Mets Game 83: Loss to Rockies
No comment.
Notes
El Duque’s line:
4 IP | 6 H | 6 BB | 1 HR | 2 K | 6 ER
Guillermo Mota’s line:
2/3 IP | 6 H | 0 BB | 2 HR | 1 K | 6 ER
Suddenly, the Jason Vargas line of Tuesday night doesn’t look THAT awful.
Which brings up an interesting point — if Willie Randolph, Rick Peterson, and the Mets brass have a pauw-wow regarding whether Vargas should get another start, will they consider the fact that El Duque, Mota, and Tom Glavine all had similarly horrible outings? Is it possible that it wasn’t Vargas, but the thin air in Colorado that caused the problems for the Mets in the past three days?
My nephew, an ex-Marine, claims that it takes 48 hours for the human body to adjust to a severe altitude change — such as suddenly playing at an elevation above 5000 feet. You hate to make excuses, but then again, are the Mets really this bad? Couldn’t we at least pretend that the thin air made all the Mets sick, and unable to play to their potential?
While we’ve seen teams lose like this — allowing the opposing team nearly 20 runs — how often does it happen to a FIRST-PLACE team?
Anyway …
Todd Helton drew 7 walks in this series. The Mets, as a team, drew 3. Matt Holliday matched that output in this game. But, no, it doesn’t mean anything, really. The Mets are just running into really great pitching. I mean, who beats Josh Fogg, Aaron Cook, or Jason Hirsh?
For the season, in Colorado: Rockies: 47 All NY Teams: 17.
David Wright went 3-for-4 with 4 RBI. Too bad it was hardly noticeable.
Ruben Gotay did not start but was brought in to pinch-hit, and stroked a single. He now leads the Mets with a .317 batting average.
Both Shawn Green and Paul LoDuca had two hits and a double. They needed to quadruple those efforts for it to matter.
Next Game
The Mets travel to Houston for a four-game series in Minute Maid Park. John Maine goes in the opener against Jason Jennings. Hopefully the Mets can adjust quickly to sea level and right the ship before it starts sinking.
How much longer till the All-Star break?
I’d say that the Mets need someone, anyone to go on a fire-breathing stemwinder, and soon. Since both the Phillthies and Squaws won last night, things are tightening up again.
BTW, what’s a “stemwinder” ?
Gotay does it again. I heard some guy talk about Gotay’s range. I doubt very much that Gotays defense is worse than Valentin’s or Easleys.
Easley’s been swinging a hot bat. Why cant he see time in the OF.
I’m glad Paulie gets some time off. I would also applaud Sandy getting into a game. I think he has alot to share on game calling.
NOW THAT EVERY MET ARM IS ABOUT TO FALL OFF HOW ABOUT SOME ROSTER CHANGES. PLEASE!!
Dave Williams replacing Sele for one, and Humber in as another bullpen arm.
Oh, I also think the breaking pitch, control make up of the Mets is not suited to Coors.
As for Gotay, I have no idea what more he has to do to earn a semi-regular spot. And anyone who has spouted anything about his range/fielding is probably a stathead citing some ridiculous numbers. Those who watch the games can see with their own two eyes who is the most athletic and sure-handed second baseman among the three current options on the 25-man roster.
See here:
http://www.randomhouse.com/wotd/index.pperl?date=19961015