Terry Collins, who cited a lack of options, found himself not just having to put Alejandro De Aza in the starting lineup in last night’s 4-2 loss to the Washington Nationals, but in the critical leadoff spot as Curtis Granderson was scratched due to a right calf-strain.
A spot normally put aside for a player capable of getting on base with some sort of regularity, De Aza found himself in an unlikely role. He had yet another disappointing hitless performance, going 0-for-4 including striking out with the tying runs in scoring position in the eighth inning.
De Aza now has a .158/.208/.232 slash line and finds himself with just one homer and five RBI. He is hitless in his last 13 at-bats and has just two hits in his last 36 plate appearances. This is not a man who has any business in the leadoff spot, let alone the starting lineup. With Juan Lagares soon eligible to come off the DL, De Aza could soon be designated for assignment.
The offense as a whole though has been disappointing to say the least. They look lackadaisical at the plate, almost as if they’re just going through the motions. Emotionless, barren, call it what you will, the offense has been non-existent.
“We’re just not even giving ourselves chances,” Collins said after the game.
Prior to James Loney‘s two-run homer in the ninth inning, the Mets had not scored since Wilmer Flores‘ two-run single in the third inning of Monday night’s loss. Their scoreless streak had reached a season-high 23 innings before being snapped.
“If they keep adding pressure to themselves,” Collins said, “they’re going to continue to struggle.”
Hopefully soon things will change with reinforcements seemingly on the way. Jose Reyes went 1-for-4 with two RBIs and a run scored while logging eight innings at third base at Double-A Binghamton last night.
Meanwhile, rehabbing Lagares was 2-for-6 with a triple and two RBIs in the same game. He also threw out a runner at the plate and played the full game in center field.
Reyes and Lagares may not be the game changing players this team needs but anything may be better than the team’s current options. Reyes atop the lineup is sure to give some type of spark to a team who has not had a true leadoff hitter this season as Granderson has regressed.
Things will not be getting any easier at all for this club. The Chicago Cubs come into town for a four-game series tonight. The Cubs have been struggling as of late, but have been one of the best teams in baseball this season. It’s time for offense to dig deep and and notching some wins before finding themselves in too deep a hole to get out of. The team now sits six games back of the Nationals in the NL East.
