I was following Jenrry Mejia's outing last night online and it was dominated with mid-80s cutters, This is his bread and butter pitch now folks, not that 95+ fastball we all remember when he first came up. I also see the frustration tC can have as a manager of a team with a bad pen. Mejia had thrown 40 pitches after two innings and this is one game since the MetsTwitter world gave TC a rash of shit regarding how many pitches he allowed Zack Wheeler to throw. Worse that this was the cold weather... what do you do?
Mejia gave up two walks before surrendering an RBI-producing single by Jay Bruce. The problem wasn't the fact that the Mets were down 1-0 after 2 1/2 innings... the problem was the fact that Mejia was already at 59 innings.
The Mets went out 1-2-3 again in the third, which is going to do nothing for Mejia, who came of the mound after the second inning and went straight into the clubhouse followed by trainer. As it turned out, he came back out and stayed in the game.
Lucas Duda's 2-run HR gave Mejia the lead, who came out for the 5th wih 71 pitches thrown... This has got to be his last inning, right?
Walked the firs batter in the 5th for the 5th walk in the game (he is not going to be leading the league in WHIP folks)... but a double play came at the perfect time.
Mejia's last pitch in the 5th was a 91mph cutter for his 7th-K... 86 pitches... go hit the showers Gerry... you did good.
But then, I must question the decision to bring him back out for the 6th... two base runners and a Daniel Murphy error got it to runners on fist and third, two outs, and 100 pitches. And Mejia gets Mike Leake to strike out on his 101st pitch.
(I want everyone to understand that I consider the entire year of 2014 an extended spring training for 2015. This team isn't going to win anything year, so let's not overreact if, let's say, someone like Travis d'Arnaud is still hitless... what's important is that this team figures out who their trump cards are and use them effectively this year in preparation o 2015. Thus, don't sweat the piss poor start for the pen and don't over pitch your starters. It's April and it's cold. Don't go over 100 pitches and let guys like Carlos Torres go two innings and work his problems out on the mound... and, while I'm at it... it doesn't hurt telling someone they are going to be your starting first baseman. Remember, 60% of this game is mental and attitude.
Regarding John Lannan, I don't have problems if a lefty relief pitcher gives up two runs THIS year... but, I do have problems if it's some retread instead of one of the kids on the farm that could use the exposure.
Not everyone agrees with me and not every young head can shake off a poor first season in the majors, but, in the long run, I'd rather have pitchers like Vic Black and Josh Edgin working out their problems in Queens, rather that fill up those slots with Lannan and Kyle Farnsworth).
Did you notice Miami again this night? This game is 60% attitude and mental.
Highlight of the game for me was Anthony Recker throwing out Billy Hamilton's steal attempt in the 8th inning. That was hot stuff.
2 comments:
My brother Steve saw the game (I had other plans and missed it) and said Grandy has had 4 balls so far that might have been HRs in Yankee Stadium, and that Lagares' first inning ball might have been a granny in other parks. Wilpons really messed up with dimensions - in my opinion, the initial park was a homage to Jackie Robinson and an outfield such that one would not have to visit the Grand Canyon. Now it is somewhat better, but 5 feet further in all around would have made Granderson investments much more likely to be successful.
I also understand there were 10-15 questionable calls by the home plate umpire also
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