Jonathon Niese was on the mound and faced former Phillie J. Happ. The 13-10 Mets were without their star second baseman Daniel Murphy, and back up catcher Mike Nickeas. Jon Niese just didn’t have it tonight.
It took J. Happ 11 pitches to get through the top of the first inning. Jon Niese wasn’t so lucky, he gave up an infield hit to Jose Altuve to lead off the game and then let Jed Lowrie go yard; and before there was an out recorded, the Mets were down by two. J.D, Martinez greeted Niese with the third hit of the inning. After a ground out, Matt Downs would end the Astro threat by hitting into a double play thus sparing Niese and the Mets any more damage.
Ike Davis had the first hit for the Mets in the top of the second and was stranded. Niese put himself in trouble again in the bottom of the second when he gave up another lead off hit to Brian Bogusevic and a second to Justin Maxwell. You knew that Niese when in for a short night when he gave up his second home run to the number eight hitter Chris Snyder. And again, before Niese could record an out, he gave up another three runs. The Mets would come to the top of the third down by five runs. The Met offense was still dormant with only a Jon Niese walk in the top of the third.
Niese walked Downs with four pitches in the bottom of the third but settled in and kept the Astros from adding to their lead. The Met offense woke up in the top of the fourth when Justin Turner lead off with a booming double off the left field wall. After David Wright lined out to third, Scott Hairston drew a walk and Turner stole third simultaneously. Ike Davis stuck out looking was picked up by Andres Torres an thus put the Mets on the board with single run. Josh Thole would push Scott Hairston home with a base hit up the middle. With runners on the corners, flu ridden Lucas Duda batted for Jon Niese in the inning and stuck out looking.
Miguel Batista would take over for Niese in the bottom of the fourth and immediately walk the lead off batter with four pitches. It looked like Batista would get in trouble because he had runners on the corners with only one out. But Josh Thole would throw out a runner trying to steal second and Batista would get a ground out to end the Astro threat.
The Met offense woke up again in the top of the fifth when, after two outs, Justin Turner drew a walk and David Wright singled. Scott Hairston hit an RBI single over the shortstop bringing the Mets within two runs. Batista held the Astros scoreless in the bottom of the frame. Batista was lifted after 2 and 2/3 innings. He left two men on in the bottom of the sixth. Ramon Ramirez came in a walked the first man he saw to load the bases and then walked a runner home increasing the Astro lead.
The Mets failed to get any offense going for the rest of the game and thus lost their second game in a row.
Side Notes: Jon Niese was terrible tonight, he left balls over the plate and the Astros made him pay. I really liked the message Terry Collins sent to him by pulling him out early. Thole threw out a couple of runners trying to steal second base. I really hope this flu thing that has both Duda and Nickeas doesn’t go through the whole team.
14 comments
SaltyGary
5/1/2012-10:54pm at 10:54 pm (UTC -4)
I’m really sorry this was your job tonight. At least it’s not August.
srt
5/1/2012-10:57pm at 10:57 pm (UTC -4)
I thought we were playing the Astros?
Couldn’t prove it by me.
So….
We’ve got Pelfrey out for the year.
Duda sick.
Nickeas sick.
Murph getting the night off.
Niese didn’t have it tonight. Or the Astros had a plan for Niese and executed it well.
We’re really going to have to pull a rabbit out of the hat tomorrow to avoid a sweep by Houston.
NJstuckinTX
5/1/2012-11:34pm at 11:34 pm (UTC -4)
So, Duda’s sick and isn’t so good against lefties and they brought him in to PH. Makes sense…
I had great seats, but what a horrible game this was. I did get on TV with my daughter while wandering around trying to burn up so young child energy.
Stickguy
5/1/2012-11:54pm at 11:54 pm (UTC -4)
no other options really. No Rh batters on the bench, and not like you are holding him back to play the field.
gategem
5/2/2012-12:20am at 12:20 am (UTC -4)
I was wondering who was the hideous father with his delightful daughter. Now I know.
NJstuckinTX
5/2/2012-7:45am at 7:45 am (UTC -4)
I almost ruined my computer via hot coffee through my nose. Thanks a million.
srt
5/1/2012-11:00pm at 11:00 pm (UTC -4)
Ronnie on the post game:
‘Part of the problem is you have a couple of BP arms down there that are a little short on stuff’.
LOL….ya think?
8 walks given up by Met pitching tonight.
Ronnie believes they’re definitely going to have to reach into the minors for some fresh arms who can get the job done.
Stickguy
5/1/2012-11:46pm at 11:46 pm (UTC -4)
hard to argue with that.
Mr North Jersey
5/1/2012-11:14pm at 11:14 pm (UTC -4)
Wow Gonzo talk about fast. Nice job dude.
OK so I know Happ has been pretty good and I know we have some guys out sick (Duda specifically) and I know the pen is “worn out” of late (Collins words). So I don’t understand why Collins would remove Niese after 3 innings and 60 pitches especially when it seems based on what was said on WFAN Niese was not removed due to being sick or hurt in any way.
Disappointed in Ramirez. Prior to getting clobbered in that 18-9 game in Colorado his prior 4 appearances had been good and he came back the day after getting clobbered and gave the Mets a solid inning. But anytime you walk in a run that is just inexcusable.
I am gonna take that this was a perfect storm against the Mets with players having the flu and what looks like some tired arms in the pen but if Egbert is ready I am ready to say Bi to Batista and call him up.
Positives for me was Rauch coming back and giving the Mets 1 shutout inning and Ike with another hit.
Schwinden on the hill 2morrow hope he gives us a better effort than Niese did tonight.
LGM!!!
gategem
5/1/2012-11:25pm at 11:25 pm (UTC -4)
Gonzo, great job!
So the Mets have lost two straight to perhaps the worst team in major league baseball (on paper I would be lost to find a worse roster). So should we be down on the Mets? Absolutely not! As I said after they were swept by the Giants the Mets are a flawed, mediocre team that will have periods where they will fail against terrible teams and they will have periods where they win against good teams. So there will be good periods to follow after which bloggers will pronounce that the Mets have “True Grit” (good movie, both of them), hustle, never say die attitude, bounce back like winners, will be a contender, etc. But when all is said and done the Mets will be……ah mediocre. The best is yet to come but those players are down on the farm and perhaps with other teams.
Stickguy
5/1/2012-11:47pm at 11:47 pm (UTC -4)
and yet, they are still ahead of the phils and marlins in the standings.
gategem
5/2/2012-12:23am at 12:23 am (UTC -4)
Treasure this moment.
darknova306
5/1/2012-11:51pm at 11:51 pm (UTC -4)
Bingo. All the articles about them being contenders hinged on the starting pitching being as stellar for the whole year as they were for the first two weeks and the offense driving in 750-800 runs. I’m right there with you, gategem, in the level headed “they’re not as bad as their worst streak and not as good as their best” mentality. This team is still hugely flawed, and they’re already having to break into that starting pitching “depth”. Yikes.
srt
5/2/2012-7:18am at 7:18 am (UTC -4)
Hard to argue with you guys.
I’m figuring they’ll be doing good if they can finish at .500 this year.