Full Count: Mets Pitching Report Week 2

You know the old adage if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say it all?

Well, sometimes I can’t help it. Sometimes it’s healthy to say unflattering things when the situation calls for it.

The performance by the Mets’ pitching staff in the last week or so has certainly warranted such criticism. After last week’s column, the Mets’ pitching staff has been abysmal and it’s a main reason why the team is 1-6 in its last seven games.

The stats don’t lie. The Mets rank 26th in the league in ERA (5.27); 27th in quality starts (three); 30th in WHIP (1.64); and 27th in BAA (.286)

Outside off Chris Young’s two great starts, almost every rostered Met pitcher has been suspect or downright awful.

The starters are making it difficult for the offense (not that they are not to blame) to keep up, and the relief corps is making it worse by melting down in critical spots. The last three Met losses have been especially agonizing.

In the last three games (one vs. Washington and two against the Rockies) the Mets have had a lead, but have failed to get a win in any of the contests.

On Sunday vs. Washington, the Mets had a 3-1 lead in the eighth inning thanks in large part to Young’s stellar day. On the day Young pitched seven strong innings of one-hit baseball. He was undone by the shaky performances by D.J. Carrasco and Blaine Boyer. Carrasco gave up two runs (on two hits and one walk) in the eighth and left with the game tied. Three innings later, Boyer melted down and gave up four runs to seal the loss for the Mets.

This was a game the Mets should have had, but couldn’t hold on. It was a disheartening loss. I think it’s too early to call it devastating, but you get my drift.

With a new series against the Colorado Rockies on the horizon, maybe things could have changed. So far, not so good.

While Mike Pelfrey looked better in his Monday start against the Rockies, he is still having problems with confidence and command.

Pelfrey pitched 5.1 innings and gave up four runs (three earned) on six hits and four walks. You can’t put that many batters on base on not get burned. But, somehow, Pelfrey was in line for the win until he was betrayed by his bullpen.

Recently recalled Ryota Igarashi would then allow both inherited runners to score. It would remain a tie game until Bobby Parnell imploded in the eighth inning allowing three runs on three hits. Yet another game that slipped away.

In Wednesday’s game, the Mets had another 3-1 lead but could not hold on. Jon Niese, who was solid through four innings, was done in by Troy Tulowitzki’s three-run home run in the fifth. On the night, Niese gave up five earned runs in six innings pitched. He also gave up seven hits and issued three walks.

The Mets pitchers are simply putting too many hitters on base. This has got to stop.

The funny thing is despite all these base runners, the Mets still find themselves in games. Then it is the bullpen who fails.

Since my last column, aside from a semi-decent start from Chris Capuano and Young’s ruined masterpiece, we have seen R.A. Dickey get roughed up (with perhaps a cracked fingernail to blame), two Niese stinkers and more troubling signs from Pelfrey.

All this on top of the bullpen continually crapping the bed.

The good news was at least Jason Isringhausen looked good in his return to Queens. He will inject some much needed experience, guts and poise to the mound.

Two weeks into the season this staff has given the Met faithful no reason to have confidence. What was a good start has quickly turned sour. If the staff doesn’t get it together, it could turn into a long summer in Queens.

Is it too soon to be aching for Johan Santana?