If you’re at work and don’t have too much time to read this, the next sentence is all you need to know about today’s game.
RA Dickey was pitching, it was raining, and the Mets as a team left 25 runners on base.
Box Scores:
After a quick first inning for both pitchers, the game quickly devolved into a slug fest. Ike hit another home run in the top of the second, the Braves countered with two off of the uncharacteristically bad RA Dickey, and the Mets blew a huge chance in the top of the 3rd. David Wright got thrown out at the plate on what was at best an overzealous go sign from Tim Teufel, and Lucas Duda couldn’t capitalize on a bases loaded two out at bat.
The 4th would be the calm before the storm, as the Braves outscored the Mets 8-3 from that point on, scoring two runs in each of the next four innings, I swear the even scored a few runs in the 9th and they didn’t even bat.
Keep reading for some assorted notes from the game.
25 runners left on base, that is just poor. the main culprits were Lucas Duda and Josh Thole with four apiece, but all of the following left three on base: David Wright, Ike Davis, Jason Bay, Ronny Cedeno, Scott Hairston, Luis Castillo, Bobby Bonilla, and Gus Bell (50th anniversary!).
The bright spot from this game was Captain Kirk in the lead-off spot, reaching base four times, and hitting 3/4 with a walk. He was the only Mets position player who stared today to not leave a runner on base. He may not be THIS good, but he is really making an impression, and maybe an Aaron Rowand comp. wouldn’t be bad.
Dickey just didn’t have it today, 8 ER in just 4 1/3 IP. The rain clearly affected his ability to throw that knuckler effectively, and it was painfully obvious. I wouldn’t look too far into this, probably just a bad start due to the weather.
David Wright, pause… The guy can’t miss right now, going 2/5 with 3 RBI, tying the Mets career record that was held by Darryl Strawberry. We can only hope that he can continue to hit at a level like this and either be extended (yay!) or traded for a huge haul (boooo hissss). Either way, the guy is on fire.
Okay that’s about it, i didn’t catch the first few innings of the game, but boy was this one a mess. The Mets were still able to go 3-3 on the road trip against two good division rivals, so that’s always good. We get the off-day tomorrow and then take on the Giants for a weekend series.
25 comments
Stickguy
4/18/2012-4:04pm at 4:04 pm (UTC -4)
they only left 11 on base. You don’t get to count the same guys multiple times!
but in any case, seemed like a real ugly game. Glad I did not see any off it, and only listened (to the braves radio feed, man what a couple of hicks) and sneaked some peaks at gameday. That was enough!
There is a reason of course they call Turner field the house of horrors.
and make a note, don’t let Dickey pitch in the rain anymore.
so shake it off, and return home to the heart of the rotation (Gee, Neise and Pelf!), and an offensively challenged team
Oh, and the Mets are still leading the season series 4-2!.
SpencerRealDirtyMets
4/18/2012-4:09pm at 4:09 pm (UTC -4)
I just went by the MLB.com box score. And I mean I don’t mind counting certain runners twice, it kinda makes sense.
Stickguy
4/18/2012-4:11pm at 4:11 pm (UTC -4)
as long as you specify. Normally you would list the team LOB that is at the bottom of the box.
otherwise you get a lead off man on then the next 3 guys make an out, but it would show as 3 LOB.
kingman 26
4/18/2012-6:17pm at 6:17 pm (UTC -4)
No, that’s not how LOB are calculated. Saying 25 is inaccurate and kind of ridiculous.
SpencerRealDirtyMets
4/18/2012-9:04pm at 9:04 pm (UTC -4)
I mean if Wright strikes out with the bases loaded, should Ike leaving the runners on not count as three LOB?
Stickguy
4/18/2012-10:14pm at 10:14 pm (UTC -4)
say ruben, murph and wright all walk.
then ike, bay and Duda all K, leaving the 3 guys stranded.
that would be 3 LOB for the inning, not 9 (3 on each K)
kingman 26
4/19/2012-9:47am at 9:47 am (UTC -4)
If three men are on base in one inning, and they don’t score, that’s three left on base, not six if both Wright and Ike don’t drive them in.
It’s just not calculated that way.
TRS86
4/19/2012-9:57am at 9:57 am (UTC -4)
It does in terms of that player but not for the team. Honestly not a big deal either way it’s a crap ton.
gategem
4/18/2012-5:32pm at 5:32 pm (UTC -4)
“There is a reason of course they call Turner field the house of horrors.”
Perhaps for the Mets but certainly I haven’t heard it called that term elsewhere.
gategem
4/18/2012-5:56pm at 5:56 pm (UTC -4)
“they only left 11 on base. You don’t get to count the same guys multiple times!”
Why not? It’s more interesting that way.
BTW Spencer nice job on the recap.
Mr North Jersey
4/18/2012-4:05pm at 4:05 pm (UTC -4)
Nice job on this postgame Spencer. Thanks for getting out there as soon as you did.
srt
4/18/2012-5:11pm at 5:11 pm (UTC -4)
Agree. Nice wrap up. Not that I needed the details since I watched all 9 innings of this loss. Ugly.
I can only hope the rain was Dickey’s problem. But you know, most of the BP didn’t fare any better.
Wright now tied on the Mets leader board for RBIs with Straw. Nice. He continues to rake.
Ike with that HR hopefully means he’s picking it up.
Kirk making a bid to stick around.
And someone needs to reign Murph in when he’s on the base paths. He should have never taking off on third to be thrown out at home.
So is Niese our ‘stop the bleeding guy’? I hope so.
srt
4/18/2012-5:16pm at 5:16 pm (UTC -4)
Also, so comes to an end Dickey’s 14 straight QS streak going back to last year. I was hoping for heavy rains by the fourth……
darknova306
4/18/2012-5:40pm at 5:40 pm (UTC -4)
Turner Field. Ugh.
I turned the game on right as the Braves were making their first pitching change. All downhill from there. Sloppy defense (which we should all get used to seeing), sloppy pitching, and the continued inability to drive in all those runners they get on base. Quite the sour note to go into an off day.
And though Ike has picked it up a little recently, the Double D’s (Davis/Duda) look like they still have a load of adjustments to make.
gategem
4/18/2012-5:49pm at 5:49 pm (UTC -4)
If the weather was the reason for Dickey’s performance then you can’t pitch your “ace” when it’s raining? That’s preposterous. I would prefer to think it was just a poor performance. In general one of the problems with knuckleball pitchers, even the good ones, is if the knuckleball isn’t “dancing “ they don’t have an effective secondary pitch to gut them through and keep their team in the game. Up until today Dickey has been the exception with 14 straight quality starts which I consider quite an accomplishment. Of course the bullpen didn’t distinguish itself either. The underbelly of the bullpen has to keep a team in the game on days when the starting pitcher is hit hard and today they didn’t do their job but it’s only one game and the Mets are still 7-5. Based on the talent the Mets possess I believe they are doing quite well and although an optimist may disagree with me I’m only being analytical and so far I really am most pleased with the performance of this ballclub.
Stickguy
4/18/2012-8:04pm at 8:04 pm (UTC -4)
any team is going to suffer when you have to go to the pen early back to back days, including once practically to start the day.
gategem
4/18/2012-9:39pm at 9:39 pm (UTC -4)
I’m too lazy to do the research to give you specifics but over the years I’ve seen bullpens faced with similar situations do a respectable job and keep their team in back to back games. It depends on the depth and overall quality of the bullpen. Right now who is the Mets long man out of the bullpen?
Stickguy
4/18/2012-10:15pm at 10:15 pm (UTC -4)
batista is supposed to be, but hasn’t really worked that way.
SpencerRealDirtyMets
4/18/2012-9:01pm at 9:01 pm (UTC -4)
I would consider Johan to be our ace but that’s just me, and from what I heard about the game it seemed as though the rain was giving him fits. I don’t think that he can’t pitch in the rain, it is just a bigger challenge than it would be for other pitchers.
ConnorUAF
4/18/2012-9:13pm at 9:13 pm (UTC -4)
I think it’s unpredictable how weather will effect a pitcher (especially a knuckleballer) on any specific day. The next time Dickey pitches in the rain, the effect might be minimal. You just can’t predict the knuckleball.
gategem
4/18/2012-9:33pm at 9:33 pm (UTC -4)
Which then can be a problem in post season games where for many locations and the time of the year weather can be a problem.
SpencerRealDirtyMets
4/18/2012-9:36pm at 9:36 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah like what Connor said, same goes for when it is windy. It can play in his favor or it can kill his knuckler. He really doesn’t have much control.
gategem
4/18/2012-9:57pm at 9:57 pm (UTC -4)
Again that becomes a potential problem late in the year when the weather (depending on location and whether you play indoors or out doors) can be a problem. The knuckleballer usually doesn’t have a secondary pitch that’s effective to gut his way through. Over the years I’ve seen some of the greatest pitchers in the history of baseball when their primary pitches were lacking keep their team in the game. Actually Dickey’s quality start streak was somewhat amazing for a knuckleballer.
srt
4/19/2012-8:01am at 8:01 am (UTC -4)
Hey Stick – music to my ears:
The Phillies are alone in last place this late in the season for the first time since April 20, 2007.
Here’s hoping that’s exactly where they stay all season.
Stick
4/19/2012-9:02am at 9:02 am (UTC -4)
love it. Right now, it would be the Marlins and Phils missing out, which would be a fantastic way to end the season!