Santana Tries Reverse Psychology

Johan Santana has had enough and I think the bullpen woes are starting to get to him. So what did he do about it on Tuesday night? He tried to blow the game for the bullpen before they got a chance to. I guess you might call it a little reverse psychology.

And crazy enough it worked.

Santana was given a 2-0 lead in the top of the 1st, but he quickly found a way to give it right back. The crazy thing was the Nationals were getting serious hits off of Santana. These weren't balls that just found the hole or blooped into the outfield. They were hitting rockets down the lines. Yes, the Nationals. And Langerhans, who had no home runs this year, hit a bomb off Santana. What is with Santana and giving up home runs to no name guys? I haven't seen him give one up to Pujols or Howard or Burrell. But Langerhans?

Gary Cohen and Keith Hernandez kept talking about pitch count when the game was 3-3 in the 7th, and I'm think how on earth can anyone in the Mets organization be thinking about pitch count when you have this bullpen. If I'm Jerry Manuel, I'm telling Santana before the game that he's got to give me 9 innings. Period.

But after the Mets finally regained the lead after Damion Easley got plunked in the head to score a run, a miracle happened. The bullpen didn't blow it.

Come on, who didn't think that after Joe Smith gave up a lead off hit that we were headed to another crushing defeat at the hands of the bullpen? I know I did. And when Manuel decided to bring in Pedro Feliciano to pitch the entire 9th, I thought I was going to have a stroke.

But it all worked out. The Mets got a much needed win to put the debacle with the Pirates behind them. Oh wait, we're supposed to beat the Nationals?

Lucky 7 in a Row

Damion Easley was due. I couldn't remember the last time he hit a home run when he stepped up to the plate in the 8th. We might as well call him Damion "Clutch" Easley.

How you feelin' Luis Castillo? Take your time. We're ok with out "The Hobbler."

Easley's late inning heroics capped off an unreal pitching performance by all the Mets pitchers. Oliver Perez only gave up 3 hits and 1 run, but walked half the lineup. Still you have to be pleased with Perez's progress these last few starts. He looks like the Perez of last year. Think he's happy to see Rick Peterson go?

But the hat tip of the night goes to Aaron Heilman, who I fully expected to implode yet again. But he didn't. He comes in walks a batter to load the bases and then strikes out the next two guys to get out of a jam. Plus did you see him hit 97 mph on the gun? He's like a new man.

There's a matinee this afternoon to see about making it 8 straight. Too bad the Phillies keep winning.

Comeback Win and David Wright

I must say I am shocked the Mets won last night. After Oliver Perez gave up 3 runs in the 5th I figured it was over.

I mean the Mets are great at scoring runs early. It feels like they've scored in the first or second inning for their last 6 games, but it's those runs in the clutch that have been lacking.

Enter David Wright.

Oh, David, David, David. Where have you been? It's so nice to see you again. David Wright has been atrocious for over a month now. I can't name a single clutch RBI that Wright has gotten since early May. Well, he certainly picked a good game to get going again. Wright went 2 for 5 with 2 RBI and the biggest one came in the top of the 9th to tie up the game.

I could go on about Jose Reyes' performance of late, but I'm going to save that for another post.

Damion Easley likes to get big RBI on the road doesn't he? I feel like he's a road guy. Doesn't do much at Shea but on the road he plays a bit better.

Big series win for the Mets. Not a series I expected them to win and a much deserved off day today. If we can take 2 of 3 from Colorado, this would be a huge week for the Mets and get people to start saying, "Willie who?"

The What Was Willie Thinking Moment of the Week

And the moment is. . .

Playing Damion Easley as the DH.

I mean who wouldn't want Damion Easley as a DH. He's got great. . .and well he hits the ball so. . .ok, what about. . .

It makes no sense, especially when you have an aging Moises Alou who is the perfect DH and allows Endy Chavez to get some at bats and sure up your outfield defense.

It's not like Easley has been on fire or that he really needs at bats. I mean even playing Castro at DH makes more sense than Easley.

But this is Willie Randolph we're talking about. We shouldn't question him too much. He might get upset.

Wild Pitch is Mets Best Friend

When you win a game after going 1 for 15 with runners in scoring position there has to be a little luck involved.

Thankfully for the Mets there was Joel Hanrahan who after giving up a hit to Damion Easley to start the 14th threw a wild pitch, a bad pickoff to second base and then another wild pitch to help the struggling Mets bats to score without needing a hit.

Nelson Figueroa pitched a gem. Honestly he had one bad pitch the whole game that ended up being the Nick Johnson home run. He struck out seven batters and only gave up 3 hits through 7 innings. Unbelievable performance that deserved a win.

Church and Casanova really struggled last night. They struck out a combined 7 times. Come on it's the Nationals starting pitching. This isn't Maddux, Smoltz and Glavine..

But a win's a win and it's always nice when you're forced to stay up late to have a win to go to bed to. I hate it when you watch 14 innings and your team loses. But I guess that's what it's like to be a Nationals fan.

Let's hope Santana took some tips from Pelfrey and Figueroa to help him out tonight against the Phils.

Bottom Four Bust Out

My best argument for the Mets this year was that we had the best lineup 1-4 in the NL with Reyes, Castillo, Wright & Beltran.

None of those guys showed up on Wednesday but the Mets still were able to pour on 8 runs to beat the Philthies. The bottom four batters in Delgado, Church, Easley & Schneider all got hits and were able to either score or drive in runs in route to the Mets win.

Easley has been smoking the ball and if he keeps it up will make us quickly forget about Luis "My Knees Are Glued On" Castillo. Both Ryan Church & Brian Schneider are making their mark early this season. Reyes did get on base but looks very awkward at the plate. The upper cut swing is back which is as welcome as Chipper Jones to David Wright's birthday party.

Let's not overlook Mike Pelfrey who did a solid job and it was good to see him get a win on his first outing. Pelfrey's toughest inning was actually a 1-2-3 inning where he was forced to throw 27 pitches to 3 batters. But that to me is a fantastic sign. Even though he had to throw a ton of pitches it didn't lead to a big inning. That's ok with me.

Tomorrow is the rubber game in the series and a win on Thursday would be a welcomed series win against our now most bitter rival.

With Easley Out, Mets Need Right Handed Bat

Hmmm. With Easley out, the Mets need a right handed bat to come off the bench. Probably a bat with some pop in it, but who can also get you the single/double when you need it. I'd think they'd want to get a veteran, someone with playoff experience. Preferably a guy who can come in during a tough situation and get you a key hit.

That sounds a lot like Mike Piazza.

My crusade continues to bring Piazza back to the Mets and with Easley going down it's just another sign that Omar needs to go get Piazza. With Easley out the Mets have zero right handed bats off the bench. Gotay can switch hit, but we all know he's a better lefty.

On top of all that Lo Duca is out. Castro is out. And we're stuck with the 40+ year old Sandy Alomar Jr. and Mike DiFelice lumbering around the bases in the mean time. You know Minaya is looking at the waiver wire. There's no way they stick with Anderson Hernandez down the stretch. The last thing we need right now is another second basemen, especially one who can't hit.

Jermaine Dye has signed an extension so he's going nowhere. Bring Piazza back to the Big Apple.

Man Crush on Ruben Gotay

There are a few men that I openly admit I have a man crush on: Jack Bauer (no, not Keiffer), Mark Wahlberg (ever since Three Kings), David Boreanaz (Angel/Bones), and now Ruben Gotay.

If you don't know what a man crush is, here's a link to an article discussing the topic, but it's basically an affection from one heterosexual male to another. And Ruben Gotay has my admiration from this point further. Now my man crush has nothing to do with Gotay's looks although some may find him handsome. But it is more about what he has done for me lately (I'm very needy).

Gotay has been a consistent bat in the lineup since he was called up in June. The man is batting .350 with a slugging percentage over .500. And it seems that every time he is up and a man is on second there's a base hit to score a run. Gotay has been clutch. He has been smart at the plate.

Ok, so his fielding needs some help, but Gotay recognizes that and he's been seen working with Sandy Alomar, Sr. for hours before games working on turning the double play. That's what I love to see.

I find myself getting psyched when Gotay gets up to the plate. I even giggle a little when he gets a 2-0 count because I know that next pitch is going to be slapped into the gap for a base hit. I like Ruben Gotay batting #2 behind Reyes. It gives the Mets so many options. He can do a hit & run. He can let Reyes steal second and get him in with a slap to right-center. He can bunt. The options are endless.

I hate it when Willie Randolph bats Gotay eighth. I think it shatters his confidence, but he still performs! Bat him anywhere at this point.

Now a year from now I might look back at this and so Ruben who? But for now I'm riding this Gotay train wherever it takes me. Forget these trade talks for second basemen. Tell Damion Easley and Anderson Hernandez to find the leftovers from seat cushion day because they're going to be sitting on the bench for a long time.

My man Ruben Gotay is taking over.