In yesterday’s game the Mets struck out 12 times and left eight men on base. Today the offense struck out 10 more times and left 10 runners on base, providing zero offense to back their pitcher. Jon Niese pitched around a lot of traffic on the bases, but managed to give up just one run in the second inning off a Michael Taylor single. Oddly, it was the second hit of the inning that glanced off Daniel Murphy‘s glove, and the third of the inning as one bounced off Dilson Herrera‘s glove too. Outside of the first and fifth innings, the Mets had very little momentum offensively, and the lack of production from guys like John Mayberry, Jr., Anthony Recker and Ruben Tejada is noticeable.
As mentioned Niese was effective. He dodged trouble early in the game, and walked only Bryce Harper while striking out five. Harper maintains the most walks in the league with 24. Murphy collected another hit, and is now batting .370 with eight RBI over his last seven games. Hopefully the Mets can turn around this offensive slump with a big game to back Dillon Gee in the series finale tomorrow. Gee is still pitching for his job, even with his main competition on the disabled list. Taking two of four may not seem like a victory, but as the team limps along right now, it’s bigger than we realize.
This was an encouraging outing for Niese.Only 1 ER in 7 IP against a good lineup and the K/BB ratio was nice. And the groundballs are still coming in bunches. And the curve looked better tonight.
Patrick you mentioned three replacements in a lineup that already is missing two starters. This is the third time since last weekend that Collins has sat multiple starters the same game. I understand the Mayberry move, even though now he’s batting .136 and I’m wondering where the 1+ OPS against lefties is hiding, but to sit Flores and Plawecki while missing Wright and TDA is asking a lot of a struggling offense right now. While games like these are “the team’s fault”, putting out a lineup like this is “the manager’s fault”.
Hello, Terry? Earth to Terry, come in please. Are you watching Terry?
Flores is really struggling, struck out 4 times last night. You really fault TC for sitting him? It felt like an act of mercy.
One key was Teufel’s poor decision of sending Lagares home in the 1st with only one out: a dead duck. But on a day when the team gets zero runs, it’s silly to focus on the third base coach . . . or the manager.
James, I respectfully disagree. Does a lineup like that instill confidence? Do you think the team’s morale isn’t shaken?
I pointed out yesterday how the Nationals only gave MDD two at bats all month. I’m sorry, but if Collins really is here “to win games”, he needs to do a better job of spacing out his off days. He has put questionable lineups out three times this week. Before this week, they were winning and he was leaving them out there. But now, has he forgotten how they got 11 in a row?
MDD was sent to the minors in mid-April. He’s played 19 games for Syracuse.
To me, backup catchers have to play. And older players have to rest. And I’ve already commented on Flores.
I get your point — why should it all happen on the same day? — but Bobby Valentine used to do it this way too. I just believe that a team needs to use every piece in order for those players to be fully functioning. Just not an area of focus for me.
I have no problem with the lineup last night, and also don’t think Collins put it together. He just gets stuck defending it after the game.
To win this team has to pitch great and hope they score just enough. Especially with Wright and d’Arnuad out.
I don’t think the Mayberry signing works…especially with Duda’s early presence against lefties. Mayberry cannot get enough AB’s to establish a game readiness. Push/Shove…Campbell may be more valuable/usable as a seldom used bench piece because of his positional versatility.
It’s an interesting point about Mayberry. I thought that they needed a guy who mashes LHP and he does that. Given the team’s plans for Duda, and Granderson’s weaknesses (he struggles from either side), I figured Mayberry would get enough ABs. Also, I knew he could not hit RHP.
At this point, it could be that he really won’t get enough ABs to be effective. Possibly. But I still like the signing, and the weapon. Good to have on the bench. I’d let this play out for a couple of more months and see what happens.
The signing was so cheap — and his skill set so clearly defined — that I still support the concept. But you might be right.
Last night was the first time I saw Mayberry live. I was impressed by his outfield play, good routes all night, he covers good ground.
Considering that, and the fact that he can hit lefties, makes Kirk the guy who I see as useless. He can’t hit anyone or anything.
Kirk is not a major league player.
“The lack of production from guys like…Ruben Tejada is noticeable”.
Well this is a narrative, isn’t it? If I were writing this recap, I would mention something like,
“Ruben Tejada, filling in for a slumping Wilmer Flores, had one of the Mets six hits and made a defensive play in the 6th inning that saved two runs”.
That’s what I saw. But…okay.
Murphy has hit in 6 of the last 7 games and is hitting .370 during that stretch while raising his BA from .146 to .213
Just something i thought was worth mentioning.