Mets Merized Online

Mets fans should be used to these types of games in 2009. If there is anything we’ve learned as fans this season it is to expect the unexpected. Francisco Rodriguez gave up 5 runs in the ninth inning on a bases loaded walk to Adam Dunn and a Grand Slam to Justin Maxwell to give the Nationals a victory in their last home game of 2009.

I’m not sure if K-Rod is a victim of not getting much work in the second half or if there is something wrong physically with him, but he seems off. He can not control his pitches right now and has me terrified every time he comes in in a close game. It is something worth watching for next season because if the Mets want to be playing in games that matter next season they are going to need him.

Lost in the Rodriguez debacle was a solid start from Tim Redding. Redding went 6 innings and gave up 1 run on 4 hits. Redding passed the ball off to Bobby Parnell, Pedro Feliciano and Sean Green who were able to bridge the gap to K-Rod.

Redding may be earning himself a fifth starter role on the team next year. At the very least he should be brought in for a competition in the spring.

The Mets offense got things started in the top half of the second inning when Fernando Tatis hit a sacrifice fly to Elijah Dukes. Omir Santos continued the rally with a base hit to give the Mets the early 2-0 lead. The Mets got their other runs on a 6th inning RBI single by Carlos Beltran and a ninth inning RBI single by Santos.

All in all it was another tough loss in a season full of them. I’m sure the entire team can’t wait until the offseason. Sunday can’t come soon enough.

The Mets start their final series of the year on Friday night against the Astros at 7:10 EST.

Editor’s Note: Drew Costello originally wrote this for Mets Fans Forever

Nats rookie Ross Detwiler recorded his first win going 6 innings and giving up 1 run on 7 hits and only 1 walk. Nelson Figueroa was the tough luck loser going 6 innings and giving up 2 runs on 6 hits and one walk.

It felt like the old days when the Mets could not beat a rookie pitcher to save their lives. Detwiler appeared to have good stuff and the Mets weak lineup was no match for them.

The Mets got their only run when Fernando Tatis singled home a run in the sixth inning. Other than that, Detwiler was in complete control and was able to get the victory when Mike Morse homered off of Figueroa in the bottom of the sixth. Morse’s homer ended up being the game winner.

It was difficult to watch the Mets struggle to score runs off of one of the worst teams in all of baseball. As a team the Mets had runners in scoring position in six different innings, and yet didn’t get one run to cross the plate. Even for this team that is bad. As Jon Heyman tweeted last night, “lengthen the season by 20 games, and the Mets would fall below the Nats.” Now that is just flat out embarrassing.

The good news is the season is almost over and we can soon turn our attention to how to fix what happened this year. Also keep this in mind, the Phillies are in the midst of a collapse. With their loss Monday the Braves are now only 4 GB. On September 21st the Phillies were leading the NL East by 8 games.

The Mets continue their series against the Nats when Mike Pelfrey takes on J.D Martin at 7:10 EST.

Editors Note: Drew Costello originally wrote this for Mets Fans Forever

It was more of the same at Citi Field last night, in a season that just can’t get end fast enough for the Mets at this point.

With Mike Pelfrey on the mound, the Mets put themselves in a huge hole. They tried to climb out, but could never mount an extended rally and lost 5-2 in the final game of the series.

The Braves struck for three in the second, with the help of a David Wright error, and then tacked on another in the third. Everything came on a series of hits, but Adam LaRoche had two of the RBIs, one in the second and another in the third. And like that, the Mets were down 4-0.

In all, Pelfrey went six innings and allowed four runs, three earned, on nine hits.

New York got a run back in the bottom half of the third on a Luis Castillo single. They then cut the deficit to 4-2 in the fourth with the help of an error, but could get no closer in a 5-2 loss.

Perhaps most frustrating was that the Mets had runners on in every inning but the second but could only score two runs. In all, New York went 2-for-18 with runners in scoring position.

The Mets are off today before beginning a three game weekend series in Florida.

Editors Note: Paul Zinn originally wrote this for Mets Fans Forever

While on my trip to Binghamton I had the chance to interview Mako Oliveras manager of the B-Mets. He was a great guy to talk to, and based on what players have to say about him he’s a great manager.

Will Sommer: How did you begin your coaching career in minor league baseball?

Mako Oliveras: I signed in 1968 with the Red Sox and ever since then I’ve been in baseball

Will Sommer: For how many years have you been coaching with the Mets organization?

Mako Oliveras: This is my 3rd year. I have been the manager of the B-Mets since 2007.

Will Sommer: What are your thoughts on how the season has gone so far?

Mako Oliveras: Well you know record-wise it’s not what we’d like to have but with developing players we’ve done a good job.  (Jonathan) Malo, Tejada, Holt, Mejia, (Emmanuel) Garcia are guys who are all so better now than when they started the season.

Will Sommer: Ruben Tejada is 19 years old and struggled somewhat last year in advanced A ball, how do you think he’s held up this year physically and mentally?

Mako Oliveras: I think with better players he’s turned it up a notch. He’s been doing outstanding. He’s hitting close to .280, and he’s been a very solid player all year.

The other night in Binghamton I had the chance to interview Josh Thole, who is expected to get the call up to the majors when rosters expand September 1st. Thole has struggled with the bat in August but still has a .324 batting average, with 32 XBH. Even though he lacks power, my belief while watching him take his at-bats, is that he will be a quality everyday catcher in the majors.

Will Sommer: Have any coaches in Binghamton told you that you will indeed be called up to the majors September 1st?

Josh Thole: No, nothing I’m just trying to finish the season strong with Binghamton, and that’s all I’m focused on.

Will Sommer: So as to Adam Rubin’s report you haven’t heard anything about you getting the call?

Josh Thole: Nothing, I’m just trying to win here in Binghamton. And that’s all I’m focused on.

The Mets (56-64) lost to the Braves (63-57) by a score of 15-2.

Bobby Parnell made his 3rd start of the year, and was he bad. In the second inning the Braves sent 11 men to the plate. HOWEVER, in defense of Bobby he could have gotten out of the inning when it was only 3-0.

This is only his 3rd start, so no one be alarmed. With the Mets out of playoff contention there is no harm in experimenting with different things, even if it means losing a game. There is nothing to lose here. If he does well as a starter for the rest of the season, then great the Mets have found another starter for 2010. If he does poor, then OK you just put him back in relief in ‘10, where you know he will do fine.

With runners on 1st and 3rd, two outs, Anderson Hernandez picked up a ground ball, who then proceeded to flip the ball to Luis Castillo at 2nd. There is one problem with that, Castillo was not at second base. Hernandez then threw to first, but was to late, and the runners scored making it 4-0, but that was only the beginning for poor Bobby who looked so lost at times.

Nothing of note with the offense. It was non existent. Hey can you blame them? Even for the elite teams in the MLB, it’s hard to make a come back of this magnitude.

Three quick notes:

1. Tim Redding tonight, 3.0 IP 3 ER4 H 2 HR. His ERA, 6.53. Is he worth $2.25 million? In my opinion, no.

2. On this date, August 19, 2003 the Mets were 54-70, and last in the NL East, and 26.5 GB. So if your feeling sad about this season, just think it could be worse.

3.Of Course on this date, August 19, 2006 the Mets were  74-48, and led the division by 14 games. Oh how long ago that was.

The Mets (53-61) beat the D-Backs (52-63) by a score of 6-4 to avoid being swept. The Mets were 2-7 on this recent west coast trip.

Oliver Perez was his usual self. 5.1 IP, 1 ER 7 SO. Which is OK, especially the 7 SO. But what kicked him out of the game was the walks. Ollie had 6 walks yet again. That’s the reason he couldn’t finish the 6th inning. How can he walk so many batters? It kills me. If he were to limit the walks he could be a superstar. Every time he comes out of the game, I say to myself “Wait, we actually have 3 years left of this guy?”

Pedro Feliciano who actually got the win was unable to keep the lead. He let both inherited runners score, at Sean Green’s expense. Although Feliciano did keep a runner from scoring by making a great throw to tag the runner at the plate. It didn’t seem important then, but had that runner scored the D-Backs would have led 4-3, instead it was tied 3-3 after seven.

Francisco Rodriguez blew another got the save, but yet again gave up another run. His velocity is not there. I’m getting a little worried about him. His fastball is in the high 80’s, low 90’s. He is not allowing Mets fans to relax.

The good news was the offense. The Mets scored three in the sixth thanks to two wild pitches by Jon Garland. Even though the pitching gave the lead away the Mets quickly got the lead back with a couple of 2 out hits in the eighth. First, Luis Castillo drove in Fernando Tatis to take the lead, then Cory Sullivan added some insurance with his own RBI triple. That was Sullivan’s second triple of the day. His 4th in 20 games he’s played in this year.

Sullivan has done a great job in that lead off spot. Hopefully Jerry goes with the hot hand, and continues to play him.

In the top of the ninth with David Wright on 3rd and Jeff Francoeur on first, Fernando Tatis struck out, but the ball got passed Miguel Montero, which allowed David Wright to score.

The D-Backs played like the Mets did in game one. Sloppy. Errors, lazy defense, etc. It’s nice to see it from the opposing team, and not just the Mets.

The Mets head home to face the Giants at 7:10 on Friday. Bobby Parnell will get his 2nd career start against Barry Zito.