Mets Game 65: Loss to Braves
Braves 2 Mets 1
Suddenly, Dillon Gee is pitching like an ace. But it wasn’t quite enough.
Mets Game Notes
Gee worked quickly, threw a ton of strikes, and got quick outs. He shut out the Braves through 8, allowing just 3 hits and a walk. Was his performance a factor of the long delay, causing hitters to be more aggressive? Maybe, but he looked stellar regardless, and pitched just well enough to beat the great Tim Hudson. Almost.
Gee had to do it all himself — he drove in the Mets’ lone run with a single.
I have to wonder: what if the game had been canceled? Would the Mets have skipped Gee’s turn and still went with Zack Wheeler in Tuesday’s nightcap? Hmm …
Say what you want about Bobby Parnell waiting and ready in the bullpen. If I’m the manager, I’m sticking with Gee in the ninth. He deserved a shot to finish the game and earn a shutout, but more importantly, he was pitching spectacularly.
If only Freddie Freeman had suffered the flu or turned an ankle prior to game time, perhaps Gee would’ve earned that shutout win. Freeman was the only Braves batter who handled Gee all night — he was 3-for-4 and looks locked in.
In his first start at 1B in 2013, Lucas Duda looked like a brand-new player. He went 4-for-4 with an aggressive yet controlled approach, and did well on defense. More than anything else was an apparent change in facial expression and body language — he was clearly comfortable and full of joy. If playing his natural position is what made this drastic change, and allows him to hit the way everyone has been hoping, then Ike Davis‘ ticket to Las Vegas could be of the one-way variety.
Sorry to not post more in-depth notes, but this was too late a ballgame for me. Feel free to expound in the comments.
Next Mets Game
The Mets and Braves engage in a twi-night doubleheader on Tuesday. Game one begins at 1:10 p.m. and pits Matt Harvey and Alex Wood. Game two starts at 7:10 p.m. and will feature Zack Wheeler vs. Paul Maholm.
Who’s responsible for the defense? The manager? The bench coach? I get a sense the Mets not only need better players, but better coaches as well.
Your thoughts.
Otherwise, Collins is definitely terrible — and all too willing to permit his team to play down to the dregs of the league, year after year.
– This year’s record vs. the Marlins is comically bad.
– In addition to having been a couple of outs away from being swept at home by the Cubs, throwing balls all over the infield (however, thanks for the gift Mr. Marmol!!)
Then again, this shouldn’t be surprising to anyone — considering we regularly reflect back to their record since last July:
56-92 — a mere 36 games under-.500. Maybe the “goal” is to let him reach 40 games under, and hold a pre-game ceremony?
Hudgens has failed every major “project” he’s been assigned. Just look at how long Wright was going badly a few seasons ago, before someone finally took him aside — away from that “tutorial”.
Ditto, Tejada’s regression — Duda’s lack of aggression at the plate, Ike Davis’ hack-attack implementation, and Jason Bay’s repeated floundering.
Think it’s clear that he sucks as a hitting instructor, as well.
Harvey and Wheeler — just about the only 2 names I’ll care to pay attention to, going forward.
Hudgens won’t be fired, as the front office is enamored with him and believe that his system of taking pitches is the way to go. They seem hell-bent on forcing square pegs into round holes when it comes to defense, so my guess is they believe any hitter can dramatically change his approach as well. In other words, the front office likely feels that if a player isn’t doing well in Hudgens’ system, it’s the player’s fault. It reminds me of the White Sox’ fascination with Walt Hriniak in the 1980s.
As for defense, again, many square pegs in round holes, so you can’t place too much blame on the manager / coaching staff. Murphy is not a MLB second baseman, Duda not an outfielder. Those two players alone create havoc on defense and add stress to everyone else. Combine that with the fact that every other position player on the roster other than David Wright is average or below average in skill set, and you have a recipe for disaster. The coaches can only do so much — much like a poker player can only play the cards he’s dealt.
Good job by Dillon Gee last night – pitching well and driving in the only run on the board. Take away his and Duda’s nights, and you have 1 measley hit (Wright).
Then again, the Braves were in “speed-it-up” mode last night – as well.
Overall, I’m just of the belief that ya can’t let Freeman beat Gee there….and he was the only guy in the lineup handling him all night long. After a hard hit single, and the only “threat” of the night coming up — it’s academic, IMHO.
Aside from the fact that if Parnell’s going to be “closing”, then he should be doing it in tough spots against good teams within the division. Once Freeman got announced, Collins should have made his way to the hill.
Just my $0.02.
Looking forward to today’s pitching matchups. That’s about all I’ll be paying attention to, throughout the summer — hoping for progress.
As terrible as your commentary usually is (aren’t we all “day after people” – commenting on game results? Joe — give me a password to the site, I need to comment during the game for Izzy), Collins is an even worse in-game strategist.
One day, he decides he’s going to “let Dillon feel good about himself” — removing him amidst 5 consecutive strikeouts and a masterful performance vs. the Yankees.
…..and yet last night, Collins leaves him in vs. the only guy who’s handled him the entire night — to club a game-ending 2 run homer.
You’ve got your supposed “closer” up and throwing in the pen, ready to come in at the 1st sign — and yet, he doesn’t make an appearance after the first hit’s smoked?
Your comment would have an ounce of validity, provided I was some kind of irrational fan who looked to get on Collins for everything under the sun.
I don’t, and just call him for the clueless dolt he is.
Maybe that’s coming from above him, since he’s merely a “middle manager” taking orders from the front office…..however —— if that’s the case, then I’d expect Alderson to get fitted for a uniform, and head to the dugout.
Make a move that makes sense. Especially when it comes off the heels of essentially “taking Parnell off the market” narrative, about how important he is to the bullpen.
*shrugs* – put him into a big spot to prove that.
Just like the week’s worth of playing time they finally gave Valdespin — coming off a month’s worth of pinch hits. You could have done that for a week straight 2 months ago, while he was actually hitting —- at the very least?
If he doesn’t produce, then you save yourself the embarrassment caused each time the media wanted to go with a locker room story.
But, this is the Mets — they love to drag their feet, and when they do make a move…….it’s 2 weeks behind what everyone else is thinking.
Has it been:
– because they’re handling him with white gloves?
– because they don’t really believe in him when it comes to crucial spots?
– because they want his numbers to be the best they can be, in an attempt to move him somewhere? (according to reports yesterday, we can cross that off)
My thing is: Does anyone truly believe that Parnell will be in 2 potential save situations today?
And that’s where I’d be looking to capitalize on the 2 measley outs Parnell’d be looking to get last night. Especially with Freeman coming up.
However, knowing Collins — he probably would have wasted Rice for an out, since it’s a lefty-lefty matchup —— then called for Parnell, burning an additional 2 pitchers in the process.
So, I guess we should be grateful for that much.
That’s been the story lately – the starting rotation is pitching well, but the run support is missing.
Getting soft in your old age? I expected at least another two paragraphs on Freeman vs. Gee or Parnell. Me, being much more dedicated, fell asleep at opening pitch and woke up to the commotion of Freeman stepping on home plate. Oh well, Marmol giveth, Freeman taketh away. I don’t think the point about Duda at 1B can be underestimated. This is only a one game sample, but in the bigger picture, Ike is far from a certainty to get “fixed” any time soon. He is hitting a weak .192 and 0 HR in Vegas. Even if he gets “hot”, I don’t think rushing him back to Flushing is wise. The Mets are going to need to pick from between Ike and Duda for 1B this offseason, and I think Ike is in a distant second. Throw in the wildcard possibility of Flores, and Ike’s future is less certain. Lastly, the Mets absolutely have to get a clean-up bat before opening day 2014. If acquiring a 1B to fill that role is the best available option, then Ike and Duda may be goners. Duda is no OF, not even a LF, so playing him at 1B has the added benefit of increasing his potential trade value. I know it took an extra week but I hope they now have this right and keep him there.
As to Duda, he did look great. So, let him shine there, upping his trade value. Or, keep him, and hope someone will take a chance on Ike Davis, including “well, they are the Mets, so how can we totally be sure” grounds talent-wise.