Mets Game 61: Loss to Brewers

Brewers 7 Mets 6

For a moment, it appeared as though it would, for once, be the Mets who come from behind after the seventh inning to win a ballgame.

Because they did come from behind, and went ahead comfortably, in the 8th. Then, the bullpen let a four-run lead disappear as if it weren’t there at all.

Mets Game Notes

Tough no-decision for Mike Pelfrey, who pitched well, other than a 3-0 pitch to Prince Fielder that became a two-run homer. Big Pelf allowed two runs on four hits and no walks, striking out two in a very efficient, 72-pitch, 6-inning outing.

It looked like Prince Fielder was in BP practicing for homerun derby when he demolished that Pelfrey 3-0 pitch.

Ronny Paulino’s first homer as a Met went further than Fielder’s, though it didn’t look like homerun derby; he simply crushed a high fastball. It was a serious blast. Paulino wound up 4-for-4 on the evening.

Pedro Beato came in to pitch the 8th and walked the first batter he faced. From his very first pitch, to me, something did not look right about him. I’m not sure but it could be a physical issue. He wasn’t getting his arm to the high cock position in time — maybe not at all — and he was staying a little more upright than usual. As a result his arm was behind, his release point was all over the place, and his velocity was a few MPH below normal. Maybe his shoulder is still barking? It’s surprising to see him used so often after his DL stint.

Speaking of possible overuse, there is Jason Isringhausen. What do you think?

The Mets scored their first run of the game in the fourth inning on the first balk of Randy Wolf’s MLB career. Jason Bay scored the run; Bay had been hit by a pitch and advanced to third on a single by Ronny Paulino.

In his first three trips to the plate, Rickie Weeks hit bullets directly at Carlos Beltran in RF — almost the exact same spot each time.

Nick Evans was given a start at 1B but didn’t do much with it. He seemed to be thinking too much at the plate; at one point he let a waist-high fastball go by with a man on second, then struck out on the same pitch a few moments later. Shame that he cannot take advantage of the rare opportunities he’s given.

I’m not sure how to feel about this game. It was like two games — the pitching duel of the first seven frames, and then the battle of bullpen ineptitude in the final two. On the one hand, it was great to see the Mets stay in the game and come back. On the other hand, it’s yet another loss in which they came up just short — or, it could be said, they played just well enough to lose.

Next Mets Game

The final game and rubber match of the series begins at 8:10 PM EST. Jon Niese goes against Yovani Gallardo.