Larry Jones did what he always does against the Mets — kill them late in a game.  In this one, the hit came with 2 outs in the 8th to drive in Jason Heyward for the winning score.  The Mets drop to 72-80 with the loss.

This one was a great pitcher’s duel between Tim Hudson and R. A. Dickey.  It also showed the difference between good teams and mediocre teams.  The Braves, likely headed for extra games in October, did what they needed to grab the close W.  In the late stages of a scoreless game, Heyward led off the 8th by working a walk, got bunted over to second, and then got driven in by Larry.  That would be enough to sink the Mets’ overwhelmed lineup, which was dominated by Hudson and Craig Kimbrel (a combined 13 K’s).

At least the defense was sharp (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images)

continue reading…

The New York Mets defeated the Atlanta Braves 12-2 on Friday night at Turner Field. They immediately put up four runs in the first inning against pitcher Derek Lowe. Chris Capuano gave back two of those runs in his first two frames, but settled down to pitch five solid innings. The Mets had twenty hits in the ballgame, as five batters came through with at least three hits. With the victory, they snap a six-game losing streak.

Wright turns his frustration into homeruns.

Associated Press

continue reading…

The Nationals completed a 4-game sweep of the Mets at Citi Field and leapfrogged the Mets for 3rd place in the NL East.  The Mets are now 8 games under .500, at 71-79.

Really, what’s to say about this game (or the series, for that matter)?  After playing inspired baseball for most of the year, this team now looks like it just wants October to get here already so they can hit the golf courses.  The offense scored 1 run (they’ve scored a combined 5 runs in this series), the defense committed another 2 errors, and the bullpen got rocked for 8 runs.

(AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

continue reading…

The Nats beat the Mets for the third straight game, as David Wright‘s third-inning error opened the floodgates for the only 2 runs of the game to score.  The Mets are limping to the finish line with their 4th straight loss, and 6th in their last 7 games.  They are now 71-78 on the season.

Mike Pelfrey was solid tonight, but Nats rookie Brad Peacock was a little better.  Peacock (and the rest of the Nats pitchers) shut out the Mets, while Pelfrey gave up 2 runs (both unearned).  The Mets had their chances with runners on base, but just couldn’t get anyone in, batting 1-11 with runners in scoring position.  Jose Reyes lined out to Rick Ankiel (who made a nice diving grab) with 2 on to end the game.

Chin up, Jose. There's always the batting title. (Photo by Christopher Pasatieri/Getty Images)

continue reading…

The New York Mets were defeated by the Washington Nationals 3-2 on Tuesday night at CitiField. Dillon Gee and Chien-Ming Wang were involved in a pitcher’s duel for the first part of the game. Gee pitched 5 2/3 innings allowing two runs on six hits and two walks while striking out five. Those two runs were scored on doubles in the sixth inning. The Mets offense struggled against the Wang and the Nationals bullpen. In the bottom of the ninth with runners on the corners and two out, down by one run, Lucas Duda struck out to end the ballgame. With the loss, the Mets currently have a four-game losing streak. 

Duda has been the run threat in the lineup post All Star Break.

Getty Images

continue reading…

The New York Mets were defeated by the Washington Nationals 3-2 on Monday night at CitiField. R.A. Dickey pitched seven strong innings allowing three runs (two earned) on eight hits and no walks while striking out seven. The bullpen went two scoreless innings in relief to give the Mets offense a chance to win it. Down 3-2 in the bottom of the ninth, both Jason Bay and Nick Evans stranded David Wright on second base to end the game. The Mets drop their third straight game as they fall to 71-76 on the season. 

Pagan celebrates his game-tying double in the sixth inning.

Getty Images

continue reading…

The New York Mets were defeated by the Chicago Cubs in a 10-6 loss in eleven innings. The Mets were down early but rallied in the later inning, eventually tying it up 4-4 in the bottom of the eighth. They had a chance to walk-off in the bottom of the ninth with the bases loaded and one out, but failed to do so. David Wright came to the plate with the bases full and two outs in the tenth inning only to fly out. Then it all crumbled as the Mets pitching surrendered six runs in the top of the eleventh. They fall to 71-75 on the season with 16 games left to play.

Picture perfect moment between John Franco and Mike Piazza during the 9/11 anniversary ceremony.

Associated Press

continue reading…

For the second straight night, the Mets took a 4-3 lead into the 9th.  For the second straight night, their closer blew the save.  This time, however, they didn’t emerge with the “W.”  Aramis Ramirez played the hero in this one, singling in the tying and winning runs with 2 outs, off Bobby Parnell.  His 5th blown save on the year drops the Mets to 71-74.  The Mets’ bats showed their usual late-game fight in this one: down 3-0 in the 8th, they scored 4 to stake Parnell to the lead.  Unfortunately, he’s got a little way to go before he earns the right to be called their closer.

Mean face. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)

continue reading…

Justin Turner played the hero again for the Mets, with his second walkoff win of the year.  He probably enjoyed this one a little more – instead of getting hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, he crushed a ground-rule double to center to plate Jason Pridie for the winning score.  The win bumps the Mets’ record to 71-73.

Mike Pelfrey tossed a serviceable 6 2/3 innings, in which he spotted Chicago an early 3-0 lead, but clamped down after that.  With a 4-3 lead heading into the 9th, the Mets once again tried Manny Acosta in the closer’s role.  This time didn’t quite work out, as the Cubs tied the game with 2 outs in the 9th.  However, this turned out not to be such a bad thing, as it set the stage for Turner’s heroics.

(AP Photo/Kathy Kmonicek)

continue reading…

The New York Mets dropped both games of a doubleheader against the Atlanta Braves on Thursday. Game 1 was within reach for most of the game but the Mets fell short 6-5. In his major league debut, Chris Schwinden didn’t put his team in a position to win, allowing three runs right of the bat in the first inning. He went five innings and allowed five runs on eight hits and one walk while striking out four. Game 2 was on the bats. They were quiet all night as the Mets mustered only seven hits. The lone run was scored on a sacrifice fly in the first inning. Dreadful doubleheader, just dreadful.

Bay has been seeing more of the home run apple as of late.

Getty Images

continue reading…