Mets Game 93: Loss to Nationals

Nationals 4 Mets 0

Apparently, the Nationals did not get the memo.

The Mets were supposed to steamroll over the reeling Nats, come out of the District of Columbia with a three-game win streak, poised to continue their roll against the ho-hum NL West also-rans, and give the Flushing fans hope that, indeed, the team would be in pole position when the cavalry arrived.

Instead, Long Beach, NY native John Lannan paralyzed the previously potent Mets offense, spinning a seven-hit shutout and earning his seventh win of the season (against seven losses).

Oliver Perez was … well, Oliver Perez. He allowed only 4 hits, but that was mainly because he didn’t give the Nationals many pitches to hack at. In addition to the four hits, Perez also walked 6 and hit a batter in his 6-inning stint. Two of the walked batters came around to score, as did the hit batter. So there you go.

In contrast, Lannan did not walk anyone, nor hit anyone.

Notes

Perez has now walked 17 in his 17 innings pitched since coming off the DL.

Remarkably, Jerry Manuel harped on the fact that the Mets need to “play better defense”. Really? Is that the problem? Huh. I didn’t know you could score runs while in the field.

Manuel was incredibly motivating during the postgame, by the way. After hearing his sob story, I was motivated to down a bottle of cheap whiskey and slit my wrists.

Also during the SNY postgame show, Gary Apple and the other numnuts / loudmouths / whatever they’re called suggested that these Mets might “give up” when they’re behind late in games. Um, is that any different from the resigned attitude demonstrated by the “other” Mets after falling behind — the Mets that included the Carloses, Reyes, etc.? Only the faces have changed, folks — the song remains the same!

The last time John Lannan faced the Mets, he threw his first MLB complete game. This time, he threw his first MLB shutout. The next time? His first MLB no-hitter?

Rumor has it that John Ricco is working the phones trying to get Mark David Chapman released from Attica before the Mets play the Nats again in September — with the hopes that Chapman confuses John Lannan with John Lennon.

The Mets hit 17 ground balls during the contest. Keith Hernandez suggested that would not have been the case had Carlos Delgado, Carlos Beltran, and Jose Reyes been in the lineup. Really? Based on what? And does that mean there would’ve been more popups or strikeouts? And how does this affect the price of tea in China?

For those unaware, Ollie Perez is one of the guys whose DL stint was considered a “blow” to the Mets’ chances — one of the “cavalry”. Be careful what you wish for.

Jeff Francoeur had two of the Mets hits and an outfield assist. Somehow I missed all of that excitement. I must’ve blinked three times. Crap.

Bobby Ojeda keeps saying that “small ball gets shut down”. No Bobby, it doesn’t. What gets shut down is a team built to wait for 3-run homers that suddenly tries to play small ball. Ojeda should know better, having faced the KC Royals, Oakland A’s, and St. Louis Cardinals of the early 1980s. Teams that know how to play small ball, and execute it consistently, DO NOT GET SHUT DOWN — that’s the whole point. Teams that rely on sluggers tend to run hot and cold, but teams that win based on speed, defense, pitching, situational hitting, and fundamentals, are less prone to cold streaks.

You know things are bad when Gary Cohen moves away from reporting the play by play, and instead offers an ear to Keith Hernandez, as “Mex” chats about his days as a high school pitcher, his non-feud with Don Mattingly, and the fact that “…if I was a righthander, my dad would’ve made me a shortstop, because I was quick and athletic — unlike my brother, who was tall and lanky and not as coordinated — and that’s the fastest way to the big leagues …”

Though, as long as you mention it Keith, I always thought being a catcher was the fastest way to the bigs. Whatever … we can argue about it tomorrow evening, instead of paying attention to the game.

The Mets have now been shut out 7 times in their last 17 ballgames. What is this, 1974? Where is Eddie Kranepool?

Next Mets Game

The rubber match occurs at 7:05 PM on Wednesday night in Washington. Mike Pelfrey pitches against Craig Stammen. I can’t believe it’s Pelf’s turn to pitch again already … it seems like he just pitched yesterday. That can’t be a good sign.