In a nightmarish ending to the game, former Met Jay Bruce walked off on a deep fly ball to centerfield in the bottom of the 10th. While Gary Cohen ended the broadcast the echoing bell at Citizen’s Bank Park sounded like a funeral toll for this season.
The Mets seem to be living in some sick Groundhog Day reboot, as they are again unable to hold an early game lead. Going up 4-0 with starter Jason Vargas pitching strong, they once more managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory and fall to the division rival Phillies 5-4. This was the fourth blown lead in as many days.
Dominic Smith has continued to love The Bank, but he hasn’t taken advantage of the right field dimensions as much as one would expect from a lefty. He hit his third opposite-field home run of the series to put the Mets up in the fourth inning. Smith hit two singles and drew a walk around the homer, and even added a steal in the sixth. After eventually scoring, in the following inning he was less successful and was picked off trying to take second.
The Mets kept up their recent running ways as Pete Alonso swiped the first of his career. Jeff McNeil also provided some good offense and the Mets’ young homegrown hitters seem to lead the way night after night.
Robinson Cano hitting third in the lineup went 0-5.
If only they had more luck developing bullpen arms. This one really can’t be pegged on Mickey Callaway either. He went to his best relievers for the for the later innings, but then unfortunately had to go with Stephen Nogosek which certainly was a no-go.
Phillies announcers after Jay Bruce’s long fly to center field for the first out and Callaway jumps up to pull Vargas:
First announcer: “Is he really taking him out of the ballgame?”
Second announcer: “Is he? After just 77 pitches? Oh my goodness.”
First announcer: “No, thank goodness.”
Second announcer: “I’d be kicking and screaming right now.”
First announcer (laughing): “Seth Lugo coming in, Vargas, headin out.”
I can’t add anything to the Phillies’ announcers’ take on the move. Especially with 10 strikeouts and only 77 pitches with the bottom three of the order coming up. Yes, the bullpen sucks, but remember when we used to make fun of Collins for taking pitchers out for no reason when they were going well? I think it’s only fair to start a new watchful eye on how many times Callaway has needlessly taken out a pitcher that was in a groove and not tiring. Unless BVW text a member of the training staff…
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And now some good news from Jon Heyman:
“Breaking: Mets have an agreement with Florida prep RHP Matthew Allan, the prized 3rd rounder who fell to pick No. 89 due to signability issue. To get the U. Of Fla. commit is a coup for team from Queens. Is considered 1st round talent.”
Is Cano leading the Mets in LOB?
The use of Diaz…
3 out pitching in 10 days.
Why?
a. Protect Broadie?
b. Protect Diaz? Was something known when signed or just embarrassment?
He had one great season in a non media hyped city
c. Mickey stubbornly digging in his heels to show media how “strong” he is? (Recall passive aggressive dealing w Cano-DeGrom a few weeks ago)
d. Other?
e. Unknown (to all)?
e
This isn’t Callaway’s way, he is forced to do this. (Maybe Diaz will sign with CAA too?) From another article:
“At the Winter Meetings in December 2017, Callaway outlined a plan to essentially remove the word “closer” from the Mets’ bullpen vocabulary and instead use his best reliever in the most critical moments of the game, regardless of what inning it was. Take a look at some of these Callaway quotes from the 2017 Winter Meetings:
“When you use [relievers] in that high leverage situation, that is the save. The save that night is the highest leverage situation.”
“We are not going to have (Familia) locked into [the ninth inning]. We have to make sure we get to a save situation, and if we can’t there doesn’t do any good to have this guy be named the closer, so we are going to pitch guys when it makes sense and do everything we can to win the game that night.””
You stole the words from today’s article I’m about to publish!
Sorry Brendan! I’ll read it in a little bit.
We are officially at the half way mark. On target for a 74-88 record.
It’s time to sell boys.
This Phillies series has been painful to watch.
Jeff McNeil is one of the best hitters in baseball since he’s been called up to the big leagues. He’s also a competitor on defense.