Well that’s more like it, that’s the Billy Wagner I know. Where’s the Rolaids? This is what is so great about the Mets. Down the dial on the “No” channel the other team in town cruises to a 7 to 2 win. Where the hell is the excitement in that I ask? The Yankees make winning so boring. On the other hand, the Mets keep you glued to your chair. You don’t dare move because you could upset the karma that could have impact on the outcome.
In case you missed it, Mr. Wagner, the latest cardiac kid, came into a one run game, exactly the same situation as the previous night. But this time he gets the job done, even though he caused me to utter a couple of expletives I would have preferred my twelve year old son not hear. Oh, well it’s high time he understands what it takes to be a Mets fan anyway.
Billy got ahead on the lead off hitter two strikes then evened the count before giving up a ground ball single. Okay, here we go. Then he plunks the next batter on the kneecap. Oh #&#*$! The following three batters ending with Cabrera struck out ending the game. Whew!
I was troubled by certain things in this game but a wins a win so I’m happy. First, Steve Trachsel has got to be the luckiest pitcher on the Mets staff. Do you realize that the Mets are averaging 7 plus runs for him since May when they were shutout in consecutive starts with Trachsel pitching? After the Mets gained a six to nothing lead last night, little by little Trachsel started giving the lead back. Two of the runs were via solo homeruns in the sixth inning. Things could have gotten worse in the third when the Marlins got their first run back but some good defense got Miguel Cabrera trying to reach second on his RBI single ending the inning. Roberto Hernandez in his Mets re-debut was charged with the other two runs.
The other issue of concern was the Mets inability to tack on runs especially in the ninth inning when they had the bases loaded. Willie Randolph as quoted in the Daily News had this to say: "That's what bothers me more than anything. I've always preached to the guys about being patient in those situations and not feeling like you have to hit a grand slam or do more than just get a good pitch to hit. We do get overly aggressive and let pitchers off the hook. Last night we did the same thing." Here, here. Come on, the Mets hitters have to shorten up in those situations and at least get a ball to the outfield for a sac fly RBI. Okay, okay, I’m being picky. But keeping the opposition from getting back in the game and scoring tack on runs to put the game away is how a team goes from being very good to being dominant.
Extra Innings: Chris Russo hosting by himself yesterday, always a dangerous proposition, went on a rant in regards to Duaner Sanchez looking for a Dominican restaurant in the middle of the night. He cited that it was irresponsible and foolish and that he should have had the Mets best interests in mind. I guess Tom Glavine two years ago should have walked from LaGuardia and not have taken that cab that led to losing two of his teeth. For goodness sakes, who is to say when an accident is going to happen or not? What’s his point? I guess people should stop living while they are pitching for the Mets. To his credit, Willie Randolph on his weekly WFAN report defended Sanchez indicating with a day off, there were probably other players out even later than him. These are grown young men with money in their pocket. Maybe it’s wrong or maybe its right but you aren’t going to get a team of twenty-five young men to have cookies and milk before bed at 11:00PM. Freak things happen; Duaner could have gotten hurt falling down the stairs in the hotel for that matter. You know, Russo is just plain foolish some times. If it had been a Giant player he would be making all kinds of excuses if the same thing happened. What a yo-yo. Where are all the un-biased sports talk hosts? Where is Art Rust Jr. when you need him?
What a match up tonight, Pedro vs.
