(AP Photo/Kathy Kmonicek) via ESPN.com
The Mets lost to the Phillies 10-6 , and lost the series 2-1.
Dillon Gee really matched Cliff Lee punch for punch tonight, allowing two earned runs, striking out five and walking just one. He continued to do what he has done all year, mixing in a lot of change-ups to offset his lack of a big-time fastball (although he seemed to be up a few ticks in velocity, depending on if the stadium gun was just hot or not). He threw 36% two-seamers, and 28% change-ups (per MLB.com pitch f/x). The only bad pitch he made all night was a solo home-run to Ty Wigginton, Mets Troll ©.
The Mets would score runs on another David Wright RBI hit in the first, on a play that GKR nearly jinxed by pronouncing Murphy safe before the relay throw ever occurred. Despite the unnecessary closeness of the play, Murphy was able to give the Mets an early lead. The Mets second and third runs came on a two-run homer, which was a result of me comparing him to Luis Castillo in the Real Dirty Dugout (you can send me a nice card Lucas). They would score a fourth on yet another Dude-bomb (about that card: I’ll email you my address, unless you wanna’ hand it to me in person Lucas).
Speaking of Mets Trolls ©, Carlos Ruiz would ruin Gee’s night by hitting a pinch-hit two-run home run off of Bobby Parnell, which would tie the game at three apiece. The poor relief pitching wouldn’t end there, as Jon Rauch would put runners on the corners with no one out in the eighth, and allow a run to score on a Shane Victorino sac-fly.
The bullpen would do what it tends to do, allowing a ton of runs in the ninth. Games like this are the ones that ruin the Mets’ run differential, as they just sorta’ punt them and let Chris Schwinden give up a ton of EXPLETIVE DELETED runs.
The Mets would score two runs in the ninth off of former awful Met Raul Valdes, on a Dudebomb and an Andres Torres RBI double. The Phillies would have to bring in Jonathon Papelbon, who would surrender an RBI single to Daniel Murphy, making it 10-6 (and irritating yours truly because he just wanted to post this recap).
Here are some notes from the game.
I thought it was interesting that Terry brought Byrdak in to pitch the 9th, even though it wasn’t just lefties. I guess this is the yearly “let’s see if the lefty specialist can be more than a specialist” experiment, that never-ever-ever-ever-ever-ever works. Just let him do his thing Terry.
Nice to see El Dude hit two out tonight, hopefully he can start hitting like he isn’t Luis Castillo, that would be preferable.
As Patrick Flood looked at a few weeks ago, Bobby Parnell does seem to tighten up in high-leverage spots. Tonight was a prime example of that, as even though it may not have been a hanger as Keith said (although he says that about every curve-ball that is put into play), it still caught a little too much plate.
Two SNY broadcast related thoughts:
- I like the whole GKR in the crowd idea, I lobby doing it multiple times a year. We got to watch Gary Cohen watch a home run land 15 feet to his left, as he was calling it. He then noticed the fan dropped it, and tied that in to his home run call.
- The old score bug didn’t bother me, and the new one doesn’t either. So that’s that.
Just remember that your life can be worse, you could be a Ranger pitcher (17-0 in the fourth as I write this). That is absolutely brutal, I can’t imagine losing or winning by a margin that big.
NEWS FLASH: Chris Schwinden is a terrible reliever as well as starter.
Here are some discussion points:
- How would you grade Dillon Gee this season?
- If you could make one change to the pen, what would it be? (one silly and one serious if you would like)
- Should Mejia be used in the pen long-term, or as a starter? This year?
The Mets have tomorrow off, and will start a four game series with the Cardinals on Friday with Johan Santana on the mound.
17 comments
Bryan
5/30/2012-10:32pm at 10:32 pm (UTC -4)
For the bullpen, take out Schwinden, Egbert, and Ramirez and put in Beato, Elvin Ramirez, and Edgin. Then let Mejia spend at least until the all-star break in Buffalo and then determine where he’s needed. No need to rush him into the ML bullpen out of desperation (see 2 years ago).
Also, I would’ve liked to see Gee face one more batter. He pitched really well up until that point and he deserved to get out of the inning himself after giving up just a measly single.
srt
5/30/2012-10:38pm at 10:38 pm (UTC -4)
What in holy hell is the answer to this BP? Anyone?
The GKR from the Pepsi Porch is so much more fun when they win – like last year.
– How would you grade Dillon Gee this season?
Better than advertised, IMO. I know so many believe he’s a subpar 5th starter but I believe he’s more than serviceable.
– If you could make one change to the pen, what would it be? (one silly and one serious if you would like)
Just swap them all out.
Seriously, I don’t know what the answer is right now. I can only look at stats down there in AAA. I really have no idea how that would translate up here.
Ramirez and Edgin look to be the next options.
– Should Mejia be used in the pen long-term, or as a starter? This year?
I don’t know that Mejia is even ready right now. Are we talking about down the road? In that case, if no other starter goes down and Young makes it back and is credible, we’ll probably see Mejia in the BP to start late in the season.
kingman 26
5/30/2012-10:45pm at 10:45 pm (UTC -4)
Well, the 22 game death march begins tomorrow.
We will know in about 2–3 weeks whether this team is for real or not.
A revolting loss to be sure sure, but still, overall success against the Phils and a much better record than expected.
Stay tuned.
darknova306
5/30/2012-10:56pm at 10:56 pm (UTC -4)
The answer to this pen is to have me run them all over with my car and offering random strangers contracts to replace them.
Stick
5/30/2012-11:09pm at 11:09 pm (UTC -4)
How would you grade Dillon Gee this season? – more than serviceable 5th SP, and a good value.
If you could make one change to the pen, what would it be? (one silly and one serious if you would like) -Swap them lock stock and barrel with the Bisons pen? Serious, schwinden needs to go, but that happens when the next guy comes up. Other than that, who the hell knows? they aren’t likely to give up on ramirez. But, I would give Elvin a try soon.
Should Mejia be used in the pen long-term, or as a starter? This year? – LT, keep trying him as a SP. But, later this year, a pen stint could help the team.
Mr North Jersey
5/30/2012-11:37pm at 11:37 pm (UTC -4)
Talk about feast or famine. this pen when it goes bad it goes all out. Parnell, Rauch, Byrdak (though he stunk it up the least), Ramirez and Schwinden all stunk it up.
Gee pitched great going 6 2/3 before giving up a double to Schneider on his 110th pitch. You want to argue that Gee would of gotten the last out to end the inning? Go ahead. Maybe he does maybe he doesn’t. Regardless Parnell coming in has to get the out and he didn’t.
Follow that with Rauch, Byrdak, Ramirez and Schwinden all stinking it up some way more than others and we are left with a 10-6 loss and worse losing 2 out of 3 to the Phils.
Going to try and get some sleep as I see the Devils also lost tonight and get ready to see Beltran and the Cardinals come in Friday.
Mets finish the month of May 15-13, 6-3 vs the Phils and are 5 games above .500 overall on the season.
That will be my positive for the month.
LGM!
Stick
5/31/2012-12:02am at 12:02 am (UTC -4)
look at the bright side. they cant lose again this month!
oklahoma met
5/31/2012-1:16am at 1:16 am (UTC -4)
This ‘pen is going to make me go through 30-40 TV remotes at this rate. Seriously? WTF is it with the Mets that they can’t find a consistent pitcher to come in and get 3 outs? I loved the Pagan trade at the beginning of the year because of Ramirez. Now I’m thinking we got fleeced. Byrdak has been really good, he gets a brief pass for tonight from me.
srt
5/31/2012-8:25am at 8:25 am (UTC -4)
If I’m looking at this correctly 12 of our 23 losses so far have come as a result of the BP in the later innings. MIght actually be 13 losses but I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt.
Looking at a tweet from M. Baron over on Metsblog:
The bullpen has allowed 239 baserunners in only 153 2/3 innings this season, and opponents have hit a league-worst .279 against them
That’s just unacceptable. And bizarre.
No BP usually has consistency throughout but almost every arm being bad?
My questions are:
- How much of this is attributed to Terry and his BP management? I.E. putting Parnell and Acosta out there for 2 innings plus at times. Or using guys like Acosta in high leverage situations?
- How much of this is on Warthen?
He seems to be almost untouchable from the Omar reign. He wasn’t TC’s choice for pitching coach. Does he deserve any blame for this?
We have begun swapping out arms recently but I’m not seeing much in the way of improvement.
TRS86
5/31/2012-8:50am at 8:50 am (UTC -4)
Well look what we are replacing them with. Schwin? He’s not a reliever. He is a #5 starter in AAA. Ramirez, something has to be up. Maybe it’s the pressure of NY. Rauch has been inconsistent. Honestly I have no idea why you wouldn’t allow Gee one more batter there so you can save your bullets for Parnell who seems to do better with a clean slate. The worst he could have done is what Parnell did. I know that’s hind sight but it leaves you with no options. When Rauch got in trouble who are you going to? Maybe you should have went with Ramirez in that spot to save Parnell? Hell break tradition a little once in a while and let Gee finish it or bring in Byrdak vs a RH or your closer in the biggest spot instead of saving him for a situation that may never exist.
Oh well.
srt
5/31/2012-9:05am at 9:05 am (UTC -4)
While I agree with you about letting Gee go one more batter, bottom line is since he was removed, Parnell has to get that final out. That’s been the problem. The SP has been for the most part good. The BP comes in and blows it.
Strange that he removes Gee there but in the Niese game, when he was struggling with his control all game and he walks the lead off batter, Terry leaves him in.
TRS86
5/31/2012-9:13am at 9:13 am (UTC -4)
I just think that Terry over manages sometimes. They were going to pinch hit Ruiz there. You still have the RH RH matchup so let him finish that batter. Save your bullets. Was 5 more pitches going to be too many? I don’t think so. If Terry knows our BP has blowup potential why waste a guy who has been solid for one out when your SP has only given up 1 run?
NJstuckinTX
5/31/2012-9:26am at 9:26 am (UTC -4)
Great motivator, not so great X/O guy….
srt
5/31/2012-9:27am at 9:27 am (UTC -4)
Yeah, it’s a head scratcher all right. That’s why I asked about how much of this is on TC’s BP management. I can’t imagine how hard those decisions must be though when you don’t know on any given night how reliable anyone in that BP is.
Stick
5/31/2012-9:40am at 9:40 am (UTC -4)
oh, he for sure overmanages/overthiks at times.
In this case, certainly Gee looked strong enough still to let him try to finsih. Conversely, Neise looked like a train wreck, and it was practically ciminal to let him stay in to throw BP to Mayberry.
so much of pitching management is gut feeling, and reading the signs. Terry seems to need new glasses.
and then he tends to burn up his back up plan early. run through parnell/byrdak to finish the 6th say, then when rauch struggles, you end up with Manny. Stuff like that.
And MF, I honest to God can’t figure out why Warthen is still anywhere near this team.
drklynoon
5/31/2012-9:55am at 9:55 am (UTC -4)
Well the BP is underperforming so far this season. If I had a change to make it would be to go back to 07 and sign D Oliver, ok well seriously we need a stable left handed long guy. I don’t believe in Bautista but maybe others do. As for the rest of em I don’t see this as a player issue as much as a management issue. Our bullpen as it is constructed is not great heck it’s not even good but it should be servicable. From there I am lost. Gee has been a darn good #5 starter. He gets through 6 and gives the team a chance to win. I do not agree with moving Jenry to the pen until he just shows that he can’t pitch effectivley past five innings. M2C
TRS86
5/31/2012-10:10am at 10:10 am (UTC -4)
Agreed. I think the pen should be average but you end up with the wrong people in the wrong spots with no backup plans.