I can’t say I was altogether surprised when David Eckstein managed a 2-out, 2-strike hit against Frankie Rodriguez last night to tie the game and spoil yet another scoreless performance by John Santana. No, definitely not surprised. Not at all. Of course, I certainly slammed my hands repeatedly on the steering wheel of the minivan when I heard it go down on the FAN. But it was almost like I had already planned that reaction as the bottom of the ninth unfolded. We’ve seen this before.
Of course it was David Ecksteinthat did it to the Mets. That’s what David Eckstein does. This is a player that gets by in the majors with less actual talent than just about anyone, which baffles (and irks the crap out of) every fan I know who also happens to play ball. Yet Eckstein still seems to find himself on winning teams, time after time. Somehow, he manages to compensate with guts and heart. And David Eckstein makes a living being that pesky little guy who manages to ruins everything.
I can’t get too angry about Raul Valdes giving up the game winner. This game was over the minute K-Rod let Tony Gwynn Jr. get on base, and everyone knew it except K-Rod. How you can surrender a hit to light-hitting Gwynn — on an 0-2 count!!! — is beyond me. A guy struggling to hit like he is should see a breaking ball out of the zone on 0-2 and a high fastball – chin level or higher – on 1-2 before you think about putting one where he can hit it.
So Frankie took a dump on another scoreless effort by Johan, and the Mets still haven’t won a series on the road this season. Why is it that Johan can manage to throw seven scoreless when he doesn’t have his best stuff (Exhibit A: five walks) but K-Rod can’t lock down 1.1 scoreless innings with his pitches working?
Make no mistake, this is pathetic. The only thing giving me (false?) hope is that a team that can thoroughly dominate at home cannot possibly continue to spit the bit so badly on the road all season. The skills are there to play at least .500 as a visiting team. It has to happen for them eventually.
Of course, I suppose it’s possible that they will instead start losing more home games. And I guess the precedent is there for that option. (Shudder.)
Let me not forget to take a snipe at Oliver Perez. You see, after the showing that Valdes made on Tuesday, he had no business being in last night’s game. Something is not right with him. Too bad for the Mets that Ollie insists on taking up a seat in the bullpen that could be used by someone who could actually be useful in that type of situation. I can’t even say the time has come to release Ollie, because the time came weeks ago. Cut Perez and cut your losses already!!!
P.S.:
Dear David Wright,
Nice defense last night. Seriously. But could you please stop striking out so much?
Your pal,
Made in the Sheade.
