Only problem is that Mets have not done well from what I recall against Myers. Of course, they never had a run scored against Blanton either.

1. Manuel not bringing Santana out for the 9th
2. Duaner Sanchez for giving back all the confidence he probably had gained for himself this year. He imploded.
3. Luis Aguayo: Note to Luis…you aren’t in the Phillies organization anymore.

One thing I have learned about watching baseball over these past 35 years is what I think Earl Weaver said…”Momentum is as good as your next day’s starting pitcher.” If the Mets can rack around Myers and Maine finally pitches like he should, the Mets will be tied for first again after tonight.

In general I do not have a problem w/Santana. He has picthed well.

But if there was ever a game where you need him to go out and pitch the 9th, it was last nite given the importance of the game since it was against the Phils who you are tied w/, it was the first game of the series which could set the tone for the remaining games, you did not have your closer, you had (and I said this before yesterdays game) a guy who you have to still question his stamina who had just pitched 2 inn trying to close a game for the first time in 3 yrs, and your BP has been bad against the Phils.

If Santana is ever going to pitch more than 100 picthes, this was the game. If he gets in trouble by walking a guy or giving up a hit, then you take him out.

and no I don’t trade guys based upon 1 performance.

I don’t think Santana is a “problem,” as you put it. But clearly, he is not what the guy the Mets thought they were trading for while tying up so much money, and for such a long period of time. When one considers the number of home runs he surrenders and the loss of velocity on his fastball, you should be a bit nervous what his production will be like in 7 years? He should be in peak form now. Obviously is not. Surely you must be able to see that.

Here are a few stats on our “ace”:

-Tied for #33 in the list of wins in the majors.
-#12 in strikeouts
-Tied for #12 in ERA
-In 11 starts he has had 5 or less strikeouts in a game. This from a guy who no longer faces a DH!

You were right about one thing. He doesn’t compare to what Pedro was back in his heyday. I will of course route hard for him and hope he turns it on. I’m glad we have him. I just expected so much more.

Even with Billy in the game, would the same thing not have happened? Well, I guess it wouldn’t in NY, only in Philly.

Isn’t there some way they can give Sanchez the loss instead? Smith really should have had an out there, meaning no baserunner from him. That really sucks.

It seemed like there were a lot of 0-2, 1-2 counts on the Philly batters in the 9th. Too bad our pitchers couldn’t get their jobs done, aside from Smith.

Johan Santana was not the problem tonight and he has not been the problem at any point this season.

The stats speak for themselves, he is top ten in almost every pitching category and his 8 wins is still near the top of the league despite almost no run support and an awful bullpen.

But I am sure you guys will come at me with some arbitrary criteria as to what defines an “Ace.” Maybe you’ll say something like: “an ‘ACE’ pitches well in big games against our biggest rivals.” Thus, I submit the following: in 3 games against Philly Johan has thrown 23 innings, given up only 7 runs, and racked up 20 K’s. He only has 1 win in those three games and 2 no decisions.

So to recap: his statline, while not quite “Pedro in 1999” level, still puts him near the top of the league in almost every pitching category. Further, he has pitched very well against our top competition, and one of the most dangerous offenses in baseball. Yet to some he is still not an “ACE.” Well I say you need to find a more suitable scapegoat.

If you were going to make some moves, who would it be?

I have been extremely disappointed with Feliciano for a long time now. I think a change of scenery would be good for him. I like Joe Smith. I don’t know if I’d move Heilman. I’m a bit unsure of that one. I guess it would depend on whom we would receive for him.

I could not agree more with both of your postings. From what I have seen of Santana so far, he is NOT an ace. Not a leader. Not worth the money he is being paid or anything close to it. I think he’s a fine addition to the staff, but he is in no way what we were expecting, is he?

And to the guy who was so anxious to trade Billy Wagner: he’s not looking quite so bad now is he? Say what you want about Wagner and his faults, but he doesn’t run and hide or blame piano players for his problems! He is also a pretty decent guy with the media from what I can tell. ‘Another thing Mr. Santana avoids…

Tonight was shades of 2007 Season’s relief pitching all over again. The same relievers did the same things at times last year during the collapse. I am convinced that only personnel changes will help them from falling into the same ruts. The looked defeated when it was still 5-2 and the bases were loaded with no out. If a team does not have any faith in themselves, there is no way the fan’s faith in them is going to matter.

You guys would all love him if he was a Met. If mets had more guys like him, maybe they have the stones to win games like this instead of losing.

Shouldn’t he be out there? 105 pitches. Would Zambrano be out there? Halliday? Pettite? Webb? I can’t see any of them not at least starting the 9th.

If a guy gets on base w/0 or 1 out you can take him out. If not, he should try to finish.

Mostly on BP for not being able to record an out before giving up 5 runs. Didn’t I question Sanchez’s stamina?

But some blame has to go on Santana and Manuel. He is the ace. He should have at least come out for the 9th. If he gives up a hit to the 1st batter, take him out. If he does not get in trouble, leave him in and have him finish the game.

As far as Endy getting thrown out. The first time took 2 perfect throws. The 2nd time, was the coaches fault. As soon as Endy hasitated to see if the ball was going to be caught, the coach should have left him at 3rd.

Almost as bad as losing is that Sanchez, Feliciano, Smith and Heilman all had to pitch in a game where maybe none of them had too.

Mets better get inn from Maine since thurs game is day game and pen could be out of gas by then.

An awful loss.

This game was horrible. Santana had only thrown 105 pitches according to ESPN’s website. Why is Agauyo coaching 3rd? Chavez was out by a mile each time. That is just horrible 3rd base coaching. I’ve said all season that the bullpen is putrid. Just because they’ve been decent lately doesn’t mean squat. The Mets need bullpen help bad.