Author: Dave Doyle

Frequently disappointed Mets fan

Manuel’s New Strategy Pays Early Dividends For Mets

New York Mets shortstop José Reyes during a Mets/Devil Rays spring training game at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Image via Wikipedia

For three and a half years we’ve been watching Willie Randolph bring in his closer, Billy Wagner, to pitch the ninth inning of tied or close games.  Jerry Manuel’s second game as manager of the Mets showed us a much needed strategic shift.  Manuel’s intestinal fortitude was tested by his star shortstop in his first game as well, and he passed with flying colors.

Willie Randolph followed the modern “book” for closers as Mets manager. Billy Wagner nearly always pitched the ninth inning of games that the Mets led or were tied. I always disagreed with pitching Wagner in the ninth inning of a tied game. I wondered: Why not hold onto that weapon until you really need it? Apparently, Jerry Manuel agrees with me. Duaner Sanchez pitched the ninth inning, and when the Mets took the lead Billy Wagner shut the door in the tenth inning. That’s the way to play that situation! Wagner is the pitcher to close out a win, not hold over a tie.

Continue reading “Manuel’s New Strategy Pays Early Dividends For Mets”

Easley Homer In 10 Caps 5-4 Mets Win

image The Mets made Jerry Manuel’s first win as manager a dramatic one. David Wright tied the game in the ninth inning with an RBI single scoring Jose Reyes.  It was only K-Rod’s second blown save of the year.  Damion Easley won it in the tenth inning with a solo home run off Justin Speier.

Oliver Perez had what’s come to be a typical start for him.  He was pitching well until giving up three runs in the fifth inning.  The middle innings seem to be a problem that he can’t overcome.  His final line was six innings pitched giving up four runs on nine hits and three walks to go along with two strikeouts. He was wild at times and doing some crazy hesitation motion like Asian pitchers in the sixth inning.  It’s hard to understand what’s going through his head sometimes.

Reyes had a huge offensive game going 3 for 5 with three runs scored, one of those hits being a triple.  Carlos Delgado also had a solo homer in the fourth inning off Jon Garland.  Wright was 2 for 5 with 2 RBI’s including the critical RBI hit in the top of the ninth.

The bullpen was clean through the last four innings of the game. Joe Smith, Scott Schoenweiss, Duaner Sanchez, and Billy Wagner all looked very good tonight.

The Mets win 2 of 3 in Los Angeles against a very good Angels team. The team has an off day tomorrow before beginning a weekend series with the Rockies in Colorado.

Box score

Video Highlights

Video: Mets Players On Willie Randolph

The Mets “core” players talk about the decision to fire Willie. Carlos Beltran, Jose Reyes, and David Wright do the talking. Beltran is particularly insightful about the players causing Willie to lose his job.

NY Times: Jerry Manuel Profile

I’ve read many profiles of new Mets manager Jerry Manuel over the last 24 hours. Most have been too brief with Zen-like references of his reading preferences. For a more in-depth description of who Jerry Manuel is take a look at Ben Shipgel’s profile of Jerry Manuel in the New York Times.

Some quotes from the column:

Manuel’s other preferences include more fluidity within the lineup, which includes a partiality for moving Beltrán, the regular cleanup hitter, or Wright, the No. 3 hitter, if he sees fit, and the hopes of establishing more definite roles among his relievers.

I like that quote because I’ve thought all along that Carlos Beltran was miscast as a cleanup hitter. It would be nice to see David Wright there once in a while too. I’m looking forward to a fresh perspective on the Mets lineup.