Missing Out Again

This is the sight of what should of been a game tying home run. What happened instead was Reyes jogging up the first baseline when the ball hit the top of the left field wall instead of Reyes busting out of the box and possibly being on third base with no one out.

Did this play cost us the game? Yes and
No. A lot of things cost the mets this game. But this might be the most inexcusable of the mistakes the mets made last night. The Mets had a chance to steal another game from the "rival" Atlanta Braves, but their coasting, 2nd place, leisure, we have to much talent to play hard attitude cost them another game .

It is still early in the season but there is no difference in this Mets team than the Mets team of the last two years that blew a division lead in September and lost on the last day of the season.

I went to Citi Field for the first time yesterday and it was absolutely beautiful. By the 8th inning i was able to sneak down to the third row on the first base side. I could see everything. I could see Francouer curse out K-Rod after he was struck out on a fastball to end the top of the 9th. I could also see the lack of energy from the Mets everytime they came in the dugout after retiring the Braves in the top half of the inning.

I can't really blame the game on Jon Niese. Yes he was terrible and gave up 6 runs but lets be realistic here, its Jon Niese.

David Wright backing up on a ball that should of been a double play, instead turned into the tying run for the Braves.

J.J. Putz giving up another run in the 8th. His job is not much different from a closers. Hold the opposing team. Do not let them score. ITS THE SAME THING. And now Putz is saying he cant get his energy level up for the 8th. Sorry buddy, that's your job. You are getting paid to pitch the 8th inning. Come on now kid.

And once again the bats let us down. Another bad game for Wright at the plate. Game winning run at second with one out in the 9th and Reyes strikes out. Runner at 1st and 2nd with one out in the 10th and Tatis grounds into a double play

Then finally when the Braves take the lead in the 12th. Reyes leads off with a ball that is prolly gone in most parks. But this is Citi Field. The ballpark that leads the league in triples hit. Every Met player should know that a ball hit deep is anything but assured a home run. If Reyes busts out of the box, he could be standing on third with no one out. Instead he is on 2nd.

Jerry Manuel elects to play for the tie and bunts Castillo, getting Reyes to third. I'm sorry Jerry but when you have used all your pitchers and its the last game on the homestand against the Braves with your big bats coming up, you play for the win. Instead we have a runner at third with one out. Beltran strikes out on three pitches. And Sheffield goes down looking to end the game.

Maybe I missed something else but this was a pretty disappointing loss. This team plays with no urgency or heart. Reyes is too talented to play with his head out of the game. Wright will turn it around. Beltran has always played the game with a lack of heart but his talent carries him. The only two true gamers on this team are Johan Santana and Frankie Rodriguez. You would go to war with these guys. No one else on this team plays with that fire.

The Mets have a 10 game round trip. They can use this to prove something different to their fans or this will be another talented Mets team that fails to reach the post-season for the 3rd consecutive time.