Pirates 7 Mets 5

The Mets had one in the bag, a gimme, and threw it away.

Pedro Martinez put forth an excellent effort, allowing three hits, four walks, and one run in six innings, leaving the game with a 5-1 lead.

The key part of that sentence is “leaving the game” — which is the bane of a Mets starting pitcher lately.

That’s because the bullpen once again blew it. Blame Aaron Heilman for blowing the save, but also blame the contingent of Joe Smith and Pedro Feliciano for allowing the Pirates to chip away. Smith and Pedro Lite were ineffective (to say the least), allowing three runs on two hits and two walks in two-thirds of an inning. Duaner Sanchez nailed the final out of the seventh and threw a scoreless eighth, setting up the save opp for Heilman, who imploded immediately.

Heilman struck out leadoff batter Nate McClouth, but after that allowed a single, a walk, a double, a hit by pitch, and a run before giving the ball to Scott Schoeneweis. Why Schoeneweis was brought in to the game with the bases loaded is anyone’s guess, as he’s allowed about 50% of inherited runners to score. Somehow, I suppose, his lefty vs. lefty stats are supposed to overrule. Scho did manage to get a fielder’s choice from lefty Brandon Moss, but proceeded to allow a two-run single to righty Steve Pearce to untie the game.

I’d detail the Mets’ scoring summary, but what’s the point? The lineup scored five runs, which wasn’t enough today.

Notes

For everyone who hates Billy Wagner, or doesn’t think he’s such a great closer, how are you feeling about his absence right now? Sometimes you don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone.

David Wright went 2-for-5 with 3 RBI. The other offensive star was Robinson Cancel, who also had two hits, including his first Major League homerun.

The two Carloses were a combined 2-for-8 with 2 walks, 1 run scored, and no RBI. I don’t mean to get on them, but, in a game against the worst-pitching team in the NL — and 29th overall in MLB — the middle of the order should be providing a bit more punch.

Daniel Murphy walked in a pinch-hitting appearance. Be sure to buy your Murphy Rules T-shirt today, while he’s still hot.

Next Game

The Mets travel to DC for a three-game set with the Nationals. Johan Santana will start the game for the Mets, but the real question is, who will finish? Odalis Perez begins the game for the Nats.