Recap:

Despite a valiant effort by Jon Niese and the New York Mets, who have scratched and clawed for every win this year, the bullpen for the second time this series could not hold it together, dropping the rubber game on a walk-off grand slam by Mike Giancarlo Stanton, 8-4.

Niese took the hill despite not feeling his best and handed the Amazin’s goose eggs over six frames before being taken out for a pinch hitter in the top of the 7th. It was when the game got into the bullpen however, that it turned ugly.

Staked to a 2-0 lead, Ramon Ramirez came on to pitch the seventh and promptly surrendered a 2-run bomb to John Buck to tie the game up at two.

Fast forward to the ninth, Heath Bell on to keep the game tied, and of course; failed. With the bases loaded and two out, Justin Turner delivered a pinch-hit double to give the Mets a solid 2-run lead. That should be enough for Francisco to nail it down right?

Wrong. Francisco, the only Met to receive a multi-year contract, proceeded to surrender a triple, a single and a walk before being taken out of the game, but not before he had a few choice words for home plate umpire Todd Tichenor, resulting in his ejection.

For some strange reason, Manny Acosta was called in to shut the door; and failed. After getting the first two batters out to face him, Acosta melted down, surrendering a walk and hitting Austin Kearns to load the bases for Giancarlo Stanton, who took Acosta’s first pitch, and deposited deep behind the the left centerfield fence to win the ballgame 8-4.

Goat Of The Game:

It’s really a toss up, so I’ll give it to both Frank Francisco and Manny Acosta, who both do not deserve to be in the major leagues the way they’re pitching, let alone a key situation in the ninth. When is Parnell/Rauch going to start closing?

Notes:

-Why Manny Acosta was called in in that spot, –and then remained in to face Stanton– is beyond me.

-Collins said that he isn’t making any decisions on the future of Francisco as the closer today because everything is “very emotional” right after a tough loss like this afternoon.

-With today’s start, Niese now has allowed three runs or les in all but one of his starts this season.

-Wright went 1-3 today and Kirk Nieuwenhuis and Daniel Murphy had two-hit games.

Up Next:

The Mets go home to face the Brewers tomorrow night at 7:10.