Aaargh! Mets Waste Opportunities in Loss To Bucs

The Mets lost to the Pirates by a score of 3-2, and fell to two games under .500.

• R.A. Dickey went eight complete innings tonight, allowing three runs on eight hits, while striking out four and walking two. Dickey pitched well once again, despite having only one good foot, but suffered his seventh loss of the season.

• Daniel Murphy stunk it up at third base tonight, committing a game-changing error in the third inning, which allowed the Pirates to score two runs. The worst part of it all, Murphy wasn't charged with an error and R.A. Dickey was charged with two earned runs. For anyone willing to argue that Murphy hasn't had much experience at third base, save it. He's had plenty of experience.

• The Mets had a chance to tie the game up in the eighth inning. With Angel Pagan at first base, Lucas Duda hit a double to right field. Pagan was held up at third base by Chip Hale. I can't say I disagreed with this call. He would have been out anyway had he gone.

• The team left nine men on base tonight and were 2-11 with runners in scoring position.

• Following tonight's game, the Mets announced that Dale Thayer was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo and they have called up D.J. Carrasco.

Next up: The Mets send Chris Capuano to the mound to take on Kevin Correia and the Pirates. Game time is 1:35 p.m.

Brace Yourselves, Bay's Back In the Lineup

June 11, 2011

7:05 PM ET

PNC Park, Pittsburgh

TV: WPIX

RADIO: WFAN 660

NEW YORK METS

Starting Pitcher: R.A. Dickey (3-6, 4.04 ERA)

Since suffering a partially torn plantar fascia in his right foot, R.A. Dickey has given up just four runs in 15.2 innings of work. In his last start against the Pirates, he had a season-high 10 strikeouts in 7.2 innings. Dickey is 1-1 with a 3.33 ERA against the Pirates.

PITTSBURGH PIRATES

Starting Pitcher: James McDonald (3-4, 4.97 ERA)

McDonald lost all command in his last start. He walked five in just four innings, and finished his outing with 12 straight balls. He is 0-1 with a 3.63 ERA against the Mets.

METS LINEUP:

Reyes-SS, Tejada-2B, Beltran-RF, Murphy-3B, Pagan-CF, Bay-LF, Duda-1B, Paulino-C, Dickey-RHP

Why is Justin Turner sitting the bench tonight? Well, here's your answer:

What's In a Name? Best (or Maybe Worst) Names of 2011 Mets Draft Picks

The 2011 MLB Draft was this past week, and since it is way too early to try and analyze or predict how these picks will turn out, let's have some fun instead. This year's draft provided us with some gems when it comes to names. Here are a few of the best (and sometimes worst) names from this year's draft, picked by the Mets.

Best Name

Right-handed pitcher from Sante Fe Community College, Malcolm Clapsaddle. I can hear the chants now: "Mal-colm Clap-saddle." Name just rolls off the tongue.

Name Made For The Headlines

Clint Sharp, a right-handed pitcher out of Howard College. Possible headlines: Clint Is (or Is Not So) Sharp In Win/Loss.

Name I'm Most Likely To Spell Incorrectly

Alexander Panteliodis. This name will drive my spell check crazy if he ever makes it to the big leagues.

Worst Team Name

Midgets. That was the name of 7th round pick Cole Frenzel's high school team. I don't even know how that name was approved to put on school jerseys.

When looking through the names, I had to look for images as well. Here are the top two.

Best Mugshot



Well, maybe not the best. Probably the worst. This would be catcher Edward Rohan from Winthrop University, who was picked up in the 50th round. If you sign, try not to look so happy in your Mets mugshot.


Worst Facial Hair




He's no Dale Thayer, but this 'stache would belong to Chad Zurcher out of the University of Memphis. The shortstop was chosen in the 31st round. I for one, find this look to be incredibly creepy. Sorry, Zurcher.

Mets Morning News: Johan's Return, & HoJo Calls BenchingBay 'Ridiculous'

After Friday's game, Terry Collins said Tim Byrdak may be leaving the team soon because of an illness in his family.

While many would have liked for Johan Santana to return by the All-Star break, Terry Collins says don't expect Santana back until late July. Santana may return to New York for the team's next home stand to visit him teammates and throw in front of Major League staff.

"Should we plan on [the All-Star break]? I don't know if we should. In a perfect world if everything continues at the pace that it is, it's a realistic goal. But I'm probably looking more toward the end of July than the All-Star break."

Howard Johnson felt the need to speak about the Mets' handling of Jason Bay.

"It's ridiculous it's come to that. If he's supposed to be part of the solution, I don't see the point of taking him out of the equation. It's sending him mixed messages. I don't care if he's 0-for-50, you're not going to get him relaxed by taking him out of the lineup."

He may not be more relaxed by being taken out of the lineup, but I'm certainly more relaxed while watching games he's not in. I guess HoJo will be the only one happy to hear that Bay is in Saturday's lineup.

Gee Money: Gee Shuts Down Pirates, Improves Record to 7-0

The Mets dominated the Pirates tonight, winning by a score of 8-1.

• Dillon Gee went eight innings, giving up just one run on eight hits, while striking out five. Gee is now the only undefeated pitcher in the majors and the first rookie to win seven consecutive games since 2006.  You have to believe he's had a little luck on his side throughout all of his starts, but you can't deny he is talented as well. He should seriously be considered for the All-Star Game.

• The Mets had an offensive explosion tonight, scoring eight runs, five of which were scored in the fourth inning alone.

• Jose Reyes was 3-5 with one RBI and three runs scored. He showed a little power at the plate tonight, hitting his second home run of the season. PAY THE MAN.

• After getting called up from Buffalo today, Lucas Duda went 1-4 with a double, two RBIs and a run scored.

Next up: The Mets continue their series with the Pirates in Pittsburgh. Game time is 7:05 p.m.

Mets To Face A Familiar Starting Rotation As They Begin Series WithPirates

June 10, 2011

7:05 PM ET

PNC Park, Pittsburgh

TV: SNY

RADIO: WFAN 660

NEW YORK METS

Starting Pitcher: Dillon Gee (6-0, 3.33 ERA)

Gee is looking to tie a franchise record with seven consecutive wins. The last time Gee faced the Pirates, he allowed three runs in seven innings of work. Lifetime against Pittsburgh, he is 1-0 with a 2.08 ERA.

PITTSBURGH PIRATES

Starting Pitcher: Charlie Morton (6-2, 2.52 ERA)

Morton has not allowed more than two earned runs in a game since May 1. Against the Mets, he is 0-0 with a 2.08 ERA.

METS LINEUP:

Reyes-SS; Turner-3B; Beltran-RF; Murphy-1B; Pagan-CF; Duda-LF; Thole-C; Tejada-2B; Gee-RHP

NOTES:

The Mets called up Lucas Duda from Triple-A Buffalo today, to take Nick Evans' spot on the roster.

The Pirates starting rotation will feature the same four starters (Morton, McDonald, Correia, and Maholm) in this four-game series as the series a few weeks back at Citi Field between the two teams.

Mets Morning News: Evans DFA'd, Bay Benched, & Reyes' Bat

In case you missed it, Nick Evans was designated for assignment after last night's game. All signs point to the Mets calling up Lucas Duda from Triple-A Buffalo for tonight's game in Pittsburgh.

After giving Jason Bay the night off last night, Terry Collins plans to have Bay sit the bench tonight as well.

"I'm just giving him some time off. We talked [Wednesday] night and visited about the whole process about getting him going, and I just thought, right now, give him a break for a couple of days."

Bay is is being understanding about it all, which he should be.

"The biggest thing is the mental break, but also with the way I'm going right now, I'm not really helping a lot out there. You get some other guys in there and give them a chance."

According to Jared Diamond of the Wall Street Journal, Jose Reyes is on pace to finish the season with 29 triples.

"Only four players in major league history have hit that many three-baggers in a season, and three of them did it in the 19th Century. Chief Wilson holds the all-time record, hitting 36 for the 1912 Pittsburgh Pirates."

Niese Throws Three-Hitter In Series Win

The Mets beat the Brewers by a score of 4-1.

• Jon Niese went 7.2 innings, and allowed one run on three hits, while striking out eight and walking four. He retired 11 in a row before walking Ryan Braun and giving up an RBI double to Prince Fielder in the fourth inning.

• Angel Pagan went 2-4 with an RBI and stole his ninth base of the season.

• Ruben Tejada had another multi-hit game, going 2-4 with an RBI

• Jose Reyes did not get on base tonight, going 0-5 at the plate and snapping a twelve game hitting streak.

• Terry Collins tried to avoid the bullpen like the plague tonight, but had to bring in Francisco Rodriguez in for a four-out save after Niese got himself into trouble in the eighth. K-Rod allowed a double to Fielder, but was able to get things under control quickly and record his 18th save of the season.

There was a roster move following the game:



I almost hope he gets grabbed by another team that will allow him to play. The Met have wasted him on the bench for far to long.

Next up: The Mets head to Pittsburgh for a four-game series against the Pirates beginning Friday night. Game time is 7:05 p.m.

Bay Rides The Pine As Mets Close Out Series With Milwaukee

June 9, 2011

8:10 PM ET

Miller Park, Milwaukee

TV: SNY

RADIO: WFAN 660

NEW YORK METS

Starting Pitcher: Jon Niese (4-5, 3.75 ERA)

In his last start, Niese went 7.2 inning, giving up just two runs and striking out seven. He has not fared well against the Brewers in his career. In two starts against Milwaukee, Niese is 0-0 with a 17. 47 ERA.

MILWAUKEE BREWERS

Starting Pitcher: Yovani Gallardo (8-2, 3.72 ERA)

Gallardo has won six consecutive games since May 2. In his last start, he allowed two runs over six innings. Against the Mets, he is 1-1 with a 2.84 ERA.

METS LINEUP:

Reyes-SS, Turner-3B, Beltran-RF, Murphy-1B, Pagan-CF, Pridie-LF, Thole-C, Tejada-2B, Niese-LHP

Mets Morning News: Bay's Bat, 'Mr. Clutch,' & Izzy Helps K-Rod

Jason  Bay's days in the Mets lineup may be numbered if the lefty continues to slump. The only reason he's remained in the lineup as long as he has is because of Terry Collins' new calm, cool, and collect attitude.

Collins implied yesterday that the old Terry Collins -- who wore emotions on his sleeve while managing the Astros and the Angels in the 1990s -- might have benched Bay already.

"One of the personality changes I think I've made is to have some patience. I'm trying to relay that to Jason, certainly -- don't press, you don't have to press the issue. It's going to be there, it's going to come."

Andy Martino of the Daily News has bestowed Jose Reyes with the title, "Mr. Clutch".

It used to be that Jose Reyes would walk into the batter's box in the late innings of a close game, all jittery and twitchy, and flail at the worst pitches. Now he knows: That isn't how you get them.

"I used to give away at-bats. When I was in the batter's box, I was edgy a lot. Now I'm calm."

No doubt, Reyes is a fantastic player, but it's amazing how the quality of play improves during contract years. Look at Carlos Beltran's numbers this year as well. All of a sudden, everyone is healthy and playing everyday. It must be a miracle (or the money).

Jason Isringhausen is paving the way for Francisco Rodriguez to reach 300 saves, all while putting his own dream of 300 saves on hold.

Isringhausen, 38, still has that goal of 300 saves on his to-do list. But in an unusual arrangement resulting from the Mets' wealth of experience at the back end of their bullpen, Isringhausen is in the process of helping Rodriguez pass him on the career list. With 285 saves, Rodriguez needs nine to vault Isringhausen, who has now made it his goal to assist him in doing just that.

"If I can help him achieve something that he wants, then that makes me feel good. Hopefully he ends up with 500."

Mets Offense Giveth, Mets Bullpen Taketh Away

Despite taking a 6-2 lead in the eighth inning, the Mets bullpen couldn't hold it together, handing Milwaukee their 22nd home win of the season.

• Mike Pelfrey went six innings, giving up two runs on four hits, while striking out two. Pelfrey's big mistake in this game led to a two-run home run off the bat of Prince Fielder.

• The Mets broke the game open in the top of the eighth inning. Carlos Beltran and Angel Pagan each had an RBI, but the big hit came from Ronny Paulino. Paulino, who was 4-4, hit a monster three-run shot to left field to make it 6-2, Mets.

• If you're keeping track at home, Jason Bay is now 0-800 at the plate. He did get on base in the fourth after getting hit by a pitch. Hey, I guess if you're not going to hit it, let it hit you.

• Pedro Beato and Jason Isringhausen gave up a combined four runs in the eighth inning. Ugly...just ugly.

• In the bottom of the ninth inning, Dale Thayer gave up a walk-off double to Nyjer Morgan.

Next up: The Mets finish their series tomorrow with the Brewers in Milwaukee. Game time is 8:10 p.m.

Mets Look To Make It Four Wins In a Row

June 8, 2011

8:10 PM ET

Miller Park, Milwaukee

TV: SNY

RADIO: WFAN 660

NEW YORK METS

Starting Pitcher: Mike Pelfrey (3-4, 5.56 ERA)

Pelfrey did not start the month of June off on a good foot, giving up seven runs in three innings of work his last time out. He looks to turn things around tonight against a team he has gone 1-1 against, with a 3.15 ERA.

MILWAUKEE BREWERS

Starting Pitcher: Randy Wolf (4-4, 3.69 ERA)

In five innings of work his last time out, Wolf allowed four runs on five hits, and got a no-decision. Wolf has been successful against the Mets throughout his career, posting a 12-5 record and a 3.27 ERA.

METS LINEUP:

Reyes-SS, Turner-3B, Beltran-RF, Pagan-CF, Bay-LF, Paulino-C, Evans-1B, Tejada-2B, Pelfrey-P

Mets Morning News: Jose's Triples, K-Rod's Weight, Carter's Treatment

Jose Reyes added to his league lead in triples Tuesday night, hitting his 11th this season.

"Reyes...became only the third player in the past 80 seasons to reach 11 triples in his team's first 60 games, according to ESPN Stats & Information. The others: Rod Carew, who had 11 through 60 games with the 1977 Minnesota Twins, and Curtis Granderson, who had 12 with the 2007 Detroit Tigers."

About Reyes' triples, manager Terry Collins said:

"I have never seen anything like this. I have never had a player like that, where he is so exciting to watch. When he hits a ball in the gap or down the line, it's three. He is right out of the batter's box, and he wants it badly. And it is so incredible."

Francisco Rodriguez reportedly lost 15 pounds since having two teeth extracted. Despite pitching a 1-2-3 inning last night, pitching coach Dan Warthen believes the sudden weight loss may have played a role in K-Rod's recent struggles.

"Physically, I think the teeth had a lot do with it. I think he lost weight, and it didn't look like he had any power. He just didn't look physically strong. I've seen it when [pitchers] are beat up. On video, he looks the same, but we're just not seeing the same arm strength. It looks like he's lost a bunch of weight. It doesn't look like he has the energy."

Gary Carter underwent his first radiation therapy treatment on Tuesday. Carter's daughter, Kimmie Bloemers, wrote in a private online journal:

"I am happy to report that it went very well! He is ready and determined to take on these six weeks (of radiation) like GAME SIX (maybe there is a small coincidence there all you Met fans!!) ... Pray for dad to have enormous peace and pray for the radiation to SHRINK THESE TUMORS!!"

Capuano Victorious In Return to Milwaukee

The Mets beat the Brewers by a score of 2-1, and have now won three game in a row. They are now also only two games away from .500. This was a big win for the Mets against a team with the best home field record in the majors. Before tonight's loss, the Brewers were 21-7 at home.

• Chris Capuano went six innings in his return to Milwaukee. He allowed just one run on six hits, while striking out five and walking two. His only run allowed came in the sixth inning on a solo home run to Prince Fielder.

• The Mets finally got on the board in the seventh inning with a two-run triple from Jose Reyes. Reyes now has 11 triples this season, ten of them were at Citi Field.

• Ruben Tejada was 2-4 with a double.

• The bullpen was fantastic tonight. Pedro Beato and Jason Isringhausen each pitched a 1-2-3 inning. Even Francisco Rodriguez managed to throw a 1-2-3 inning tonight to record his 17th save of the season.

Oh yeah, with this win, the Mets are also just 4.5 games back in the Wild Card standings.



Let's not get crazy. I'm not saying this is a team that is necessarily a top contender for the Wild Card, but hey...crazier things have happened.

Next up: The Mets continue their series in Milwaukee tomorrow night at 8:10 p.m.

Capuano Makes His Return to Milwaukee As Mets Face Brewers

June 7, 2011

8:10 PM ET

Miller Park, Milwaukee

TV: SNY

RADIO: WFAN 660

NEW YORK METS

Starting Pitcher: Chris Capuano (3-6, 5.19 ERA)

Capuano returns to Miller Park to take on his old ball club. While with the Brewers, he posted a 4.07 ERA in Milwaukee.

MILWAUKEE BREWERS

Starting Pitcher: Shaun Marcum (6-2, 2.78 ERA)

Marcum has been denied his seventh win of the season his last two times out. Having spent the past five seasons with Toronto, he has never faced the Mets.

METS LINEUP:

Reyes-SS; Turner-3B; Beltran-RF; Murphy-1B; Pagan-CF; Bay-LF; Thole-C; Tejada-2B; Capuano-LHP

Mets Morning News: Draft Selections, Einhorn, & Moving The Walls At Citi

In the first round of the MLB Draft, the Mets selected high school outfielder Brandon Nimmo from Wyoming, with the 13th overall pick. Read more about Nimmo here. In the compensation round, the Mets took Oklahoma high school pitcher Michael Fulmer, with the 44th overall pick. Both have committed to the University of Arkansas.

According to Richard Sandomir and Ken Belson of the NY Times, the Mets are not the first team David Einhorn has tried to buy. Einhorn missed out on the Brewers, who were for sale in 2004, losing to Mark Attanasio.

"In 2009, he met in Manhattan with Bob DuPuy, baseball's president at the time, and Jonathan Mariner, the chief financial officer of Major League Baseball, to discuss the path to buying a team, to find out what teams were on the market and to explore and understand various ownership structures."

Adam Rubin of ESPN New York looks at how moving the walls in left and right field could impact how many home runs are hit at Citi Field. GM Sandy Alderson made changes to San Diego's Petco Park in 2005.

"We did some computations which showed the change would have resulted in perhaps a dozen more homers [during the 2005] season, with a net positive of around five homers for the Padres. We wanted to address the concerns of some left-handed hitters without making a radical change to the ballpark. And I wanted to eliminate the easy triple where the ball just kept rolling toward that 411-foot sign. Fast guys will still get their triples. Bringing in the fence the distance we are talking about is not going to greatly change the way Petco Park plays. There is still going to be a lot of territory to cover in the power alleys. But the change will offer a balance."

With Second Pick, Mets Take Oklahoma High School RHP

The Mets clearly do not want high school baseball players to attend the University of Arkansas.

With the 44th pick in the draft, the Mets chose right-handed pitcher Michael Fulmer from Deer Creek High School in Oklahoma. Fulmer, just as the Mets first pick Brandon Nimmo did, has committed to Arkansas.

The Mets were able to get this second pick as compensation for the Yankees signing Pedro Feliciano in the off-season.

Here is a video of Fulmer's "big game" for Deer Creek:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LaSHQ_UoIFg

While we're at it, here's a video of Mr. Nimmo at the plate:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcRT1gtVdTw&feature=related

Mets Draft: Finding Nimmo, Brandon Nimmo That Is

With the 13th pick in the first-year player draft, the Mets take Brandon Nimmo out of Cheyenne East High School in Wyoming.

That's pretty impressive for a kid whose high school doesn't even have a baseball team. Instead, he's been playing American Legion ball.

His scouting report is below:

A high school player whose Wyoming high school has no baseball team, Nimmo put himself on the map over the summer, winning MVP honors at the Under Armour All-America Game at Wrigley Field. He's got a smooth, left-handed swing that allows him to consistently make hard contact. There should be plenty of power in his bat in the future as well.

A good athlete who has played football and run track in the past, he's got decent speed when healthy, he dealt with some knee tendinitis early this spring that was not a long-term concern. Nimmo has a solid throwing arm and has shown the ability to play all three outfield positions, though a corner is the most likely in the future.

The most difficult thing for Nimmo has been getting seen this spring, but scouts likely have gotten enough of a feel for this outfielder, who has drawn comparisons to Paul O’Neill, to be drafted and signed away from his commitment to the University of Arkansas.

Hmm...an outfielder who has battled tendinitis? Sounds vaguely familiar.

According to Toby Hyde, Nimmo is asking for $2.5 to $3 million. Good luck with that.

Mets Morning News: Draft Picks, Trading Wright, Beltran's Shin

The amateur draft begins tonight at 7 p.m. The Mets have the 13th overall pick, and it is their only pick in the first round. According to Keith Law of ESPN, the Mets could take pitcher Taylor Guerrieri in the first round.



Bill Madden of the Daily News suggests the Mets owe it to David Wright to trade him.

"It seems to me the Mets owe it to Wright to trade him, even if he would not look at that as a favor. They owe it to him, just like the San Diego Padres owed it to Adrian Gonzalez, the Houston Astros owed it to Lance Berkman and, long ago, the Minnesota Twins owed it to Chuck Knoblauch. It's a variation of that old Branch Rickey line to Ralph Kiner: "We finished last with you, we can just as well finish last without you" - only in these cases it's a matter of teams going nowhere anytime soon sending their perennial "franchise" players to contending teams to extract the best "rebuilding" prospects in return."

In case you missed it, Carlos Beltran left last night's game after fouling a ball off his shin in the second inning. He is listed as day-to-day.

"Fortunately for the Mets and their beleaguered fan base, X-rays revealed that Beltran had suffered a right leg contusion, and not a more debilitating injury. He may return to the lineup as early as the Mets' next game on Tuesday night in Milwaukee."

For The Mets, No Wins Are Easy

The Mets got to Braves starter Tim Hudson early, and were able to hold on to beat Atlanta 6-4.

• R.A. Dickey went eight innings and threw a season-high 114 pitches. He allowed just one run on four hits, while striking out three and walking one.

• Carlos Beltran had an RBI double in the first inning, and then left in the second inning after fouling a ball off his right leg. X-rays were negative and it is just a bruise. He is listed as day-to-day. We shall see. I feel like I've heard that line before.

• Jose Reyes was 2-4 with an RBI and two runs scored. I give the Mets permission to do whatever it takes to resign Reyes.

• Daniel Murphy is just a hits machine as of late. He was 2-3 tonight, and is now hitting .309.

• Heaven forbid Francisco Rodriguez come in to the ninth inning and just get two outs, which was all he was asked to do tonight. K-Rod took over for Manny Acosta on the mound with one out, and promptly gave up a three-run homer to Diory Hernandez (I don't know who he is either).

Next up: The Mets have Monday off as they head to Milwaukee to begin a ten-game roadtrip. Chris Capuano will take the mound Tuesday night against Brewers starter Shaun Marcum.

A Bay-less Lineup, It's For The Best

June 5, 2011

8:05 PM ET

Citi Field

TV: ESPN

RADIO: WFAN 660

NEW YORK METS

Starting Pitcher: R.A. Dickey (2-6, 4.39 ERA)

Dickey was outstanding in his last outing, striking out ten batters while dealing with a partially torn plantar fascia in his right foot, but it wasn't enough to get the win. Against the Braves, he is 0-2 with a 5.56 ERA.

ATLANTA BRAVES

Starting Pitcher: Tim Hudson (4-4, 3.75 ERA)

In six innings of work his last time out, Hudson gave up two runs and struck out seven, but got a no-decision. He has not faced the Mets this season. He is 13-6 with a 3.41 ERA against the Mets.

METS LINEUP:

Reyes SS, Turner 3B, Beltran RF, Murphy 1B, Pagan CF, Paulino C, Pridie LF, Tejada 2B, Dickey RHP

NOTES:

Terry Collins finally had the good sense to move Jason Bay out of the cleanup spot Saturday, and after going 0-4 against the Braves, Bay will ride the pine for tonight's game. Bay is now 0-for-his-last-17.

New Catcher Rules Won't Change Much

There has been much debate over the past week or so as to whether Major League Baseball should change the rule in regard to runners mowing down a catcher at the plate.

It all stems from last week's game between the San Francisco Giants and the Florida Marlins, where the Marlins' Scott Cousins ran over the Giants' star catcher Buster Posey.

In last week's Mets game on Fox, broadcaster Tim McCarver claimed he would never allow his son or grandson to become a catcher because of the risks associated with the position, collisions in particular.

Note to the world: Collisions happen anywhere on the field. Ask Ike Davis and David Wright. While you're at it, ask Carlos Beltran about his collision with Mike Cameron a few years ago in the outfield. Heck, go ahead and ask Jason Bay about colliding with the left field wall.

Mets Morning News: Bay Demoted, Attendance Down, Retiring 8

Terry Collins moved Jason Bay to the sixth spot in the lineup in last night's game against the Braves. It didn't help though, as he went 0-4, and is now hitless in his last 17 at-bats.

"A lot is made of the lineup and I understand the theory behind it, but whether I hit first or fourth or eighth, I still have certain expectations of myself and what I can do and now because I'm hitting sixth doesn't mean my approach changes or I do anything different. I'm still trying to do the exact same things I was over the last month in the four-hole . . . but I'm not helping us right there."

Attendance is down again this season. Hmm...I wonder why?

"Seven games out of first place, the Mets' attendance is off by 13 percent from a year ago and 28 percent from 2009. The trend-line continues downward.

Many casual fans figure it's no longer worth the time, the money, the hassle of driving to Flushing. Not when it's easier to watch a game on a high-def TV, or get caught up on an iPad or mobile device. 

Baseball still is best when it's consumed live, but try telling that to Mets fans who've just seen the bullpen blow another late-inning lead. Or see the Phillies swoop in and take two of three. Or hear Wilpon trash his own team. Or keep waiting for Gary Carter's number to be retired."

The fact that Gary Carter is battling brain cancer should not be the reason his number is now retired.

"Carter was integral to Mets' 1986 title team, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary. The list of retired numbers seems incomplete without a representative from that team, and Carter is its only Hall of Famer."