Mets 2-0 Defeat is Nothing to Balk At

The Mets failed to complete a 4-game sweep of the Giants when they lost yesterday without scoring a run. Many people are pointing to Mike Pelfrey's 3 balks in the game, 2 of which led to both runs the Giants scored, as the reason for the loss. But we know better. The Mets lost this one because they couldn't muster a hit when it mattered and because their manager continues to make Art Howe look like a genius at times.

Take the second inning for example. Bases loaded, none out due to 3 consecutive walks by Giant's starter Matt Cain. The next batter, Jeremy Reed, smoked one to first and the Giants turned a nice 3-1-3 doubleplay, leaving it up to Mike Pelfrey - who ended the inning grounding out to second.

What can you do? That was just bad luck I guess. It was the eighth inning rally that really leaves you scratching your head for answers. With the bases loaded and one out as a result of a Carlos Beltran double and walks to Luis Castillo and David Wright, it seemed like the Mets finally had a chance of breaking out big with lefty Daniel Murphy coming up to bat. However, manager Jerry Manuel went "by the manual" and automatically pinch hit the lefty Murphy with Angel Pagan, just called up from the minors to replace Carlos Delgado who went on the 15 day disabled list earlier in the day. Talk about overmanaging!

I'm getting really sick of the notion that this righty-lefty thing has any merits (all things being equal). Here's a quick memo to Jerry "Manual":

A BAD Daniel Murphy is better than a GOOD Angel Pagan. I don't care who's pitching, whether they're righty or lefty, or what kind of "hunch" you may have. I don't want my manager to manage with hunches. I want you to manage with LOGIC. Throw "the book" away and start using your brains!

Was the resulting double play a surprise to anyone in the ballpark other than the Mets manager? Pelfrey took the loss (his first of the year) and obviously did not feel comfortable on the mound. His balks cost the team, but I can't blame him for the loss. After all, 3 out of 4 in San Fransisco is big, and until yesterday's game, the Mets looked good doing it.

My problem is the Phillies, who also played away games against an inferior opponent (The Nats), and ended up sweeping them. They weren't happy with 3 out of 4. That's the mentality this Met team needs to foster.