What a great night for the New York Mets who outlasted the Atlanta Braves in a thrilling 1-0 extra-innings win. The game itself was a classic pitching duel between two great young starters in Jacob deGrom and Julio Teheran. And it was former Brave Kelly Johnson who would provide the big hit – a clutch pinch-hit homer in the eleventh. With the victory and the Nationals’ seventh straight loss, the Mets now find themselves only two games out of first place in the NL East.
Far be it from me to bitch after after a satisfying day all around for my beloved New York Mets. But I wouldn’t be able to respect myself if I were to let that ugly at-bat by Alejandro De Aza go unchecked on MMO.
In the 10th inning third baseman Wilmer Flores got things started when he singled to lead off the frame. With the game on the line, Terry Collins made two very good decisions. He sent Matt Reynolds out to pinch-run for the slow of foot Flores, and he called for a bunt from De Aza. I loved our chances…
Then, like getting slammed in the gut with a sledge hammer, De Aza popped up the bunt attempt to Braves reliever Jim Johnson. But making things exponentially worse, he fails to run out of the box and slams his bat to the ground instead.
Seeing this, Johnson alertly lets the popup drop, and fires it to second base to initiate a 1-4-3 double play, and the throw to first base easily beats De Aza who tried to save face by diving into the bag two strides too late. What a freaking embarrassment.
De Aza wanted no part of the media after the game, getting snippy with reporters who approached his locker saying, “Don’t you want to talk with Kelly Johnson?”
According to a few reporters, De Aza was unapologetic and only said: “When I get told to do something and I don’t do it, I get frustrated. It’s not a good feeling.”
Screw you and your lousy .169 batting average,
And while Terry Collins offered up his usual defense of an awful job by one of his players, the look from the dugout and on Noah Syndergaard‘s face said it all.
Look, the Mets have made some great moves and I believe that by the end of their showdown with the Washington Nationals in DC, they will retake first place in the NL East just like they did last August.
I am tremendously proud of this team and can’t wait to see Brandon Nimmo and Jose Reyes make a positive impact on our offense. I have no more concerns about our offense and I truly believe we turned a corner with these two additions.
However, with all of that said, I can hardly take another day of Alejandro De Aza. I would much rather have Eric Campbell here because at least we can always count on a solid effort from him. Plus his determination and competitiveness on the diamond is without question.
I beg of you Sandy, please do what you gotta do and bite the bullet on De Aza… For your sake and ours.
