This sucks. This really, really sucks.
Before we divulge into the most recent New York Mets’ loss, it is important to point out that Johan Santana has been placed on the 15-day disabled list. Santana was placed on the DL with a “right ankle sprain.” WHAT? Yesterday, it was reported that Santana was “okay” and his poor performance was a result of him not executing his pitches. Johan has been experiencing discomfort in his ankle since July 6, when Cubs outfielder Reed Johnson stepped on Santana’s ankle on a play at first base.
And if that wasn’t bad enough for you, then this will surely make your blood boil. Jeremy Hefner has been called up from Triple-A Buffalo and put in the bullpen. Wait, we haven’t gotten to the bad news yet. Rather than start Hefner on Saturday, the Mets send out Miguel Batista to the mound for the first pitch. Yup, Miguel Batista.
Batista allowed one run in the first inning after a series of “boo”s from the crowd at Citi Field. After a scoreless second, Batista allowed three more runs in the third and was lifted for a pinch hitter in the bottom of the inning. The Mets rallied back for two in the bottom of the third, but trailed for the remainder of the game. Dodger runs in the fourth, fifth, and ninth would seal the victory. New York crawled back with a run in the sixth and two in the eighth, but still fell short.
David Wright, who plays such a huge part in the Mets offense, went 0-3 for the second straight game. Chris Capuano (10-5), the former Met, picked up the win for Los Angeles.
After the game, Batista said that any pressure in regards to this outing had no effect on his performance. Rather, any problems on the mound were related to the significant gaps in between starts.
PLEASE. You’re a 17-year veteran with plenty of innings in relief in between starts. This is no excuse. Batista needs to be released or sent to the minors or SOMETHING soon. I just cannot take much more.
In case you’re wondering, the Mets fell to 5 GB in the Wild Card standings today. The Mets are starting to lose their grip. Today’s loss put the Mets at .500 (47-47) for the first time in months. If New York loses tomorrow, it will be the first time they are under .500 all season.
Right now, it’s difficult to watch this team play baseball. I am still not sure if the recent woes of this ball club are due to a lack in leadership or a lack of focus. Maybe it’s both, maybe it’s neither. Whatever it is, something has to change. And fast.
Mets fans, don’t give up yet, though. Mets GM Sandy Alderson indicated that the team would be trade deadline buyers. Hopefully, Sandy can land some help on the mound.
“It’s not a question of what we need to see on the field to make us buyers, it’s what we see on the field that causes us not to be buyers,” Alderson said. “The presumption here is that we’re buyers, and it has been. Realistically, the next seven, eight, 10 games become important for us.”
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