically said to the press that it was nice that the other team’s bullpen was the story on the night.  

This series against the Braves is one of those must wins.  The Braves are terrible on the road, and again lat night lost a game in which they had a one run lead.  Combine that with the fact that the Phillies are playing the Nationals, and the Nationals have lost 11 straight, the Mets are going to have to do their part to not lose any ground in the standings.  

So, the Mets got bad news on Billy Wagner.  And then Billy Wagner has to turn around and tell us how we can’t understand how hard it is to go out there and do what they do day after day-being picked on in the press-well Billy, boo-hoo.  If you don’t like, don’t play in New York.  I mean, you played in Philly, you had to have some idea of what you were getting yourself into.  If you want fans who don’t care, go play for the Marlins, who even though they are winning can’t get anyone in the stands.  Shut up-before you end up with an inflamed jaw. 

And on a funnier note, there was a conference call set to take place yesterday between the umpires, major league baseball and whoever else.  Turns out, the Umps missed the call again; see, they are boycotting the usage of instant replay.  While I still haven’t figured out what my position is on this matter, I can tell you one thing-if they’d gotten the myriad of calls right over the season, then this would be a non-issue.  But the fact that they go out there night after night and continue to screw up calls has brought baseball to this point.  I have harped on this over and over, if there is anyone out there reading this on a steady basis, you know that I’ve been killing the officiating of these games all season. 

The Mets and Braves play the second of three tonight.  The Mets will send Mike Pelfrey to the mound, he is 11-8 with a 3.91 era.  The Braves will counter with their “ace” Jair Jurrjens who is also 11-8 but with a much lower era of 3.15.  Game time is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. 

Mets Blog 

The Mets fell just one game shy of a perfect road trip losing 5-2 to the Pirates on Monday afternoon.  New York’s lead was shaved to just one and a half over the Phillies in the National League East.  Clearly, if you start watching the standings this early you can really drive yourself crazy.   

At first glance, one would like to blame the Mets bullpen for the loss yesterday and if you read any of the sports pages in the New York area, most of the writers did.  Too often have we seen the bullpen go out and just throw one away.  There is no question that they are partly responsible for blowing it yesterday.  Brian Stokes pitched an inning and a third allowing two runs on three hits, one of those hits was a homer by Adam LaRoche.  Pedro Feliciano worked a third of an inning, he retired the first hitter he faced then gave up a single to Adam LaRoche.  Duaner Sanchez entered the game, faced four hitters and couldn’t get any of them out.

Also, if John Maine did his job, the bullpen wouldn’t have had to pick up the slack after the fifth inning.  Yeah, he allowed no runs and only two hits, but he still walked four.  He had to leave the game in the fifth because of a high pitch count.  Really, this guy needs to get it figured out. 

The real story of the day is that the Mets are not hitting with guys in scoring position.  The Mets were 0-9 with runners in scoring position.  Damon Easley who has subbed for both David Wright and Jose Reyes in the series was 0-8 and hit into four double plays.  On Monday alone, Carlos Delgado left six runners in scoring position, including bases loaded in the eighth inning.  In the past 13 games, Delgado is 7-48 with runners in scoring position.                                                      

Look, the fact of the matter is that the Mets have to do two things to win-they have to pitch and they have to hit.  We know that early in games they can score, the Mets lead the league in runs scored in the first three innings of games.  However, they are also a league worst in giving up runs in the last three innings of games.  If the Mets can’t score enough runs to overcome their bullpen trouble, then they aren’t going to hold on down the stretch. 

Mets Blog 

The Mets woke up this morning to find themselves tied for first in the NL East and they can thank the Los Angels Dodgers for that. 

John Maine returned from the DL last night.  He has been out of the rotation since July 28th when he went only four and a third innings against Florida.  Maine pitched five solid innings of one hit ball, he walked four and stuck out six.  After the game he admitted to some soreness, but reiterated that it was nothing like he felt before. 

The bullpen did not cause any commotion in the game, recent call up Brian Stokes pitched four innnings in relife to get his first save.  In four innings of work he allowed three hits and struck out three.  Maybe the Mets have found the long man for the pen. 

Listen, I think that Maine looked much better last night, but I don’t think we can make any evaluation until at least his next start, because against a team like Washington, it is hard to gauge just how well he actually pitched.  Also, I thought that four walks in five innings was way too much.  That is something that was a problem for him well before he was injured. 

The Mets found plenty of offense scoring eight of their 12 runs in the third inning.  Washington’s starter Jason Bergmann really struggled, facing 13 Met in the inning, he walked five and allowed four hits.  Christian Guzman misplayed a ball that Jose Reyes hit, so only 6 of the 10 runs that Bergmann allowed were earned. 

Daniel Murphy continues to hit the ball well.  He was 3-6 last night with three RBI, including a two run oppostiefield homer in the top of the fifth.  Fernando Tatis also hit a homerun, and was 2-5 with two RBI and two runs scored.  Only two Mets were hitlessin last night’s game, both Carlos Delgado and Brian Schneider, but they both reached base three times via walks.

Last night was a great win for the Mets, one that they really needed.  It has been a long time since the Mets scored that many runs.  Although, I always worry that that means they won’t score any runs in the next two or three games.  New  York has just over 40 games left to the regular season and as we all know they are locked in a tight race for the top spot in the division.  The Mets really are going to have to win the division, because they are five games out of the wild card, and two teams ahead of them, the Brewers and the Cardinals and playing good baseball right now. 

Counting tonight’s game against the Nationals, the Mets will play eight more games in the month of August with teams that are  under .500.  The Metsproblems with these lowly teams have been well documents, just look what happendon Monday against the Pirates.  And, at the tail end of those eight games are with the Braves, and we are all aware of how the Mets play against the Braves.  So, the Mets are at a point where they should be able to keep pace with the Phillies, but time and time again, this team shows us that with them, anything is possible. 

The Mets and the Nationals wrap up the series tonight, game time is scheduled for 7:10 p.m.  The Mets will have Oliver Perez on the mound who is 8-7 witha 3.90 era.  The Nationals will counter with Collin Balester who is 2-4 with a 4.66 era. 

Mets Blog

The Mets finally got a decent performance out of their bullpen and held on to win 3-2 in Washington on Tuesday night.  With Johan Santana on the mound you almost automatically think the bullpen will blow it.  However, Santana did get his 10th win of the season, he pitched seven innings, allowing three runs on eight hits; he walked two and struck out six.  

Jerry Manual elected to pinch hit for Johan Santana in the top of the eighth inning.  Santana was visibly unhappy about leaving the game at that point.  Listen, considering how the bullpen has pitched as of late, and particularly how they seem to pitch in relief for Santana, I can imagine that he was not too happy about leaving the game in the hands of the bullpen.  Also, now he’ll have to hear that he only gave the Mets seveninnings, he hadn’t even thrown 100 pitches.  Listen, Santana wasn’t exactly stellar last night, he relinquished the lead on two occasions.  In the bottom of the first with a two run lead, Santana gave up two in the bottom of the inning.  Then, with the Mets winning 3-2 in the bottom of the seventh, he gave up a solo pinch hit homer to Ryan Langerhans-it was Langerhans’ first homer of the season.  However, Santana pitched well enough to get the win and after what he has been through with this bullpen, it was good to see that he finally got one. 

If someone had told you in March that Santana wouldn’t get his 10th winuntil the middle of August, you would think that something ridiculous had happened, and the truth is, the bullpen has been ridiculous.  If the bullpen had been able to hold leads in the games that Santana started he would be a 15 game winner right now.  Since the all star break, the Mets bullpen has a 6.82 era, the worst in the majors.  After the latest debacle against the Pirates in Monday’s make up game, Jerry Manual vowed to shake things up.  Scott Schoeneweis called a bullpen only meeting challenging guys to step up and go out and do what has to be done.  Apparently, it must have worked because both Joe Smith and Pedro Feliciano threw scoreless innings to finish out the game last night.  Smith worked the eighth, he allowed on hit and stuck out two.  Feliciano worked the ninth, he did not allow a hit or a walk and stuck out two, Feliciano also earned his first save of the season. 

The Mets scored two in the top of the first, Nick Evans singled with one out, and scored on a two out double by Carlos Beltran.  Beltran would score on a single to center by Carlos Delgado.  The Mets scored one in the third to go ahead 3-2 on a RBI double by Carlos Beltran.  Beltran had a better night at the plate last night, he was 2-4 with 2 doubles and 2 RBI.  He left two guys in scoring position when he stuck out with two outs in the top of the fifth inning.  However, hitting in the cleanup spot seems to agree with him, and given that winning these games against Washington and Pittsburgh are so important, hopefully, Beltran can really get it going.  The Mets left the bases loaded againin the top of the eighth inning. 

Good thing Damion Easley got hit in the head by a pitch in the top of the eighth ( he wasn’t actually “hit”more like the ball just grazed his helmet), otherwise the Mets would not have gotten a run home from third withless than two outs at all in the game.  What a terrible job by the Met’s hitters in that spot.  Dan Murphy pinch hit for Ramon Castro and struck out.  Then Brian Schneider pinch hit in the pitcher’s spot and struck out also, for that Santana could have batted and stayed in the game. 

A win is a win, and because the Phillies lost to the Dodgers on Tuesday night, the Mets sit in second place just one game out.  This is really a make or break road trip for the Mets.  The bullpen has got to get straightened out because the Mets are in a situation where a couple of losses in a row could be very hard to overcome.  Yes, the Mets do have five games left with the Phillies, so there is that to keep in the back of your mind, but the Marlins are not going away just yet.  The Mets meet the Marlins six more times, three of those games are the last three games of the regular season.  While we are discussing the last week of the season, the Mets are at home but play three with the Chicago Cubs and three with the Marlins; at that same time the Phillies will be at home for three against Atlanta and Washington.  So, really, the time to make up ground is getting short so the Mets must take advantage of the next two series and win some games. 

Ryan Church had a good work out down in Florida and is feeling good.  The Mets have still not set a time frame for his rehab assignment.  Carlos Muniz was sent down to Triple A New Orleans and Brian Stokes will stay with the team.  Luis Castillo’s return from the DL has been delayed “indefinitely” because he has been away from workouts attending to a personal family matter.  That or he realizes that when he returns he will be sitting on the bench.  Either way, let him stay down in Florida. 

The Mets and the Nats meet up again Wednesday night.  John Maine, fresh off his stint on the 15 day DL will start for the Mets and the Nationals will have Jason Bergmann on the mound.  Maine is 9-7 with a 4.13 Bergmannis 2-8 with a 4.13 era.  Game time is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. 

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