Catch the wind see us spin,
Sail away leave the day,
Way up high in the sky.
But the wind won’t blow,
You really shouldn’t go,
It only goes to show.
New York Mets starter Oliver Perez threw his best game since 2008. 6 1/3 innings, 97 pitches into his best game in 2 seasons, his Mets held a 1-0 lead. With 1 out and a runner on 2nd base, right handed hitting Brendan Ryan whom the Mets had already intentionally walked once in the game, was coming up. Mets manager Jerry Manuel, faced with the prospect of having the lefty Perez pitch to the righty Ryan with the tying run in scoring position, not likely to intentionally walk him again as he would be the go-ahead run, chose to remove Perez from the game. He could have made the choice because he wanted to get Perez out on a high note, in a situation in which he could not receive a loss. Or he could have made the choice because he has statistically one of the best bullpens in the major leagues so far this season. Perhaps he’ll reveal the reason for his choice in his post game press conference. But whatever the reason, it didn’t work out.
The right handed reliever Fernando Nieve (0-1) came on, and St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony LaRussa sent up a pinch hitter for Ryan, the lefty swinging Skip Schumaker, who Nieve hit on the foot with a breaking ball thus putting the go-ahead run on base. Slugging left fielder Matt Holliday, who had this game off due to illness, was then sent up to pinch hit for Cards starter Chris Carpenter (2-0) and Nieve walked him to load the bases. Next up was Felipe Lopez, a switch hitter who is more highly regarded as a left handed hitter, so Manuel called on lefty reliever Raul Valdes (not Pedro Feliciano) to turn Lopez around. His curveball to Lopez caught the wind. I got to see Valdes spin and watch Lopez’ ball sail away leave the day, way up high in the sky as it fell just over the outfield fence for a grand slam and a 4-1 Cardinals lead. It only goes to show that Ollie should’ve stayed in the game. He was in control. He hadn’t eclipsed 100 pitches. He was handling the Cardinals. But Manuel chose to relieve him, and I’m sure the Cardinals were themselves relieved. What Is And What Should Never Be.
Valiant effort
The Mets made a valiant effort in the top of the 9th. Jeff Francoeur led off with a single against Cardinal closer Ryan Franklin. One out later Gary Matthews Jr. doubled to the right field corner putting runners on 2nd and 3rd. Pinch hitter Frank Catalanotto, 0 for 8 thus far this season, then singled to left driving in Francoeur making it 4-2. Matthews then scored on a Jose Reyes ground out bringing the Mets within 1 run, but Luis Castillo grounded out to short and the Mets had come up 1 run short. Some would say the Mets shouldn’t even have been that close. Their 1st run of the game came when their horrible baserunning was outdone by horrible Cardinal defense. In the 2nd inning Francoeur inexplicably ran past 3rd base on a Perez sacrifice bunt and stopped halfway between 3rd and home. But the great Albert Pujols handled the situation poorly, and instead of running directly at Francoeur forcing him to go one way or the other, Pujols threw to Ryan covering 3rd as Francoeur dashed homeward. Ryan then made a terrible throw home and was charged with an error as Francoeur scored to make it 1-0 Mets. The final score was 4-3 Cardinals.
UPDATE 11:30pm – Jerry Manuel in the post game press conference says the reason Pedro Feliciano was not used as the left handed reliever in the situation that Raul Valdes was is due to the fact that Feliciano has a stomach issue and had received an IV during the game.
27 comments
Mr North Jersey
4/16/2010-11:29pm at 11:29 pm (UTC -4)
Grave what a disappointing loss. The pen failed us and the offense couldnt pick them up.
We can say Ollie pitched well at least.
How much longer will Jacobs bat 5th I wonder?
GravediggerHebner
4/16/2010-11:36pm at 11:36 pm (UTC -4)
They are showing promising signs in certain facets of the game, but this team (unlike the Phillies for example who can just bludgeon a team with offense to overcome their obvious deficiencies in other areas) needs to function well in all facets to win and tonight they didn’t.
Mr North Jersey
4/16/2010-11:43pm at 11:43 pm (UTC -4)
Agreed 100%
Can I offer a few suggestions to better improve this team? Some you already know
1. The Jacobs batting 5th experiment is over. Can we please put Frenchy in the 5 hole before Frenchy gets cold.
2. Can we finally just allow Pagan to play everyday. He has the better track record of producing on this team.
3. If Mejia is not going to be used to get big strikeouts can we send him down to minors and allow him to finally develop as a starter?
That’s all for now.
gategem
4/17/2010-12:57am at 12:57 am (UTC -4)
Your suggestions are too logical and certainly to be dismissed by Omar and Jerry (sounds like they should be manufacturing ice cream or appear in a cartoon).
I remember some Mets fans calling for the signing of Lopez when he was available. But it’s obvious he can’t field, cover ground or hit as well as Cora or Tatis or Castillo. So you can’t blame Omar for not going after him. (If it’s not apparent I’m being facetious.)
Mr North Jersey
4/16/2010-11:31pm at 11:31 pm (UTC -4)
For those wondering why Feliciano didn’t pitch? Manuel said he was not well and needed an IV Drip.
asod75
4/16/2010-11:34pm at 11:34 pm (UTC -4)
Then you must go to Igarashi there two outs early. Not Valdes.
asod75
4/16/2010-11:33pm at 11:33 pm (UTC -4)
As if it wasn’t already glaringly apparent, Jerry Manuel needs to go. His decisions really made no sense tonight. I think you give Ollie one more hitter there, it’s the bottom of the order, he’s throwing the ball well and still under 100 pitches. But I could live with the decision if someone other than Nieve and Valdes were chosen in those spots. I know Iggy has been selected for the eighth-inning role, but this was a case where you go to him two outs early and have him get five outs (or go to Feliciano for part of the eighth). Speaking of Feliciano, why was Valdes chosen over him with the game hanging in the balance? Yes, Valdes has thrown the ball pretty well in mostly meaningless situations, but let’s face it – The guy was a loan from a Mexican League squad, he’s not really all that great. Of course, Felipe Lopez hits a grand slam which pretty much ended the game (the Mets did put together a rally in the ninth to no avail). Jerry is a moron, he really is, and I’m sure most of us are done with him. Maybe a new manager would make no difference, but I really don’t want to spend the next two or three months wondering if it would have.
metsfan4decades
4/16/2010-11:41pm at 11:41 pm (UTC -4)
Pedro was ill. Sick enough to need an IV during the game.
asod75
4/16/2010-11:46pm at 11:46 pm (UTC -4)
Regardless, I’d rather have gone to Igarashi there, but his newly “defined” role is the eighth-inning guy. Guess you can never deviate from the plan, no matter how badly you need a win.
stickguy
4/16/2010-11:38pm at 11:38 pm (UTC -4)
yeah, just another night of head scratching moves by jerry.
I honestly can’t see anything he brings to the table, so what exactly is the downside to canning him>
asod75
4/16/2010-11:40pm at 11:40 pm (UTC -4)
Meanwhile, Kiko Calero collects dust in Buffalo.
gategem
4/17/2010-1:04am at 1:04 am (UTC -4)
I’m of the old school that believes when a pitcher is pitching a shutout and has things in control you let him win it or lose it (even if it is Ollie out there).
BTW Ollie’s fastball was still 88 mph and he pitched well because of his command that allowed him to set up the hitters. I’m interested to see if he can repeat this or was it just an aberration?
metsfan4decades
4/16/2010-11:40pm at 11:40 pm (UTC -4)
Some random thoughts on yet another disappointing game:
-where the heck is the offense? Not gonna win games like this. They stepped up for Carpenter. They let Ollie down.
-I couldn’t understand why no Pedro either. Now I know so pass there. But Nieve? Valdez? Hindsight always 20/20.
-Ollie pitched an outstanding game. Taking him out was a kind of tough decision. It’s a bit his fault though b/c his reputation precedes him. If he was left in and gave up the lead, they’d still want Jerry’s head on a platter. ‘Why? BP so good.’ blah, blah, blah.
- We’re not going anywhere with these holes in the lineup. I don’t care that GMJ and Cat and Jacobs finally got a hit. It was a little too little, a little too late. Can’t keep expecting Wright and Frenchy to carry this team.
I’m just so tired of watching this same thing night after night.
How about you guys?
asod75
4/16/2010-11:42pm at 11:42 pm (UTC -4)
One thing I didn’t get was, if you’re going to use Pagan as a pinch-runner there anyway, why wasn’t he pinch-hitting? Yes, I know Cat got a hit, but you waste two players. Plus, Pagan has a bit more pop in his bat than Cat anyway. These are basic baseball decisions that he flubs up on a nightly basis.
metsfan4decades
4/16/2010-11:55pm at 11:55 pm (UTC -4)
I didn’t get that either. Same with that pinch running decision the other day that left Cora up at bat.
gategem
4/17/2010-1:07am at 1:07 am (UTC -4)
I wonder if Omar is putting pressure on Jerry too play the players you referenced?
ceetar
4/16/2010-11:41pm at 11:41 pm (UTC -4)
Let’s just go down the list, besides the Pagan in the doghouse thing, and jacobs 5th.
Ollie’s doing good, lets up one hit on basically a Reyes wide throw. Bunt for an out. less than 100 pitches. Pulls Ollie anyway. Brings in overworked Nieve, two more batters. Fine, not really critical of Nieve besides his workload. Who’s next? Feliciano not ready due to illness. the 8th guy in a 7 man pen (behind even Green) Valdes? A lefty specialist? To face a guy that’s going to bat righty? Who would bat righty against Takahashi? Why not Iggy? Why not throw Mejia right back into the fire and see how he does?
stickguy
4/16/2010-11:41pm at 11:41 pm (UTC -4)
phils lucky they put up so many runs. Their BP has been brutal too.
asod75
4/16/2010-11:45pm at 11:45 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah it has, but like you said, they put up a lot of runs. Their guys get hits with men in scoring position all the time. What a concept.
stickguy
4/16/2010-11:45pm at 11:45 pm (UTC -4)
it gets tiring listing out all the dumb moves by jerry, when you don’t think the powers in charge are doing the same thing.
Still have to blame the FO for some of the roster decisions (still time to fix that!) But the manager could still try to minimize the damage. But, Jerry seems to embrace it.
asod75
4/16/2010-11:50pm at 11:50 pm (UTC -4)
I mentioned this on my blog, but here are a few things I would do to inject some life into the squad:
Send Mejia to the minors to become a starter. The team is in need of starting pitchers, get him some experience. Bring up Calero. If Calero gets hurt, you’ve got Parnell as well.
Cut Catalanotto and bring up Chris Carter. Could use another power bat on the bench. I’d also like to see Evans for Tatis, but that won’t happen because Omar loves Tatis. Just feel some young guys can bring some needed energy to the club.
Put Maine on the DL and call up Dillon Gee, Pat Misch, Tobi Stoner or just use Takahashi in the spot. Maybe that’s why we haven’t seen Taka lately. He might be on standby in case Maine gets rocked again, and then just slide into the position afterward.
A few moves that could help the team going forward. Nothing earth-shattering, but maybe could help. My obvious move of firing Jerry probably isn’t happening anytime soon.
stickguy
4/16/2010-11:54pm at 11:54 pm (UTC -4)
I got no problem with your first 3. But, I would take mejia down and carter up to start with.
I like the evans for tatis idea, but it aint happening. Not with Omar’s man crush on tatis. Just pay for the rest of the church and move him along.
and Maine will get a few more starts with his new/old approach to try and work through the kinks. If it doesn’t work, then they investigate the DL or a MiL option.
stickguy
4/16/2010-11:51pm at 11:51 pm (UTC -4)
Oh yeah, have to discuss mejia.
the big reason for him in the pen (well, the real reason was FO panic) was said that his 2nd and 3rd pitches weren’t ML ready.
Ignoring the fact that the place to get them ready is AA, the unstated reason for having him up was that they weren’t likely to be ready anytime soon (certainly not this year, if ever).
Well, from the few times he broke them out, they look pretty damned ML ready to me. maybe he needs some more IPs to really refine them or nail down his control/comfort level. But he looks pretty close already.
So it is real easy to imagine that a couple months of starts in AA could have him ready to contribute in the rotation. A much, much more valuable thing than being the mop up man in the pen.
So, I have to assume the organization will have a major pow wow when the team gets back to NY, and the first decision should be mejia down.
They can move on to the other glaring issues after that.
asod75
4/16/2010-11:55pm at 11:55 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah, great minds think alike. That’s my No. 1 thing to do to make the team better. Maybe not this year, but longterm. And it’s not like Calero is a bum, he pitched very well last year. If he comes up and gets hurt, you’ve still got Parnell, who was effective last year until Manuel overused him. This isn’t rocket science, and if the Mets are 4-8 and in last place, they can do that without Mejia in the pen…..
metsfan4decades
4/17/2010-12:01am at 12:01 am (UTC -4)
I don’t think there is one Met fan out there that doesn’t believe Mejia should be sent down to be stretched out.
He’s wasted right now in this BP. Jerry won’t bring him in unless they’re losing – non pressure situation. We’ve got plenty of arms in AAA that can take that same spot then. So why is he still here?
It’s not like the 8th inning spot is the only glaring need we have right now.
We’ve got 1, possible 2 problems in the starting rotation.
We’ve got non existent offense right now, partly b/c we’ve got 3 holes in the lineup. 4 if you count Cat off the bench. Frenchy and Wright can’t keep carrying this team. Jacobs and GMJ don’t belong on the team and Tatis, if keeping him, belongs strictly on the bench.
This team, as currently constructed, is a mess right now. With some minor tweaking, they can improve 100%. So what the heck is Omar waiting for?
gategem
4/17/2010-1:19am at 1:19 am (UTC -4)
The problem with Parnell is the hitters realized that he only has one pitch without the command to precisely locate it. Basically the league adjusted to him. In the spring Parnell worked on developing a cut fastball. I understand his progress has not been swift.
asod75
4/16/2010-11:59pm at 11:59 pm (UTC -4)
That makes no sense anyway. If his secondary pitches weren’t ready, then you send him to the place where you get them ready – the minors. You sometimes wonder what the heck they’re thinking about, if anything at all.