I’ve thought about it and I don’t agree that the Braves wanted last night’s game more than the Mets as Willie Randolph suggested.
All year when the Mets have looked sluggish it has been because of their inability to manufacture runs and hit with men in scoring position. They were 1-for-9 in that situation last night.
To me, that was the game. David Wright getting punched out to end the third with the bases loaded was the play of the game.
If the Mets were flat it was because John Smoltz made it look that way. Randolph did not elaborate his comments when asked. I am sure he will be asked again today.
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Willie’s not reading from a script after a tough loss, like some other Baseball people in NY. Occasionally he’s going to say something like this, and I’m not really sure that it’s harmful in any way even if it isn’t 100% true. Davey Johnson and Bobby Valentine were the same way, and it won’t be too long until those guys are sitting 1-2-3 on the Mets all time win list…
Hi John –
I only heard the game on the radio, but knowing his history, I think that John Smoltz wanted the game more than anyone else in the building.
Tonight is one of those games where I would give almost anything to see the pitcher – although I can visualize El Duque on the mound, it’s not the same as seeing him. I think he might be able to avenge last nights’ loss. Let’s hope so.
Speaking of pitchers, this Clemens Watch is taking on aspects of some of Geraldo Rivera’s old treasure hunts….......
John, I agree with you. It’s not Smoltz but the lack of hits to drive in runs and it’s been 4 games in a row.
In the last 4 games the Mets scored 7 runs 1.75 per game
3 of those runs were solo homers (one by Easley was virtually meaningless)
One run scored on an error
One on a sac fly (good AB by Gomez but only 1 run out of bases loaded and 0 outs)
2 runs scored on very weak ground balls by Newhan and Franco in situations that you did bnot want to trade an out for a run
So that means that in 4 games there were ZERO hits to drive in runners from the base paths. That is why we lost last night and will continue to lose if we keep it up. There were 36 innings of at bats only 7 were against Smoltz
I thought watching the game that the Braves seemed to want it more then the Mets. It was just a feeling but some of the plays they made in the field were incredible. It was as if every ground ball meant the season, Renteria, Johnson and Prado stood on their heads at times. While Delgado let an easy ground ball slip threw his legs, which ended up being the winning run (fielding vs. fielding). They just seemed hungrier.
I don’t think the team scouts pitchers well, other teams come in with very effective game plans, like being selective last night on Glavine. The Mets seem to just go up to hit, Smoltz was giving first pitch meatballs to get ahead for the first three innings and nobody even swung at the first pitch. Last week against the Yankees rookie he started getting wild and instead of going deep into counts they were hacking. It just seems like other teams come in with a secific game plan against a pitcher, while the Mets just go up to the plate.