Welcome to Third Place

As the Mets losing streak gains momentum, the team continues to falter in the standings of the National League East. A couple of days ago, we at MetsFanClub.com predicted a very interesting 4-team race towards the final week in September in this division, and it looks to be taking shape that way even as we speak.

Four games now separate first place Philadelphia with fourth place Atlanta with the Mets now occupying the third place spot after last night's loss to the Brewers in Milwaukee. Seems the Mets lose even when Johan Santana pitches too, this time to Milwaukee by a 6-3 final.

But let's not blame this one on Santana (despite the idiots calling into the FAN today about trading him for prospects - please!, don't they screen callers these days?). Besides Santana being mercilessly squeezed on strike calls from home plate umpire Gary Cederstrom, this time it was Mets centerfielder Fernando Martinez' turn to miss an easily catchable fly ball in the fourth inning, which put the Brewers well on their way to victory despite a 2-run homerun from David Wright in the first inning. It was Wright's first dinger since June 9th. (And we thought David Ortiz was slumping in the power department?!?!)

The team went 9-18 in June, their worst month in nearly six years. At 37-39, these third-place Mets are still just three games behind first-place Philadelphia in the NL East but only a game in front of Atlanta.

After another depressing loss, the injury-depleted Mets held a closed-door meeting that sources say lasted almost 30 minutes. It was reported that manager Jerry Manuel did all the talking. We'll see today whether he's an inspirational soul or not, but judging from the lineup Jerry's putting out for today's game, I have my doubts about a barrage of runs in the Mets favor.