The New York Mets wrapped up their seven game road trip with a 4-1 loss to the Colorado Rockies on Sunday afternoon.  The Mets went 1-6 on this trip that included a four game sweep by the Atlanta Braves.  Things don’t look much better for the Mets as they return home to face the first place Florida Marlins.   

For the Mets it was the same old story, no offense and shoddy defense.  John Maine actually pitched pretty well on Sunday, going six giving up four hits, and four run-three earned, four walks and eight strikeouts.  In the bottom of the fourth, Maine had yet to give up a hit when Jose Reyes committed a game altering error on a ball that was sure to be an inning ending double play.  Of course on the next pitch Rockies right fielder Seth Smith hit a three run homer and the Mets would not rebound.  After scoring a run in the third, no Mets player advanced beyond second base there after. 

The defense didn’t help Maine out much as both Carlos Delgado and Jose Reyes committed their sixth errors of the season.  Reyes had a tough day on Sunday.  Not only did he commit a costly error in the field in the fourth inning; an inning earlier Reyes was picked off first base which marked the second time he had been picked off in the series.  It wasn’t just Reyes who had a rough day; David Wright had another 0-fer as did Luis Castillo and Delgado.  Rookie Nick Evans came back to earth as he was 0-2 before being pulled for a pitch hitter.   

This game is just another in a long line of games in which the Mets have played dreadful baseball.  Something has to change.  I don’t know if it is Willie or if it is a division in the club house, or if it is the fact that they just aren’t that good.   The Mets are in trouble. They are unable to put together more than one win at a time; they don’t seem to hit with runners on scoring position, if they can even get anyone on base.      

It seems that Willie will have a better idea of where he stands when he gets to Shea Stadium today.  Randolph is scheduled to meet with Mets ownership, and one can only imagine what will be said in this meeting.  I think there is no question that Willie is in trouble.  Randolph doesn’t actually have the backing of his players, I think the way the have played basically states that.  However, when asked by the New York Post about Randolph’s meeting with ownership, Wright responded, “That’s why there’s a separation of Powers, the players play the front office makes personnel decisions the coaches coach.  The front office can make those decisions.”  Not exactly a ringing endorsement.  However, there are plenty of guys who have backed Randolph, Brian Schneider said, “It’s not him - it’s us, we’re not getting it done right now. Willie’s still doing the same stuff he’s been doing, which is staying positive. He’s always there, and he’s our biggest supporter out there.” 

It is hard to argue that some of what is wrong with the Mets doesn’t fall on Willie’s shoulders.  If the Mets decided to fire him, can you blame them?  Ownership has a lot at stake as they have sunk a ton of money into the payroll and they need to have a good season before they move into Citifield if they hope to have people fill the seats in their new ball park.  And, this has nothing to do with his ranting about SNY and racism, if the Mets were in first place and 2o games over .500 then it would be a non issue; Willie Randolph could say what he wanted-I mean look what Ozzie Guillen gets by with simply because he won a world series.  The Mets are in trouble, and looks as if Willie is too.   

The Mets return home and start a three game series with the Florida Marlins.  Mets starter Mike Pelfrey will take the mound for the Mets and the Marlins will counter with Ricky Nolasco.  First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. 

Mets Blog