Mets Game 14: Win Over Giants
Mets 5 Giants 4
Once again this game was fun to watch from the first pitch to the last. Additionally, fans were treated to the double promotion of “Bark in the Park” and Ruben Tejada Day.
Mets Game Notes
Tejada drove in three and scored once, accounting for 80% of the Mets runs in the ballgame.
Even though no errors were charged to the Mets, it was a sloppy game for both sides. The Giants made three errors and shallow popup that fell between Tejada and Kirk Nieuwenhuis in the top of the ninth — that allowed the Giants to tie the game — was curiously ruled a double.
Also curious was Bruce Bochy‘s decision to allow Ryan Vogelsong to hit in the top of the 7th with two outs, a man on second, and the score tied at one. Though Vogelsong had pitched brilliantly, the Giants didn’t have many scoring opportunities to that point and were running out of outs. As it was, Vogelsong wound up striking out and let up two runs in the bottom of the 7th to give the Mets the lead. I supposed part of it had to do with the Giants bullpen being in slight chaos after losing Brian Wilson, but I was still surprised.
Mike Pelfrey matched Vogelsong pitch for pitch, and then some, going 8 full innings and allowing only one run on six hits and a walk before calling it a day. And while I didn’t agree with Vogelsong being left in, I also didn’t agree with Pelfrey being removed. Though, I get it – he had passed the magical 100-pitch count, and I guess Terry Collins was trying to give Pelf a win to boost his confidence.
One thing about Pelfrey, though, and I know I sound like a broken record, but gee whiz the guy just falls to pieces when runners get on base. It’s a complete change in body language, demeanor, confidence, pace, and effectiveness. But hey, as long as he never allows runners, he’ll be fine.
What happened to Melky Cabrera being a future Gold Glove outfielder? He looked like a wreck in left field. Maybe that’s the problem — perhaps he’s only comfortable playing center?
Yet another awful appearance by Frank Francisco, who was the victim of a quick hook by Collins in the top of the ninth. Francisco looked tired and listless, as if he had no interest in being on the mound. Day game after a night game?
Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford looks like a nice ballplayer, especially in the field. I don’t think he’s a future All-Star, but he knows what he’s doing and plays with both confidence and conviction.
David Wright‘s hitting streak came to an end.
Next Mets Game
The Mets and Giants do it again at 1:10 p.m. on Sunday afternoon. Dillon Gee takes the hill against Tim Lincecum. You know what? Lincecum is hiding an arm injury, and I’m betting he has a rough afternoon. Go Mets.
On today’s game, it came back to haunt the Mets when Davis was picked off first and Wright was thrown out trying to steal third in the BOT 8th, Mets ran themselves out of what could’ve been a big inning
As for Francisco, not sure why he was brought in, I don’t mind pulling Pelf in the 9th, they should’ve brought in either Rauch or Parnell to start the 9th, must needed win for the Mets!!
Yay admitting your players’ psyches are so fragile that you must get Francisco back out there a day after sucking, and you’d hate to risk Pelf having a bad 9th and undoing the confidence he gained from his 8 good innings.
This is loser baseball. Either Terry has a loser attitude, or he thinks his players do and is managing them accordingly. Either way, bad news.
One thing I realized the last two days — I don’t care how many games the Mets lose 9 to 2, I just want to see a team that doesn’t choke. I want to see a team that steps up in the clutch and has quality at bats. Friday’s ninth inning was so promising in that regard until Baxter ruined it, and then of course Bay was even worse an inning later. It brought back bad memories, and then today Cohen gives the stat that Ike-Bay-Duda are hitting a combined .109 with RISP.
The Giants aren’t wankers in the pitching department. They fought to the last inning in that game and was there in part because Bay had hit a home run. That’s the right attitude especially for a imperfect team. The model there is the Rays. They mess up and fight thru it.
Pelfrey’s psyche IS fragile. (Francisco doesn’t seem totally fearless either) The guy pitched eight innings. Blaming him for using a closer, especially perhaps in hope that he would have a decent outing to build on, is akin to blaming someone for having milk in their cereal. Come on. This is not “loser” baseball.
It was going by the book and realizing who you were dealing with baseball.
You think starters with winning attitudes ever have that said about them (after their rookie year, anyway)?
Terry again: “Well, obviously, when we got the three run lead, I wanted to get Frank Francisco back in there as soon as I could.”
You think confident closers ever have that said about them?
In a winning culture, the manager explains his strategic decisions like this: “I thought it gave us the best chance to win.” This is not what happened. Not playing to win = loser baseball.
I’m not saying Terry is alone in this among MLB managers. I’m just saying I don’t like it.
As for expecting your team’s primary pinch-hitter to try to hit the ball in the air in a situation where a sac fly wins the game, I don’t think that’s unreasonable. I don’t necessarily expect success, but I would hope for better than rolling over a pitch at the knees and pulling a chopper to second.
The first time a runner reached, his arm slot dropped a little, causing his 2-seamer to run rather than sink. Seems like a simple problem to fix, but 6 years into Pelf’s career I’m guessing it ain’t gonna happen. Then again, Vogelsong provides hope for late bloomers…
congrats Phil.