Remember when...

The Mets used to get hits with RISP?

When runs came in bunches?

When walks were taken?

As of late, the lineup appears to have forgotten how to work a pitcher, and approaches at bats with RISP as if facing Nosferatu without benefit of holy water. Yes, there have been notable exceptions (the beating placed on The Big Eunuch the other night being oh so notable). For the most part, since returning from the 9-1 road trip, the lineup has struggled.

Now, they have faced a few top pitchers in that time, Halladay, Beckett, Schilling, Mussina. But they have also faced the likes of Joe Mays, Jaret Wright, Paul Maholm, and a myriad of bullpens that make last season’s Mets bullpen look quite good. The showings against the stars are to be somewhat expected. The showings against the likes of Mays are disturbing.

Now, earlier in the season, a similar stretch occurred. After starting out smoking hot (with the exception of Cliff Floyd), the boys began to wilt. David “The Prince of NY” Wright, and Jose Reyes have had their ups and downs. Wright, though he was Player of the Month for June, had an awful last week, particularly in the Boston and Yankee series’. Reyes had a 13 game hit streak come to an end in Boston, and saw his average dip below 300. Carlos Beltran has been consistent for the most part, helping to erase the memory of last season, and turning the boos off. Xavier Nady seems to freeze when faced with RISP, or a fly ball hit in his general direction.

Those who have read my comments on other boards know where I am going with this. In my opinion, the fault should be laid at the feet of Rick Down. The function of the batting coach is to formulate a game plan for the lineup, and to work with those who are slumping. IMHO, he is not doing a consistent job in either facet of his role.

Game planning has been non-existent. We all know that the Mets do poorly when faced with either a rookie, or someone they have not seen before. Now part of the fault for this can be laid on the scouts, who are not providing the information the players need. However, if you are not familiar with a pitcher, what the hell are you doing swinging at the first pitch? Where is the patience? My rant from yesterday bemoaned the high pitch counts the Met starters are putting up. The same however, cannot be said of the opposition. Bronson Arroyo threw a complete game with 110 pitches. Guys were swinging at the first or second pitch all game long. It seems to me that if you do not know what you are facing, take the time to learn what he is throwing, take a couple of pitches. It will not only help you, but the guys behind you as well. The hitting coach should be telling these guys to take pitches.

It is not only game planning that is lacking, it is in game awareness of a situation. A Met pitcher has a 10 pitch at bat, and either makes an out, or gets on base. This is inevitably followed by Jose Reyes swinging at the first pitch. He needs to learn that he needs to take a couple of pitches to allow HIS pitcher a rest. You never know, you might even earn a walk Jose.

Reading the papers this morning, I see Willie has noted the same annoyance with a lack of patience. That is good, and it is about time. My hope is that he tells Down to talk to these guys about the importance of waiting a pitcher out. Not only will you possibly get a better pitch to hit if he falls behind in the count, but you also allow his pitch count to grow, increasing the chance you can get to the bullpen that much sooner.

Ah, poor George had his birthday ruined yesterday, a 19-1 manhandling of the Yanks by the Indians. Darth Marc must be perturbed.