The Mets suffered their 12th walk off loss tonight by the score of 3-2 in 13 tonight. Mike Pelfrey bounced back in a big way today (comparatively) with 6.1 innings of 2 run ball. The Mets had plenty of opportunities to score early on in the game but the Mets finally struck back in the 6th inning. That would be the last serious offensive threat by either team until the 12th inning.
Following a great performance by the bullpen, Elmer Dessens let up a lead off single to Casey Blake. Dessens manages to get the next batter Garret Anderson to ground out back to him but then threw it to center field trying to get the lead runner. This put runners on 1st and 3rd with 0 out. With a sac fly possibly winning the game, Russell Martin pinch hit for Brad Ausmus. Elmer Dessens got another ground out to him but successfully held Casey Blake at 3rd and got the out at 1st. The situation is now runners on 2nd and 3rd with 1 out. The Dodgers threw out Andre Ethier to get that winning run in(strategically, if they walked Ethier to make the force at home, they would be dealing with Furcal who is hitting .346 with RISP). Jerry Manuel made the switch for Oliver Perez…you read that right, Jerry Manuel made the move to Oliver Perez in a tied game with the winning run 90 feet away and Fransisco Rodriguez in the bullpen. Oliver Perez (somehow) managed to get Ethier to pop out behind home plate which made it 2 outs. Perez would intentionally walk Rafael Furcal to load the bases with 2 out. Jaime Carroll hit in place of Jeff Weaver and grounded out to end the inning.
The Mets didnt score in the top of the 13th. After getting out of the most tense moment of the game, Jerry left Oliver Perez to face the heart of the order…and Ollie didnt disappoint. After retiring Matt Kemp on a fly out to center, James Loney hit it just a bit farther over the out field wall to end the game.
Mets are 2-8 coming out of the all start break…
42 comments
metsfan4decades
7/24/2010-9:52pm at 9:52 pm (UTC -4)
If it wasn’t for waiting for Grave’s post game to go up, I might do something stupid every night. The little while it takes has me calmed down again – lol….
O.K. – we all knew this game was over as soon as it came down to Ollie. Ollie is not an effective SP right now (or anymore) and he’s not suited to the pen at all. But that’s a discussion for another day.
What I really want to know is why HoJo is still here?
Real…er, TRS – made a good point tonight in the Dugout. Said Jerry will be gone and usually a new manager likes to select his own coaches. So if we brought a new one in now it would really have to be short term. Logically, I get the point – I really do. But….it’s getting painful watching this anemic offense game after game. It’s not like we’ve got subpar bats up and down the lineup.
Don’t we have to almost do something now? I’m not sure how much of a difference a hitting coach makes but I know that many on this team have underperformed now for far too long. Bring in a fresh perspective and even if he immediately only makes a difference for one bat, that’s one more bat we’ll have as other than a ‘ghost’ in the line-up.
The Phillies fired their batting coach after winning the NL east for 3 straight years with him and watching only 1/2 year of anemic offense this year. We’ve been watching this now for the better part of 3 years. Using the ‘clutch’ argument, we don’t get that big hit when needed and lately we don’t even get A hit.
Is it just me or what?
Hazmet
7/24/2010-10:02pm at 10:02 pm (UTC -4)
7-16 since the end of Interleague Play,yes something should be done but what? I think if it’s anyone going to take the fall here it’s Hojo. One thing I heard last night that I couldn’t understand was when the broadcast team spoke of how the coaching staff only now stepped in to do extra work with Bay since they didn’t want to interfere with his routine from prior years. I guess figuring he’s posted great numbers so he knows what works for him. What a miscalculation I’d say. They let the guy drowned until almost August before interceding. What the hell is that. At this point the only reason I don’t want Manuel gone is I absolutely have zero desire to see Bob Melvin run this team.
trs86
7/24/2010-10:06pm at 10:06 pm (UTC -4)
The only reason I don’t want to see Melvin run this team instead of Manuel is the fact we may get stuck with him. At this point I don’t think he does any worse than Manuel just not sure he does any better nor the Mets have the guts to fire 2 guys in the same 4 months.
Hazmet
7/24/2010-10:11pm at 10:11 pm (UTC -4)
Totally agree. It’s so frustrating. Plan B being Melvin is just bleech to me.
trs86
7/24/2010-10:04pm at 10:04 pm (UTC -4)
No you are right. Something should be done. I just can’t use the Phillies as an example for this one because it’s a completely different situation. There are lots of reasons to fire Hojo though. I am just not sure the Mets do it with a lame duck manager. Unless they bring in a guy like Obewan just to “fill” the position. Kind of like what happen with Hojo and we got stuck with him.
Hazmet
7/24/2010-10:08pm at 10:08 pm (UTC -4)
Am I the only one who was scratching their head as to why when Barajas got pulled a pinch runner with better than catcher speed wasn’t inserted on the remote chance he might be able to score from second instead of Blanco? I was in and out of the game so I wasn’t aware what the bench situation was but it was only the sixth so had to think someone might be available. Heck even Thole with at least younger catcher legs. For me, this could have been 3-2 right there in our favor. At least better speed would have forced a play at the plate and who knows. I’m so f’in sick of Jerry.
metsfan4decades
7/24/2010-10:21pm at 10:21 pm (UTC -4)
Well, I can’t rightly remember who was left at that point.
I believe Thole, Cora and Franceour were available but I could be wrong. Since you were going to replace the catcher anyway though, I think your only choices were Thole or Blanco. I don’t think you’d want to waste a bench player to pinch run in case you actually needed him to bat later in the game.
gonzowill
7/24/2010-10:28pm at 10:28 pm (UTC -4)
I don’t know about you guys, but I sure wish we could go back to pagan and tejada playing everyday. This team is not fun to watch,their downright brutal. Thank god I was away because I saved myself from being tormented every night
stickguy
7/24/2010-10:31pm at 10:31 pm (UTC -4)
frustrating. Jerry is not in control of this team at this point. Sometimes that is OK, since the player(s)run it, but I don’t think the mets have that either.
I don’t care what Omar said the other day, I can’t believe that the FO/owners honestly think Jerry is good, or the answer going forward. I just think they were trying to calm things down. And quite possibly, they don’t plan to make a change before year end. But I really think they are planning to make changes for next year.
and it won’t be just jerry. All the coaches, and maybe more, will be coming. wholesale changes.
I understand about lame ducks and new coaches, but that usually means that you plug in an organizational guy, with no real expectation of getting a continued job past this year. and that goes for melvin too.
but man, this team looks completely out of sync. they need something to happen and soon, since they are dangerously close to becoming out of the race.
even at this point, how plausible is it that they can roll off a 40-20ish run to get to 90 wins?
GravediggerHebner
7/24/2010-10:35pm at 10:35 pm (UTC -4)
Maybe if they hire Joe Morgan. Not that Joe Morgan, the one the Red Sox hired mid-season 1988 then promptly went 19-1. Even that team “only” went 46-31 under Morgan but that was enough to win the division. I lived up there then. Exciting time.
stickguy
7/24/2010-10:38pm at 10:38 pm (UTC -4)
There is always the rockies model (last year, right?) on the fringe, fire the manager, and get hotter than hell and make the playoffs.
a boy can dream.
trs86
7/24/2010-10:44pm at 10:44 pm (UTC -4)
Hey I know a guy who took a struggling team who was under-performing and had a .591 winning percentage with them the rest of the way.
I can’t remember his name.
stickguy
7/24/2010-11:26pm at 11:26 pm (UTC -4)
he got the fresh air/rebound jump. until they fell apart on him.
well that, and there were too many guys under performing (oh wait, that sounds familiar too!)
gategem
7/24/2010-10:45pm at 10:45 pm (UTC -4)
http://www.amazinavenue.com/2010/7/24/1586462/so-you-want-jerry-and-or-omar-fired
trs86
7/24/2010-10:48pm at 10:48 pm (UTC -4)
I don’t want to offend you by this. But what a stupid picture. I like the Wilpons just fine and Omar is fine as well. Jerry well he can go eff himself.
gategem
7/24/2010-10:53pm at 10:53 pm (UTC -4)
Likewise, I don’t want to offend you but your sense of humor is sadly lacking. It’s only baseball and it should be a source of entertainment.It should not be taken seriously.
trs86
7/24/2010-10:54pm at 10:54 pm (UTC -4)
I did not say it was not funny. Just stupid.
trs86
7/24/2010-10:55pm at 10:55 pm (UTC -4)
You know lots of things are stupid funny. Like Jerry’s use of the bullpen or bunting.
gategem
7/24/2010-11:00pm at 11:00 pm (UTC -4)
I agree with you. It is stupid and that’s one of the reasons I posted it. As you can see it came from the self proclaimed intellectuals at Amazin’ Avenue.
GravediggerHebner
7/24/2010-10:59pm at 10:59 pm (UTC -4)
For me it was a problem involving expectations. I saw that it was a link to Amazin Avenue so I expected an insightful objective article on the subject and in that context a photo shop joke was a disappointment.
gategem
7/24/2010-11:12pm at 11:12 pm (UTC -4)
That picture sums up the tone of their discussion after this game. There is no joy in Metsville just lingering anger at Jerry, Omar and the Wilpons.
trs86
7/24/2010-11:14pm at 11:14 pm (UTC -4)
Which to me again is also silly. Can’t blame the Wilpons for this at all. All they do is spend crap loads of money.
GravediggerHebner
7/24/2010-11:22pm at 11:22 pm (UTC -4)
Well the anger buck has to stop somewhere and any or all of those places seem reasonable especially when considering that the player whom they directed most of their anger at recently lost his job. Personally I can’t direct any anger at the owners but if others wish to do so I don’t feel so strongly about it that I’d try to stop them.
GravediggerHebner
7/24/2010-10:31pm at 10:31 pm (UTC -4)
As Dirty notes, 2-8 road trip since the break with a game to go.
The standings I’m looking at right now may be off a tiny bit but they say 3rd place 7 games out.
Wild card 6th place 4.5 games out.
Maybe not sellers (except for Francoeur) but highly doubtful buyers.
stickguy
7/24/2010-10:36pm at 10:36 pm (UTC -4)
unless the next week really turns around, they will be a very borderline contender, one of those teams that can kinda, sorta see a playoff spot ahead of them, but need team(s) to fade bad, while they have a .600+ extended run, to make it.
IOW, a long shot.
so, a reasonable path is to go all in with your core (which has to come up big anyway, no matter who you bring in), while trying to sell off marginal parts that won’t be back next year. barajas, Frenchy come to mind.
and of course, keep working on unloading the dead wood that will be under contract next year but you really don’t want. Castillo, Ollie.
GravediggerHebner
7/24/2010-10:38pm at 10:38 pm (UTC -4)
The good thing about Barajas is even if this injury takes a couple weeks he’s the kind of player that can be traded in August.
trs86
7/24/2010-10:41pm at 10:41 pm (UTC -4)
So are Castillo and Peres
gategem
7/24/2010-10:49pm at 10:49 pm (UTC -4)
I turned the game off when Manuel had Reyes bunt so Castillo could have an AB with a RISP.
trs86
7/24/2010-10:53pm at 10:53 pm (UTC -4)
LOL. I hope that was Manuel’s call.
stickguy
7/24/2010-11:33pm at 11:33 pm (UTC -4)
I am immune I think at this point to the idiocy that is jerry’s game managements.
Like Mel Gibson, there is nothing that he can do at this point that would surprise or shock me.
Next year, him or me. One of us is gone.
trs86
7/24/2010-10:57pm at 10:57 pm (UTC -4)
I don’t agree with Amazin Avenue much anymore but they did make a very good case for promoting Gee:
http://www.amazinavenue.com/2010/7/22/1582059/the-case-for-dillon-gee
stickguy
7/24/2010-11:44pm at 11:44 pm (UTC -4)
he makes a good case.
Not much different it seems from the idea earlier about flipping Frenchy for Bannister (probably profiles about the same as gee). Other than losing an OF, of course, so unless that crazy BB + guillen for Frenchy deal happened!
Gee is not going to be a difference maker, and my guess, overall not much different than taka outings (although of course you get the boost in the pen).
Also, gee was hurt last year. I wonder if he is going to have any innings restriction issues?
steveo
7/24/2010-11:14pm at 11:14 pm (UTC -4)
Don’t worry guys I have 1 more game in which I will be in attendance and then the slide will end I’m sure of it
GravediggerHebner
7/24/2010-11:26pm at 11:26 pm (UTC -4)
It’s unfortunate that the team you only get to see in person on the road sucks so badly on the road this year. If only you lived near Cleveland or Baltimore…
steveo
7/24/2010-11:34pm at 11:34 pm (UTC -4)
Its really sad when dodger fans start to question jerrys moves I encountered that it frisco as well
Hazmet
7/25/2010-9:11am at 9:11 am (UTC -4)
Look on the bright side, at least nobody’s missed 3rd base yet during this year’s visit.
Thanks for flying the orange & blue colors in enemy territory.
stickguy
7/24/2010-11:48pm at 11:48 pm (UTC -4)
honestly, it seems the wheels are totally coming off Jerry’s managerial tactics bus.
Do you think he is getting worse (more extreme/more conservative, or something>), or are we just focusing more on nitpicking him?
Or maybe, he is the same, but the dismal lack of production lately has been highlighting his oddities?
and slappy needs to go. I wish they had a viable alternative on hand now (damn your oblique Havens!)
metsfan4decades
7/24/2010-11:52pm at 11:52 pm (UTC -4)
I don’t think Jerry is any worse than he previously was. I just think every single move is now under a microscope and the moves are getting a little more desperate as the team collectively keeps right on under performing.
trs86
7/24/2010-11:53pm at 11:53 pm (UTC -4)
I think when a team struggles you always LOOK for reasons at that point your biases will show.
stickguy
7/25/2010-12:35am at 12:35 am (UTC -4)
I normally think Bill is an idjit, but man, he put some thought into this diatribe.
I especially like him referring to jerry as too conservative and managing scared (which is how I have described him lately).
http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/bitterbill/2010/07/why-jerry-manuel-must-be-fired.html
njstuckintx
7/25/2010-1:16am at 1:16 am (UTC -4)
Good times all around! This team frustrates me like no other.
njstuckintx
7/25/2010-1:15am at 1:15 am (UTC -4)
well, I’m glad this game was excluded from the MLB package.