Reds 7 Mets 0

This was supposed to be a “getaway” game, not a “giveaway” game.

Manager Willie Randolph started the “B” squad, and they performed like it, getting shut out by career minor league pitchers and giving an all-around lackluster effort.

If you thought Oliver Perez had a bad game the night before, then Maine’s performance on Wednesday afternoon was an abomination.

Maine was rocked for 6 runs on 9 hits and 3 walks in four and a third innings. He had absolutely nothing, and was leaving his fastball over the middle of the plate. I’m going to chalk it up to him not being used to a 12:35 PM start and leave it at that.

The Mets scored no runs against Tom Shearn, Marcus McBeth, King Duncan, Jared Burton, and Mike Stanton. Not much else to add.

Notes

Willie Collazo made his Major League debut and was effective, if unspectacular. He pitched an inning and two-thirds, allowing no runs, two hits, and a walk, striking out none but inducing two ground ball double plays. He throws an 85-MPH fastball in and a 76-MPH changeup away, and mixes in a decent breaking pitch that could be called a slider. His sidearm delivery reminds me a bit of Pedro Feliciano. He doesn’t have the kind of stuff to get excited about, but he’s obviously a tenacious guy to get this far with what God gave him. I’m rooting for him.

Philip Humber was not quite as successful as Collazo in his first MLB appearance of 2007, but he finished strong. He looked nervous in his first inning, and had trouble getting his curveball grip — he exchanged balls with the umpire several times after hanging deuces (I wonder if there is a big difference between the balls in the minors and in MLB?). He threw his fastball around 90-91, the changeup at 84, and curve at 77-78. He left his fastball up and it usually had too much of the plate, and his change was up and in (to righties; up and away to lefties) nearly every time he threw it. In his second inning — the eighth — he settled down and had an impressive 1-2-3 inning, showing a hard biting deuce. Assuming he can remain relaxed, and start building confidence, he could sneak into the starting rotation in 2008.

With the Reds up 3-0 in the fourth, and men on first and second with no outs, Carlos Beltran attempted a bunt that rolled foul. What he was thinking, nobody’s sure. Even if Delgado and Alou were behind him in the lineup, it was a really bad idea. With Jeff Conine batting fifth, it was sheer stupidity.

Next Game

Off-day on Thursday as the Mets travel home to face the Astros in a 7:10 PM start — which is Dog Day at Shea. Mike Pelfrey is scheduled to take the hill against — guess who — Wandy Rodriguez.

If you don’t have a season ticket plan, your best bet to (legally) secure Mets postseason tickets is by registering for the online lottery held through Mets.com.

Go to Mets.com and find the link for Postseason Ticket Opportunity to apply for the drawing.

Last year I did it and had the chance to buy tickets for one of the NLDS games — so I can attest to the fact that people really can get tickets this way.

However, you have to register between now and September 10th for NLDS tickets, by September 24th for the NLCS tickets, and by October 8th for World Series tickets. Also, you only have to register ONCE to be put into all three drawings.

Let me add that you don’t win free tickets, merely an opportunity to buy tickets … and they’re not exactly the best seats in the house (I was high up in the upper deck) — but hey, at least you’ll be inside the park.

Good luck!