Daddy Said There'd Be Days Like This

But they still suck.

Last night, we had the bad O Pea. The first inning went well, 3 up, three down. The second, the wildness started, but he got out of it. The third, the wheels fell off. After two quick outs, he gave up a single, then walked the next four batters, then hit the # 8 hitter with a pitch. Mercifully, he was pulled for Aaron Sele, who ended the threat.

Sele did well, giving up only two runs. However, the damage was done, as the offense was off last night. Five hits total, and only two runs against Adam Eaton. The good vibes from Monday were washed away. The bright spot was Jose Reyes, who went 2-3 with a walk. However, the inability to drive him in from third reared its ugly head again last night. This is something that needs to change. Soon.

From the pitching side, Sele was a plus, 4 1/3, 4 hits, 2 walks, 2 runs. Pretty good Darren Oliver impersonation. Pedro Dos was OK, 2-3, 1 walk 1 k. Joe Smith pitched the final 1 1-3, needing only 14 pitches. Smith is doing well since his first outing, he looked very nasty last night.

Back to O Pea. Just like it was kind of silly to think a corner was turned based on last Friday's excellent outing against the Braves (and I am guilty of this as well), it is silly to think he has suddenly regressed to the point where he cannot be counted on due to one bad start. Now, I know this is the type of start he has been known for the last couple of years, but there is a major difference between Pittsburgh and NY. Mainly the existence of Rick Petersen. Rick will work with him. Focus is the issue, his mechanics were off. There were a number of pitches that were close. Frankly, had he not been so wild on others, guys may have swung at them. But since he set a bad tone, guys were going to wait him out. I think we need to give the guy some time before we really get worried. It's OK to have some concern of course, I have it as well, but I'm not close to pulling the plug.

My concern is the lineup. David Wright, despite his 20 game hit streak, has more worrisome at bats than I would like. Willie alluded to a "looping swing" on WFAN yesterday. Rick Down better start earning his money and get in the damn cage with him. For that matter, he better talk to guys about taking some pitches. How do you lat Eaton thrown only 108 pitches in 7 innings, when you know the Philly bullpen is suspect? They need to work the count more. This is something I have been saying since last year. I do not like Down. Guys slump, I know this, but some slumped for longer than necessary last year. It is his job to fix them. Wright needs to get that "level swing" that Keith loves so much back. If not Down, then talk to HOJO, who David had a great relationship with in the minors.

Tonight, rain permitting, Tom Glavine versus Jamie Moyer. I will be there with some friends. I'm hoping the whooping sticks come out tonight. It's going to be cold, so Tommy may have issues like he did in Atlanta on Saturday, so runs may be needed. With the wet field, it may be a good idea to get Endy or Lastings in there for either Green or Alou. I know both have hit for good average, I'm worried about defense. Plus, Endy needs the work. He did well last year when Willie sprinkled in his starts. If he goes with Lastings, it's a nice parting gift as he gets ready to go to NOLA when Mike Pelfrey comes up to pitch tomorrow (assuming Glavine isn't pushed back if the game is called tonight).

A few last things about SNY. First, enough with the in-game interviews. The one with HOJO last night was nice, given his place in Mets fans hearts. But it takes away from the calling of the game. At least that one was short, and while the Phillies batted. Later, Jerry Koosman, who also has a big place in Mets Fans hearts, was in the booth during a Met rally. I like Jerry, but it was a bad time for him to be there. For an old-timer like that, an interview special would be better. Lets get a bunch together. Koosman, Seaver, Keith, Ronny, Knight, Stearns, the list goes on.

Bad form in missing Beltran's leadoff double, as we had to hear AGAIN about Dice K in Boston. I DON'T CARE ABOUT DICE K. Particularly in the middle of a Mets game. Also, would it kill them to have closed captioning? I like to watch the post game or Sports Night in bed. If the wife is trying to sleep, I normally put on CC on other channels. But SNY does not have it. It is quite annoying for me. I can only imagine what it is like for those who cannot hear. Let's get this fixed guys.

Be back tomorrow with a hopefully happy recap of a win tonight.

Be sure to stop by Flushing University, where my second column "Please, Stop the Comparisons" is up. Let me know what you think about it.