Mets Game 142: Loss To Nationals
Nationals 9 Mets 0
As a kid growing up, one of my favorite shows to watch on TV were the reruns of Home Run Derby. That said, I was thrilled to see the series rekindled in Flushing on Monday night.
Mets Game Notes
Someone forgot to inform Carlos Torres that batting practice was over and the first inning had officially begun. As a result, Torres threw a couple of BP pitches to Denard Span and Ryan Zimmerman, who obliged the gesture by depositing those pitches over the fence to give the Nats a quick 2-0 lead. That pair of dingers was the first of five the Nats would hit before the final out of the contest.
Not that the homerun barrage mattered much — the Mets didn’t record a hit off Gio Gonzalez until pinch-hitter Zach Lutz placed a ball on the first-base chalk to lead off the seventh. Gonzalez went the distance, recording a one-hit shutout with a highly efficient 110 pitches — 79 for strikes.
Lutz, in fact, reached base in both of his plate appearances, following up his no-hitter-breaking single with a walk in the ninth. The only other baserunner was Daniel Murphy, who also walked.
It was a beautiful night in Queens — clear sky, gentle breeze, temperature in the high 60s. Could it have been more comfortable and ideal to take in an evening game at the ballpark? Yet, the Field at Shea Bridge had many, many empty seats. Apparently, not many Nationals fans in New York this week — or maybe, everyone who considered going to a baseball game chose tennis instead.
Next Mets Game
The Mets and Nationals do it again on Tuesday night at 7:10 PM. Dillon Gee takes the ball against Jordan Zimmerman.
Mets Item of the Day
Old-schoolers like me refer to the home run as a “tater.” Considering that, and the fact the Mets gave up more homeruns in this game than any other in 2013, I find it fitting to offer the New York Mets Mr. Potato Head
About the Author
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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Fortunately, or unfortunately, this is your help…thankfully Joe J leads the group therapy for people like us.
Joe,
Your mention of the fans dressed as empty seats led me to check the stats. Per ESPN, the “paid” attendance last night was 20K. With 14 more home games, and attendance at 1,815,000, Mets will break the 2 million mark for “paid” attendance, but in reality there probably haven’t been more than 1.5 million in the park this year. This can be looked at two ways – lower payroll in 2014 due to less revenues, or the blantant need to re-ignite the fan base with significant improvements for the 2014 team. At this time, despite my disdain for the ownership, I think they are more inclined to pursue and actually make significant improvments.
I would like to think that you are correct concerning “significant improvements”. However, the FA market has few chips, and those available may cost more than Sandy would/could/should pay.
The trade market usually calls for a team to give up something of significant value to get a like return.
What does he have that is attractive enough? Pitching, David Wright? Wright’s not going anywhere and with Harvey’s injury the pitching is a little thinner than Sandy may like. He could package a bunch of utility/second stringers, but what would that bring?
“Significant” may be a tough goal.
I think it is more like WFAN ending its relationship with the Mets, in favor of the Yankees. I can’t imagine that the new network wouldn’t retain Howie Rose at the bequest of the team.
Just another reason why the Mets need to start spending. They cannot cost cut their way out of the mess that they have made of their brand.
Countless summer nights growing up I feel asleep listening to the Mets on WFAN from the clock radio on my nightstand. To this day, driving to my parents’ home from Boston is always better at night in the summer time because I could get the Mets on the radio about as soon as I crossed over into Connecticut from Massachusetts. Being on WFAN was always, in my mind at least, one of the few bright spots of being a Mets fan. This makes me sad.