If an incompetent team loses in an empty stadium, but nobody is there to see it… do the anguished cries of Mets Fans everywhere make a sound?
The Mets (64-81) lost to the Nationals (77-69) by a score of 7-2 Thursday afternoon, sealing a 4-game sweep for Washington on the road.
Aaron Harang started for the Mets and was solid, going 6 innings and giving up 3 runs. Harang only gave up 4 hits, but 3 of them left the ballpark. He did have 10 strikeouts against only 1 walk despite a 50 minute rain delay in the 2nd inning, so all-in-all, it was a successful debut for Harang despite the loss.
Ryan Zimmerman hit a solo shot to center in the top of the 1st, but the Mets answered right away with an RBI double from Daniel Murphy.
After Adam LaRoche hit a (reviewed) solo homer in the 2nd, the Mets again tied it in the 4th on an RBI single from Recker.
After that, the Nationals began to pull away, getting 2 more bombs (Wilson Ramos and Anthony Rendon) and an RBI double from Zimmerman. The Mets went down with a whimper, not getting a single run after the 4th.
The Mets made a very questionable play in the bottom of the 1st. With Eric Young on first, Juan Lagares attempted a Bunt-and-Run against rookie pitcher Tanner Roark. Young reached 2nd (he would have done so without the bunt), and Lagares was easily thrown out at first. I’m not sure if that was Terry’s call, but it was definitely a foolish play… Young is fast enough to reach 2nd without wasting an out on a sacrifice bunt.
The Mets have really just been miserable lately. The talk for the last few months was that Terry Collins would keep his job if the Mets could just finish strong and approach 500. So far, neither of these things looks likely to happen.
So Terry is gone, right? No. Recent reports have said that he is almost guaranteed to return next season. Where are the standards these days? What message does it send if they are seemingly committed to retaining a manager whose team has performed so miserably?
I would like to see the Mets make Terry earn the job. Does he have much to work with? Of course not. But the Mets are losing practically every single game these days, and that is not acceptable. If the Mets can play somewhere around 500 for these final few weeks, Terry might deserve another shot. If they continue to play like a Little League team? I’m not so sure. Again, I am not calling for Terry’s head, but I do want to see him be held somewhat accountable for their performance as they wrap up their season.
Overall, a pretty bland day in Flushing. A weekday afternoon game in an empty stadium with a rain delay, coupled with a convincing defeat, does not make for entertaining baseball. Let’s hope the team can turn it around soon.
The Mets will take on the Marlins tomorrow night at Citi Field. Jon Niese (6-7, 3.86 ERA) will face Brad Hand (0-0, 0.00 ERA).
