Bullpen Implosion: Rays 10, Mets 6

You have to give the Mets credit.  Each day they find a fun new way to blow a game.  Whether it’s not touching third base, dropping a routine pop up, not being able to get any clutch hits, the starter giving it up in the fifth or an absolute bullpen meltdown, the Mets are mixing it up on their way to mediocrity.

The only player who gets a gold star today is Brian Schneider.  Nice to see two homers from him this series.  It’s amazing the level of production the Mets have gotten from their catchers this season.  Keep it up Brian and Omir.

And that’s when the story gets sour.  Mike Pelfrey continued his mid-game meltdown routine.  He cruised through the first four innings only to give up four runs in the fifth inning.  Is he getting tired, nervous, good luck early on?  I don’t get it.  But isn’t that why they pay the coaches?  They should be figuring this stuff out.

It’s been so frustrating watching this team so far in the crucial 32-game stretch.  They’re 4-8 but should be 8-4.  Their only saving grace is the Phillies have been even worse.  The Mets are just two games out of first place, but there’s absolutely no reason why they shouldn’t be in first.  I find this stat amazing.  Of the eight games they’ve lost in this stretch, the Mets have either been tied or in the lead at some point from 6th inning on in seven of those games.  So seven of these eight losses, the Mets had a great chance to win late in the game.  Only a team that masters in the art of losing can pull that off.

I thought injuries are supposed to make a team resilient.  When guys go down, teammates are supposed to pick each other up and kick it into another gear.  Well the Mets are doing the opposite right now.  They’re folding…and eventually the Phils will start winning again.  Who knows?  Maybe a series with the 2006 World Series Champs, the Cardinals, will light a fire under this team.  But then again, why should I believe it will happen now if it hasn’t already?