The Braves beat the Mets 6-5 on Wednesday night on an error by first basemen Daniel Murphy. Bobby Parnell started the game for the Mets and once again was inconsistent. Parnell went 3.1 and gave up 3 earned runs on seven hits. Derek Lowe got the start for the Braves and went 2 innings giving up 2 earned runs on 5 hits, but had to leave the game after the second with a blister on his finger.

Parnell can be maddening. One batter he’ll blow away with his great fast ball or slider and the next he’ll walk or throw one right down the middle. What really needs to happen is Parnell needs more time in the minors to learn how to be a starting pitcher, but that may never happen because it seems as if the Mets are always thinking about the present rather than the future.

Fransisco Rodriguez blew the save for the Mets when he loaded the bases and Omar Infante tied the game with a sacrifice fly. It looked as if he worked his way out of the inning when he gave up a routine ground ball to first base, only to see Murphy boot it and the Braves get the victory.

This is what happens when you walk the tight rope like K-Rod. Although he had gotten out of the inning, he left no room for error and that puts a lot of pressure on the team’s defense. I’m not defending Murphy because he should have made the play, but if Rodriguez didn’t have trouble locating his pitches the Mets wouldn’t have been in the mess in the first place.

Lost in all of the ninth inning dramatics was the fact that Omir Santos gave the Mets what they hoped to be a pinch hit game winning homerun. Santos pinch hit for Josh Thole and crushed a homerun into the left field stands. Combined with Thole, the catcher position provided 3 of the 6 RBIS of the game.

I’m not in love with the Thole and Santos platoon for next season. I understand that platoons can work on some teams, but I think if there’s an opportunity to trade for a good young catcher the Mets need to take it.

The Mets continue their series against the Braves Thursday night when Nelson Figueroa takes on Jair Jurrjens at 7:00 EST.

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