Home » Mets 2008 Games » Mets Game 117: Loss to Marlins
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August 10, 2008 Mets 2008 Games Joe Janish

Mets Game 117: Loss to Marlins

Marlins 8 Mets 2

The Marlins avoided a sweep at Shea by blasting Mike Pelfrey for six runs in 4 and 2/3 innings, and riding behind the arm of Josh Johnson.

Big Pelf had a rough day, allowing 7 hits and 3 walks in a 98-pitch effort. The bullpen didn’t do much better, with Eddie Kunz uncorking a wild pitch to allow one of Pelfrey’s runners to score, and Carlos Muniz allowing two homers in the sixth inning.

From the offensive side, the Mets managed two runs thanks to an RBI groundout by Jose Reyes in the third and an RBI single by David Wright that scored Reyes in the sixth. Otherwise, pretty hum-drum game from the Mets fans’ point of view.

Notes

With Dan Murphy batting .500 going into the game, Argenis Reyes batting in the two-hole. Now, I like Argenis’ defense, but his .271 OBP doesn’t do it for me at the top of the lineup. Exactly why wasn’t Murphy — hands-down the hottest hitter on the Mets right now — guaranteed an at-bat in the first inning?

Speaking of strange moves, this game was a perfect example of how not to manage a bullpen — from both sides. With Pelfrey unable to finish the fifth inning, and the game on the verge of a blowout, Eddie Kunz was brought into the game for one-third of an inning. That move forced the Mets to use interim setup man Joe Smith in the eighth. If you don’t want Kunz hitting, why not pull a double-switch? Oh, because the best place to move the pitcher would be the sixth hole, where the hot-hitting Murphy was installed. Personally, I would have sent Kunz up to hit, so he could pitch another inning. It was two outs in the fifth, with the score 5-1. It wasn’t like Nick Evans was going to hit a five-run homer.

But the Marlins’ bullpen management was just as ridiculous. In the eighth, up by six with a man on third and two outs, Fredi Gonzalez brought in LOOGY Arthur Rhodes to face Carlos Delgado. Why? Even if Delgado homers, you’re still up by four. Even sillier, closer Kevin Gregg was brought in to finish the game in the ninth. I do realize he hadn’t pitched since August 7th, but what’s wrong with giving your closer a few days off — especially this late in the season and with a series opening tomorrow against the Cardinals?

Jose Reyes broke out of his mini-slump, going 2-for-4 with a double. Daniel Murphy had “only” one hit, and saw his average drop to .478.

Next Game

The Mets host the Pirates for a makeup game at 1:10 pm on Monday, before heading down to Washington on Tuesday. Pedro Martinez faces Zach Duke.

Joe Janish began MetsToday in 2005 to provide the unique perspective of a high-level player and coach -- he earned NCAA D-1 All-American honors as a catcher and coached several players who went on to play pro ball. As a result his posts often include mechanical evaluations, scout-like analysis, and opinions that go beyond the numbers. Follow Joe's baseball tips on Twitter at @onbaseball and at the On Baseball Google Plus page.
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  1. sincekindergarten August 11, 2008 at 4:24 am
    I think that the Fish are in for a slump now, as the Cards don’t want to continue looking up at the Brewers and the Cubs. Also, the Phillthies have to go out to LA, and that’s never a good thing. Yeah, LMillz will want to torture us, and the Nats’ bench has a lot of lefties, but we should do alright.

    To paraphrase Ollie, all of the games are big now.

  2. joe August 11, 2008 at 9:08 am
    I like the Phillies having to face Manny and LA. Looking forward to seeing LMillz show us he’s more valuable than Brian Schneider. Oh wait, didn’t we also get someone else in that deal?
  3. Micalpalyn August 11, 2008 at 10:06 am
    1. In amongst that post is that Muniz got 6 outs around those two solo homers. I think Manuel is still trying to work with him and i also think given the frailities in the pen he is a key player…almost as much as Aaron.

    2. I expected more from Kunxz, although one blogger and eye witness had pointed out he is feast or famine….and that was at AA.

    3. The Yahoo report on this game says the Mets missed an oppurtunity to make a statement. I agree, but at the same time i think the Mets are also happen to be where they are. Too happy sometimes.

    4. Argennis: Joe i agree. I cant see why Manuel would tinker with the line up. Was he trying to protect CB or expose A-Rey? Well i think if he wanted to experiment, i’d see if Murph can play 2nd.

    5. While I am not holding my breath on Luis, I am on Church. I think a six week show of Ryan in RF will be a huge lift. church brings a defensive and offensive presence that WILL help CB.

    6. I also applaud the team letting Maine sit for 2 weeks. If he can comeback close to his normal self we should get back to being the team that reeled off 16/21.

    7. Is there BP help coming?

  4. sincekindergarten August 11, 2008 at 10:48 am
    Mic, I think that Bobby Parnell was promoted to N’awlins to see if he could work out of the pen (at Shea) down the stretch.
  5. Micalpalyn August 11, 2008 at 11:42 am
    Another glaring omission by Joe is Niese went to 3-0 over the weekend with another ‘quality start’.
  6. joe August 11, 2008 at 12:23 pm
    glaring omission?

    there’s no room for Niese if John Maine proves healthy. And it looks to me like Brian Stokes earned himself another start if/when the time comes.

    Count on Niese to “Phil” the Humber role of ’07. No need to rush him up here just yet.

  7. Micalpalyn August 11, 2008 at 12:52 pm
    By omission, i refered to his progress. U after all had written “why not Niese’. and I agree.

    I think he WILL pitch in Sept. As for Stokes, I’d like to see him in a Dan Wheeler role. The BP needs a lift and Lugo and Stokes could help…but only if they are tried. Yesterday was a great audition oppurtunity. Conversely, Kunz has had a cup of tea, he could benefit from 2 weeks of NOLA cooking.

  8. joe August 11, 2008 at 1:43 pm
    far enough Mic.

    The problem with Stokes is that he was successful as a starter throughout his minor league career, then was horrendous when put in the pen in 2007. I didn’t see him pitch with the Rays last year so don’t know if it was an issue of pitching several times per week or what.

    It doesn’t look like Kunz is ready for prime time. He definitely has the stuff, but not the consistency with his release point and command. Likely he got away with mistakes against inferior competition because of his unusual arm angle and velocity.