Everything has a tragic flaw
The incredible New York Mets road trip winning streak came to an end Saturday afternoon against the New York Yankees. After sweeping the Baltimore Orioles and Cleveland Indians, then taking the first game of the series against the Yankees, the Mets could not overcome a pair of Yankee 2-run homers, 1 each by Curtis Granderson and Mark Teixeira, and fell to the Yankees 5-3.
Elvis and his antics came to an end
Jose Reyes did not have any opportunities to display his much discussed antics today because he wasn’t on base much, or at least not for very long. He led off the top of the 1st inning with a solo home run, the sixteenth time in his career he has led off a game with a homer, giving the Mets yet another early lead on this road trip. But the Yankees struck right back, tying the game when Brett Gardner scored on a Teixeira double play ground out in the bottom of the inning.
Don Vito Corleone came to an end
With 1 out in the bottom of the 3rd Henry Blanco walked then Reyes hit his second home run of the game, the sixth time in his career he has hit multiple homers in one game, and the Mets had a 3-1 lead. But once again the Yankees struck right back when Gardner singled leading off the bottom of the inning then 1 out later Teixeira homered to tie it at 3.
Paris Hilton's British Best Friend came to an end
The battle of 9-1 starting pitchers Mike Pelfrey (9-2) and Phil Hughes (10-1) was decided in the 4th inning when Pelfrey showed he wasn’t going to hang with Hughes on this day. He walked Jorge Posada leading off the inning then surrendered a 2-run homer to Granderson that proved to be the game winner.
The View, however, remains
Worlds collided in the top of the 8th inning. Joba Chamberlain came on in relief of the starter Hughes for the Yankees. Reyes was scheduled to bat second in the inning for the Mets. The combination of their antics might trigger the type of unstoppable world destroying reaction feared by scientists before the detonation of the first atomic weapon. The question of whether the world would end will have to wait for another day. Reyes grounded out harmlessly and only Chamberlain displayed any potentially antagonistic emotion when he engaged in his usual hop and fist pump after striking out David Wright to end the inning. Mariano Rivera sent the Mets down 1-2-3 in the 9th for his 16th save.
45 comments
oleosmirf
6/19/2010-4:16pm at 4:16 pm (UTC -4)
before everyone has a heart attack let’s put things in perspective.
the mets lost a 2 run game, to the best team in baseball where 4 of the 5 runs were scored on HRs that would have stayed in the park at home. not to mention our ace is on the mound for the rubber match…
stickguy
6/19/2010-4:47pm at 4:47 pm (UTC -4)
well, unless you can return this 2009 model, and get the early 2010 model Pelf back, I don’t think we have an Ace at this point. Just a couple of guys that “battle without their best stuff”.
And, just my opinion of course, better hope that someone beside Reyes and pagan show up tomorrow, since I have about 5% faith that Santana doesn’t get lit up big time. At least there is a chance that CC good be lousy too.
It was a nasty flashback though watching Wright flair uncontorllably at breaking balls. Shoulders and head flying all different directions, anda nice 3 pack of Ks.
I will pencil in a 12-11 final tomorrow. You can decide who wins.
oleosmirf
6/19/2010-4:53pm at 4:53 pm (UTC -4)
you are overreacting to one loss. Right now Pelfrey has a 2.69 ERA and you would be a fool to expect that to hold up all season.
however 16-7 with a 3.50 ERA is a heck of a season especially for a 3rd SP if Omar has the balls to go out and get Lee and part with “phenom” Mejia…
stickguy
6/19/2010-4:56pm at 4:56 pm (UTC -4)
just the last 2 starts of subpar stuff and control are a concern. What is the number of consecutive ones required to worry?
and going from 2.2 to 3.5 in 2.3 of a season meant he pitched well over 4.00 for 2/3 of a year.
unless you are saying all the “new Ace” or “1A” talk was just silliness, and don’t expect more than an OK #3 and be happy with it?
oleosmirf
6/19/2010-5:05pm at 5:05 pm (UTC -4)
2 starts is not a concern…lets see what happens in his next 2 starts before we panic?
and I hope you dont expect Niese to keep throwing like he did his last 3 starts either…
metsfan4decades
6/19/2010-4:43pm at 4:43 pm (UTC -4)
Well, that wasn’t fun….Knew the winning streak was gonna come to an end sometime but damn knowing that doesn’t make the loss any disappointing.
Bobby O doesn’t call Pelf’s last two games a ‘regression’. Said he’s been too good this year, he’s turned the corner. He also said this is where a good pitching coach comes into play. Said he needs to nip this in the bud right now before it gets any worse, especially since Pelf has had confidence problems in the past. So we shall see what his next start brings.
On the Maine front, Bobby O said it doesn’t sound good. Mets are going to give Maine one more rehab start but if he doesn’t dazzle, he just may have thrown his last pitch for the NY Mets. 88mph isn’t going to get it done at the major league level for Maine. He hopes he suddenly finds that velocity again, stranger things have happened, but it’s not looking good for him.
metsfan4decades
6/19/2010-4:44pm at 4:44 pm (UTC -4)
Jeeze, a few typos there….
any LESS disappointing.
stickguy
6/19/2010-4:48pm at 4:48 pm (UTC -4)
still reluctant to put “warthen” and “good pitching coach” into the same sentence. At least without a “not” in there too!
stickguy
6/19/2010-4:51pm at 4:51 pm (UTC -4)
about the only good thing out of today’s game was Iggy rising to the occasion once he got settled in. Getting so little use must have these pen guys also rusty. I will agree with Oleo that they really could use a lock-down set up man. I just think it will have to be some internal option rising to the occasion, and iggy seems to be the most likely candidate.
Oh, Reyes hitting like a man possessed is good too, although that might be a double edged sword. Why does he need to do it in front of a team with deep pockets, that will likely have a gaping need at SS about the time his contract runs out after next year?
oleosmirf
6/19/2010-4:56pm at 4:56 pm (UTC -4)
trade for Lee and Aardsma and there is the solution.
Mejia, Tejada, Carter and a pitching prospect gets it done…do it!!!
wannybackstra
6/19/2010-5:32pm at 5:32 pm (UTC -4)
Is your name Jack Z?
Kingman 26
6/19/2010-5:57pm at 5:57 pm (UTC -4)
Carter!?!?! Tejada and his bat?
Try Mejia, FMart and a couple more for starters.
Carter is worthless, totally, and as we are all seeing, the more he plays, the more the term “career minor leaguer” will be vividly defined.
Two nice HR against a rotten team with rotten pitching do not a career make.
His OBP is now .259. He has one walk in about 60 PA. He is a nice guy and a hard worker, but so I am I. Neither I nor Carter are major league players.
oleosmirf
6/19/2010-6:58pm at 6:58 pm (UTC -4)
i think you are overestimating the deals they can get…Lee is a rental. No team will give up 2 premium prospects for him.
i read a report (written by Seattle beat writer) that said they would be happy to get Mejia but dont think the Mets will give him up…
njstuckintx
6/19/2010-7:56pm at 7:56 pm (UTC -4)
If they do snag Lee, does Lee become #1? Is that sacriliscious. Ummm… Chocolate crosses at Easter… Sacriliscious.
stickguy
6/19/2010-8:24pm at 8:24 pm (UTC -4)
Immediately.
CaseStreet
6/19/2010-8:06pm at 8:06 pm (UTC -4)
My money is on Mejia, Thole and a guy like Familia.
Though, I wonder if Maine could be shipped out, too.
stickguy
6/19/2010-4:54pm at 4:54 pm (UTC -4)
the maine outing was disappointing too. pretty much sounded exactly like his last one.
If his next one at AAA is the same, you have to figure that it probably is what he is at this point, and not likely he gets better soon.
SO, can he be useful out of the pen (in the Mejia role say?) Or should they DFA?
I really am not sure if they can trade him, but if so, great. But, not likely that it would be part of a bigger deal for a SP, since why would any of the teams likely to be selling want him?
Maybe the Phils will take him. They are big on Met castoffs recently.
metsfan4decades
6/19/2010-5:02pm at 5:02 pm (UTC -4)
From everything I heard and read today, Maine in the BP isn’t going to be happening. I’ll say Maine has about a 10% chance of pitching for the Mets again.
If the rotation wasn’t a set or as solid as it’s been this month, I think they would have brought Maine back, see what he’s got, see if he could be better than who he would be replacing. But given the fact that no one seems to have confidence he’d better than the starting 5 right now, I just don’t see it happening.
dirtysanchez
6/19/2010-5:51pm at 5:51 pm (UTC -4)
If you believe what manuel says, then metsblog has jerry saying maine will be in the rotation but so will taka. That means niese or dicky gets the short end of the stick. I think if they mets slot maine back in the rotation, there will be a mutiny lol. Similar to the situation with omir santos and ramon castro last year.
Kingman 26
6/19/2010-6:06pm at 6:06 pm (UTC -4)
Actually the Ledger and elsewhere say Maine is not a bullpen candidate, and Taka is in the rotation. Hence, Maine goes to AAA to try to learn how to be a pitcher without a dominant fastball.
Which I think would be a great decision.
How could anyone say or think that Maine will replace Niese? That is impossible.
Dickey leaving the rotation seems ridiculous too.
I think Jerry meant Maine will join the Buffalo rotation.
Hazmet
6/19/2010-7:19pm at 7:19 pm (UTC -4)
I’m with you on the Maine read. From what they said on the Broadcast they said it’s been a rough 24 hours for Maine in that:
1. He was complaining that his pitch count was so high because of the umpire. – weak, John.
2. That Jerry said, Taka’s not coming out of the rotation and when asked about Maine in the bullpen he said no. Then when asked about what day in the rotation Jerry said “the off day”. ouch.
Dear John,….fill in the rest
Signed, Jerry
Hazmet
6/19/2010-7:28pm at 7:28 pm (UTC -4)
*Clarifier: “what day in the rotation for Maine = the off day”
Kingman 26
6/19/2010-10:48pm at 10:48 pm (UTC -4)
HA!
I wonder, did Maine say his velocity was off because the umpire was exhaling every time he released a pitch and the wind resistance knocked down the speed of his pitches?
Kingman 26
6/19/2010-5:55pm at 5:55 pm (UTC -4)
Maine is going to AAA to try to learn to pitch without a 95 mph fastball.
Which will be yet another excellent decision.
Kingman 26
6/19/2010-6:20pm at 6:20 pm (UTC -4)
Bottom line–We lost to one of the best young pitchers in the game.
I agree with Stick that Johan will get shelled tomorrow, but hopefully we win 12-11.
If we lose, it was a great road trip.
If we win, it is one of the greatest road trips in team history.
Either way, we return to the friendly confines of Citi with a team kicking rump on all cylinders and which should be ready to continue winning 2 of every 3 at home.
saltygary
6/19/2010-7:34pm at 7:34 pm (UTC -4)
Didn’t see the game but Hughes helped me go up on Grave 16-2 in our fantasy league. If this holds up I might need to be called the giant killer seeing this will be 3 first place teams that I beat in the last four weeks. Too bad I’m still in the basement.
Hazmet
6/19/2010-7:40pm at 7:40 pm (UTC -4)
Suprised so little love for our Ace Johan in the rubber game. Yeah, he hasn’t been his best the past 2 games but in the 5 games before that he gave up only 3 earned runs 36 & 2/3 innings. Also, his last outing was on that wonderful pitching mound in Clevland where I’m just happy none of our guy’s ended up hurt pitching off it. I’m looking for a rebound game tomorrow from our Ace. Go get’m Johan. LGM!
CaseStreet
6/19/2010-7:59pm at 7:59 pm (UTC -4)
prob. is Yankee Stadium plays like a little league park and Johan hasn’t been striking out many but has been walking more than usual.
There will be a few cheap home runs, though I hope we get some, too.
stickguy
6/19/2010-8:23pm at 8:23 pm (UTC -4)
Johan’s K/9 is down almost 4 per game from his Cy Young candidate days. barely 6 now.
If he doesn’t have one of his 2nd half rebounds, he pretty much is Tom Glavine, circa 2006, now. He just won’t admit it!
Hazmet
6/19/2010-7:53pm at 7:53 pm (UTC -4)
Random observation: Since Gary Cohen said last night that David’s really cut down on his strike out’s he’s struck out 4 times in his last 7 AB’s. Thank’s Gary.
CaseStreet
6/19/2010-8:14pm at 8:14 pm (UTC -4)
In the words of the infamous Hector Lavoe,:
Todo tiene su final
Nada dura para siempre
Tenemos que recordar
Que no existe eternidad
stickguy
6/19/2010-8:21pm at 8:21 pm (UTC -4)
in honor of those of us that don’t speak spanish:
Huh?
CaseStreet
6/19/2010-8:39pm at 8:39 pm (UTC -4)
sory ju hav tu juse jugle tronslay
CaseStreet
6/19/2010-8:41pm at 8:41 pm (UTC -4)
Everything has an end
Nothing lasts forever
We must remember
That there is no eternity
Kingman 26
6/19/2010-10:51pm at 10:51 pm (UTC -4)
Ah Hector and Celia Cruz and the Fania All Stars. Great stuff.
Really sad life though.
stickguy
6/19/2010-8:20pm at 8:20 pm (UTC -4)
At least there is some justice in the world. Or maybe just the karma gods sticking it to the phillie fans again, since they were starting to get their cocky-locky attitude back.
Twins scored 9 runs, from the 9th inning on, to come back and beat the lady horses.
Ah, bummer for them!
Too bad the braves look like they may never lose again, at least not at home.
Kingman 26
6/19/2010-10:46pm at 10:46 pm (UTC -4)
OMG!!!!!!
I am out and was just checking in, and I did not know about the Phaillies! Amazing!
But is it ridiculous or what that after all these years, we are watching the damn scoreboard for the Braves? Hate to admit it but they sure are a together organization.
And Stick, I SO agree about Johan. You are right as usual.
Well, as usual except about Jerry the Jenius.
Can we use Jenius and Jidiot interchangeably?
Tomorrow we shell CC!
stickguy
6/19/2010-11:13pm at 11:13 pm (UTC -4)
no, you may not refer to Jerry with any variant of genius in the name.
Jerry has 2 modes. Dumb moves(headscratchers), and staying out of the way. He needs to stick with the staying out of the way option.
Kingman 26
6/19/2010-11:22pm at 11:22 pm (UTC -4)
Jerry the Juker?
stickguy
6/19/2010-11:29pm at 11:29 pm (UTC -4)
I still like Jidiot. Simple, classic.
Kingman 26
6/19/2010-11:32pm at 11:32 pm (UTC -4)
It really is. I cannot argue.
Perhaps we can just re-adjust the definition of the word “Jidiot?”
I like this idea!
stickguy
6/19/2010-11:28pm at 11:28 pm (UTC -4)
on the baby met front (for Knog), eric Campbell is the latest Bingo met to be crushing the ball (taking over for havens while he is on the DL again).
Smoked A+ pitching, and has been just about as good in bingo. .912 OPs so far (100 ABs). 2 jacks today.
Of course, I have no idea what kind of fielder he is, and what position he will end up needing to be at. But at least he is raking.
And Satin had a big day. guess by default right now, he is the next in line 2B! I think he can field OK.
and even if these guys aren’t going to be playing for the mets, someone that I can stomach trading has to be attractive enough to other GMs to get us some more pitching!
Kingman 26
6/19/2010-11:33pm at 11:33 pm (UTC -4)
Thanks for teh updaet Sitck!
Always sincerely appreciated.
stickguy
6/19/2010-11:40pm at 11:40 pm (UTC -4)
The reason I am worried about Johan tomorrow. Interesting analysis too, and really does point out that Johan probably needs another out pitch if he wants to stay near elite level.
http://espn.go.com/blog/new-yorkmets/post/_/id/4869/johan-not-getting-strike-3
metsfan4decades
6/20/2010-2:32am at 2:32 am (UTC -4)
Count me in the camp of those that don’t think Johan has become a mediocre pitcher, and/or is going to get shelled tomorrow.
The ‘what have you done for me lately’ pessimism runs rampant among my fellow Met fans.
Oh, and Phillies suck……