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April 10, 2011 Mets 2011 Games Joe Janish

Mets Game 9: Loss to Nationals

This is not the way this series was supposed to go.

But, I’m not going to panic … yet.

Chris Young was outstanding, allowing only one run on one hit and two walks through 7 innings; you really couldn’t ask more from him. He left the game with a two-run lead that seemed pretty safe — after all, the Mets only needed to get three outs before handing the ball to their elite closer Francisco Rodriguez. Unfortunately, D.J. Carrasco allowed two runs in his 2/3 innings of work to allow the Nats to tie up the game. The game went into extras, and in the end the Nationals finished on top, thanks to a four-run rally in the eleventh that was highlighted by a 3-run homer by Laynce Nix.

Game Notes

There has never been much question as to whether Chris Young could be a dominating starter. The question is how long he can keep it up before he breaks down. So far, so good — if he can stay healthy enough to make 20-25 starts, it would be tremendous.

I’m sure there are some people questioning why Bobby Parnell didn’t come into the game in the eighth instead of Carrasco, and/or why he didn’t make an appearance in extras. Well, he threw 47 pitches combined on Friday and Saturday, and I imagine that Terry Collins and/or Dan Warthen felt it prudent to give young Bobby a breather. For me, that thinking makes sense for the long term, both for Parnell and the ballclub.

After a 1-2-3 inning in the tenth, Blaine Boyer allowed four runs on four hits in the eleventh to take the loss. He was DFA’d immediately after the game.

Francisco Rodriguez threw 2 pitches to get one out in the ninth. He has now finished two games through nine and needs to finish 53 over the final 153 for his $17.5M option to vest.

Ike Davis drove in ANOTHER run. He’s driven in at least one in every game this year except for one.

Next Mets Game

The Mets host the Rockies at the Field at Shea Bridge on Monday night at 7:10 PM. Mike Pelfrey faces Jason Hammel.

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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.
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  1. Rob April 10, 2011 at 7:01 pm
    So this game boiled down to the bullpen walking everyone and blowing a masterpiece by Young. And Blaine Boyer shows everyone why he should be DFA’d immediately. In retrospect, maybe they should have chosen Acosta. Anway, as a result, Mets send down Duda and DFA Boyer, recalling Izzy and Iggy in the same breadth.

    I should also point out that anyone who can’t bunt in this league should not be employed in this league. Why Harris couldn’t move Reyes to second is a mystery.

    Finally, is it my imagination or does the perpetual haunt of the Mets a miserable batting average with RISP? Why oh why is that always the problem…year in and year out?

    Oh well, I’m done ranting…I’m gonna go and cheer myself up by watching a traffic accident or two…or three.

  2. Rob April 10, 2011 at 7:03 pm
    Since I can’t type, what I meant to say in my third paragraph is that the perpetual problem of the MEts is a miserable RISP. I’ll be more careful with my choice of verbiage in the future.
  3. wohjr April 10, 2011 at 7:05 pm
    ugh. via con dios to blaine boyer… why no parnell instead of DJ? (I do like the stirrips w/logo)
  4. Joe April 10, 2011 at 7:50 pm
    Boyer gave them a scoreless tenth. Why blame him? It’s not like the others gave them much more. Why not Parnell? Why? For his great work in Game 1? Or, needing to bring in K-Rod to save him in Game 2?

    K-Rod pitching in the ninth up by four also was questionable given his one out outing today. A bit better defense in the 8th and/or a bunt very well might have meant the game. Duda being in the OF in the 8th didn’t help.

    Buzz kill of a two series. 1-2 vs. the Phils is okay, but it was a pretty brutal 1-2. And, 1-2 vs. the Nats is a tad bit pathetic given how they did it. But, really, not too shocking. Pagan needs to start hitting though.

  5. Gavin April 10, 2011 at 9:16 pm
    I think the blame should mostly go on Collins for this game. Why use our worst reliever in the 8th inning of a tight game? Buchholz was clearly the better option.
  6. Mic April 10, 2011 at 9:44 pm
    I think hairston is next. I think demoting duda was to give time to Hairston, but Hairston was really insurance in case cb was not ready. When bay comes back Hairston and hu are on a short watch.
  7. gary s. April 11, 2011 at 12:50 am
    I’m trying to think of something clever to say..Maybe tomorrow.Ok, how about this one.Has any Met fan seen hairston and willie harris in the same room as Fernando Tatis and Gary Matthews Jr?. They seem to be the same exact strikeout machine washed up worthless players.I guess i have to give Alderson credit in replacing 2 stiffs with 2 more of the same kind of stiffs for our bench.I have tickets for tuesday and thursdays games.Very excited that i will see igorashi. yawn..
    • Izzy April 11, 2011 at 6:57 am
      One team that certainly knew what they were doing were the Padres. Both Hairston’s demonstratd clearly that the Pads knew that saying bye bye was the right thing to do. And as for Harris, I think Met fans were tricked by his two great catches against us last and thought the Mets got a new Endy, but didn’t look at that awesome .183 average and the fact that he was let go by the Gnats. Alderson pickes up rejects from everywhere and now some are surprised they suck??? And don’t forget Collins!! He gets the bring back Manuel award for the day. Duda in right field with a 2run lead in the 8th. Duda, who can’t run and can’t throw in right field…. What were you thinking Collins? I heard you wanted to play Beltran so you could destroy his knees ASAP but he smartly said no but maybe if you begged nicely he would have gone out for 2 innings.
  8. murph April 11, 2011 at 2:44 am
    Why did they DFA Boyer? He was leading the team in saves!

    (sarcasm index set to High)

  9. xDanTanna April 11, 2011 at 9:51 am
    For a 3 game series, that was some of the worst managing I have seen in a long time & that is saying something. I really honestly think Terry Collins is out of his element. Maybe he will prove me wrong in the end. I doubt it, but we shall see how it pans out.

    From the perspective of being in the ballpark yesterday. Just a brutal atmosphere for the most part. A few people enjoying themselves here & there though. But, i still will never understand the people who would rather walk around stand in lines for food over sitting & watching the game. I sat in my seat the entire time. Maybe, stood up to stretch a few times. That was it.

  10. jcolon April 11, 2011 at 10:00 am
    well hopefully now that Izzy is better we can have a decent bullpen with a REAL set-up man. Overall, I hope Pelfrey can give us a decent performance so the bullpen can rest.

    hopefully a 7 or 8 inning game with no more than 2 runs.

    LETS GO METS!!!!!