After being DFA’d last week, LHP Nate Robertson has been outright released by the Florida Marlins.

Robertson had a 5.47 ERA and 1.5 WHIP through 100 IP this year for the Fish, and was designated for assignment after allowing 8 runs in 5 innings against the Rockies last Tuesday.

Considering the Mets’ lack of pitching depth, and need for a lefthander in particular, it may not be the worst idea to take a flyer on Robertson. He can’t be any worse than Oliver Perez.

Ah, but there’s the rub — Perez will not agree to be demoted, and is a permanent useless fixture on the roster. Oh well.

In related news, Gil Meche may need shoulder surgery, according to a tweet by Ed Price. Meche gave up 7 runs in 4 innings in a rehab assignment in the minors last night.

You may have read about the rumors that the Mets and Royals were talking trade, with Meche and Perez as names possibly mentioned. If indeed they were able to trade Ollie for Meche, it would be a rare case where I wouldn’t fault the Mets for obtaining an already-injured pitcher … such a move would actually be to their advantage by freeing up a roster spot.

Marlins 7 Mets 6

Ugh … as in, “Ugh-la”.

Dan Uggla bounced a grounder through the middle of the artificial infield to bring home Jorge Cantu from second base to give the Fish a 7-6 victory in the bottom of the ninth in San Juan.

I guess you call that a “walkoff single”? Hmm … the ring of it is underwhelming, but the result is the same.

Game Notes

Hisanori Takahashi was pitching a perfect game until opposing pitcher Nate Robertson dribbled a grounder through the infield in the bottom of the third. Then, it was like a dam broke, as seven consecutive Marlins reached base in the inning. One of them reached home on one swing — Hanley Ramirez, who blasted a no-doubter grand slam to apply the damage of the inning.

By the time Takahashi left the game, he had hurled 5 2/3 innings, and allowed 6 runs on 9 hits and 2 walks.

The bullpen more or less held the fort until Feliciano gave up a double to Jorge Cantu and then the fateful single by Ugh-la.

Jerry Manuel made the mysterious move of bringing in Francisco Rodriguez in the 8th inning, down two runs, to face the bottom of the Marlins lineup. I can understand wanting to get K-Rod into the game to get work. But why not wait until the 9th?

Manuel also chose to pitch to Dan Uggla in the 9th with first base open. I understood the decision — the idea was that Pedro Feliciano would nibble outside the strike zone in the hopes that Uggla would chase something and either strike out or not get good wood on the ball — and if he didn’t take the bait, the worst that would happen would be a free pass. However, Feliciano got too much plate, Uggla had choked up on the bat looking to poke something through the infield, and the rest was history. Some may criticize Manuel for pitching to Uggla, but I don’t know that it was such a bad idea. However, the K-Rod decision was a bit puzzling.

David Wright hit 3 unproductive singles and was thrown out stealing in the first frame. The only other Met with more than one hit was Ruben Tejada, who stroked two singles, drove in a run, and scored one.

Chris Carter hit a key pinch-hit double to set up Josh Thole’s pinch-hit RBI single in the top of the ninth. Maybe one or both of them should’ve been in the game from the get-go … but, there was a lefty starter on the mound, and we all know that lefthanded hitters can’t hit lefthanded pitchers.

Next Mets Game

The Mets will try to salvage at least one game in San Juan on Wednesday night at 7:10 PM. Ace starter Mike Pelfrey takes the mound against Chris Volstad.

Marlins 7 Mets 5

This time, the Mets offense scored some runs — five, in fact. But the Mets pitching allowed more.

In truth, the game never seemed as close as it was. I will not go so far as to say the Mets gave up — they didn’t — but for whatever reason, the run differentiation — even when it was only 3, then 2 — seemed much larger than it was. Maybe it was me.

Game Notes

John Maine began his start by tossing 12 straight balls to walk the bases loaded and allowed 3 runs in the first frame, which required 40 pitches to complete. He threw a total of 112 in 5 weak innings, in which he allowed 6 runs on 7 hits and 5 walks. I truly believe that Maine would look a lot worse, and people would be calling for him to be demoted to the minors, if it were not for Oliver Perez. In other words, Maine is lucky to have Ollie around as the “ugly girl” — because Maine looks a lot prettier in comparison.

Jose Reyes returned to the leadoff spot and went 2-for-5 with a double and 2 runs scored. I’m sure it was just a coincidence.

With Reyes back on top, Angel Pagan and his .326 OBP was the #3 hitter. Not sure why, but whatever. Meantime #5 hitter David Wright (.406 OBP) went 2-for-3 with a run scored and 2 RBI. Even when Wright is slumping, he’s still the best hitter on the Mets. Did you know he’s first or second on the Mets in every major offensive category?

Luis Castillo drove in 2 runs with 2 hits, including a 390-foot double to right-center in the 9th. I know most Mets fans hate him, but his steady if unspectacular production is nowhere close to the reason the Mets are in fourth place.

Though, Castillo was caught napping in the bottom of the eighth, when Pedro Feliciano quick-pitched Hanley Ramirez and fooled Luis instead of Hanley. Castillo was looking down at his shoes as the pitch was delivered, and looked up just in time to see Hanley’s grounder bound up the middle and past him for a base hit. I doubt Castillo would’ve gotten to the ball AND thrown out the speedy Ramirez, but it didn’t look good.

Yes, fourth place. Weren’t they in first about a week ago? And in second a few days ago? Don’t look now, but the last-place Braves are now 17-19, but 6-4 in their last 10, while the 18-19 Mets are 3-7 over the same span — and have lost 4 in a row.

As long as we’re quoting numbers … the Mets’ 4-11 road record is among the worst in all MLB. The only team with a worse record on the road is the Orioles (5-15).

If there was a silver lining in this game, it was the fact the home team didn’t have to bat in the ninth — which saved an inning pitched by the bullpen.

Next Mets Game

The Marlins go for the sweep in the fourth and final contest at 1:10 PM on Sunday afternoon. Jon Niese pitches for the Mets against the Marlins’ Ricky Nolasco. Nolasco is 3-2 with a 3.66 ERA and 1.09 WHIP, and is averaging a hair under 7 IP per start.

Marlins 3 Mets 1

Fish pitching held the Mets to one measly run on seven hits and no walks as a solid outing by Jon Niese was wasted. Without the benefit of the Marlins making mistakes on the mound and in the field, the Mets didn’t have a chance.

Game Notes

Jon Niese threw an acceptable and admirable six innings, allowing 3 runs on 8 hits and 2 walks. Not a fabulous outing, but encouraging and perfectly fine for a fifth starter. Unfortunately, he is currently the #3 starter.

The Mets offense was unimpressive. No walks? Not one? Stark contrast to the previous evening, when they walked 9 times. Makes you wonder if Wednesday’s walk-a-thon was really a credit to the Mets hitters or simply a bad night by the Marlins hurlers.

Burke Badenhop threw three innings of one-hit, scoreless relief, relying primarily on an 84-MPH fastball and soft stuff that ranged from 72-79 MPH — you would’ve thought he was throwing a knuckleball (he wasn’t). I was mildly suprised that Fredi Gonzalez lifted Badenhop in favor of wild man Leo Nunez for the ninth; I don’t care if Nunez is the closer — Badenhop had the Mets completely befuddled, and had thrown 35 pitches in three frames, so why not just let him finish it out?

Angel Pagan rapped two hits from the leadoff spot, begging us to wonder why he wasn’t there for games One and Two. Though, his defense remains a bit shaky, even if he made all the plays. With the Mets’ anemic offense, I’ll deal with occasional outfield adventures to get his bat into the lineup.

Ryota Igarashi made his MLB debut and did the job, pitching one shutout inning. However I’m a bit concerned about his location, and believe he will be susceptible to the gopher ball. He got away with a flat, hanging split that Hanley Ramirez crushed into foul territory.

Fernando Nieve is on pace to appear in 162 games.

Jorge Cantu had two more hits and an RBI. Ted Berg, are you reading this? You know what I’m talking about.

Ronny Paulino drives me nuts as a backstop. He is a gifted athlete, and could be a very good defensive catcher. But when he’s not being lazy he’s unbalanced in his stance and moving around too much — not giving his pitchers a stationary target and making it difficult for the umpire to get a good look at the pitch. With a moving target behind the dish, it’s no wonder the Fish pitchers have trouble throwing strikes.

Next Mets Game

The Mets open a three-game series with the Washington Nationals at 7:10 PM in Flushing on Friday night. Mike Pelfrey takes the hill against Garrett Mock.