Just curious, did the Mets know there was a game last night and did they realize that it was important?  Because if they did, shame on them for not showing up.  Nothing was happening for the Mets last night as they were downed 7-2 by the Nationals. 

 

The Mets are now just 7 and 5 in the month of September and have seen their three game lead shrink to just half a game.  The Phillies are tied for the wild card and the Brewers, trying to avoid the collapse of last season, just fired their manager, so the race has heated up and everyone is fighting for a position.  But instead of urgency, it almost seems like a sense of dread had overcome the Mets.  Especially when they the bullpen comes into the game. 

 

Pedro Martinez started, but in his six innings of work he allowed four runs on eight hits, he walked four and struck out three.  Listen I want to be all warm and fuzzy about Pedro but I think we all know that he is not going to be a Met next year and he isn’t exactly helping us down the stretch.  But if you ask him, he went out there and battled.  And, I guess that is all that matters, at least he tried.  Give me a break!  I realize we don’t really have another starter, but really what are they going to do with this guy?  Anyway, after Pedro coughed up four runs, the Pig Pen was at it again.  Duaner Sanchez gave up three runs in a third of an inning.  Wow-face three batters and don’t even get one of them out.  Great job, Duaner! 

 

And clearly the Nationals (who are coming off a five game losing streak) had all star pitching last night as the Mets were only able to generate five hits.  Not one player had more than one hit and David Wright, Carlos Beltran and Carlos Delgado were hitless in the game.  Wright had a tough night, he struck out with a runner in scoring position in the first inning and then grounded into a double play with the bases loaded in the eighth.  I know they’ll give us the whole thing about having to go back out there and get it done tomorrow, but guys-you’re running out of tomorrows.  Not only that but you are playing teams under .500 and out of the race, these are the teams you are supposed to beat!  Is anyone going to show up and play “tomorrow”?  This whole falling apart thing is all starting to feel a little to familiar.  If this team does this a second year in a row, they may never bounce back. 

 

On a side note, John Maine is hoping to rejoin the team at Shea Stadium when they return home on Monday.  Apparently he has even volunteered to be the closer if the Mets want him too.  Might as well give him a shot, he can’t be any worse than anyone else who is out there.  I wonder, how do you look your teammates in the face after you go out there night after night and play like this?  I guess it is ok because they all stink too.  Also, I guess we should realize that they clearly don’t feel any heat, they were all able to have fun after that terrible weekend of play as it was all fun and games when they went about their hazing rituals for the rookies.  So, I guess as fans these losses just hit us a little harder and if that is the case, maybe I need to rethink this fan thing…

 

The Mets and the Nationals meet again tonight, Mike Pelfrey will pitch for the Mets.  Game time is scheduled for 7:10 p.m.