Mets Game 76: Loss to Rangers
Rangers 8 Mets 1
Can you say “tack on”?
If you are not sure what that term means, then review what the Rangers did in this ballgame.
Mets Game Notes
Mike Pelfrey wasn’t awful, but he struggled just enough in the early going to give away the game. Big Pelf allowed an RBI single and a two-run homer in the first frame and that was more or less the ballgame, since the Mets offense resembled the 1976 vintage. After the first inning, Pelfrey pitched well. But, unfortunately, all the innings count.
Manny Acosta was atrocious in relief, allowing 4 runs on 5 hits and 2 walks — including 2 homeruns — in 1 2/3 innings of work. If he’s not DFA’d before game time Saturday I’ll be surprised.
Jason Bay continues to swing the bat well. He didn’t almost hit for the cycle, but he did rap three singles — one to right field, two to center. By hitting safely up the middle and the other way, it tells me he is waiting for the ball to “get deep” and keeping himself balanced while he’s waiting; Wade Boggs used to say “wait and weight”. Good sign.
Why was Scott Hairston the DH? I know it’s because he supposedly kills lefties but a.) Matt Harrison is much tougher on RH hitters than LH and b.) if you are not going to play Lucas Duda semi-regularly then why is he on the 25-man roster? Let’s be realistic here: the Mets are NOT going to the playoffs this year. Hairston is 30-something and not part of the future. So, let’s see what the youngins’ can do. And let’s see if Duda can hit lefties. And let’s not develop platoon players. Or am I being unreasonable?
Texas is now 28-9 when they hit a home run.
Elvis Andrus went 2-for-2 before spraining his wrist on an awkward head-first slide. He left the game and I bet will be out the rest of the weekend.
Darren Oliver made an appearance and pitched a scoreless 2/3 of an inning. And here I thought his 2006 season was an aberration and he was washed up. Oh well. Hey, on the bright side, Oliver’s exit opened the door for us to watch hometown hero Scott Schoeneweis for two glorious seasons.
And while we’re on the subject of former Mets on the Rangers, how is that Nelson Cruz – for – Jorge Velandia deal looking now?
Next Mets Game
The Mets and Rangers do it again at 4:10 PM EST in Arlington, Texas. You know what that means: it will be televised on FOX. Yee-ha. Jonathon Niese will climb the hill against Alexi Ogando.
Agree on Acosta. 95 mph FB, but straight. Doesn’t know how to pitch. Time to DFA him again.
Mets lack power. I agree that Duda should play more. Let’s see what he can do-da.
Bay IS coming around. I wouldn’t be too surprised if he hits a few HRs in TX.
Alderson will start trading and building this team for the future soon—as the Mets fall out of the race for a playoff spot. Maybe Lutz will be brought up to play some 3B even. When Beltran and KRod are traded we might see FMart and Kirk brought up, with Duda playing in RF and 1B.
I will take a shot at answering one of your questions:
“if you are not going to play Lucas Duda semi-regularly then why is he on the 25-man roster?”
Because right now the Mets need a back-up first baseman.
Nick Evans failed (0 for 12) in the limited opportunity they gave him. There is nobody else currently in the organization suited be the backup first baseman, except Val Pascucci (30-something and not part of the future). If Ike Davis is indeed out for the season, perhaps they will send Duda down and bring up Evans or Pascucci. Either would have to be added to the 40-man roster.
Collins was probably just going with the match-ups tonight, plus Hairston earned a start with the way he had been hitting lately. I am sure Duda will get some cracks as the DH vs. Texas and Detroit.
A bit hard to really. Of course, that has been a big problem for this team. Properly looking long term. Signing you know who for 36M, not really thinking long term. (Or even remembering the past) Signing Bay for some much. Various other things. The last thing was a “we need to do SOMETHING now thing.”
Meanwhile guess what? Pelfrey has over the last 3 seasons pushed himself into a category previously housing ollie and john maine…..players who pitched well enuff to get into the 10mill/yr zipcode. Ironically just when wright, reyes, were getting paid, minaya held out on maine… Subsequently his shoulder blew out before he could get paid.
My point is that pelfrey even more so than carlos beltran represents money on july 31st…pel could keep a number of pitching short teams in the race..Cheaply! Then they can deal with his arbitration money.
Meanwhile on the farm jeurys and harvey are advancing rapidly on pelfreys position. And santana will want his ace spot back.
Ps joe. The only one secure in next year is sandy. Thats why tc will continue to yell and match up. Clues? Ike is set so why rush him? Everyone else is playing for their positions …on the mets or off.