Mets Game 160: Loss to Reds

Reds 6 Mets 5

A tough loss for the Mets, but they did go down fighting and they are guaranteed not to finish in last place.

Mets Game Notes

Heartbreaking loss, but it did have some positives.

For example, there was the stunning performance by Ryota Igarashi, who came into a bases-loaded, no-out situation in the 6th, with the Mets up by one, and managed to get out of it with no runs scored. I can no longer say “Igarashi NEVER gets the job done”.

Jose Reyes went 3-for-4 with 2 RBI and a run scored, but more importantly, pushed his average to a now NL-leading .334 batting average. It would be fitting for the first-ever Met to win a batting title to wear a different uniform the following season, wouldn’t it?

But who needs Reyes when there is Ruben Tejada, who also had three hits? I don’t understand what Tejada is doing, since he isn’t supposed to be good, because he was one of the players discovered by the previous regime / Omar Minaya, and they didn’t do anything right … right?

Bobby Parnell pitched a clean ninth, though, being down by two isn’t quite the same as being up by one.

Chris Schwinden went five full innings allowing three runs — two earned — on five hits and a walk, striking out five. Not a bad performance, and mildly encouraging. It’s too bad he couldn’t finish the year with his first MLB win.

Who the heck is Chris Heisey and what is he doing getting three hits including a game-winning three-run homer? I guess it’s time to pay attention to those small-market clubs in middle America.

No, for the umpteenth time — Paul Janish is NOT related to me. The most obvious clues: he doesn’t pronounce his last name correctly, he can’t hit, and both his feet and nose are average in size.

Tim Byrdak did not do well, allowing the two lefties he faced to reach base. Since signing a one-year extension, Byrdak has allowed 4 earned runs on 4 hits and 1 walk in 2/3 of an inning over 3 appearances. He’s gained the decision in two, going 1-1, and he’s retired only 2 of 7 batters faced.

Nick Evans had two hits including a double and drove in a run, but he flubbed a sacrifice bunt attempt in the bottom of the ninth. On the one hand, it was yet another example of terrible execution on the bunt play for the Mets. On the other hand, why is Nick Evans — who clearly cannot bunt, and who has not dropped one MLB sac bunt ever — asked to bunt in that situation? Forget the fact that he can’t bunt — it was first and second, no outs, the pitcher struggling, the tying run on second, and guy at the plate who already had two hits. Why is the bunt being called there? Let him swing the bat! Terry Collins‘ answer during the postgame was this: “the winning run was on first base”. Uh – huh. Well, call me crazy, but as the home team I’d rather take three hacks at scoring the tying run and take it from there. Who knows, maybe by swinging you get BOTH the tying and winning runs in.

David Wright was hit by a pitch up and in; it struck him in the left shoulder blade. I’m convinced that opposing pitchers are throwing at Wright as part of their strategy to keep him uncomfortable, and thinking about the Matt Cain beaning. Even if they’re not doing it on purpose, it’s working.

Next Mets Game

The Mets and Reds do it again at 7:10 PM on Tuesday night. You won’t see me type that kind of sentence again until next April. Chris Capuano faces Bronson Arroyo.