With the Mets having an opportunity to sweep the lowly Phillies Sunday, Terry Collins made a questionable call to the bullpen. With bases loaded and nobody out, Hansel Robles was called upon to try to clean up the mess. The problem is though that Robles has not been effective at all in the month of August.
In 13 innings this month, Robles had given up 14 runs (all earned) on 15 hits and ten walks for an atrocious 9.69 ERA. Not the guy you want in with the game on the line. On top of all the hits and runs, he has walked 11 batters now in 13 innings this month. Anyone but Robles may have been a better choice here.
Robles of course would allow all three inherited baserunners to score, giving the Phillies a 4-1 lead, one that the Mets would not be able to come back from. A sweep was well within their reach, Robles though took the wind out of the Mets’ sails.
At a time of the season where every game is crucial, mistakes like this cannot be made. One of Collins’ biggest problems has always been his inability to properly navigate through the bullpen. This was just another unfortunate case of going to the wrong guy at the wrong time.
