Mets Game 50: Loss to Brewers

Brewers 8 Mets 6

My wife summed it up perfectly: a long game is OK if it’s interesting. But when it’s not, it’s like you had your Saturday night stolen from you.

Although there were 14 runs scored, and although the Mets were within 2 runs for the last half of the game, the contest did more to suck the life out of you than provide entertainment. 345 pitches and 10 walks over 3 hours and 28 minutes can do that. Had it not been for an Ike Davis three-run homer to cut the lead to two, I might’ve flipped the remote to Fried Green Tomatoes by the fifth inning.

Game Notes

Jerry Manuel’s managerial decisions were mind-boggling, beginning with the decision to start Fernando Nieve. I realize that Nieve made a request to audition as a starter, but that didn’t mean Manuel had to appease him. Nieve was terrible, despite reaching 95 MPH on the radar gun. It took him nearly 50 pitches to complete the first frame, which was highlighted by a Corey Hart grand slam. The final line was 2 IP, 3 H, 3 BB, 5 ER — and 5 Ks. But that’s to be expected from a relief pitcher who was burned out by the end of April. My guess is Nieve is so worn out he can’t even feel his fingers.

Oliver Perez followed in Nieve’s footsteps, allowing 3 runs on 3 hits and 2 walks in the next two innings.

Offensively, the Mets weren’t terrible — at the beginning. But they petered out after Ike’s blast. Jose Reyes, Jason Bay, Jeff Francoeur, and Angel Pagan all had two hits apiece. Of those four, only Bay didn’t have a stolen base.

Rollie Fingers is back with the Brewers closing out games. Actually, that’s not true — but his waxed handlebar mustache has returned to Milwaukee for save situations, attaching itself to the upper lip of a fireballer named John Axford.

Next Mets Game

Mets avoid the sweep in Milwaukee by sending R.A. Dickey to the mound against Randy Wolf. Game time is 2:10 PM. If it’s between staying at home to watch the game and going to a barbecue, I recommend the BBQ. Fry up some green tomatoes.

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.
  1. gary s. May 30, 2010 at 4:35 am
    why no call up of a triple a pitcher to start the game??nieve>>his arm is fried.i'd rather see francouer on the mound.hopefully some more of these kind of decisions will get manuel fired.i can't take this clown anymore ..
  2. mic May 30, 2010 at 4:44 am
    BBQ great idea.

    -what is wrong with Fernando? Agreed his 'start' was never going to go well. I think he has some post-injury -itis
    -Olie-trade him for Dontrelle…..

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  3. Mark May 30, 2010 at 12:02 pm
    I think that there were two positives coming from last night's game: the fact that the Mets' offense didn't quit after some really bad pitching and John Axford's handlebars (I mean, really?!?). Other than that, I'm glad I only watched part of the game because, had I devoted my entire night to watching Jerry's mind boggling decisions (starting with his decision to further overuse Nieve followed by pinch hitting GMJ in a KEY situation) – I would have been pissed. I was relatively late to the fire Jerry party (my bad), but I am a firm believer. Please end this madness. Now.

    And, a related question: did Chris Carter personally offend Jerry in some way? He seems either unwilling or unable to use the guy.

  4. isuzudude May 30, 2010 at 2:17 pm
    Ask Brian Stokes or Jeremy Reed. They may hold the answer you seek.
  5. gary s. May 30, 2010 at 2:31 pm
    he won't use carter because he's an idiot.i called for a carter/francouer when carter was called up.francouer's numbers indicate he is an out machine and carter can't start a game or 2 a week..why not?jesus feliciano is hitting .380 at buffalo.matthews is another out machine and matthews stays on the team.he picked 2 second baseman (cora and castillo who both are washed up) he picked maine and perez to make the roatation and he had 6 weeks to find a 8th inning pitcher and failed at that to.he picked catalonotto and he was so bad he RETIRED!! when we released him.mike jacobs batting cleanup.if i owned the team, starting nieve last nite would have been a firing offense.i guess if we lose 90 games again, than jerry might get fired. this organization is a joke.
  6. mic May 31, 2010 at 1:26 am
    No one knows what the Mets brass are thinking. But The Mets are 500 at the 50 game mark. Fire jerry? I'm NOT sure right now, BUT could Melvin improve the team…i think so, could Manuel be added to the staff …i think so…That said Jerry is a FA this off season.

    No place for Ollie? Krod just pitched a garbage inning tailor made for olllie.

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