Mets Lose Both Games Of Doubleheader To Braves, 6-5 and 5-1

Chris Schwinden made his major league debut and was hit hard in the Mets 6-5 loss, and in the second game of the double header, Dillon Gee overcame early trouble to hand the ball to a bullpen that would cough up two more runs in the Mets second loss, a 5-1 defeat.

Game One

Chris Schwinden made his MLB debut, and it will probably not be a memorable one for many. Schwinden went five innings, allowing five runs on eight hits, including a home run while walking one and striking out five. Schwinden was throwing strikes, but those strikes were being hit hard. While these next few starts will just be gauging if he is the real deal or a Quad-A pitcher, we shall see.

Daniel Herrera came out for two innings of work, and struck out two and gave up a hit. The fact he pitched two innings is a positive, considering he was a lefty. Possible crossover candidate next year? Ryota Igarashi came out and made a mess, loading the bases so Tim Byrdak could hit lefty Michael Bourn and drive in what would turn out to be the winning run. Bobby Parnell finished up, allowing a hit and striking out one in two-thirds

Yet again, why is Ryota Igarashi being used at all in the season is a bit curious to me. Do the Mets not want to call up a reliever who they have to place on the 40-man roster? If so, DFA Igarashi.

The offense today was primarily of two hits. Jason Bay, who has had a dissapointing season yet again, hit his second grand slam of the season, for his twelfth home run. The other run came on a Nick Evans sac-fly in the ninth, scoring David Wright

Jose Reyes – 1 for 1 in a pinch hitting appearance. As bleak as the Mets season is, Jose does have a fair shot at the batting title.

Jason Bay – 2 for 4 with four RBI. I guess any production is better than no production.

Ruben Tejada – 0 for 5 with a strikeout. Is this fatigue, or has Ruben been figured out again?

Turning Point

Igarashi being an ineffective reliever, putting Tim Byrdak in a difficult spot and giving up the winning run.

Goat Of The Game

Igarashi. No other reason than being completely ineffective.

Game 2

Dillon Gee faired much better than Chris Schwinden, getting charged for three runs (two earned) on four hits, walking two and striking out six in his six innings of work. Gee struggled in the first inning, but settled in for the middle innings. Gee shouldn’t be expected to be that mid-3 ERA guy, but if he could hold an ERA around 4, limit the walks and provide six innings, that would be a major plus for the 2012 Mets

Daniel Herrera went out for the second time today, and pretty much did the same thing he did the game before. Herrera pitched one clean inning. Pedro Beato was hit hard yet again in his two innings of work, allowing two runs on three hits including a home run, walk and one strikeout. Whether this is fatigue, or Beato coming back down to expected performance is to be decided

The offense managed seven total hits, none for extra bases. The only RBI was on a Jason Bay sac-fly in the first. Nick Evans managed to strand five of the 11 Mets baserunners. Not much else to say.

Jose Reyes – 1 for 4 with a run. Leading the league in average.

Duda & Evans – 0 for 8. Tough day at the dish

Turning Point

When the Mets couldn’t manage to get an extra base hit and played uninspired for the second game of the doubleheader.

Goat Of The Game

Nick Evans, 0 for 4 and stranding nearly 50% of the total baserunners in the game.

On Deck

The Mets travel back to Citi Field to take on the Cubs, sending Mike Pelfrey to the mound to face-off against Casey Coleman, who the Mets hit hard the last time they faced him. Game time is 7:10 P.M.