9/2 Update:
Addressing reporters at Citi Field on Wednesday, Mets manager Terry Collins said that Bobby Parnell will only be used in low-leverage situations until he re-establishes himself.
Brilliant…
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Bobby Parnell picked up right where he left off on Tuesday night in a 14-8 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies. The defeat snapped the Mets’ 10 game winning streak over the Phillies, as well as their eight-game home winning streak against them.
The last time Parnell pitched, as you might recall, was when he came into the 7th inning of a 1-1 game against the Pittsburgh Pirates after a 42 minute rain delay. That inning turned out to be a nightmare as Parnell gave up four runs on two hits while walking two. The Pirates ended up winning that game 8-1, allowing them to complete the series sweep of the Mets.
After that outing the Mets gave him the choice of getting either designated for assignment, sent down to Triple-A, or put on the DL. Parnell chose to be put on the DL with what the team called “arm fatigue.”
Last night, in his first game back from his short stint on the DL, Parnell showed no improvment at all from his last appearance.
After the Mets had put up four runs to inch closer to the Phillies in the bottom of the 5th, Terry Collins decided to go with the former closer in the top half of the 6th. It proved to be another questionable decision by Collins.
Parnell started the inning by walking the first two batters he faced, and then botched a throw to first base that plated a run on a routine sacrifice bunt.
That was the end of the night for the beleaguered right-hander, but it completely took the wind out of the Mets sail after they had climbed back in the fifth. The crowd booed Parnell very loudly as he left the field.
“Things aren’t going my way right now,” said Parnell, who showed life on his fastball, but no command of it. “It’s not where I want to be.”
Terry Collins explained his decision after the game. “Bottom of the order. After what he’s been through, thought it might be a lift for him.”
Unfortunately for Collins he thought wrong, and Parnell has now taken the loss in his last three appearances, and in those outings he has faced 12 batters and retired just two of them. His ERA for the season now stands at 5.59 with an ugly 1.863 WHIP in 23 appearances.
After Parnell was removed from the game, Eric O’Flaherty walked the only batter he faced to load the bases. Then in came Carlos Torres who got slammed and gave up seven more runs to make it a 14-4 ball game.
If there was one bright spot in the bullpen for the Mets, it came a little too late. Sean Gilmartin pitched a scoreless 7th inning, and newly acquired Addison Reed was able to do the same in the 8th. Reed didn’t allow a hit and struck out one batter. Erik Goeddel also pitched a scoreless 9th inning.
For some reason it seems as though Terry always opts to go with Parnell over other viable options. Last night, you could have made the case for Addison Reed. Why not bring in the guy you just went out and got to help strengthen your bullpen? Why Parnell in that spot, a guy the Mets nearly released two weeks ago?
Even Gilmartin, who has been consistently solid all year with a 2.25 ERA would have been a better choice than Parnell. That kid has been getting it done.
Bottom line, if Parnell doesn’t start to get his act together, the Mets will have an important decision to make. If he continues to struggle, will the team sacrifice a roster spot on him if they make the playoffs?
You have to feel for Parnell a little bit after battling back from Tommy John Surgery, but he just hasn’t been getting it done. And with the team in a pennant race you can’t afford to give away innings, and unfortunately for Parnell, he’s been giving away far too many of late. He can’t be trusted right now.
