So John Maine pitches two great innings, then suddenly loses it in the third. Sounds like what happened to Oliver Perez in his first start. Bob Ojeda thinks Maine lost focus after failing to lay down a bunt.
Losing focus after having good stuff? Is Maine becoming another version of Perez? Is it time to start wondering whether we will see Good Maine or Bad Maine?
***
In the fourth inning, Jose Reyes was on second with two outs when Daniel Murphy doubled to left. The ball had barely entered the now-tiny foul territory down the line when two fans reached for it. Because of the fan interference, Reyes was stopped at third.
It’s not clear if Reyes would have scored, but considering that he was left on third when David Wright struck out and the Mets ended up losing by one run, the TV announcers were remarkably blase about the situation. Just because the fans are closer to fair territory does not mean that they have the right to reach over to touch a live ball.
On the other hand, when the Mets are in the field and the corner outfielders are Daniel Murphy and Gary Sheffield, it’s probably in the team’s interest to have a fan touch the ball and stop the runners. Otherwise, there’s going to be a lot of extra bases when the Mets have Murphy treating Reyes as the cutoff man. Fortunately, we haven’t seen Sheffield chase a ball into the corner yet, but I have a hunch it won’t turn out to be a Web Gem.
***
Squawker Lisa, I agree with you on Kelly Clarkson singing the National Anthem. What does she have to do with New York? I wasn’t crazy about the cast of “West Side Story” singing the first National Anthem at Citi Field, but at least the musical is set in New York.
I just hope the cast wasn’t chosen because the original Broadway production of “West Side Story” opened on Broadway on September 26, 1957, only two days after the last Dodger game at Ebbets Field.
As for “Sweet Caroline,” new stadium, new Apple, new food and same old song? What’s up with that? Didn’t people vote on alternatives to this song a year ago? Having something associated with the Red Sox doesn’t bother me the way it would bother Lisa, but why must the Mets keep borrowing from other teams’ traditions?
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
