Game 142: loss
Dodgers 9 Mets 1
Yuck.
Steve Trachsel was godawful in his two and two-thirds innings of work, but I’m going to look at it as a good thing. In fact, I’ll be OK with him pitching this poorly in his next three starts, because it should more or less guarantee that he won’t get a start in the postseason … and that’s the way it should be.
For one of the few times this year, Trachsel didn’t get much offensive support … but by the time he left the game it didn’t matter. After his departure, the game got even uglier, as Trachsel beat up Brian Bannister in the clubhouse — knocking him out cold — then took his uniform jersey and ran out to the bullpen before anyone saw the evidence. Mr. Willie, not realizing what happened, had “Bannister” warm up, and unknowingly reinserted Trachsel into the ballgame in the top of the fourth. Five more runs scored in the next three innings, and the Mets had no chance to come back.
The Dodgers made a brilliant move, giving Eric Stults his first Major League start against the clueless Mets. Obviously their scouts were paying attention when they saw the Mets batters fail miserably in similar games against pitchers they never saw before (the most recent example being Friday against Hong-Chih Kuo). It was interesting to see Eric Stults on the mound … I was wondering what happened to him after Pulp Fiction …
The only highlight of the game — from the Mets’ point of view — was a sixth-inning solo homer by Jose Reyes, who may soon borrow Dominique Wilkins’ old nickname “the Human Highlight Film”.
Notes
Endy Chavez and Jose Valentin had the only other hits (besides Reyes’ homerun), both singles. David Wright might have had a hit, but the Dodgers wouldn’t pitch to him in the Beltranless lineup, so he walked twice.
Julio Franco made his 2006 debut at third base in the final innings, and made a nice play in the ninth. Oldsters such as myself can remember Franco’s great range as a shortstop back in the early 1980s, so it’s not beyond reality to see him somewhere other than first base. You never know, he might be needed in an emergency in the postseason (hopefully not, though).
Darren Oliver and Chad Bradford pitched admirably in relief, and Royce Ring was absolutely fantastic in retiring the one hitter he faced on five pitches.
Monday has Dave Williams going against Anibal Sanchez, who will be attempting to tie Johnny Vander Meer for most consecutive no-hit games. Rumor has it, we’ll see Oliver Perez on Tuesday.
