Post Mortem
Damn you, Brad Wilkerson!
First, let me confess that I started writing about how the Mets lost tonight's game before the game was even over. I actually started in the seventh inning. I know, shame on me. But sometimes you just know. I knew last night, and I knew tonight. There was just no way that any breaks were going to go the Mets' way, and, as has been their custom recently, they certainly didn't do much to make their own breaks.
Yet another strong performance by a starter went to waste, though the bullpen can't be blamed for it this time. An error - by Mike Cameron of all people - and an offense that's starting to make the Expos look prolific are to be blamed for a second consecutive brilliant start by Tom Glavine that went down the toilet.
Glavine, who was mentioned most prominently as being a pitcher who would benefit from the addition of Cameron, ends up with his first loss of the season as a result of Cameron's misplay that allowed Orlando Cabrera to go all the way to third on what should've been a single. Obviously that kind of thing won't be the norm for Cameron, but a team that isn't scoring can't afford to be giving any runs away.
Credit also must go to the Expos for the strong performance turned in by Livan Hernandez, who was Glavine's equal on the mound, and for their defense; specifically the throws from Juan Rivera and Brad Wilkerson to cut down Mike Piazza and Karim Garcia, respectively, at the plate. Wilkerson's throw in particular was as perfect a throw as you will ever see. Brian Schneider also did a great job on both plays, getting a tag on Piazza in the second, and holding onto the ball on Garcia's attempt to take him out in the eighth.
Jason Phillips, who went public with his dissatisfaction over his benching the last few days, was back in the lineup and did nothing to prove that Art Howe was wrong to sit him. Now, I'm as big a Jason Phillips supporter as anyone, but he needs to shut up and let his bat do the talking. Todd Zeile's swinging the bat well and Phillips isn't, so with the team struggling Howe is right to go with the hot hand. If the rest of the team was producing you could afford to leave Phillips in there and let him hit his way out of this slump, but the Mets don't have that luxury right now. I don't have a problem with Howe's decision at all.
Something that shouldn't be lost in all the of the things that went wrong tonight was the play of Shane Spencer, both at the plate and in the field. He made a couple of really nice plays in left field, and if not for the fine defense of Jose Vidro, could have easily been 4-4 at the plate. I'd like to see him get the majority of the playing time in left until Cliff Floyd is ready to return.
The Mets will try to salvage a split of the series tomorrow afternoon. Steve Trachsel (1-2, 5.82 ERA) will be be opposed by John Patterson (1-1, 4.09 ERA).
First, let me confess that I started writing about how the Mets lost tonight's game before the game was even over. I actually started in the seventh inning. I know, shame on me. But sometimes you just know. I knew last night, and I knew tonight. There was just no way that any breaks were going to go the Mets' way, and, as has been their custom recently, they certainly didn't do much to make their own breaks.
Yet another strong performance by a starter went to waste, though the bullpen can't be blamed for it this time. An error - by Mike Cameron of all people - and an offense that's starting to make the Expos look prolific are to be blamed for a second consecutive brilliant start by Tom Glavine that went down the toilet.
Glavine, who was mentioned most prominently as being a pitcher who would benefit from the addition of Cameron, ends up with his first loss of the season as a result of Cameron's misplay that allowed Orlando Cabrera to go all the way to third on what should've been a single. Obviously that kind of thing won't be the norm for Cameron, but a team that isn't scoring can't afford to be giving any runs away.
Credit also must go to the Expos for the strong performance turned in by Livan Hernandez, who was Glavine's equal on the mound, and for their defense; specifically the throws from Juan Rivera and Brad Wilkerson to cut down Mike Piazza and Karim Garcia, respectively, at the plate. Wilkerson's throw in particular was as perfect a throw as you will ever see. Brian Schneider also did a great job on both plays, getting a tag on Piazza in the second, and holding onto the ball on Garcia's attempt to take him out in the eighth.
Jason Phillips, who went public with his dissatisfaction over his benching the last few days, was back in the lineup and did nothing to prove that Art Howe was wrong to sit him. Now, I'm as big a Jason Phillips supporter as anyone, but he needs to shut up and let his bat do the talking. Todd Zeile's swinging the bat well and Phillips isn't, so with the team struggling Howe is right to go with the hot hand. If the rest of the team was producing you could afford to leave Phillips in there and let him hit his way out of this slump, but the Mets don't have that luxury right now. I don't have a problem with Howe's decision at all.
Something that shouldn't be lost in all the of the things that went wrong tonight was the play of Shane Spencer, both at the plate and in the field. He made a couple of really nice plays in left field, and if not for the fine defense of Jose Vidro, could have easily been 4-4 at the plate. I'd like to see him get the majority of the playing time in left until Cliff Floyd is ready to return.
The Mets will try to salvage a split of the series tomorrow afternoon. Steve Trachsel (1-2, 5.82 ERA) will be be opposed by John Patterson (1-1, 4.09 ERA).
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