Right now, David Wright would be one of the first to admit this game is impossible to figure out. Wright took a 10-game hitting streak into Saturday’s game.
That streak hasn’t just been snapped, it has been shattered.
Since then, Wright has gone down on strikes eight straight times (he had a sacrifice fly in there that would have accounted for the winning RBI had not the bullpen not given up lead for the third straight game).
The last one got him ejected from Sunday’s game and had the Mets tied it would have brought on the fun scenario of Jon Niese in left and Jason Bay playing third base. There’s a morbid curiosity, I admit, of wanting to see that.
Wright denies it was a culmination that caused his explosion at plate ump Paul Schreiber, but it was certainly more than the “disagreement’’ he called it.
“In a season you’re going to go through some ups and downs and I’m not seeing the ball right now,” said Wright. “Hopefully I’ll get back to swinging the bat well. Obviously you want to go up there and put together some good at-bats but it hasn’t happened the last couple of days. I’ll keep plugging away and working at it until it does happen.’’
Wright is too good a player for it not to happen, but what is alarming is not the strikeouts, but the quantity. He has 41 on the season and the Mets play their 32nd game tonight against Washington.
“It’s a combination of me not seeing the ball that well right now and facing some good pitching,’’ Wright said. “It’s two-sided. Pitchers make good pitches, especially when you’re not feeling that good at the plate, and chances are you’re not going to be that successful.’’
Tonight the 17-14 Mets play the 17-14 Nationals with John Maine going against rookie Luis Atilano (2-0, 4.67), who is trying to bounce back from a six-run effort against Atlanta.
Maine (1-1, 5.97 ERA) appears to have righted himself after a rough start. H was 0-1 with 10.38 ERA in his first three starts, but 1-0 with a 2.30 ERA in his last three.
Here’s tonight’s line-up:
Angel Pagan, CF
Luis Castillo, 2B
Jose Reyes, SS
Jason Bay, LF
David Wright, 3B
Ike Davis, 1B
Jeff Francoeur, RF
Rod Barajas, C
John Maine, RP
METS NOTEBOOK: Catcher Henry Blanco was placed on the bereavement list and replaced on the roster by Josh Thole. … Mike Piazza said if he ever was inducted into the Hall of Fame he wanted to go in as a Met. “The bulk of my career was with the Mets,’’ he said. One of the most enduring images in Met history was his homer that beat Atlanta in the first game back from 9/11.
Manuel said Beltran is doing some limited hitting in the cage, but there’s no word on when he’ll begin running. … Also, Igarashi threw on the mound today in his rehab.-JD
FIRST INNING: Still plenty of wind. It played a huge role yesterday. We’ll see how it plays out tonight.-JD
The first two runners reached. Not a good start with the power coming up.-JD
Part of Maine’s turnaround was getting out of trouble. We’ll see how he does. Zimmerman’s ball to Francoeur was a bullet.-JD
Replay showed Morgan was out at third. Tough call to make.-JD
Very nice recovery by Maine. Fun to watch. Could give offense a lift. Something has to.-JD
BOTTOM FIRST INNING: Now I’d let Castillo bunt him to third.-JD
Wright: Think right field.-JD
Nine straight at-bats that he’s struck out. Amazing. That’s 42 on the year.-JD
Bases loaded, one out. Two strikeouts. What a waste. Make some kind of contact and they might have had a run.-JD
(10) I blame Ollie.
Tiffany (11): That inning only proved your point.-JD
(12) Something has to…
SECOND INNING: For those scoring at home, that’s 43 pitches in two innings for Maine. We’ll see the pen a lot tonight.-JD
(14) Can you think of a better location?
THIRD INNING: Well, it looks as if the Nationals have figured out Maine.-JD
off the subject there was a real nice article in todays times about Piazza. He says he wants to go into the Hall with a Mets cap on. lets hope he has better luck getting his wish than Carter did.
Looie has only 3 Ks this year vs. 15 walks.
Ray (17): The theory is the player will go in wearing the cap of team where he “makes his mark.” That could be the Dodgers even though he played longer with the Mets.-JD
BOTTOM THIRD: I’d send Reyes.-JD
Next time.-JD
Let me get in front of the TV now — I want to see if Wright can continue the streak.
since Piazza only made it to the WS with the mets that may be considered, we shall see in 3 years.
BOTTOM FOURTH: All streaks have to come to an end sometime. At least he made contact.-JD
Ray (23): He did have an impact with the Mets that can’t be denied. Enough to make a viable argument to wear the Mets cap. I think they should let the player decide.-JD
They’re lucky to have Adam Kennedy out there to catch that ball hit by Wright. It was absolutely blistered!!!
FIFTH INNING: Maine needs to make short work of this inning if he’s to see the sixth.-JD
I wonder if that DP bought Maine another inning. He’s at 92 pitches now.-JD
it would be nice to keep him in but we need some runs and its getting late in the game.
now he gets to sacrifice
BOTTOM FIFTH: There’s my answer. Nice bunt by Maine.-JD
We’re not going to see Beltran before July. I just feel it. Maybe not until after the All-Star break.-JD
SIXTH INNING: I like that the Nats will let the pitcher hit. He deserves to stay in the game.-JD
Strong throw by Pagan saves a run. That’s it for Maine. Two runs in six innings. I’ll take it. Too many pitches, he’s given the Mets a chance to win. Only their offense isn’t cooperating.-JD
BOTTOM SIXTH INNING: Maybe they’ll stop the game and give him the ball.-JD
What was Wright thinking? He’s not having a good stretch.-JD
remember the last homestand when they played such crisp baseball? that seemed like years ago.
Ray (37): It was this year, wasn’t it?-JD
BOTTOM SEVENTH INNING: Matthews can redeem his so far miserable season here.-JD
He doesn’t. Can’t anybody here hit a fly ball?-JD
Omar got jipped paying 2 mil got gmjr
Well, Castillo comes through. He’s a gamer.-JD
Smart, very smart Jose. Just stupid. Especially after yesterday.-JD
looie is the most clutch player on this team of all stars
Ray (44): Somebody has to play like a star.-JD
EIGHTH INNING: Well, Feliciano wanted to the eighth inning guy.-JD
correction: overpriced all stars. I am tired of reyes hitting 3rd already. time to move davis up.
Ray (47): It is time to quit fooling around. Move up Reyes to leadoff and slot Davis between Bay and Wright. It can’t be any worse.-JD
the kid shows more poise than many of the vets on this team. he can handle it
Ray (49): He’s advanced beyond his years. … Just singled to left against the lefty.-JD
But, Wright has a couple of hits tonight. They won’t make any changes.-JD
Another K with RISP.-JD
They’ve left six runners tonight in scoring position. Kind of sums up the night neatly.-JD
its a frustrating team to watch
Ray (54): They really are. This is a game with another hit or two they could have made the difference. More strikeouts, too.-JD
i wonder if a team has ever led the league in walks allowed and strikeouts made in the same year.
Anytime your pitching gives up three runs you should win the game.-JD
nats dont even have their best two relief pitchers tonight
NINTH INNING: You have to like Cora. He’s always doing something positive.-JD
BOTTOM NINTH INNING: Pagan has been hitting well lately. Stick him in the third spot for awhile.-JD
Bay: This is why they signed him.-JD
That’s 11 strikeouts by Mets hitters. Fitting way to end the game.-JD
A QUICK WRAP/Game #32
FINAL: Nationals 3, Mets 2.
RECORD: 17-15.
THUMBNAIL ANALYSIS: The Mets pitched well enough to win, but were again let down by their listless offense that wasted a strong outing by John Maine.
ON THE MOUND: Maine gave up two runs on seven hits and four walks in six innings, including back-to-back homers by Adam Kennedy and Ryan Zimmerman.
AT THE PLATE: Angel Pagan homered. … David Wright ended a streak of striking out nine straight times. … The Mets went 1-for-12 with RISP and stranded six runners on second and/or third. … Eleven more strikeouts.
IN THE FIELD: Strong throw by Pagan to the plate saved a run. … Diving stop of a grounder by Alex Cora in the ninth saved another run. … Luis Castillo started despite a bone bruise on the bottom of his foot.
LOOKING AHEAD: Jon Niese and Mike Pelfrey will start the next two games for the Mets against Washington. -JD
at least Wright is hitting. and bay finally got a hit.
I am noticing that the team is not happy. Reyes gets kicked out?
but notice … Manuel came out and got kicked out too. where was he for David?
I just dont think manuel is doing a good job… and now the players are frustrated..
2 runs in 6?
does that mean we dont have to worry if maine can pitch?