The mets dropped another series, this time to the Pods, to start the season at 4-5.
Game 1 – Padres 6 Mets 5 Mike Pelfrey looked shaky (Now we know it’s forearm tendonitis) again. David Wright brought the Amazins’ back with a three blast but bad outfield “D’ costs the mets for second game in a row. After Daniel Murphy staggered around like a drunk under a fly ball in Miami, Ryan Church turned the wrong way and had a long drive go off his glove for a three base error. It was hardly a routine play but this IS the majors after all. This proved to be the deciding play as this runner scored the go ahead run. I know the guys are still getting use to their new surroundings, but as a team they have made eight errors. Jerry Manual mentioned that he would like for the Mets to play better defense. Gee..thanks Skip!
Game 2- Mets 7 Padres 2 Shoddy play by the Friars led to a victory by the home team. The Mets scored 4 runs in the 7th to break open a close game. This may have been the WORST inning I’ve seen a big league team play in quite some time. Four runs on no hits. Yeah, I know, Luis Castillo was credited with a hit. Really? Bitch, please. Walks, errant throws around the bases, wild pitches. Jose Reyes scored from first and he was only tryin’ to steal second. Solid game for Ollie. Good job by Manual for getting him outta there on a high note.
Game 3—Padres 6 Mets 5 John Maine was bad. End of story. After being staked to a 3 run lead on a long (449ft) HR by Carlos Delgado in the first, maine gave up 5 in the third and one more in the fifth. Time after time Maine gets a guy down 0-2 or 1-2 and can’t put him away. He’s GOT to develop another pitch. Fastball up and slider low and away is not cutting it anymore. SD’s LF Headley went 4-4 and was down in the count each time. The difference between elite pitchers and journeymen was on display clearly last night. Jake Peavy gave up Delgado’s HR then shut the door. Time after time the Mets had runners in scoring position but Peavy got big outs when it counted. This is something I’ve noticed Santana does as well. Buckle down with runners on and get out of it.
I think what is most frustrating is the Mets let guys like Heath Bell and Duaner Sanchez shut them out like that. I know the Mets as a team have said all kinds of stuff about last season and growing as a team and moving on; but really the Mets didn’t have much life in these three games and I do think we are getting close to the point where we might have to start to worry. The staring pitching has stunk early (with the exception of Johan) and the Mets are still lacking those big hits with runners in scoring position. The Brewers come to town for three-maybe that will spark something in the Mets when they get to see their old friend Willie Randolph.
On a side note, when Heath Bell came in to close the Mets down I couldn’t help but think how much he lookes like one of my favorite comics:
