Mets Win Ugly Split in Cincy

Sometimes I wonder if I can stand watching the Mets. They're doing there best to make me an old man with their sloppy play and helter-skelter hitting. Somehow they managed to win the last game of this series with poor pitching from Pelfrey and many missed chances at the plate. I hope they get their act together before Tuesday, because Phillie is coming and the division lead is at stake.

I've used this format before and I'll use it again here. For you reading pleasure this evening, "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly" of Saturday's and Sunday's games

The Good
The hitting for the most part was good. Saturday's game they left the bases loaded more than once and got nothing for it. Maybe someday Beltran will learn to hit a curveball, and David will stop letting inside strikes go past him. But, Delgado continues his Resurrection and has his average up around .260. Argenis Reyes is hitting over .300, and continues to find himself in the middle of rallies. I like the kid. He's quick as hell in the field and can hit the ball too. Jose' finally got off the snide and had a very good day at the plate Sunday. He did manage to commit his 13th error on another ball thru his legs, but at least he didn't throw his glove on the ground again. David had 3 hits Saturday including a monster HR, but only managed a SF Sunday to go with 2 walks and 1 hit.

The Bad
The pitching was terrible at times these two games.
The Wizard of Ollie went on vacation and Ollie the Fool showed up instead. After 2 very good outings Ollie had to screw around on the mound Saturday. He was throwing side-armed, hesitating his delivery to the plate, and falling off top 3rd base in a sloppy fashion. The results were as to be expected. Plenty of walks and no consistency.
Heilman and Feliciano were shaky at best. They gave up critical hits and couldn't throw strikes this weekend. I used to trust Pedro, now I don't. He never seems to have an easy inning and has problems throwing strikes.

The Ugly
The situational hitting was terrible. Too often men are left stranded in scoring position because hitters don't swing at strikes, or do swing at balls. Someone needs to throw breaking pitches to the hitters during DP. If the Mets face a good breaking ball pitcher, they have issues with scoring runs. Can't the starting pitchers throw to hitters when they're doing their bull-pen work? It sure would seem to help both parties with hitting and throwing breaking pitches. Endy Chavez is now being exposed at the plate. He has trouble hitting the ball for power, or even making contact at all lately. He has cost the Mets numerous runs this weekend with his lack of hitting ability.
The fielding was awful too. Tatis don't make a catch in right field last night that cost Heilman, Jose' had another ball go through his legs that could have cost Pelfrey, and Anderson couldn't catch a routine fly ball in left field today that did cost Pelfrey. Why is Anderson even playing? Evans is a better fielder, and hits as well as Marlon. Give the kid the ABs and sit Marlon on the bench where he does the most good.

The Mets now head home in 1st place and ready themselves for the Fighting Phillies. Santana and Ollie will be going against Howard and Utley to decide the division. The Mets have done well against Phillie so far this year, but need to win this series in Shea. 2-3 would give them sole possession of 1st place, but the Mets should go for the sweep. Sweep the Phillies, and send them a message that this isn't '07 and the Mets will not roll over and give the division away this year. Time to get on another roll and put the Phillies behind them and then give the Redbirds a good beating too.