Mets Game 49: Loss to Brewers
Brewers 2 Mets 0
The bad news: the 1969 Mets record of 42 consecutive scoreless innings remains intact.
Sorry, no good news.
Johan Santana and Yovani Gallardo locked horns in a good old fashioned pitchers’ duel — a real barn-burner of a contest, matching goose eggs for 8 innings. The Mets had a couple of mild threats that were extinguished, and in the end it was the Brewers who finally crossed home plate — but not before Mets pitchers extended their scoreless innings streak to 35 2/3.
Game Notes
Johan Santana allowed only 3 hits and 2 walks in 8 shutout innings, expending 105 pitches. If I were manager, I might’ve allowed Santana to go out there for the ninth. But I’m just a blogger, second-guessing from the comfort of my couch.
Yovani Gallardo gave up 8 hits and a walk, but went the distance, earning the first shutout of his career and completing only his second game ever. He struck out 7 and tossed 121 pitches in all. Several Mets batters were miffed by called strikes by home plate umpire Jeff Nelson, but from the perspective of our TV viewing angle, it appeared that Nelson was fairly consistent with the zone for both sides. Yes, many pitches were close, but I don’t trust the off-center cameras to give us the best viewpoint. Santana was getting several close calls as well.
Interestingly, Santana and Rod Barajas were the only Mets to collect more than one hit in the game. Santana blasted a double off the rightfield wall literally moments after SNY announcer Gary Cohen suggested that Johan could swing for a homerun.
Ryota Igarashi was the scapegoat and losing pitcher, as he allowed an infield single to Ryan Braun and a walkoff 2-run homer to Corey Hart with two outs in the bottom of the ninth.
Next Mets Game
The Mets face the Brewers again on Saturday night at 7:10 PM in Milwaukee. Fernando Nieve attempts to keep his arm anatomically connected while Manny Parra takes the mound for the Brew Crew.
About the Author
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.
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Its okay. I was upset Santana wasn't in there too, but what do I know second-guessing from the comfort of my couch… Honestly, if Santana would be pitching a no hitter would we be 100% certain that the Jerry Manuel's or Joe Torre's of the world would leave them in. These are guys that will use four relievers in one inning..
Pagan really overreacted to him missing a pitch too close to take. Shoulda swung the bat brother, maybe we wouldn't be talking about the end of our streak. Ask Beltran about that.
Go Mets!
Just when you are thinking things are better Snoop blows. I cant get to hot about Pagan, but French also needs to be clutch. .
And where is Chris Carter??
Snoop come on, get it together.
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how can u sit an out machine like francouer??plus he's "great in the clubhouse".the other clubhouse guy, cora, hit into a double play with the bases loaded.it's amazing how they never score runs for santana.maybe carter will get a shot when francouer is hitting ,150.. probably not.he needs to work on being a great clubhouse guy.maybe than he'll get a start..nieve starting over all the triple a guys today?i don't get it.we need to swing the bats today or we will be looking at getting swept by a team that's 7-16 at home this year..
Its not about 'the guys', its knowing your players. Wright needs rest right now, a day off every 7? and french needs regular rotation. I thought BV was way too stubborn and over rotated players, Willie and JM are the opposite.
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Bobby V got results. And he got more out of Johnny Nobody than Jerry Manuel or Willie ever did. Every man had a role on a Bobby V team. They went to a WS and the League Championship series. I think I'd go with Bobby's methods.
I know this is not the gameday thread for Saturday's game, but there isn't one. There is only one reason the Mets would start Nieve today without being stretched out or a tune up in AAA: the Mets want to lose. This is embarrassing. Pat Mische, Dessens, hell even Dickey on short rest would all be better options.
Hey Mike I put up the thread a little late — it's up now for Game 50.
BTW – agreed on all counts!
nice back and forth, but u are all missing the point.castillo is washed up.he should have been traded or released in the offseason..cora is washed up.he never should have been brought back as a f.a. .gary matthews should be delivering pizza's.(last time i checked j.feliciano was hitting .380 at buffalo).maine and perez are no longer mlb pitchers.20 percent of the roster is dead wood.it's a miracle we are a .500 team.we basically have a 20 man roster.argueing about where to bat castillo is like rearranging the deck chairs on the titanic.total waste of time and energy..one more thing ..on the post game, manuel said he thought based on performance, nieve deserved a start..WHAT PERFORMANCE?? he burned the guy out with overuse, he can't get anyone out and than he starts him.the manager is braindead..
This is just a general comment and is not intended to single any one person out, but I just find it funny how, after a modest 5-1 homestand many people were saying how this Mets team is great, the offense is rolling, they're one pitcher away from being a legitimate playoff contender, that Omar and Jerry saved their seasons, etc. Now after 1 loss 20% of the team is dead weight, half the lineup should be in platoon situations, the starting pitching behind Johan and Pelf is on eggshells, and Jerry is a lethargic nincompoop of a manager. What a wild rollercoaster ride of emotions!
I implore my fellow bloggers to face these facts:
- As is, the Mets are no better than a .500 team. They may look like world-beaters for a week and may shutout the Phillies for 3 straight games, but they are just as capable of going 0-7 in a week, getting no offensive support, subpar pitching, and idiotic managerial decisions.
- The Mets do not have the pieces to acquire a starter who will make enough of an impact to propel the team to the playoffs. Well, maybe they do, but I would be shocked if they get desperate enough to part with them.
- The Mets should still be focusing on setting themselves up for a run in 2011 and beyond rather than throwing caution to the wind and going for broke in 2010. A lack of patience has gotten us nowhere for the past 3 seasons, so let's change up the gameplan and stick to doing what every other team besides the Yankees do to make themselves credible again: build from within, put the right people in charge, and save your money and prospects until you're 100% certain that the current season is the one worth putting all of your eggs into. And folks, 2010 is not that season.
I agree with that strategy 'dude. Only problem is as a fan and as players and coaches, no one should give up on the season. The only person who should head that advice is Omar and the FO. I have always pressed on here that trading away prospects is the worst thing this team could do. It represents a way of thinking that needs to change with this team , but more importantly the fans. Fans need to understand that sometimes the best move is no move. I believe that this team can win this year, and minor tweaks to the roster could and should be made, but it is not at the expense of the future that this should be done.
u and dude trust omar and company to figure out what prospects to keep and who to discard?? that's the flaw in building for the future.i agree with mike..u can't give up on a seaon..i predicted b4 the season that this was a .500 team.but the wild card team could make it this year with 86-87 wins.that's just 6 extra wins over a .500 season.another starter could make the difference.just sayin.getting rid of manuel could make a 5-6 win difference also..he's batting tatis clean up today..3 for 31 lifetime against randy wolf.this after starting nieve yesterday..jusy keep giving away games..hard 2 watch
I was livid when I saw today's lineup. When was the last time Tatis started? Before Ike Davis came up? Jeez. It's unreal. The 4th spot in the lineup has been proven to be the most important run producing spot because it sees the most at bats with runners on base. And you put perhaps your coldest hitter there. I HATE JERRY MANUEL. He is by far the most arrogant manager in baseball to pull this crap. How can a team win when you literally but them in a position to fail every day. I believe this coaching staff is costing this team a win a week, easily.
Dude, Mike et al….Do hear yourselves?
Dude: I like your synopsis. The Mets ARE a .500 team. BUT like Mike says jerry throwing away wins is PUTTING us out of a better position. Frankly add 5 wins and this team is contending.
I want a platoon in RF. It does not have to be a 50-50 split in PT but french needs to sit some games. That said this might be the best defensive OF in baseball, without CB.
the difference this week is Reyes, If Davis can make his adjustments and Wright find his stroke again and the team cuts Ollie we could go to the All-star break still hanging around the WC spot.
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Dude it just takes a swing of 5 games…thats all. Like Mike said two of those came last Fri and Sat. Sat being a blatant throw away.
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