Jon Niese took the mound today and tried to end the Met woes,a tough task of a pitcher who walks into this start posting an 8.71 ERA for his last two performances- little did Niese know he would never make it to the 4th inning.  Jerry Manuel also unvieled a new line-up with an absent Frenchy, Chris Carter as a clean up hitter and Angel Pagan batting 7th.  Ricky Nolasco gave up a hit to Jose Reyes who played some head games with him in the bottom of the first. Alex Cora hit a bullet to the outfield and as Reyes took of for second, was caught. Jason Bay hit a foul ball to end the inning. Niese came out dealing as he struck out Cameron Maybin but gave up a hit to Gaby Sanchez. Niese got out of trouble when doubled up Hanely Ramierz. Chris Carter launched a ball to the deepest part of the park to lead off the top of the second inning for a long out. David Wright is doing his best to keep his consecutive Strike Out pace going as he struck out looking. He has struck out in the last 13 games. Ike Davis grounded out.
The Bottom of the Second, Niese was inducing the ground ball for Jorge Cantu, Dan Uggla and Ronny Paulino grounded out to Jose Reyes. Angel Pagan led off the top of the third with a walk. Henry Banco struck out and Jon Niese actually hit a base hit pushing Pagan to third but Reyes lined a shot to Cantu and Niese was doubled off of first.
The wheels came off the Defense in the bottom of the Third as well as Jon Niese. It began with David Wright unable to throw Cody Ross out from a hot shot down the third base line.  Niese walked Brett Carroll, Nolasco laid down a bunt back to Niese that he promptly threw to Wright who misplayed it. Maybin crushed a double off the Left Field wall for 2 RBI’s. Gaby Sanchez bunted a ball that was thrown away by Niese which scored another run. Niese threw one pitch to Ramirez and had to leave the game with a hamstring  injury(hold your breath). Hisandri Takahashi would come in relief and induced a ground out to Ramirez. This play was done with some drama as Reyes dropped the ball and barely threw him out. Cantu had a sac fly and Uggla drew a walk. Paulino, being the ninth man to bat, lined a shot up the middle scoring another run. Cody Ross, batting for the second time, hit a ball to David Wright who booted it causing yet another run to score. Brett Carroll was walked to get to Nolasco who struck out. When all was said and done 12 Marlins batted and 6 runs were scored and the bases were loaded to boot.
The Mets went down weakly in the top of the 4th after Ross robbed Cora of a base hit. Jason Bay would simply pop up and Carter grounded out. Takahashi would counter by striking out the side in the bottom of the frame. David Wright hit a long out to open the top of the 5th, Davis drew a walk, Pagan flied out and Blanco fouled out. In the Bottom of the 5th, Uggla went yard, Paulina drew a walk and Ross doubled. Carroll was intentionally walked to get to Nolasco. Nolasco hit weakly to Wright who threw a high ball to Cora who spun and threw a ball in the dirt to Davis who dug it out for the double play. ( Did you get that?). Marlins 7, Mets 0.
Nolasco went through Tatis and Reyes with no problem in the top of the 6th but  Cora got himself on first with a base hit and Bay got himself an infield hit with some good hustle. With two men on Carter had a chance to drive in some runs and delivered with a base hit and put the Mets on the board with their first run of the day. Wright took the plate and drove in the two runners on base with a double over the head of the right fielder. Davis struck out to end the inning. Marlins 7, Mets 3
Manny Acosta came in to pitch a 1-2-3 the bottom of the 6th but the real fireworks would come in the top of the 7th where Chris Leroux came into the game and immedialty got in trouble. He walked Pagan and Blanco got a single. With two men on, Matthews came up and hit a single into center field. Reyes hit into a fielders choice and at least scored a run. Cora came up and hit a ball over the first baseman and and scored two more runs. With the Mets down a run and Cora sitting on Second, Jason Bay came to bat and struck out on a 95 mph fastball. There would be a call to the bull pen and Dan Meyer would come in to pitch to Frenchy who would, with a chance to tie the game, fly out to left field in foul ground. For those of you who are following, it is the Mets 6 and the Marlins 7.
 Any hopes of a Met comeback was squashed when Fernando Nieve would come in and get  in some trouble walking Paulina and giving up a base hit to Ross. Coghlan would then, on the 12th pitch at the at bat, hit 3 run home run, that increased the lead of the Marlins by 3.
The Mets would add a run off of Nunez with the a triple by Bay and a fielders choice by Castillo. David Wright would come to bat as the Mets last batter and strike out. Final Score Marlins 10 Mets 7
Mets will travel to Atlanta to take on the (at least at this point) the last place Braves.
40 comments
rustyjr
5/16/2010-4:55pm at 4:55 pm (UTC -4)
Oh the pain ! And Jerry’s not worried – so it is true denial is a rive in Egypt
dirtysanchez
5/16/2010-4:56pm at 4:56 pm (UTC -4)
No…we are in last place
metsfan4decades
5/16/2010-5:02pm at 5:02 pm (UTC -4)
When we hit, we don’t pitch.
When we pitch, we don’t hit.
Sure wish they’d all get on the same page.
Some good news. Niese interviewed on post game he felt something when he went to field that play, came down hard on that right leg.
Said next pitch he felt something in the same spot as that injury last year.
Said now though (after the game) he feels good. Not bothering him now. It was just a little scary and they didn’t want to take a chance.
Said if he has his way, he’ll not miss a start. Obviously, up to what the tests revealed but the fact that he doesn’t have any pain now is a good sign.
Niese’s quote: ‘If I’m walking, if I’m breathing, I want to be on the mound on Friday’.
dirtysanchez
5/16/2010-5:05pm at 5:05 pm (UTC -4)
Ledger_NYMets
Oh, and David Wright has a 13-game strikeout streak going.
Mr North Jersey
5/16/2010-5:06pm at 5:06 pm (UTC -4)
Nice….
O Captain my Captain.
njstuckintx
5/16/2010-6:06pm at 6:06 pm (UTC -4)
Marlins announcers said he was on pace for 200 Ks this year.
prismo
5/16/2010-6:13pm at 6:13 pm (UTC -4)
and 35HR and 105RBI.
njstuckintx
5/16/2010-6:18pm at 6:18 pm (UTC -4)
The original Mark Reynolds!
njstuckintx
5/16/2010-6:22pm at 6:22 pm (UTC -4)
to expound on this, yeah, the K’s are frustrating, but if Wright’s producing, you can’t complain about an out, be it a ground out or a K. And at least he’s making the pitcher throw 3 pitches at least.
johan4cy
5/16/2010-6:26pm at 6:26 pm (UTC -4)
but he’s only batting .280, he is a .300 hitter
stickguy
5/16/2010-11:22pm at 11:22 pm (UTC -4)
I actually have confidence that he can beat Dimagio’s streak. It is in him!
Mr North Jersey
5/16/2010-5:06pm at 5:06 pm (UTC -4)
Man when you read the post you realize a lot happened in today’s game.
So why do I feel like i am in a fog?
dirtysanchez
5/16/2010-5:26pm at 5:26 pm (UTC -4)
because its just not this game, but the last 5. Hell, the whole month so far has been a big let down from the one before.
Mr North Jersey
5/16/2010-5:28pm at 5:28 pm (UTC -4)
I was thinking how can we fire HoJo after team scored 8 runs?
njstuckintx
5/16/2010-6:17pm at 6:17 pm (UTC -4)
They fired Willy after a win.
Mr North Jersey
5/16/2010-6:18pm at 6:18 pm (UTC -4)
johan4cy
5/16/2010-6:27pm at 6:27 pm (UTC -4)
in california
njstuckintx
5/16/2010-6:30pm at 6:30 pm (UTC -4)
I’m not sure location should matter. They could be on Uranus, I’m not sure anyone would mind.
stickguy
5/16/2010-6:45pm at 6:45 pm (UTC -4)
I would.
oh wait, you mean the planet.
never mind.
But seriously, you are wrong. The media was pissed as hell about willie, and took it out on the team. That is the only reason his firing (at midnight, not 3:00), was blown up to such a big deal.
darknova306
5/16/2010-5:41pm at 5:41 pm (UTC -4)
Wow, I’m glad I was out of town this weekend and couldn’t see the games. It’s amazing how quickly the team shot up from last to first, then promptly spiraled back down. If Omar is going to make major changes *cough*firejerry*cough* he needs to do it now while there’s still most of the season left.
njstuckintx
5/16/2010-6:17pm at 6:17 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah, it’s really trending towards a whole house cleaning. Hojo, Warthen, Jerry… I’m thinking they are all set to say good bye. (and don’t get me started on our choices of 3B coaches, who can’t seem to stop windmilling their arms like they are from Holland) I would guess 1 month’s time will bring it if the current trend persists. Problem is that they’ll suck for a while, the big axe in the sky will be hovering over Jerry’s neck, then they rip of a 5 of 6 or 8 of 10 streak and everyone will back off him.
Since Hojo has been here, Wright’s K’s have skyrocketed. Reyes hasn’t “progressed” at all.
And on a side note, other than the fact I have Reyes on my fantasy team, he’s really starting to drive me insane. Hopefully a new management/hitting team will turn him around. He’s worth it to me to exercise his option, but I wouldn’t be all too quick to consider shifting Tejada over from short. I know it’s unspeakable in these parts, but definitely something to think about, back burner style. No, I’m not calling for Reyes’ ousting, but I’m saying being prepared for the future is always nice and if Reyes would bring in something wonderful and Tejada was ready… Again, not trying to start anything, just saying.
stickguy
5/16/2010-6:27pm at 6:27 pm (UTC -4)
well, they do need to have a plan B for 2012, since they only have the option for 2011. So it is not just up to the mets if he is around after next year. Being a FA, he has to want it too. I do expect them to extend him also after this season (ripping up the option for a new 4/5 year deal), but no guarantee they do, or he wants it.
njstuckintx
5/16/2010-6:29pm at 6:29 pm (UTC -4)
I hope they do too.
What do you think he’ll fetch? 5 years, 75 mil? too much?
johan4cy
5/16/2010-6:32pm at 6:32 pm (UTC -4)
I’d say 5 for 60. He hasn’t deserved to make 15 million dollars a year, he hasn’t even deserved to get payed 12, but I think that’s what it’s going to have to be.
stickguy
5/16/2010-6:43pm at 6:43 pm (UTC -4)
who is his agent?
I think they will want 5/75 or they just won’t sign, taking the chance that he has a big 2011 and cashes in even bigger.
If they can get him for 5/60, sign him up and run. But I doubt it happens.
But, even 5/75 is certainly defensible, since if he rebounds to his 2006-2008 numbers, at his age, he probably gets that.
stickguy
5/16/2010-6:41pm at 6:41 pm (UTC -4)
fasten your seatbelts. it is going to be a bumpy landing.
anyway, this team just seems to absolutely be fighting itself, and making things way more difficult than they should be. And that, to me, is a much bigger indictment of the manager and coaches than just losing some games.
Right now is actually a perfect time to clean out Jerry and the gang. The play certainly doesn’t support keeping them. nor do the numbers. and there is still 3/4 of a season left, meaning plenty of times for a new voice to calm things down and straighten the team out, and get them in the playoff hunt.
Jerry got lucky in 2008, riding a bunch of hot players (that had been cold for willie), mostly delgado, to some wins, until the wheels came off in spetember, and he seemed incapable of managing (an admittedly weak) pen, or using the right guys, and for sure keeping the team from imploding. But, they got close, so he got a 2nd chance, fair enough.
2009 should have been it. He made more odd and bad moves that the team had to try and overcome, and should have been let got for admitting he was playing tatis instead of young guys (evans) purely to try and save his own job. But, all the injuries got him that 3rd chance to prove he wasn’t incompetent.
well, 1/4 of 2010, with a full team other than Beltran, and the team is in disarray, with bad loses mounting, along with the litany of odd moves. Basically, he is not showing that he is a decent manager, and he isn’t showing that he is a leader that will straighten out the team.
so, he got his one more chance, and it isn’t working. Given that there is plenty of season left to right the ship, and you got the Yankees and Phils coming up (you really want this circus hanging over the mets at home for that homestand?), and right now is absolutely the perfect time for the FO to take decisive action and make the change.
Not that I expect the FO to pick the right time, or to take decisive action!
Oh, and just firing a couple of coaches and keeping Jerry on death watch, will be a much worse move than doing nothing.
njstuckintx
5/16/2010-7:33pm at 7:33 pm (UTC -4)
Agree on your last point, for sure. If they are going to do it, none of this fire this guy, save that guy, etc. Do a clean sweep. And they should not go down interim manager lane either. They know if backman or Tuefel or Brenley can be the guy. Put them in as interim manager, go through the whole interview motions and hire them full time, asap, so the last regime of Omar can begin.
stickguy
5/16/2010-8:10pm at 8:10 pm (UTC -4)
a real LT option is often hard to get mid season, especially if they work for another team. So, better to go with an untainted interim guy (I put melvin, collins and what’s his name the AAA manager in that catagory)/
But, better if it is someone that is a viable candidate so they can at least have a shot at the job. Although you can make a case that it will be less messy to get someone that has no desire to stay on, so a true interim only situation.
metsfan4decades
5/16/2010-7:43pm at 7:43 pm (UTC -4)
All good points. Especially the last sentence. Either a clean sweep or stay the course and ride it out.
Mr North Jersey
5/16/2010-6:47pm at 6:47 pm (UTC -4)
Poor Kingman, I wonder how he is handling all this?
Kingman 26
5/16/2010-7:59pm at 7:59 pm (UTC -4)
I am disgusted and revolted, but still here!
Seriously, the tone/vibe/etc must change, the crazy lineups must end, etc.
Have to can Jerry now while there may be a season still left to save.
stickguy
5/16/2010-8:11pm at 8:11 pm (UTC -4)
word up, dude.
prismo
5/16/2010-8:24pm at 8:24 pm (UTC -4)
I think after Thursday’s game in Washington is the best time to can him.
Start off the Yankees/Phillies homestand with new/old manager Bobby Valentine!
stickguy
5/16/2010-9:04pm at 9:04 pm (UTC -4)
I think it will be better to do it in atlanta (maybe after tuesdyay?) and get the media stuff and and team turmoil out of the way on the road.
Can’t imagine wanting to do this the morning of starting the subway series, but it should make for a fun day.
metsfan4decades
5/16/2010-7:50pm at 7:50 pm (UTC -4)
“I don’t think we’re in as big a trouble as it appears the way we’re playing,†Manuel said. “I think we’re better than what we’re doing.â€
I agree with the last statement but define ‘big trouble’ in the first statement. I’d say last place is a big red flag.
stickguy
5/16/2010-8:12pm at 8:12 pm (UTC -4)
I actually agree with the first statement too, but it wont take that long until they are in as big as the trouble seems.
Mr North Jersey
5/16/2010-8:34pm at 8:34 pm (UTC -4)
General manager Omar Minaya changed his itinerary and planned to accompany the Mets on their trip from Florida to Atlanta, but a team official insisted that was nothing more than to lend support in the midst of a five-game losing streak. The official added that Minaya may not even stay in Atlanta long.
http://espn.go.com/blog/new-yorkmets/post/_/id/2805/omar-revises-itinerary
prismo
5/16/2010-8:36pm at 8:36 pm (UTC -4)
Quick fire, huh?
oleosmirf
5/16/2010-9:05pm at 9:05 pm (UTC -4)
don’t get your hopes up
stickguy
5/16/2010-9:14pm at 9:14 pm (UTC -4)
we are met fans. Hope is all we have left!