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July 29, 2012 Mets 2012 Games Joe Janish

Mets Game 101: Loss to Diamondbacks

Diamondbacks 6 Ike Davis 3

If only Ike Davis could have batted seven or eight more times, the Mets might’ve had a chance to win this one.

Mets Game Notes

Most people are surprised when Chris Young (the pitcher on the Mets, not the outfielder on the D-backs) pitches poorly and gets hit hard. I, on the other hand, am stunned when Young ISN’T pounded by Major League hitters. There was a time in Young’s career when his fastball hovered around 91-92 MPH (topping out around 94), and with that long stride and close release point, it could look more like 100. And, he threw a nasty, 82-MPH slider that served as an effective, if unconventional, change-up. But now that his fastball velocity is in the 83-84 MPH range, I can’t imagine it looking like much more than the MLB average of 91 MPH — not to mention, it’s usually spotted between belly button and chest height, making it easy to see. In other words, he looks like he’s throwing batting practice. So when Arizona unloaded on Young for 6 runs on 7 hits in 4 innings, it didn’t surprise me. Considering his current skill set, it’s unrealistic to expect him to be anything more than a fifth starter who can occasionally fool enough hitters to get through six innings.

Even though the Mets lost by three, several times it seemed like they were just one hit away from getting back into the game and mounting a comeback. But their rallies fizzled before they could build momentum.

Does Ike Davis like playing “at home”? A 4-for-4 day with 3 homeruns suggests he might. How smart are the Mets and Terry Collins looking right now, for sticking with Ike through that awful slump?

Speaking of sticking with sluggers through slumps, Jason Bay continues to slide further into the abyss. Yet, Collins — like he did with Davis — insists that Bay will play. So, if Bay never turns it around, can you still say the Mets are “smart” for sticking with their struggling sluggers? Or just lucky that one of them worked out?

Andres Torres made a Willie Mays vs. Vic Wertz kind of catch in centerfield, which, other than Ike’s bombs, was the highlight of the ballgame.

Next Mets Game

The final game of this four-game set begins at 4:10 p.m. on Sunday afternoon. R.A. Dickey takes the hill against Joe Saunders.

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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. AC Wayne July 29, 2012 at 1:58 am
    Don’t forget Tejada’s web gem nominee in foul territory, when he had to avoid a lounging DWright to make a nice sliding catch…tonight’s game was entertaining even though it ended with a loss…I agree with you on Young, maybe it’s me, but I’m not getting it, I know he just came off of major shoulder surgery but he looks incomplete out there on the mound and why would a ball club continue to send him out there every fifth day in that state, the Mets need wins not reclamation projects…maybe it’s Alderson’s way of feeling nostalgic, for his time on the West coast, particularly when he was with the Padres organization, help me on this, they release Batista without a care in the world, why not do the same with regards to Chris Young?
  2. Dan July 29, 2012 at 8:57 am
    Considering what Chase Field has done for Kubel, and the fat pitches Kennedy gave Davis to hit, I wouldn’t be too quick to pronounce Davis cured.

    I suspect that Young is still on the team only because there is no better option right now, and spending to get one is out of the question.

  3. jerseymet July 29, 2012 at 1:26 pm
    Come on Sandy get real. Aging veterans extending their careers is not a way to build the team. It is time to hold a FIRE SALE. You have till Tuesday. Play the kids!
    • The King July 29, 2012 at 3:44 pm
      Have to agree. If there’s a good deal out there for Wright, do it. They can (and always do) lose with him, they can lose without him. He’s gone after next year anyway.
      • SiddFinch July 29, 2012 at 5:18 pm
        Yeah trade Wright because of course he’s the sole reason why the team folds every summer.

        It’s not because of a a consistently shaky bullpen and rotation that usually unravels in July, a roster of young players playing over their heads until a combination of being figured out by opposing pitchers and fatigue set in, or the plain fact the talent is not there to compete for a post-season run.

        No, it’s David Wright, who singlehandedly should put the team on his back and lead them to victory. Ridiculous.

        I’d trade Dickey, Santana or even Davis before I’d trade Wright. At this point trading Wright is almost akin to trading Seaver. There would be nearly that much fan backlash if it were to occur. And it would probably net another array of talent to that debacle.

        But who knows maybe what the Mets really need is a modern day “Stormin'” Dan Norman to patrol the OF and wear a path thin between New York & Buffalo.

        • wohjr July 30, 2012 at 5:04 am
          Question for Sidd Finch et al:

          Can you win the WORLD SERIES with david as your best hitter? I say no. I’ve said no. If your answer is no, why not deal him for arms and move the walls back out…

  4. Nick Waldrop July 30, 2012 at 2:40 am
    Release Bay, teams that are serious about winning don’t keep people like this around, they wash their hands of them instead of letting a zombie go out there and play everyday. See Gary Sheffield see Kei igawa