Pelfrey, Parnell & Green Implosions Inc.
The New York Met offense exploded (by their own standards) for 6 runs, but their pitching imploded and the Tampa Bay Rays took the rubber game of the series by a score of 10-6. This was the rubber game of rubber games, as both teams entered today 2-7 in rubber games. Congratulations to the Rays for winning the Rubber Bowl and the coveted Lassie Trophy.
The Lassie Trophy, awarded to the Rubber Bowl winner
The Mets took the early lead. In the bottom of the 2nd inning, David Wright scored on a wild pitch and an RBI single by Mike Pelfrey drove in Gary Sheffield to give the Mets a 2-0 lead. The Rays moved ahead in the 5th on 5 consecutive hits off Mets starter Pelfrey. B.J. Upton doubled in Jason Bartlett and Dioner Navarro who had both singled, then Carl Crawford singled to score Upton and Willy Aybar who had singled pinch hitting for Rays starter Jeff Niemann to give the Rays a 4-2 lead.
Schneider showed his punch
In the bottom of the 6th the Mets regained the lead when Wright doubled and Ryan Church drew a walk from Niemann’s replacement Lance Cormier, then “Mr. Incredible” Brian Schneider greeted reliever Joe Nelson with his 2nd 3-run homer of this series to give the Mets a 5-4 lead.
The Rays sent 10 batters to the plate in the 7th to break the game open. Bobby Parnell did not record an out, as Pat Burrell started the inning with a pinch hit single, then Upton hit a 2-run homer. Crawford then singled and scored on an RBI double by Evan Longoria which drove Parnell from the game. Ken Takahashi relieved and allowed an inherited runner to score when pinch hitter Gabe Kapler doubled to drive in Longoria and give the Rays an 8-5 lead.
The Mets last gasp was a 7th inning RBI fielders choice grounder by Sheffield which plated Daniel Murphy with the Mets final run. The Rays achieved their final margin of victory in the 8th inning when Sean Green, like Parnell, failed to get an out in relief. Green gave up consecutive singles to Upton, Crawford and Longoria for 1 run and then Perpetual Pedro Feliciano came on and walked Carlos Pena to drive in the Rays 10th and final run.
"Don't think just because I've got a lot of money, I'll give you taco-flavored kisses honey."
Mark Anthony and Jennifer Lopez, right, were in attendance. They were at Citi Field with her father, who is a Met fan, to celebrate Father’s Day. Lopez reminded those listening to “vote for Carlos” Beltran for the All-Star Game. Both had to leave quickly after the game, Lopez to continue work on a movie, and Anthony on “three albums.”
TRDMB wishes a Happy Father’s Day to fathers everywhere.
For the box score and game notes, please visit cbssports.com
35 comments
stickguy
6/21/2009-6:23pm at 6:23 pm (UTC -4)
It might have happened anyway, but IMO you can give another big red X to Jerry for this loss.
Debatable whether he should have tried to nurse another inning out of Pelf, with a tired pen.
But, OK for going to Stokes. But it was ridiculous (and I said so at the time) pulling him after 1 inning, and trying Parnell (who desperately seemed to need a couple days off) again. Then not having anything behind him that wasn’t already pretty well fried.
For what? To pinch hit Tatis (an automatic out at this point) with 2 outs, bases empty? Odds of scoring there are miniscule anyway. Plus, protecting the lead needed to be considered too.
Who knows what happens if Stokes hits and pitches the 7th (at least). If nothing else (assuming of course he kepth the lead) you only have to mix/match for the 8th.
Funny that the only relievers that pitched well were the guys that were well rested!
Jerry seems to have a split personality. He 1/2 manages like the sason is a marathon (Martinez), then runs the pitching like it is the 7th game of the WS.
I’m sure he gets the rest of the season (and at this point, it may not matter) but he is just as much part of the problem this year as the injuries (which don’t explain the horrid fundimental play and lack of overall hustle, that goes to the manager) and needs to be sent far away.
Next year, new manager, and new attitude.
prismo
6/21/2009-6:26pm at 6:26 pm (UTC -4)
“Next year, new manager, and new attitude.”
Now that would depend on who they hire.
After Bobby V there have been three strike outs in my mind with Mets managers – who’s to say they’ll strike gold with number four?
stickguy
6/21/2009-6:38pm at 6:38 pm (UTC -4)
law of averages?
although it might take Omar picking someone with a strong presence and some authority. Not likely based on his track record.
Sadly, I am now thinking Omar probably needs to go along with Jerry, Bernazard, etc. Find someone with a future and just turn the organization over to a visionalry (IOW, find the next Theo)
dirtysanchez
6/21/2009-7:32pm at 7:32 pm (UTC -4)
my red pen has run out of ink when it comes to jerry
dirtysanchez
6/21/2009-7:34pm at 7:34 pm (UTC -4)
while i agree with your reasoning and rationale…
jerry will be given a pass because of the injuries and the pr hit of the mets going through 2 managers in 2 years. Jerry will be here next year..bank on it unfortunatly
prismo
6/21/2009-6:24pm at 6:24 pm (UTC -4)
Oh my god…Brian DOES look like Mr.Incredible! Creeptastic! They both have the whole big chin thing goin’ on.
rustyjr
6/21/2009-7:34pm at 7:34 pm (UTC -4)
lol
ghostofshea
6/21/2009-6:28pm at 6:28 pm (UTC -4)
If i wasnt for baltimore, we would have been officially cooked. This is one wacky season. We need too much help for any trades. Theres just too many holes and not the good ones (hoes). Can we get a petition to have the wilpons sell the mets to serious buyers, ones that wanna win. This offseason was thought to be won with krod and jj. Fair enuff to say our offense did well last season, but theres never a thing called too much in baseball. Damn, adam dunn sounds pretty good right now bombing out (new york) citi, cuz its like hittin hr’s outta nyc in citi field. Sigh. I guess tomorrows another day. LGM.
stickguy
6/21/2009-6:37pm at 6:37 pm (UTC -4)
Well, the phils hitting the tank at the same time really masked the problems the mets have (creating the illusion of being in it, which of course, they technically are!)
If the Phils decided to play well at home last week, the Mets could easily be 6-7 out, and I doubt we would be talking about the division much.
And don’t get on the Wilpons. They do want to win, and gave the Gm a very large budget. And whos to say they are preventing Omar from getting anyone now?
Or are you harping on night authorizing another 30 mill per year for Manny + some others?
If you want to blame someone upstream, blame Omar for building the team, not the Wilpons for giving him the money.
and be careful what yo wish for. They could easily sell and the new owners would cut the payroll to cover the debt service!
ghostofshea
6/21/2009-6:49pm at 6:49 pm (UTC -4)
Yea i guess your right. But omar did put a team of good n great players together as well. And yes i think they shouldve shelled that money to get manny. If you can afford to put 300 mil on the market it means your loaded. Us fans deserve way better than this bs. And was adam dunns contract worth 30 mil? Was it really worth it chancing it with ollie more so than lowe because of a yr n $$$? This is the ny mets aka 2nd highest payroll in the richest city. Were not obviously gonna raise prospects like other teams as much so we have to play big money ball. And i say dont play big money ball if ur not for real. In a way we r but i guess my frustration from this team is jus iggin me. And o yea, i wished them to sell to “serious buyers who r for real”.
. And i hope that wish comes true. But i do agree with u as well.
metfreak
6/21/2009-6:35pm at 6:35 pm (UTC -4)
How more days until football season? Too bad Delgado and Putz are not coming back before the trade deadline we could of traded them for something .They should of got rid of everybody when the season ended last yr instead they give Omar 4 more yrs and Jerry the joker 2 yrs
smooth
6/21/2009-7:20pm at 7:20 pm (UTC -4)
The Mets run differential is now -1, if thats not a sign of a sinking ship idk what is. They are also just 1 game above .500 and we are realistically looking at under .500 next weekend. They are lucky the phillies have hit a losing streak, but i dont see this team surviving another 3 weeks, especially with Beltrans bum knee. A move has to be made at this point, and im tired of Bobby Parnell, his numbers to start the season were deceiving because his BAA was always high.
dirtysanchez
6/21/2009-7:31pm at 7:31 pm (UTC -4)
thats what we said 3 weeks ago….
smooth
6/21/2009-7:46pm at 7:46 pm (UTC -4)
our run differential was still in the +, were now at -1 and just a game above .500, lets be real here. This team was getting by and its luck is about to run out. How do you figure they finish even 3-4 over the next 7 vs the cardinals and yankees? that would put them at .500 and we would have to hope that the phillies continue to lose or we could be at 5 games back easily
dirtysanchez
6/21/2009-7:30pm at 7:30 pm (UTC -4)
lol grave i would pay to live in your imagination with these things lol…good job
dirtysanchez
6/21/2009-7:36pm at 7:36 pm (UTC -4)
What makes this more depressing is that carlos beltran again said that his leg hurt today and is worried about the MRI tomorrow….can anyone remember a season quite like this?
smooth
6/21/2009-7:39pm at 7:39 pm (UTC -4)
call it a season if beltran hits the DL, the team is done!
tkfj
6/21/2009-8:03pm at 8:03 pm (UTC -4)
Jerry couldnt manage his way out of a wet paper bag. I don’t think you could find a bigger dunce who doesnt understand how to manage a bullpen.
Stokes goes weeks at a time without seeing action and pitches a successful 6th inning only to be pulled for a beleagured Bobby Parnell, who obviously as a young pitcher has a hit a little bit of a dead arm/wall period of the season.
He uses the same 4 or 5 relievers every series with some exceptions, and then expects those who don’t have regular action to pitch well when called upon. Why bother having the other 5 arms out there if they arent going to be used? Takahashi and Switzer are bad, but Stokes has been great and virtually unused. Jerry is running this bullpen into the ground, only adding more fuel to the fire of problems. Injuries and bad management, hard to overcome both and be successful.
Stats prove this, but Jerry doesnt look at stats.
Most of season: 2.91 bullpen ERA
Last 11 games: 7.09 bullpen ERA
If that isnt a sign of tired arms, give me an example of what is.
gland
6/21/2009-8:17pm at 8:17 pm (UTC -4)
What does “most of season” actually entail?
tkfj
6/21/2009-8:20pm at 8:20 pm (UTC -4)
Before the last 11 games, SNY stat. Sorry.
gland
6/21/2009-8:38pm at 8:38 pm (UTC -4)
I agree that Stokes should be used a bit more in the bullpen rotation. But it’s hard for me to go crazy over Jerry not using him for one more inning. Personally, I tend to blame the players over the manager, but that’s just me. And today I’m blaming Pelfrey for not manning up.
GravediggerHebner
6/21/2009-8:38pm at 8:38 pm (UTC -4)
I don’t know how much, if any, relief you’ll take from this but Jerry did say after the game that he was using certain relievers too much and was going to have to use some different guys. Perhaps too late, but at least he’s publicly acknowledged it.
smooth
6/21/2009-8:52pm at 8:52 pm (UTC -4)
everyone is getting on jerry for using the same guys too much, but did u really want him using switzer or takahashi/stokes instead of green or feliciano in a tight spots in games. How about the starters go more than just 5 or 6 innings and then jerry can have some flexibility.
gland
6/21/2009-8:59pm at 8:59 pm (UTC -4)
smooth-
that is 100% exactly how I feel. Absolutely.
GravediggerHebner
6/21/2009-9:10pm at 9:10 pm (UTC -4)
Ideally the starters would pitch deeper (and better) in games, but in the absence of that, I think if nothing else if Manuel has used Feliciano 5 days in a row and is already losing the game on the 6th day, perhaps Switzer or Takahashi will just have to give it a go.
If any of the “trusted” guys hasn’t pitched a lot recently I can see them coming in when the team is down, but if they’ve been rolled out a lot leading up to that point, you’ve gotta hope someone else can hold the deficit. If today Jerry brought in Tak or Switz down 2 and they increased the deficit, there’s no way I’d be screaming “why didn’t you bring in Feliciano for the 6th day in a row?”
If he really feels like there are 2 or 3 guys in the bullpen that he just can’t use, then he needs to communicate with Omar specifically and directly about changing something, not just keep ignoring guys and then making cryptic remarks about it in the press after the quality guys have been burned out.
dirtysanchez
6/21/2009-9:14pm at 9:14 pm (UTC -4)
well my beef with todays game is you bring in stokes in the 6th. Stokes is your long man. Your catcher just put you up by one. You got taka/switzer/parnell who have not been lights out. You got feliciano who pitches like every day. Green has been better but by no means a lock. Let stokes hit there and get another inning as he just had a 1-2-3 inning vs the rays. Leave the whole pen take the 8th as you got the top of the lineup next inning to add on to the lead. You use the whole or at least green to get the 8th and krod 9th. With that, you gave parnell/feliciano a day off and you win the game…
GravediggerHebner
6/21/2009-9:18pm at 9:18 pm (UTC -4)
Agree about leaving in Stokes today. There were already 2 out when Tatis pinch hit for Stokes. Just let him make out there, then start fresh with the top of the order in the 7th after (hopefully) getting another quality inning out of the well rested Stokes.
dirtysanchez
6/21/2009-9:23pm at 9:23 pm (UTC -4)
Did you see the post game grave? What did he say about that if you did?
GravediggerHebner
6/21/2009-9:37pm at 9:37 pm (UTC -4)
Wasn’t really paying attention, was writing, but I recall him speaking in general about using the bullpen differently. Maybe SNY.tv has some tape.
gland
6/21/2009-10:05pm at 10:05 pm (UTC -4)
I think it’s just me, but I don’t really care what he says in the press. Everyone always seems to get so hung up on it, but the press conferences are just talk, just for show. I felt the same about Willie’s press conferences. They just aren’t relevant. Managers have to do these conferences, and they just talk. Jerry’s biggest skill is that he is able to keep these sessions light and make everyone like him.
After any given game that they lose, when I think about why, I find myself very rarely blaming the manager. I always blame the players. maybe thats just me.
GravediggerHebner
6/21/2009-10:36pm at 10:36 pm (UTC -4)
While generally I agree with what you’re saying, I hope you don’t blame Pedro Feliciano for allowing 2 inherited runners to score today when it was the 6th consecutive game in which he’d pitched. I hope you would blame the manager for being too blind to realize that, despite a relievers protests that he’s fine (if it even came up), he shouldn’t be used 6 consecutive days If I were a manager, I would automatically give a reliever a day off if I’d used him 3 consecutive days, but maybe that’s just me.
Also I wouldn’t say I “get hung up on” the press conferences, but I would say that they, and my observing of the game, are all I have to go on. Whatever they say, even if it’s total BS, is all they put out there, and like in a court of law, anything said can be used against them (or in support of them).
dirtysanchez
6/21/2009-9:10pm at 9:10 pm (UTC -4)
so if they are not dependable, get people who are. Get some AAA guys who are throwing well, get figgy…but right now we got 7 guys and only 4 are absorbing all the work…
GravediggerHebner
6/21/2009-9:21pm at 9:21 pm (UTC -4)
Part of the issue with the bullpen group is a 40 man roster issue. Right now the only relief pitchers already on the 40 man that could be recalled are Eddie Kunz, Arturo Lopez, Carlos Muniz and Connor Robertson (unless Pat Misch is a reliever). Not exactly an inspiring crew.
metsfan4decades
6/21/2009-11:45pm at 11:45 pm (UTC -4)
6 weeks ago when the players started going down faster than we could blink, I said the only way we could stay competitive with the players we have left is with pitching, pitching, pitching. And with the exception of Johan and Livan, the starters are not getting it done. If you can’t get into the 7th consistently, the BP is going to be burnt before half the season is done. And that’s exactly what we’re seeing now.
So part of the problem is Maine, Redding, Pelf not getting to the 7th for the most part (Nieve gets a pass for the time being), and the same maybe 4 guys getting the call out of the BP when we have 7. Knowing that, Stokes should have pitched more than one inning today, period. I could maybe see pitch hitting for him with men on base and/or less than 2 outs but neither one was the case.
We know the offense is anemic. We know we seriously miss Delgado and his power bat and Reyes in this line up. Either/both change the whole dynamics of the line up. Sheff and Beltran are playing with one leg, Cora is playing with 9 fingers and Murph and Tatis are not doing what we need.
And yeah, I agree with most. The only reason we’re still in this is b/c the Phils are actually playing a bit worse and the whole NL east is weak right now.
Heard an interesting tidbit that when both Maine and Perez come back it’s not an automatic given they’re inserted in the starting rotation. If it makes more sense to put them in the BP b/c the starters are getting it done, then that’s what they might do.
This is both depressing and interesting. It’s going to be a loooooong July.
stickguy
6/21/2009-11:59pm at 11:59 pm (UTC -4)
I don’t see them putting Ollie in the pen. Hard to imagine that nightmare.
However, if Maine isn’t going to be able to handle going deep, he could make a nice arm for the pen for a short time. Heck, he could take the Putz role.
Also has the advantage of not relly having to pace himself, and cuts down wear on the arm.
Not sure if he can adjust to the mental aspect 9supposedly being a total creature of habit), but not out of bounds to consider.
Pelf, Johan and Livan are doing fine and/or not going anywhere. If Neive keeps this up, he could be hard to dislodge.
So, Redding and Maine to help the pen, with Stokes also available for a later role now? Better than the current situation.