Mets Game 116: Loss to Reds
Reds 3 Mets 0
The team from Queens falls to the team in the Queen City.
Mets Game Notes
Have to give Chris Young credit for keeping the Big Red Machine scoreless through five and two-thirds. The Reds whacked balls against the outfield fence so many times, I thought it was going to fall down. But every time they did, it was with no one on base and usually with two outs, and Young found a way to wiggle out of trouble. There were several rallies mounted by the Reds, but they just couldn’t get the “big hit” to break open the ballgame.
Unfortunately, the Mets offense couldn’t take advantage of their pitchers preventing Reds runs. There were a few opportunities that were squelched by big defensive plays by the Reds defenders.
I wouldn’t necessarily term this a “pitchers’ duel.” Rather, it was one of those games where a team was about to bust it open, but something would happen to end the inning — be it a “web gem” or a sharply hit double play. In the end, it was the Reds who kept pushing the envelope on offense, and eventually came out on top.
The Reds were 1-for-10 with RISP, and left 14 men on base. the Mets were 0-for-8 with RISP, leaving ten on base. The Mets had only six hits but walked four times. However, the Reds had 18 baserunners in the ballgame — 11 by hits and 7 by way of the walk. Hard to win when you allow two baserunners per inning.
How bad is Manny Acosta? What in the world was he doing starting the ninth inning? I get that the “rule” is to hold your closer until you have a lead, but what is Acosta even doing on the roster? When he enters the game it’s like waving the white flag.
Tough situation for Josh Edgin to walk into. Essentially, he had to strike out at least the first two batters he faced, or get really lucky with an infield popup or groundout. It was only a matter of time, and luckily for us Mets fans, the agony wasn’t dragged out.
The photo above, by the way, is the fateful last pitch by Edgin to Jay Bruce. I’m in the Queen City visiting my nephew, and took the shot from the left field stands. On a positive note, the Cincinnati fans are incredibly nice.
Don’t look now, but the Phillies are exactly one game behind the Mets in the standings. The Phillies that conducted a mini-fire sale at the deadline.
Next Mets Game
The Mets and Reds do it again at 7:10 p.m. R.A. Dickey goes against Mike Leake.
– On that note HOW are the Phils even around the Mets? They have all these bright young stars, Brown, Bastardo. Plus Halladay , Cliff Lee, … no change at the top either.
– On a seperate note WELCOME KELLY SHOPPACH!!
I’m not even a huge fan of Shoppach – however:
As much crap as we give Thole (and I fully acknowledge that he was concussed this year******), he’s been behind the dish in Flushing for awhile now — while it hasn’t even been his primary position for more than a few years, coming through the ranks.
Just another rush-job by this organization….shocking I know — I digress.
Thole’s still relatively young, and can stand to learn – particularly in a “no-pressure” environment on a bad squad….playing “2nd fiddle” (at least temporarily) to Shoppach in a platoon role.
Where it goes from there? ….up to Thole, to progress.
As much as Shoppach doesn’t impress me offensively, I’m sure he’s worlds more advanced in the receiving and game-calling department — where he’ll definitely be a big help for Thole.
Let’s face it:
– Ramon Castro was a lazy clown, who was more interested in horsing around on the bench, than actually starting for a (then) contending club.
– Ronny Paulino was a dog, who shut it down at some arbitrary point each season……even when I followed him on the Pirates. Always his knock.
– Mike Nickeas and Rob Johnson aren’t even Major Leaguers. Nice try, guys – but that’s that.
Hopefully, this brings about a solid L/R pairing down the road.
I’ve never had a problem with Josh Thole as my back-up catcher……especially if he’s actually learning something from his partner on his days off.
And that’s up to Shoppach, to do what it takes in that department. It shouldn’t be hard to “supplant” Thole, just on defensive prowess alone.
I’m confident that the Mets will re-sign him, simply because he’s not making an exorbitant amount of money (even if overpaid) — not to mention, there’s nothing else out there (unless they built up to some kind of trade).
Footnote on Thole:
****** And very likely, a bunch of times already, throughout Thole’s career:
NEW YORK – Josh Thole doesn’t know exactly how many concussions he’s sustained. He estimates the one Ty Wiggington shouldered into him at home plate eight days ago is the fourth.
There was the time he took a ball in the forehead while playing first base in 2007, his most severe, which left him vomiting. Then one in 2008 and another in 2010.There could be more, but he’s not an expert of the concussion grading system so he’s not sure.
http://www.nj.com/mets/index.s…lls_past_c.html
Bottom line is that T-Hole is not a Major League catcher, and might not have the personality to ever be more than a backup MLB catcher. There’s too much more to the position than just catching the ball and providing a little offense, and it takes a certain kind of leadership that a guy either has, or doesn’t.
Looks like another barn-burner of an offensive display. *wink*
Nice picture, although the outcome wasn’t pretty. 3rd shutout in a week, this is one dynamic offense. It’s easy for Red fans to be nice when they know they will see Manny Acosta pitching in a tie game in the 9th. Maybe Alderson will bring in KRod next week to add a little depth for the meaningful games in September.
I love the the way BP plays and the joy he seems to get from playing the game correctly. Even as a Met fan I root for him. A highlight tape of his great fielding plays would be fun to watch.
Edgin is showing a bit of his green side lately. Two on is far from easy, but get a strike out, double play or something else, you can get out of it . I recall he got out people on, less than two out situations before.
Do you want Francisco to go two? I guess that’s the idea with the “rule” comment, though given his effort on Sunday, not sure if (even if the Mets manage to score) he would do it. Probably go one inning. You’d have to have Acosta or Edgin close anyway. As to Acosta, yeah, toss him out. Replacements like Olson, Elvin, Beato (blew one that was aired on SNY) apparently don’t look much better. Hefner is starting and you want to hold him as a long guy.
You really don’t have THAT many options for the last guy out. Having Ramirez for only one batter turned out to bite ya.