The Braves defeated the Mets 8-7 today at Turner Field.
Why the Braves won:
The Braves put together a string of three consecutive RBI-singles in the eighth inning to take the 8-7 lead. With Craig Kimbrel on the mound in the ninth, it was over…
Why the Mets lost:
On a day when R.A. Dickey was off, the bullpen had to step up. They didn’t.
Discussion Points:
- The bullpen is so important, especially on a team built like this. Let’s face it: the Mets offense doesn’t have a big power threat. Sure, we have Ike Davis in the cleanup spot, but is he really a 35-40 home run guy? I don’t think so. That means the bullpen has to be able to hold a lead late because that may be their only chance. We aren’t the Yankees, you know?
- Dickey was off again. I’m a little concerned. Not for his health, though. He’s had a few so-so outings in a row and doesn’t look like the same pitcher that pitched two straight one-hitters. That’s the knuckleball I guess…
- Ike Davis had another big game, going 2-4 with a home run and a walk, raising his batting average to .207 on the year.
- Jordany Valdespin is on a nice little roll. He had two more hits today and drove in his 15th run of the season.
- Bobby Parnell entered the game with men on first and second with one out, struck out a batter, and then allowed three RBI-singles…. not pretty….
34 comments
srt
7/14/2012-7:51pm at 7:51 pm (UTC -4)
I don’t think anyone expected RA to continue the flat out dominance of the first half. Today’s game in part was further brought down by our wonderful defense and the terrible umps.
Once again, our offense comes back to pick up the pitching and defense in this game and once again our BP blows it.
This is like late 2008 all over again. Only this year the BP has been god-awful all year, as opposed to only the second half of the year in 2008.
oleosmirf
7/14/2012-8:10pm at 8:10 pm (UTC -4)
the Umps made the right decision. Can’t blame them.
What you can do is blame Sandy for allowing the bullpen to continue to blow games instead of making a move.
Stick
7/14/2012-10:49pm at 10:49 pm (UTC -4)
he has made plenty of moves. Just needs to make a few more.
oleosmirf
7/15/2012-10:08am at 10:08 am (UTC -4)
Ramirez and Batista continue to pitch despite being huge negatives.
Trade Ramirez and cash straight up for K-Rod or another former succesful reliever and hope change of scenery helps.
Stick
7/15/2012-10:13am at 10:13 am (UTC -4)
I agree that those 2 need to go. Ramirez I understand, seeing as he has a strong track record, and a real contract. Those types get a longer leash.
the love affair with batista though, that is a mystery that needs to be solved.
gategem
7/14/2012-8:36pm at 8:36 pm (UTC -4)
RA had been on an incredible streak for a knuckleball pitcher. Generally knuckleball pitchers get raked when their knuckleball is flat or uncontrollable and are outstanding when the knuckleball is dancing. Unlike conventional pitchers when their primary pitch isn’t effective on a given day the knuckleballer has no other pitch of major league quality to go to. So they either live or die by the knuckleball.
This year the Mets have been the recipient of bad calls against them as well as bad calls for them. So I’m not blaming the umpires.
The Mets have now lost 4 out of 5 and are 8 games behind Washington in the all important loss column.
NJstuckinTX
7/14/2012-8:09pm at 8:09 pm (UTC -4)
Sigh… This team!
gategem
7/14/2012-8:39pm at 8:39 pm (UTC -4)
They’re still exceeding the expectations most of us had going into the season. The mistake was elevating those expectations. Doing so only leads to emotional distress.
Hazmet
7/14/2012-8:53pm at 8:53 pm (UTC -4)
Not to worry good times ahead:
2012 New York Giants Training Camp Schedule
Thurs., July 26: Players Report
gategem
7/14/2012-9:11pm at 9:11 pm (UTC -4)
Starting not a moment too soon.
Hazmet
7/14/2012-9:18pm at 9:18 pm (UTC -4)
Here’s to seeing our 31st ranked best player and 2 time super bowl MVP and winning QB shove it up the NFC East’s arse again. What a ridiculous ranking. Hopefully Eli just keeps collecting hardware and making a mockery of these rankings by his peers.
darknova306
7/14/2012-10:27pm at 10:27 pm (UTC -4)
Well, some people are saying that because of the above .500 first half, our expectations need to be raised to “playoffs or bust”. Basically, get high and ignore the team’s large number of gaping flaws.
Also, the umps made exactly the right call on that trapped ball call. Prado was safe at second when it was incorrectly rules caught. Thus he had to run back and was thrown out. By reversing the trap call, they had to put Prado back where he was when they made the call. If they reversed the trap call but still called Prado out, that would have been a disgrace. Kudos to them for making the right call. Collins looked like a clown arguing against the umps actually conferring to make the right call for once.
Hazmet
7/14/2012-10:33pm at 10:33 pm (UTC -4)
I saw this quote from Ben Franklin for the first time this week and thought of you
“Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy” – Benjamin Franklin
gategem
7/15/2012-12:09am at 12:09 am (UTC -4)
I vaguely remember this because it occurred in an old Brooklyn Dodgers game so many years ago. There was a ball hit to the right field that was ruled trapped by one umpire so the base-runner that was on first seeing the call hustled and beat the throw to second base. However, another umpire ruled it a catch in right-field. Thus the runner was doubled off. After a consultation the ball was ruled a catch and a double-play. I don’t know if this is umpires discretion or if there is a rule covering this play. If there is a rule covering this play then the umpires ruling has to agree with the rule however asinine it may be. I wonder what the rule is covering the play in the Mets game?
darknova306
7/15/2012-1:33am at 1:33 am (UTC -4)
I’m guessing that was back when dinosaurs ruled the.. nevermind
You’re right, though. I don’t actually know what’s in the rulebook about plays like that, but I was just treating it with logic, as opposed to 99% of Mets fans I was reading on Twitter at the time. As a runner, you have to play based on what calls you hear/see from the umps, regardless of how right or wrong they are.
Stick
7/15/2012-9:52am at 9:52 am (UTC -4)
on the broadcast they put up the section from the rulebook. Basically said that if the umps convene and overrule a call, they then have to decide (in their estimation) where the players would have been, and put them there.
srt
7/15/2012-9:04am at 9:04 am (UTC -4)
I don’t agree with this. The mistake made here was initially one ump calling it a catch and one calling it a trap. To the point that none of the players had a clue what was going on.
If they initially ruled it a non- catch, there’s a chance Spin might have thrown the runner out at second.
The ump that was the closest called it a catch, which would have resulted in one out there. Without replay, in this situation the call should stand.
The umps also blew the call at first where Spin was safe, it wasn’t even close. I didn’t see anyone reversing that call.
The umpiring these past few years is atrocious. MLB needs to do something about it. And I believe the problem is the poor pay for them in the minlrs and poor training. Start paying them what they deserve and revamp the training. Maybe then, they’ll attract better talent that eventually makes it way to the majors.
darknova306
7/15/2012-11:16am at 11:16 am (UTC -4)
I would fully agree with treating them better from the start with pay and training. They also need to be held accountable. And any ump that acts like he’s bigger than the game, like Joe West, needs to be dealt with by the league.
The play at 1B on Valdespin was obviously blown, but I think they got the trap call right once they overturned it. I give them credit for conferring and making the right call.
Hazmet
7/14/2012-9:11pm at 9:11 pm (UTC -4)
Strictly my own speculation but: It’s unfortunate the team is sinking since it would have placed the Mets firmly at the crossroads of forcing Sandy to do something or standing pat and sticking to the plan and not trading any pieces to try to improve the team. The team’s recent failures takes the heat off of him doing anything since my speculation has been that Sandy wasn’t going to do anything anyway. I don’t actually have a problem with that since we have little trading chips to begin with. And the one’s we do have imo are more highly valued by ourselves than other teams. But, it would have been good theatre watching the FO go into squirm mode that a winning streak would have brought about.
NJstuckinTX
7/14/2012-9:32pm at 9:32 pm (UTC -4)
In all seriousness, a big enough tailspin, and you’ll see Hairston, Byrdak, Murphy and possibly others out the door.
Hazmet
7/14/2012-9:43pm at 9:43 pm (UTC -4)
True True. Thanks for the props yesterday too.
What’s a shame to me is the mindset that’s developed in the ownership that for the second year in a row they’ve used the expression “this team has to prove to us that it’s worthy of us investing in making a move to improve the team”. While on one level I understand, another side of me is like what the hell? What about the remnants of your fanbase that is deserving of the best team that can make a run. I understand the bloated contracts that are left, etc etc but it’s just a really bad tone to take with your fanbase that the team we’ve assembled has to prove it’s worthy of improving since we know we’ve put together a team to begin with that we’ll be surprised if it can be successful to start with – if that makes sense. It just all rings hollow to me and ultimately the ownership will pay the price since if they fall off the map Citifield is going to be a ghost town for 2 months.
NJstuckinTX
7/14/2012-9:59pm at 9:59 pm (UTC -4)
To me, it is passed the whole damage control thing. Madoff has passed. Other than Bay, the bad contracts have been severed. It is time to start making a plan to assemble a winner. To me, there are parts that can be dealt without being a proverbial speed bump for the future plans, there is the 40 Man Glut (4MG) that has viable parts people will want. This team could get better this year without getting worse down the line. We are really past the “no long term contacts” deal so finding parts that are controllable down the line should be both a focus and doable. It is getting very close to the drop the deuce or get off the pot stage.
Stick
7/14/2012-10:54pm at 10:54 pm (UTC -4)
there are pieces (including for the pen) that can get picked up as salary dumps, with non-prospect type talent going back (say, a Carson or Cahoon). That will not have any negative impact on the building for the future, but will do something to help try to compete this year, and send a solid message to the fans. Assuming the FO gives a crap about that, or if the owners can see past the end of their noses.
Hazmet
7/14/2012-11:02pm at 11:02 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah there could be some moves but the type trade would be mediocre talent for mediocre talent imo. To get anything special back there’s only a couple of players that could bring anything back of blue chip value and that would require entertaining trading Wright or Santana and that’s not going to happen.
NJstuckinTX
7/14/2012-11:05pm at 11:05 pm (UTC -4)
Haz,
Think Familia, possibly valdy, possibly Flores…. There is value in the system.
Stick
7/14/2012-11:28pm at 11:28 pm (UTC -4)
I don’t expect a big name trade anyway. and most teams do this kind of relatively minor move. the huge deals are the anomaly.
sure, you might see a seismic move like trading for Upton (that would be a move for the future anyway), but the most likely scenario is, if you see any moves, it will be of the filler type (but still, that is a plus)
billyboy
7/14/2012-10:04pm at 10:04 pm (UTC -4)
This team is what it is so far, good for half a season when 162 games have been played,we will see what we have,which was the plan all along and my guess is that they will be in 4th place about 5 games under 500 but thats my opinion. To say a player is something special but has only played 80 games is a real bad method for judging players and judging a team. Real players and real teams show results for an entire season.
Hazmet
7/14/2012-10:52pm at 10:52 pm (UTC -4)
Sounds about right. I had them at 73 wins for this year before the season started but with them exceeding expectations the first half I’d be tickled pink with .500 while finding out what some of these younger players are made of. With the league now having a book on some of the young players mixed with some of the young players looking overmatched at times .500 looks to be a challenge. Time will tell.
Stick
7/14/2012-10:48pm at 10:48 pm (UTC -4)
byrdak walking the leadoff lefty was what killed them. After that, Terry took a shot with bringing in Parnell (I was surprised to see that).
almost worked, after the K. But, 3 straight bloops/bleeders (none of the 3 were hit particularly well) and that was it.
I do like Edgin though!
Hazmet
7/14/2012-10:56pm at 10:56 pm (UTC -4)
I didn’t see this part of the game but I believe the box score showed them bringing Beato in first after Byrdak. But you’re right lead off walk was a killer, usually is.
Stick
7/14/2012-11:25pm at 11:25 pm (UTC -4)
oh, I know that Beato came in next. Got an out and put 2 guys on, then they made the move for Parnell.
Mr North Jersey
7/15/2012-1:02am at 1:02 am (UTC -4)
Tough game. Now have to try to win just to avoid the sweep from these Braves.
I know some want to get on the Murphy throw to 1st in the 2nd but it should not have resulted in the Braves scoring 3 runs. Dickey should of got out of it.
As far as the ump call in the 5th I have to admit that at the moment along with my bias I felt the ump should of called the lead runner out but after hearing from Collins and the quotes after the game by the umps they agree that the call made was right.
The Braves gave the Mets what they have been giving teams all season. 2 out rbi’s in the 8th to take the lead.
Parnell continues to struggle with consistency as with many in the pen. He had been pitching good of late and then today happens.
Regarding the relief the kid Edgin striking out the side was cool to see.
Wright with a rare 4 strikeout game. Duda with just an ugly PH appearance.
Another nice game by Mr Tejada at the plate and on the field and a not bad job by Torres at the plate with 3 hits.
Need a win 2morrow.
LGM!
PS. With talks of a possible call up for Mets prospect Matt Harvey I am sure Backman if Harvey is called up can’t wait to see what Wheeler can do assuming he then follows Harvey by getting promoted to AAA. Wheeler box score looks very impressive tonight. complete game 6 hit shutout with 1 walk and 7 k’s with 71% pitches for strikes.
darknova306
7/15/2012-1:38am at 1:38 am (UTC -4)
So after the game they all, including Collins, agreed that putting the runner back at 2nd was the right call? Good. That’s exactly the way it should’ve been. I missed all of that cause I went to a brewpub south of Cooperstown with no TVs while the Mets were up 6-5. Good beer, good conversation, bad baseball results when I got home. Oh well, this really isn’t a playoff team anyway, no matter how much Ceetar and Coutinho pray for it.
srt
7/15/2012-9:14am at 9:14 am (UTC -4)
Only because one ump initially called it a catch and one a trap. I saw the game and Terry’s post game. By then, he had benefit of there play and probably Spin’s own admission of he didn’t catch it.
I still say the umpiring is getting beyond awful. So may getting non close calls wrong. So much yammering about it. Just smacks of umpires with poor talent for the job. See my comment above. The failure on M LB’s part is in not treating them with the respect they deserve when first hired in the minors. Poor pay and poor training. Need to fix it from the bottom up.
Can’t keep having blown call after blown call that isn’t even close, like Spin at first. Even my naked eye without replay on that one knew he was safe.