OK, the Mets lost last night in a game they could have won. In the grand scheme of things, it’s still a loss, but as the game progressed there was a different feeling than most times this young season. That’s because Oliver Perez was pitching well, giving the Mets two strong-pitched games in a row.
There’s a different feel defensively when a team gets a well-pitched game, and the Mets were indeed crisp in the field.
Today it’s Johan Santana, who always gives the Mets a chance to win, even when the offense takes a pass as it has most games already this season.
It’s the same story with the Mets offense, which is to say they aren’t hitting with runners in scoring position. Chris Carpenter pitched a good game last night, but still the Mets had a chance to put the game away before it was turned over to the bullpen.
The Mets are on national TV this afternoon. I hope you tune in and also drop by here with your thoughts.
Thanks.
This post was written by John Delcos
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It looks as if moving Jose Reyes to third in the order won’t happen imminently. Good thing. Reyes is where he belongs offensively.-JD
FIRST INNING: Another walk by Wright. That’s 15 walks in 11 games. It means he’s seeing the ball well. That will translate into increased production.-JD
Bay still struggling. With Francoeur so hot, I might consider switching them.-JD
Looking at this ballpark, it’s nice that artificial turf did not catch on. As Dick Allen so eloquently put it “If a horse can’t eat it, I don’t want to play on it.”
Dan (4): I love the real stuff, too.-JD
Fewer and fewer parks have the plastic grass these days. Tampa Bay and Toronto immediately come to mind.-JD
We make a lot of middling starters look like they have tremendous stuff.
Tug also had a classic quote.
When asked which he liked better grass or astro-turf.
His reply ” I don’t know I never smoked astro-turf”.
kevin (7): They’ve done nothing with the bats today. Five hitless. I’ve seen a couple of no-hitters. They are exciting. Hard to believe the Mets have never thrown one.-JD
Scott (8): My favorite Tug quote was about his salary: “Ninety percent I’ll spend on good times, women and Irish Whiskey. The other ten percent I’ll probably waste.” … They don’t make them like Tug anymore.-JD
SIXTH INNING: Pagan’s hit was the Mets’ first. At least they won’t have the no-hit embarrassment today to deal with.-JD
Wow. Mets game on out here. The local Fox station usually gives us steady diet of Cubs and ChiSox.
First time we have faced Garcia? Mets never seem to do well against a guy the very first time around. It’s like our guys have great difficulty analyzing and adjusting on the fly in a game situation.
Omaha (12): You’ll get Mets tomorrow night, also, on ESPN.-JD
Wright was overmatched in that at-bat.-JD
Was it really necessary to show the Castillo dropped pop up.
At least mention the fact that he answered every question from the media after the game and the rest of that weekend.
McCarver is still mad at the Mets for firing him.
I wonder if we will see the Beltran strike out against Wainwright or the Molina HR.
McCarver said the Castillo drop was emblematic of the Mets’ problems the past three years. Hardly. The Mets problems can be traced to starting pitching, a fractured bullpen and hitting with runners in scoring position. In that order. … Pitching is the explanation for the collapses of 2007 and 2008. Pitching and injuries explain last season.-JD
(17) Don’t forget the careless decision to stop running those Giuseppe Franco ads.
JD (17) McCarver is a joke. He has called Santana Carlos multiple times today and said Heilman threw that pitch that Luis dropped. Earth to Tim.
Nice job by Santana.
McCarver is living on his reputation.
He only works on Saturday’s and the post season and this shows in the quality of his work.
EIGHTH INNING: Since it is all about pitch counts these days, Santana is done for the day after throwing 113.-JD
This is the third straight game we’ve got at least 6 scoreless innings from our starters. If we end up 1 – 2 in those games, that’s just unacceptable.
The way things are going I would bet Catalanotto is not with the Mets by the end of next week.
I could see the Mets bringing up Chris Carter to replace him mostly as a move to show the fans they are trying to do something.
Scott (23): With the lack of production at first base, I’m thinking more and more it should be time to find out about Ike Davis. What would it hurt?-JD
You have to like it when your relievers come in and issue walks.-JD
Whew ….. -JD
Igarashi is nasty
JD (24)
If they do bring up Davis I would be it will not happen till after they finish the up coming home stand.
Less pressure if he makes his ML debut on the road.
Wright punched out again. Overmatched by the breaking balls.-JD
Is there a single player on our team that can even touch a breaking ball?
These two games have had a playoff-like intensity. It’s hard to fire your manager when his team is competing like this.
So if they lose this one, maine tries to avoid the sweep tomorrow. jerry better start packing.
Scott (28): Probably right. I wasn’t an advocate of it originally, but they are getting nothing out of their first basemen.-JD
Tiffany (31): Manuel won’t get axed anytime soon. The Mets have been competitive these past few games. And, the players haven’t quit on the manager. That’s usually the first sign, but it hasn’t happened.-JD
kevin (30): I suppose Barajas catching Santana’s slider doesn’t count.-JD
TENTH INNING: Just one hit for the ballclub today. That’s not going to cut it. … The offense has been consistently poor this season. … On the bright side, they do have Mike Jacobs off the bench.-JD
Delcos, have you looked at the standings lately? wait until we see lots of empty seats on the next homestand. competitive? they suck.
Bay looks lost these days. It’s one thing to not hit homers, but he’s not even making contact today.-JD
Now is when I’d like them to turn on the ump’s microphone.-JD
Another fine outing by our ace wasted. one hit in 10 innings? competitive? whats wrong with this picture?
They obviously won’t, or can’t, do it live.-JD
This is just sad, I think a curve ball machine against this team could throw a one hitter.
Right now, I’d be reluctant to go with Nieve.-JD
Nieve was strong in his first four appearances, but has been off since. I have more faith with Feliciano vs. Pujols than Nieve.-JD
I’m not so much watching this game as just waiting around to lose
kevin (45): Ouch …. that says a lot. I have a feeling a lot of people are thinking the same.-JD
Wow, Manuel’s move didn’t immediately blow up in his face?!? In fact it worked. Great play Cora.
What a play by Cora. I don’t know whether he saved the game or just delayed the inevitable, but you have to like his hustle.-JD
Yeah, and wainwright tomorrow. thats gonna be fun.
Almost missed this…turned the radio on earlier this afternoon and no game, so I thought it was tonight!
So who wants to complain what a bad 1st baseman Cora is?
Have to say I’m totally surprised at how things are going. The way the preseason and beginning of the season went, thought they’d have good hitting and no pitching.
Jeff M (52): With the exception of the first game in Colorado, the pitching has been good lately. With any kind of hitting they could be riding a four-game winning streak.-JD
I think losing Murphy has been overlooked. He was just getting hot at the time. the guys who have replaced him have been horrible.
Watch them score six runs tomorrow … but have Maine give up seven.-JD
Ray (54): They have. I wrote earlier that I’d like to see Davis now. Any thoughts on that?-JD
You would think the Mets would have another hit or two just by accident. Come to think of it, their only hit was a bloop.-JD
Oh, man… talk about taking all the wind out of your sails.
That’s what we haven’t seen this year, yet — a Pagan base running gaffe.-JD
A struggling Ike Davis is likely to offer more than Mike Jacobs playing to his career levels.
I am still perplexed why Cora came into the game at firstbase, he made a great play… but why?
I’m guessing the Mets will get a hit this inning.-JD
61 Kevin
Something Jerry did worked, not sure I want to know why he did it.
JD, I am still not seeing numbers on the posts. I am coming around to the idea of bringing up Davis now. But maybe they should give carter a chance first. They need a change and thats for sure. whats the schedule for murphys return?
kevin (61): He came in as part of a double switch. I was going to say Manuel liked the pitching match-up with Cora better than Jacobs. But, they hit for Cora anyway.-JD
But he wasted a bench player in an extra inning game… for no easily discernable reason
Ray (64): No timetable for his return.-JD
kevin (66): True enough. And, a switch-hitter no less.-JD
That looked like a surefire hit off the bat… in regards to Davis, sure I’d love to see him up… but I appreciate the need for him to be in the minors, F Mart last year looked awful in the majors.
Ray (64): What’s your operating system? Maybe that has something to do with it. … A couple of people complained about the numbers earlier, but haven’t lately.-JD
Wright coming up leading the league in walks because he has no protection again.
kevin (69): That was my initial thinking on Davis. But, with the lack of production at first, and no return date for Murphy, I’m thinking differently.-JD
john windows xp
Ray, what browser do you use?
Wright is ticked off. See him go down the tunnel? Something is going to get broken.-JD
This is painful
Bay looks lost. Four strikeouts today. Maybe Manuel should consider switching him with Francoeur. Couldn’t hurt.-JD
before they couldnt hit curves, now they cant hit fastballs. somebody throw a slider please!
When Ray said he still couldn’t see the numbers on the posts… I thought he was talking about the foul posts.
My son just put on Doctor Who. I may never know how this game ends.
The Mets once played a 25-inning game against the Cardinals. Why isn’t McCarver talking about that game?-JD
Sept. 11, 1974 …. seven plus hours …. ended at 3:13 AM-JD
Wasn’t McCarver IN that game? I thought it was in the mid-60s…
OK, I was only off by a decade!
He doesn’t remember that, he doesn’t even remember that Aaron Heilman pitched to Yadier Molina in the infamous 2006 at bat, even though they mentioned it earlier in the broadcast and he called the game.
catchers interference? perfect.
OMG. Catcher’s interference???
Feels like the sword of Damocles is dangling over the Mets.
(84) But I’ll bet he remembers every outfielder who ever played too deep… or too shallow
I thought Cardinal fans were smart? How could you boo walking Pujols to face a relief pitcher?
I remember that 25 inning game. Hank Webbs errant pickoff allowed Bake Mcbride to come all the way around from first. Mets get out of the inning. How many will this one go?
Ray (89): The Mets also played a 24-inning game against Houston … and a 20-plus inning game (2nd game of a DH) against the Giants.-JD
Delcos, I bet keith wishes he were able to call all three games.
No position players left for the Mets. The decision to bat for Cora could bite them in the butt.-JD
“I think if he gets thrown out at second base to end the inning, that’s a good base running play.” Tim McCarver
Ray (91): Can you imagine what he’d be saying?-JD
“Bake McBride: He has a world of speed.” — Bob Murphy, circa 1974
McCarver is starting to sound like one of those boxers who took one too many punches to the head.
You can’t stop Rod Barajas; you can only hope to contain him.
Tiffany (95): Murphy was priceless. Just priceless.-JD
(95) Murphy would have said it: “He has a whirrrrrlllld of speeeeed.”
And now stepping up to the plate, David Arthur Kingman.
“Keith Miller tried, oh, so hard to catch that ball in centerfield…” — Bob Murphy circa 1989
Maybe McCarver is trying to be the new ralph kiner. Gary Cooper. LOL
The good news is that, regardless how this game ends, the Mets can count on Maine to give their bullpen a rest tomorrow.
Love it … any more Murphy recollections?-JD
cumulus clouds.
“The most remarkable thing about Pete Falcone is that he can grow a full beard in about two weeks.” — Bob Murphy circa 1979
What are you looking for Jake?
kevin (107): He couldn’t have been looking for a better pitch.-JD
Reyes has done nothing since his return.
Twice today LaRussa has brought in a righty to make Luis Castillo bat left handed.
Never thought I would see the day when Castillo would be the most feared bat in the Met lineup.
Ray (109): He hasn’t. He’s still in spring training mode.-JD
Just throwing it out there, the Mets were .500 when Reyes came back… now 4 games under. I don’t think one has anything to do with the other, still interesting.
Bay doesnt have the same excuse.
I think not striking out there was a moral victory.
Ray (113): No, he doesn’t. They’d be booing if this was at Citi Field.-JD
Delcos, It wont be long.
Well put the kids to bed, its about to get ugly.
14th INNING: It ends this inning.-JD
Is this game still going on?
119. Unfortunately yes
WTF is happening?
They are going to hit the pitcher again… this unreal…
kevin (122): Well, nobody is smarter than Tony La Russa.-JD
That was an unbelievable inning.-JD
That didn’t just happen… there is no feasible way they didn’t score with a man on 2nd and 3rd and no one out…
I swear JD, this game is doomed to be the worst game ever played.
123 JD
That’s what I was also thinking.
Watch it end with a balk with a runner on third,-JD
I guess Jerry is saving Perez to pinch hit in the 17th.
Scott (129): I was thinking Pelfrey. He got a hit in his last start.-JD
130 JD
If it goes much further Pelfrey might have to pitch.
Scott (131): Actually, this would be his throw day so it isn’t improbable.-JD
Jimenez is in the 8th with a no no against the Bravos
He’s somehow walked 6
Kris Benson is starting for the D-Backs tonight. That’s just scary bad.
I’d walk him again
16th INNING: Do you put Pujols on?-JD
kevin (136): I would.-JD
He got the no hitter.
kevin (139): Great. Now only three teams have never thrown a no-hitter. Mets, Padres and Rays.-JD
Unbelievable…
I don’t know if that was a smart play Reyes or a bobble, either way, it worked.
kevin (142): I think if Reyes had a clean throw to first he would have taken it.-JD
The more I watch some of these Cardinals, the smarter Angel Pagan looks.
The Cardinals have handed this game to the Mets. Why won’t they take it?-JD
Wow. Bad base-running. But yay for us!
140 JD
Right now I think Mets fans would settle for just winning this game.
Scott (147): Fair enough.-JD
Did he trap that ball or not? They showed a replay from the worst vantage point once.
Kyle Lohse playing LF and Felipe Lopez on the mound.
I wonder what Tony knows ?
18th INNING: If they can’t win it against an infielder pitching that would be the ultimate indignity.-JD
Did he just throw a knuckleball?
That’s it … run up Lopez’s pitch count. What a strategy.-JD
If Jacobs strikes out this at bat, I would cut him on the field.
That’s good enough, cut.
Embarrassing.-JD
You just flew out on a 78 mph fastball down the middle.
You gotta let Pagan steal there. What’s Lopez going to do — pick him off?
Tiffany (158): Absolutely right. Just dumb baseball.-JD
I just watched Doctor Who, came back and this is still going on????
If the Mets lose this, my first thought would be what took them so long? They could have lost this seven times over by now.-JD
I would have given all my hitters a red light until they had 2 strikes.
OK JD, I forsee the Mets scoring 2 runs this inning and Krod blowing the save giving up a 2 run bomb to Pujols..
kevin (162): They are getting a second chance against another position player. This is a gift.-JD
La Russa couldn’t have a starter working now?-JD
Well, if Reyes needed more spring training time, at least he’s getting his work in…
You don’t send Reyes there? Doesn’t that suggest something might be wrong with him?-JD
HOW COULD YOU BUNT?!?!?!
The guy can’t throw a strike and you give up an out?!? How is Jerry Manuel a manager?
Something wrong with Reyes? Heavens! Next you’ll say the Mets are going to score with the bases loaded…
Well I’ll be!!
Do the appeal play at third!!!
The smart ass in me says watch K-Rod blow the save.-JD
That’s what I said (163)
I knew I’d seen that remark earlier.
Actually, that’s not being a smart ass… that’s being a realistic Mets fan. Sorry, JD — now you’re one of us!
kevin (173): You were my inspiration.-JD
If you put on Ludwick before Albert, I’m going to cry
How do you get thrown out with Pujols up?!?!?! As the winning run?!?!? OMG!?!?!
McCarver just called it the worst loss the Mets will have experienced in the last several years, before it even happened.
At least now Pujols can’t win it. But he could tie…
19th INNING: Ludwick was safe.-JD
He was out JD, he slid past the bag, Castillo was blocking.
soooo close….
KRod’s going to have to try harder to blow this one.
kevin (180): Yes. I noticed on the replay.-JD
At worst the Cards would have 2nd 3rd no out if he didn’t try to steal.
Great play by Castillo!
Oh no, not advice from Warthen.
Yadier F’n Molina
pffffffffft
I don’t believe what I just saw. … Yes, I do.-JD
Don’t worry about who pitches the 20th. KRod will load the bases here and end it.
We were regrettably right JD…
If this game goes to the 20th, the Cardinals must use a starter.-JD
Thanks for bunting Jerry Manuel… That’s all
kevin (191): Unfortunately.-JD
I was wrong! I admit it! KRod didn’t abide by the mercy rule.
If you swing without two strikes you will be shot
At least this game is right out of the Classic Mets History book. Probably the only thing this team has done that is.
Tim McCarver is losing it…
As long as he doesn’t try to fit into a glass slipper…
If Jacobs could face a thirdbaseman every at bat, he just might be major league caliber.
Holy Cow…runners on the corners, 0 out? Isn’t this how the Mets failed to score every other time?
Be still my heart.
Kyle Lohse… hahaha
Wow…Kyle puts out more than Paris Hilton.
Pelfrey for the save?
Mike Pelfrey for the save.
You called it JD.
That was pretty weak ab David…
If the Mets hang on and win, will we hear endlessly how Jerry outmanaged LaRussa?
Jeff M (208): La Russa outsmarted himself. A terrible job by him today/tonight.-JD
Of course. It can never be simple.
no no no no no
This is torture.
JD, if you didn’t believe what you saw before, how are you handling this?
Jeff M (210): His ego cost his team today. How do you not use a pitcher instead of a position player? Of course, if Pelfrey blows this save, he’ll get another chance.-JD
Jeff M (213): I’m a Twilight Zone fan. I’m pretending Kenny Albert is Rod Serling.-JD
Thank god its over.
Well, you figured they’d win the game Santana pitched. LOL.-JD
I want 7 hours of my life back.
Is that it? Is it really over? Are you sure? It’s not an illusion?
(217) LMAO
Big Pelf has more saves than Krod
So, can Maine get out of the 1st tomorrow?
Holy cow.
At least it’s not a Sunday day game…
Folks, I had an enjoyable time. Thanks for hanging with me.-JD
John, if we don’t hang out together, we will surely hang out separately.
Or something like that.
20 innings should count as 2 wins.
Agreed, if I was posting on this board, I might have lost it JD
should say wasn’t*
Sometimes struggling teams turn it around on odd things. And, what was odder than this game?-JD
A QUICK WRAP
FINAL: Mets 2, Cardinals 1 (20).
RECORD: 4-7.
THUMBNAIL ANALYSIS: What started as a classic pitcher’s duel between Johan Santana and Jaime Garcia turned into a classic. The bullpens traded zeroes until the 19th when the Mets got to Joe Mather, the second position player the Cardinals used as a pitcher. Of course, the Cardinals tied it against Francisco Rodriguez. After the Mets took the lead in the 20th inning, Mike Pelfrey came in for the save.
ON THE MOUND: Johan Santana was superb, giving up four hits in seven scoreless innings with nine strikeouts. … The bullpen pitched out of three bases-loaded jams in extra innings.
AT THE PLATE: Mets didn’t get their first hit off Garcia until Angel Pagan’s single leading off the sixth. … Seven combined strikeouts for David Wright and Jason Bay. … Jeff Francoeur’s hitting streak was snapped, but he drove in the first run with a sacrifice fly. Jose Reyes drove in the game-winner with a sacrifice fly.
IN THE FIELD: Alex Cora dove into the stands on a Matt Holliday pop-up to end the tenth. … Errors by Rod Barajas (catcher’s interference) and Hisanori Takahashi.
LOOKING AHEAD: John Maine tries to get on track tomorrow night.-JD