The New York Mets were swept at home in a four-game series by the Chicago Cubs this past weekend. It’s the first time that’s happened since 1991 and all four games were riddled with mistakes and heartache.
In an article from Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News, a few notable Mets figures spoke about the mindset the team is trying to maintain as they keep slipping-and-sliding down the National League East standings, and the need for the team, as a whole, to get better.
“Obviously there are questions to be asked and questions to be answered,” Jay Bruce said to Ackert following Sunday’s game. “We have to play better all the way around; we have to get the big hit, we have to keep the lead, we have to catch the ball and throw the ball to the right base.”
“All those things are so important to consistently winning baseball games and we haven’t been doing that lately,” he continued.
Mets skipper Mickey Callaway added to that point, “That has to be what it is. Been playing the game a long time all these guys, and if you’re not doing the things you learn for years and you’ve done for years and years, then to me that’s probably a lack of focus at that point.”
Bruce, who’s been battling plantar fasciitis all season and came out of Friday night’s game with lower-back discomfort, obviously miscommunicated with second baseman Luis Guillorme on a fly ball in the seventh inning in Sunday’s 2-0 loss.
On a shallow pop fly that both players were honing in on (Bruce charging in from right and Guillorme back-pedaling from his position), Bruce slowed down, forcing Guillorme to field the ball (awkwardly, at best) and fire a throw home that wasn’t in time to get Willson Contreras tagging from third base to score the Cubs’ second run.
After the game, Callaway spoke about the play.
“The right fielder has priority, especially in that situation where there’s a guy tagging and his momentum takes him right to the plate,” he said. “The guy didn’t even try to run if Bruce catches it.
“Bruce thought Guillorme was camped underneath it in a good position and then started looking at the runner to tell him whether or not he was tagging. They just kind of got confused.”
Bruce, 31, has had a very rough go of it, so far. After signing a three-year, $39 million deal in the offseason to come back to Flushing, the Beaumont, Texas native is hitting .222/.294/.341 with just three home runs and fifteen runs batted in. His 77 OPS+ is on pace to be the lowest of his eleven-year career.
Bruce then talked about the struggles he’s had to face this season.
“I haven’t been good this year, that’s the bottom line. There are no ifs, ands, or buts about it. I expect much more out of myself,” Bruce said. “As frustrated as anyone is, I am 1,000 times more frustrated than they could ever be.”
With all due respect, we hear you talking. Let’s see some results.
