Was That Willie Randolph in the Mets Dugout Today?

It sure seemed like Willie Randolph was still calling the shots today when Fernando Tatis was sent up to bat in the bottom of the eighth inning with Sheffield and Beltran on first and second respectively with NO out and the team trailing by 1-run. I could find an idiot on the street anywhere who'll tell you to bunt in that situation. Any moron knows that. But Mets manager Jerry Manuel decided to let Tatis swing away - and we all could've predicted the result: anything but a big hit.

I expect this kind of move from Willie Randolph, Art Howe, even Joe Torre. But I really thought Manuel knew better. And I know some people are going to bring up the point that Tatis hasn't had a successful bunt in over 7 years (which in its own right is amazing), but even if that was the thinking, then perhaps you pinch hit for Tatis for someone that makes $6.5 million that maybe DOES know how to bunt!?!?

Luis Castillo comes to mind. He was on the bench at the time and he's perhaps the best bunter in baseball. When a team is struggling to score runs and can't hit in the clutch, the manager has to do everything he can to manufacture something (ANYTHING - especially at home) to win a ballgame against the Brewers.

That move in this instance was obviously not having Tatis swing away. Inning over. Comeback hopes dashed. Then the Brewers added an insurance run in the ninth off Bobby Parnell to clinch it as the Brewers beat the Mets 4-2.

In what Major League Baseball considers a "quality start", Nelson Figueroa put in a nice effort in a losing cause as he took Mike Pelfrey's place to start the game. (Pelfrey was scratched due to forearm tendinitis - which is very ominous as those are two words you don't like to put together in the same sentence regarding a young pitcher).

In reality, Willie Randolph WAS in the ballpark as a member of the Brewers coaching staff. Oh, and speaking of coaches, here's some 3rd base coach advice: next time you're down by 2 runs late in the game and Sheffield hits a hard double to leftfield with the speedy Carlos Beltran approaching 3rd, please send the runner. Could you please? Playing scared is not the way to bring a clutchless team out of their doldrums. I'd trade a possible out for a probable run anytime.