The frustration continues to build. The losses continue to mount. There does not seem to be any light at the end of the tunnel as things look bleaker and bleaker by the day.
The Mets dropped Saturday’s game by a score of 6-5. Detroit’s defense was giving them every opportunity to steal the game by committing three errors. The Mets were 2-for-12 with RISP, terrible yet again. The Tigers on the other hand were 5-for-12. The team is dead last with RISP, with an average of .204, 22 points behind the 29th place New York Yankees.
Saturday’s loss of course would end in a very Mets way. A play at the plate that could have tied the game but Jay Bruce was thrown out at in a very close play. Manager, Terry Collins did not feel the need to challenge what was the deciding play of the game, perplexing to many.
“I thought for sure [Bruce] was going to make it, and Martinez just made a great throw,” Collins said. “Our video guy [Jim Kelly] thought he was out, so we didn’t challenge it, but that might be one of those plays where you might as well just take the chance and see what happens.” (NY Post)
So if it is one of those “see what happens” plays, why not take the chance? Very strange to say the least. Sandy Alderson was reportedly not too happy at the non move by his manager and would only issue a “no comment” after the game when asked if a challenge should have been made.
Bruce, for his part said a bit after the game as well on the decision not to challenge the controversial game ending play.
“I’ve seen it challenged before. Obviously, that’s not my decision at all . . . It’s a judgment call there, and I wasn’t part of the judgment.”
To not challenge such an important play did not make much sense by any means. Collins though has had a season of questionable decisions. He seems tense after each loss in the postgame, no longer the loose manager he has tried to be. He feels the pressure.
The Cardinals and Marlins have faltered as well during this time, miraculously the Mets stand still just two games back of that second Wild Card spot. That being said though the Pirates and Rockies continue to win and have crept right into the race for that second Wild Card spot as well, making it a five team scramble.
At a time where the hitting has seemed to come around, now scoring four or more runs in six of their last seven games, the pitching has faltered. When one side gets it together, the other side seems to fall short. The team now sits just two games over .500. Can anyone help to stop the bleeding? We can no longer harp on the injuries, as it does not change the fact we need to string together some wins. It’s sink or swim.
After the Mets leave Detroit they head into a very favorable nine game stretch. They will see Arizona six times, and the Padres three. It is time to get it right. There are eight weeks left in the season, still plenty of time to make up two games. This team though needs to show some life. We have not seen that for quite awhile now.
