Sep 15 2005 07:28 PM
Nats 6 Mets 5 (10)
We did a lot of second guessing in the stands. Why did Castro bunt in the sixth and in the tenth? Cairo and the pinch hitter were on deck in both situations. I'd just as soon have Castro swinging away then move the runners up for the bottom of the lineup. The best logic seemed to be defensive - Castro bunted to stay out of the Double Play. That's a horrible reason to bunt, one generally reserved for pitchers.
Piazza hit with the bases drunk, two out in the seventh. Travis Hughes came into the game to induce a ground out and quash the threat.
Brad Oster and Hunter Foster of the Producers sang the National Anthem.
The Game was sparsely attended. Attendance drops to flies when the Mets are out of the race, but a warm September afternoon, I though, could have horned a few more fannies in the joint. Not that I was complaining about all the room.
I wish I could remember more about the song they played when Heilman warmed up to ask about it, but I can't. It would have been nice if they dusted off Aldo Nova when Mike Stanton warmed up, but Take it Easy by the Iggles was a nice alternative.
I wanted to hit Woodward for Cairo in the tenth. Nyer seemed to agree, but Willie's the vote that counts.
The news said that Willie Randolph did not recommend calling up Anderson hernandez because he felt Cairo and Matsui deserved to finish out the season.
Shingo Takatsu has the slowest changeup ever. Even slower than Chris Hammond. 58 mph.
We also wondered why cordero didn't close out the game for the Nationals.
This was another one of those days where you thank the heavens for the cool breeze in the upper deck, as the humidity was ghastly. I pity the fool who sat in the mez, loge, and field box.
Joey Eischen must lead the league in IBBs. He also looks like he's throwing up when he pitches from the stretch, a la Mussina. I saw Eischen pitch to one batter in a game at the New Vet just before the all star break. He came in to pitch to one batter, who he intentionally walked, then left the game. Hey Frobby, what's the point?
By homering and singling in his first two at bats, Guzman staved off falling below the Mendoza line again. Robinson says he will sit Guz eggs if he is hitting .1995 on the final day of the season, because it rounds off to .200.