Thursday, May 18, 2006
Cardinals 1, Mets 0
Cardinals 6, Mets 3
Okay, this needs to stop. If the Mets can't find anyone better than Jose Lima to pitch, they might as well just forfeit every fifth game. At least then the bullpen would get some rest.
Lima has now started three games for the Mets and allowed exactly five runs in each of them. This time, like last time, he didn't even make it through the fifth inning before being removed. In four and two-thirds innings he gave up seven hits and one walk while striking out three. He did improve upon his previous performances by not giving up a home run this time. And only four of the runs were "earned", but the error in question was charged to him. There was nothing in today's performance to suggest that he's close to turning his season around. Rather than pondering his next unusual hairstyle, Lima should consider whether he'd like butter or perhaps some sort of jam applied to him, for he is toast.
On the list of readily available pitchers with whom the Mets could replace Lima, Aaron Heilman remains my top choice. Brian Bannister apparently reaggravated his hamstring injury today, so it won't be him. But if the Mets refuse to consider Heilman, I think they might as well give Alay Soler a shot. After a dominant month in St. Lucie (0.64 ERA, 32 K, 8 BB in 28 IP) he's had three good starts in Binghamton (2.75 ERA, 22 K, 3 BB in 19.2 IP). He still has a lot to prove, but an unknown quantity with reason for optimism is preferable to a known stiff like Lima right now.
There were some encouraging signs last night, at least, as the Mets might have three major league quality starting pitchers after all. Steve Trachsel lasted seven innings and allowed just one run on four hits and three walks while striking out two. Unfortunately, that was not enough to avoid the loss.
The Mets' offense also managed just four hits and no two of them occurred in the same inning. Jose Reyes led off the ninth with a double and was on third with just one out, but he somehow did not score. David Wright had two hits, including a double of his own, in the game, but struck out with the bases loaded in the ninth, leaving things up to Cliff Floyd, who did not choose that moment to break out of his season-long slump.
There were some signs of life in the offense today, but not enough to overcome the Lima handicap. They put together five hits this time and two of them were home runs. Carlos Beltran went deep for the tenth time and Jose Valentin for the second. Carlos Delgado had two hits and Floyd hit a double.
So, having lost three consecutive series, the Mets (24-16) return home to face the Yankees (23-16), who, unlike the Mets, are not in first place in their division. Jeremi Gonzalez (0-0, 5.40) will try to repeat his adequate performance from last week. He will be opposed by some impostor in Randy Johnson's uniform (5-4, 5.13). ¶ joe | 9:31 PM |
Cardinals 6, Mets 3
Okay, this needs to stop. If the Mets can't find anyone better than Jose Lima to pitch, they might as well just forfeit every fifth game. At least then the bullpen would get some rest.
Lima has now started three games for the Mets and allowed exactly five runs in each of them. This time, like last time, he didn't even make it through the fifth inning before being removed. In four and two-thirds innings he gave up seven hits and one walk while striking out three. He did improve upon his previous performances by not giving up a home run this time. And only four of the runs were "earned", but the error in question was charged to him. There was nothing in today's performance to suggest that he's close to turning his season around. Rather than pondering his next unusual hairstyle, Lima should consider whether he'd like butter or perhaps some sort of jam applied to him, for he is toast.
On the list of readily available pitchers with whom the Mets could replace Lima, Aaron Heilman remains my top choice. Brian Bannister apparently reaggravated his hamstring injury today, so it won't be him. But if the Mets refuse to consider Heilman, I think they might as well give Alay Soler a shot. After a dominant month in St. Lucie (0.64 ERA, 32 K, 8 BB in 28 IP) he's had three good starts in Binghamton (2.75 ERA, 22 K, 3 BB in 19.2 IP). He still has a lot to prove, but an unknown quantity with reason for optimism is preferable to a known stiff like Lima right now.
There were some encouraging signs last night, at least, as the Mets might have three major league quality starting pitchers after all. Steve Trachsel lasted seven innings and allowed just one run on four hits and three walks while striking out two. Unfortunately, that was not enough to avoid the loss.
The Mets' offense also managed just four hits and no two of them occurred in the same inning. Jose Reyes led off the ninth with a double and was on third with just one out, but he somehow did not score. David Wright had two hits, including a double of his own, in the game, but struck out with the bases loaded in the ninth, leaving things up to Cliff Floyd, who did not choose that moment to break out of his season-long slump.
There were some signs of life in the offense today, but not enough to overcome the Lima handicap. They put together five hits this time and two of them were home runs. Carlos Beltran went deep for the tenth time and Jose Valentin for the second. Carlos Delgado had two hits and Floyd hit a double.
So, having lost three consecutive series, the Mets (24-16) return home to face the Yankees (23-16), who, unlike the Mets, are not in first place in their division. Jeremi Gonzalez (0-0, 5.40) will try to repeat his adequate performance from last week. He will be opposed by some impostor in Randy Johnson's uniform (5-4, 5.13). ¶ joe | 9:31 PM |
