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IGT 6/28 - Mets at Nats for the Sweep!

Chad ochoseis Jun 28 2021 12:55 PM

Mets vs Nats in a one game series.

bmfc1 Jun 28 2021 01:52 PM Re: IGT 6/28 - Mets at Nats for the Sweep!

Yours truly will be there, shvitzing my ass off in my "Shea Stadium" tee a few rows behind the Mets dugout. I think that they're giving away a WS Bobblehead which I have to either toss or carry around all night so I can sell it on eBay, I mean, give it to a friend who would like it which is worth more than money. It's the matchup you dream of: Jerad Eickhoff (our team) v. Paolo Espino (the other team) and lots of relievers for both.

Marshmallowmilkshake Jun 28 2021 02:26 PM Re: IGT 6/28 - Mets at Nats for the Sweep!

Yours truly will be there, shvitzing my ass off in my "Shea Stadium" tee a few rows behind the Mets dugout. I think that they're giving away a WS Bobblehead which I have to either toss or carry around all night so I can sell it on eBay, I mean, give it to a friend who would like it which is worth more than money. It's the matchup you dream of: Jerad Eickhoff (our team) v. Paolo Espino (the other team) and lots of relievers for both. Have fun!! Root for Teddy in the race!

bmfc1 Jun 28 2021 02:52 PM Re: IGT 6/28 - Mets at Nats for the Sweep!

I avert my eyes when the Dancing Presidents, or whatever they are, enter and instead look at the fools around me who get erect for the only time all night (you can take them to mean "standing up" if you wish). You should see when they walk around the concourse pre-game--it's as if they were something good, like Mr. Met.

Gwreck Jun 28 2021 02:55 PM Re: IGT 6/28 - Mets at Nats for the Sweep!

Despite having relatively little personal exposure to Nationals “fans,” bmfc1's regular expressions of contempt have really helped move them up into my Top 5 Most Loathsome Fanbase rankings.

Edgy MD Jun 28 2021 03:08 PM Re: IGT 6/28 - Mets at Nats for the Sweep!

Here's your lineup. Sorry, Conforto fans. [TABLE][TR][/TR][TR][/TR][TR][/TR][TR][/TR][TR][/TR] [TR][/TR][TR][/TR][TR][/TR][TR][/TR][TR][/TR][TR][/TR][/TABLE] [TH][/TH] [TH][FIMG=250]https://cdn.freebiesupply.com/images/large/2x/new-york-mets-logo-transparent.png[/FIMG][/TH] [TH][/TH] [TH][/TH] [TH][FIMG=250]https://cdn.freebiesupply.com/images/large/2x/washington-nationals-logo-transparent.png[/FIMG][/TH] [TH][/TH] [TH]#[/TH] [TH]Player[/TH] [TH]Pos.[/TH] [TH]#[/TH] [TH]Player[/TH] [TH]Pos.[/TH] [TD]=#FF5910]1[/TD] [TD]=#002D72]Jeff McNeil (L)[/TD] [TD]=#FF5910]2b[/TD] [TD]=#B22222]1[/TD] [TD]=#14225A]Kyle Schwarber (L)[/TD] [TD]=#B22222]lf[/TD] [TD]=#FF5910]2[/TD] [TD]=#002D72]Francisco Lindor (S)[/TD] [TD]=#FF5910]ss[/TD] [TD]=#B22222]2[/TD] [TD]=#14225A]Trea Turner (R)[/TD] [TD]=#B22222]ss[/TD] [TD]=#FF5910]3[/TD] [TD]=#002D72]Dominic Smith (L)[/TD] [TD]=#FF5910]lf[/TD] [TD]=#B22222]3[/TD] [TD]=#14225A]Juan Soto (L)[/TD] [TD]=#B22222]rf[/TD] [TD]=#FF5910]4[/TD] [TD]=#002D72]Pete Alonso (R)[/TD] [TD]=#FF5910]1b[/TD] [TD]=#B22222]4[/TD] [TD]=#14225A]Josh Bell (S)[/TD] [TD]=#B22222]1b[/TD] [TD]=#FF5910]5[/TD] [TD]=#002D72]Billy McKinney (L)[/TD] [TD]=#FF5910]rf[/TD] [TD]=#B22222]5[/TD] [TD]=#14225A]Josh Harrison (R)[/TD] [TD]=#B22222]2b[/TD] [TD]=#FF5910]6[/TD] [TD]=#002D72]Kevin Pillar (R)[/TD] [TD]=#FF5910]cf[/TD] [TD]=#B22222]6[/TD] [TD]=#14225A]Yan Gomez (R)[/TD] [TD]=#B22222]c[/TD] [TD]=#FF5910]7[/TD] [TD]=#002D72]Luis Guillorme (L)[/TD] [TD]=#FF5910]3b[/TD] [TD]=#B22222]7[/TD] [TD]=#14225A]Gerardo Parra (L)[/TD] [TD]=#B22222]cf[/TD] [TD]=#FF5910]8[/TD] [TD]=#002D72]Patrick Mazeika (L)[/TD] [TD]=#FF5910]c[/TD] [TD]=#B22222]8[/TD] [TD]=#14225A]Starlin Castro (R)[/TD] [TD]=#B22222]3b[/TD] [TD]=#FF5910]9[/TD] [TD]=#002D72]Jerad Eickhoff (R)[/TD] [TD]=#FF5910]sp[/TD] [TD]=#B22222]9[/TD] [TD]=#14225A]Paulo Espino (R)[/TD] [TD]=#B22222]sp[/TD]

bmfc1 Jun 28 2021 04:35 PM Re: IGT 6/28 - Mets at Nats for the Sweep!

=Gwreck post_id=69409 time=1624913750 user_id=56] Despite having relatively little personal exposure to Nationals “fans,” bmfc1's regular expressions of contempt have really helped move them up into my Top 5 Most Loathsome Fanbase rankings.

I feel honored.

Chad ochoseis Jun 28 2021 05:14 PM Re: IGT 6/28 - Mets at Nats for the Sweep!

I'm feeling less optimistic about this evening.

Johnny Lunchbucket Jun 28 2021 05:20 PM Re: IGT 6/28 - Mets at Nats for the Sweep!

That wasn't a strong start for Jared. What is up with Conforto?

Edgy MD Jun 28 2021 05:38 PM Re: IGT 6/28 - Mets at Nats for the Sweep!

I'm appreciating the trend: two runs on two homers in the first, and one run on one homer in the second. At this rate of change, it's no runs in the third, and then negative one in the third. Conforto is reportedly being kidgloved.

Lefty Specialist Jun 28 2021 05:39 PM Re: IGT 6/28 - Mets at Nats for the Sweep!

This just in: Eickhoff is not the solution. To anything. And the Noffense is in midseason form.

Gwreck Jun 28 2021 05:46 PM Re: IGT 6/28 - Mets at Nats for the Sweep!

In the first 16 games of June, the Mets averaged 4.71 runs/game. And sure, there were games against Baltimore and Arizona in there, but also San Diego and the Cubs. In the last 13 games against…checks notes…under-.500 teams such as Philadelphia, Washington, and Atlanta, they are averaging 2.23 runs/game. How do you all of a sudden stop scoring 2.5 runs/game?

Edgy MD Jun 28 2021 05:46 PM Re: IGT 6/28 - Mets at Nats for the Sweep!

=bmfc1 post_id=69411 time=1624919720 user_id=73] =Gwreck post_id=69409 time=1624913750 user_id=56] Despite having relatively little personal exposure to Nationals “fans,” bmfc1's regular expressions of contempt have really helped move them up into my Top 5 Most Loathsome Fanbase rankings.

I feel honored.


The funny thing is the disconnect. A lot of folks who are seemingly good people in their civilian life are simply awful as baseball fans.



I imagine this isn't unique in the sports world to Nats supporters, but it is particular. If I meet a horrible Phillie phan, I feel confident in guessing that I'm meeting a horrible person, and the Phils are just a platform.

MFS62 Jun 28 2021 06:05 PM Re: IGT 6/28 - Mets at Nats for the Sweep!

Edgy MD wrote: I imagine this isn't unique in the sports world, but it is particular. If I meet a horrible Phillie phan, I feel confident in guessing that I'm meeting a horrible person, and the Phils are just a platform. The Bleacher Creatures at YS III (and YSII) deservedly earned that name. But they also seem to be that way when away from the ballpark. Later

Edgy MD Jun 28 2021 06:19 PM Re: IGT 6/28 - Mets at Nats for the Sweep!

Confounding the minds of many, the same Luis Rojas who was pulling pitchers early when they were pitching brilliantly earlier in the season, is riding out a pitcher pitching poorly for the second straight day, allowing him to bat with a player on base down by multiple runs.

Edgy MD Jun 28 2021 06:23 PM Re: IGT 6/28 - Mets at Nats for the Sweep!

Well, that decision to leave Eickhoff in to bat is quickly punching them in the face.

Fman99 Jun 28 2021 06:24 PM Re: IGT 6/28 - Mets at Nats for the Sweep!

Jared Eickhoff makes me pine for the days of any other fucking guy pitching that isn't Jared Eickhoff.

Frayed Knot Jun 28 2021 06:24 PM Re: IGT 6/28 - Mets at Nats for the Sweep!

At least these are all solo shots. Hey, it's all I got.

Johnny Lunchbucket Jun 28 2021 06:29 PM Re: IGT 6/28 - Mets at Nats for the Sweep!

The Mets aren't even competitive anymore

Edgy MD Jun 28 2021 06:36 PM Re: IGT 6/28 - Mets at Nats for the Sweep!

Johnny Lunchbucket wrote: The Mets aren't even competitive anymore Mets hitters are very adept at absorbing inside pitches.

Chad ochoseis Jun 28 2021 06:36 PM Re: IGT 6/28 - Mets at Nats for the Sweep!

=Fman99 post_id=69422 time=1624926258 user_id=86] Jared Eickhoff makes me pine for the days of any other fucking guy pitching that isn't Jared Eickhoff.

Two words: Tommy Milone

Edgy MD Jun 28 2021 06:38 PM Re: IGT 6/28 - Mets at Nats for the Sweep!

Nice one.

Chad ochoseis Jun 28 2021 06:41 PM Re: IGT 6/28 - Mets at Nats for the Sweep!

Edgy MD wrote: Confounding the minds of many, the same Luis Rojas who was pulling pitchers early when they were pitching brilliantly earlier in the season, is riding out a pitcher pitching poorly for the second straight day, allowing him to bat with a player on base down by multiple runs. I wasn't against this. I Cough was looking like he was getting it together. And the Mets have no more off days until the All-Star Break. We need innings out of the starters more now than back in April when we were playing three days a week.

Chad ochoseis Jun 28 2021 06:43 PM Re: IGT 6/28 - Mets at Nats for the Sweep!

Chad ochoseis wrote: Edgy MD wrote: Confounding the minds of many, the same Luis Rojas who was pulling pitchers early when they were pitching brilliantly earlier in the season, is riding out a pitcher pitching poorly for the second straight day, allowing him to bat with a player on base down by multiple runs. I wasn't against this. I Cough was looking like he was getting it together. And the Mets have no more off days until the All-Star Break. We need innings out of the starters more now than back in April when we were playing three days a week. Oh, never mind. Fuk Rojas.

Frayed Knot Jun 28 2021 06:46 PM Re: IGT 6/28 - Mets at Nats for the Sweep!

ALL Nats hits are for XB NO Met hits are for XB ... not all have even left the infield

Johnny Lunchbucket Jun 28 2021 06:54 PM Re: IGT 6/28 - Mets at Nats for the Sweep!

RallY

Frayed Knot Jun 28 2021 06:56 PM Re: IGT 6/28 - Mets at Nats for the Sweep!

At least it's a comfort to know that we're being shutdown by top-flight starters and relievers and not journeymen minor leaguers and no name bull penners.

Edgy MD Jun 28 2021 06:57 PM Re: IGT 6/28 - Mets at Nats for the Sweep!

Johnny Lunchbucket wrote: RallY They've scared Washington into making a mid-inning pitching change.

Marshmallowmilkshake Jun 28 2021 07:07 PM Re: IGT 6/28 - Mets at Nats for the Sweep!

How come we can't score runs any more?

Frayed Knot Jun 28 2021 07:09 PM Re: IGT 6/28 - Mets at Nats for the Sweep!

A Cheap infield single with an error tacked on, followed by a HBP and a stick the bat out softie up the middle. Or, as the Mets call it, an offensive explosion.

Frayed Knot Jun 28 2021 07:32 PM Re: IGT 6/28 - Mets at Nats for the Sweep!

And just when I was about to suggest that teams might start IW'ing hitters to get to Alonso.

Frayed Knot Jun 28 2021 07:36 PM Re: IGT 6/28 - Mets at Nats for the Sweep!

Nice camera work MASN, have the cameras zoom in on the lower deck as McKinney's shot is sailing 10 rows deep in the upper tank.

Frayed Knot Jun 28 2021 07:55 PM Re: IGT 6/28 - Mets at Nats for the Sweep!

Who DIDN'T see that one coming?

nymr83 Jun 28 2021 08:00 PM Re: IGT 6/28 - Mets at Nats for the Sweep!

Frayed Knot wrote: Who DIDN'T see that one coming? boo.

Johnny Lunchbucket Jun 28 2021 08:03 PM Re: IGT 6/28 - Mets at Nats for the Sweep!

Another week of offense behind

Edgy MD Jun 28 2021 08:10 PM Re: IGT 6/28 - Mets at Nats for the Sweep!

Well, multiple hits from McNeil, Smitty, and Alonso is something, but it is no time for moral victories.

Edgy MD Jun 28 2021 08:24 PM Re: IGT 6/28 - Mets at Nats for the Sweep!

So Schwarber is really becoming a one-man destruction machine, huh?

bmfc1 Jun 29 2021 06:03 AM Re: IGT 6/28 - Mets at Nats for the Sweep!

In the TV show "The Good Place", we are told that in "The Bad Place" you are continuously tortured and the act is specific to you. I had my experience last night: sitting with 10,000 morons while the Mets are behind by five runs, the "Baby Shark" song is playing, the morons are doing the "Baby Shark" movements, and then the Mets Pitching Coach goes to the mound so the song keeps playing.

Benjamin Grimm Jun 29 2021 06:48 AM Re: IGT 6/28 - Mets at Nats for the Sweep!

http://potg.ultimatemets.com/images/schaefer24.jpg> Cast your vote!

bmfc1 Jun 29 2021 07:04 AM Re: IGT 6/28 - Mets at Nats for the Sweep!

As I sweated and steamed last night, I couldn't figure out the following: Why pitch to Schwarber at all? When he came up to bat in the 5th, I said, "walk him". Then it was 3-0 and I said, "just give him ball 4". then at 3-1, I said, "at least it will only be a solo HR." Luis told us that they kept trying to figure him out. Stop trying. Why did Eickhoff hit in the 5th with a runner on? Sunday, Oswalt hit with 2 on and we were told it was to preserve the BP for Eickhoff's start. Then he lets Eickhoff hit presumably to preserve the BP for Tuesday. Martinez managed with urgency all night. Luis manages as if it's an exhibition game or the season is indefinite. Maybe if Eickhoff is out WSH doesn't score in the 5th and 6th and the rally in the 8th wins it. But at least the BP was underused. Why PH Conforto for Luis when it was obvious that Martinez would bring in Hand (LHP)? Luis had 2 hits and maybe Martinez doesn't use his closer in the 8th for Luis. Why use Castro down one in the 8th? He's erratic. Lugo was warming, too. May is pitching better. Why use Castro in that spot? Why move McNeil to 3B in the 8th where he hasn't played all season? Blankenhorn has started at 3B. That decision lead to the "miscommunication".

Benjamin Grimm Jun 29 2021 07:10 AM Re: IGT 6/28 - Mets at Nats for the Sweep!

Conforto hitting for Guillorme didn't make sense to me either. The bench is already thin, and Guillorme is just as likely to get a hit as Conforto is. (Or close enough, anyway.) Save Conforto to hit for the pitcher a couple of batters later. I'd rather see Guillorme and Conforto batting in an inning than Conforto and Almora.

Edgy MD Jun 29 2021 07:36 AM Re: IGT 6/28 - Mets at Nats for the Sweep!

Well, I agree with both of those last two thoughts. Guillorme is also more likely to reach via walk. I think the reasoning is that Conforto is more likely to handle the lefty. The team is suddenly lefty heavy again, and probably needs to swap out Blankenhorn for a righthanded hitter.

Lefty Specialist Jun 29 2021 07:52 AM Re: IGT 6/28 - Mets at Nats for the Sweep!

Unless they can get a pitcher and find a hitter, this is going to slip away from them. They've benefitted from the rest of the division playing crappy ball. That can only last for so long.

Edgy MD Jun 29 2021 09:21 AM Re: IGT 6/28 - Mets at Nats for the Sweep!

=bmfc1 post_id=69449 time=1624971855 user_id=73]Martinez managed with urgency all night. Luis manages as if it's an exhibition game or the season is indefinite.

I wanted to respond to this. I can't speak to Martinez because I wasn't observing him and certainly didn't put as much time into considering his options. But I do also observe — of Rojas, but also more generally — that managers who come out of the development side of an organization often take too much of a development mindset into managing. This was largely true of Terry Collins also, at least the first half of his tenure.



Davy Johnson came out of the minor league side with the Mets, but he thought of himself as the best man for the job from the day the team hired him, and managed to win even in the minors. But even he made some decisions with an eye toward long-term development over short-term competitiveness. And he wasn't always right.



I think Casey had the right mindset. He was a minor league manager and a teacher. But his loyalty to his players was expressed by trying to win the day, and so reward their efforts with fruitfulness. Every day is some fan's first game and every day is some fan's last. They deserve a team trying to win, rather than a team trying to protect it's bullpen, or giving counterproductive playing time to a struggling player as a fruitless show of loyalty.



Maybe Rojas shifts into full-on-competition mode after the All-Star break. I dunno. Maybe he stops thinking of them as a classroom or a Cub Scout den and starts thinking of them as a unit fighting for first place.



For now, mostly unrelated to the above, I have to say, the utter line-less-ness of his face kind of creeps me out.

bmfc1 Jun 29 2021 11:02 AM Re: IGT 6/28 - Mets at Nats for the Sweep!

Thanks, Edgy.

bmfc1 Jun 29 2021 11:04 AM Re: IGT 6/28 - Mets at Nats for the Sweep!

As I sweated and steamed last night, I couldn't figure out the following: Why pitch to Schwarber at all? When he came up to bat in the 5th, I said, "walk him". Then it was 3-0 and I said, "just give him ball 4". then at 3-1, I said, "at least it will only be a solo HR." Luis told us that they kept trying to figure him out. Stop trying. Why did Eickhoff hit in the 5th with a runner on? Sunday, Oswalt hit with 2 on and we were told it was to preserve the BP for Eickhoff's start. Then he lets Eickhoff hit presumably to preserve the BP for Tuesday. Martinez managed with urgency all night. Luis manages as if it's an exhibition game or the season is indefinite. Maybe if Eickhoff is out WSH doesn't score in the 5th and 6th and the rally in the 8th wins it. But at least the BP was underused. Why PH Conforto for Luis when it was obvious that Martinez would bring in Hand (LHP)? Luis had 2 hits and maybe Martinez doesn't use his closer in the 8th for Luis. Why use Castro down one in the 8th? He's erratic. Lugo was warming, too. May is pitching better. Why use Castro in that spot? Why move McNeil to 3B in the 8th where he hasn't played all season? Blankenhorn has started at 3B. That decision lead to the "miscommunication". I aired a few of these grievances to Tim Britton in a chat and he disagrees with me on a few: [BLOCKQUOTE]I still don't think Rojas is a bad in-game manager. Does he make moves that are questionable? Yep, and so does every other big-league manager. (Why did Davey Martinez allow Wander Suero to face Dominic Smith and *then* bring in Justin Miller?) You're not going to walk Schwarber with nobody on base to bring up Turner and Soto -- not when he's batting with two outs in the second (when he grounded out) or leading off the fifth. My problem with Castro and Lugo was basically that I'd have only been warming up one of them and going with that pitcher regardless of whether it was tied or a one-run game.[/BLOCKQUOTE]

Ceetar Jun 29 2021 12:24 PM Re: IGT 6/28 - Mets at Nats for the Sweep!

[attachment=0]f02b8c3c-cd2b-4235-8b3f-d5a24b2553be.jpg[/attachment]yeah but it's Tim Britton. He's not gonna criticise the manager unless it's a good story or he's slightly evasive in questioning. the "EVERYBODY does it!" argument is dumb. Yes, other managers make bad in-game decisions. That doesn't change anything. The issue with the last Eickhoff-Schwarber matchup.. I dunno, I don't like walking guys like that, period, but what you CAN'T do is hang a slider in the exact same place you just grooved a get me over 3-0 fastball. Rojas has to know if he can trust Eickhoff to pitch around a guy, give him sliders and see if he'll chase. Arguably once you got to 3-0 and he didn't (pitch 3 was probably a strike) you definitely just give him the ball four. The approach seems sound, throw him a 3-1 slider off the play after a fastball in the middle, maybe he'll swing and you're at a full count. If pitch 5 was where 2 was. But I don't think Eickhoff has the track record, this year, this game, this career, to trust in those spots. If it's Stroman? sure, the math is more in the favor of 'trust your guy to make the right pitches'.

Edgy MD Jun 29 2021 12:31 PM Re: IGT 6/28 - Mets at Nats for the Sweep!

the "EVERYBODY does it!" argument is dumb. Yes, other managers make bad in-game decisions. That doesn't change anything. I don't think it's dumb. I think the difference between a particular problem and a systemic problem is important.

Ceetar Jun 29 2021 12:38 PM Re: IGT 6/28 - Mets at Nats for the Sweep!

Edgy MD wrote: the "EVERYBODY does it!" argument is dumb. Yes, other managers make bad in-game decisions. That doesn't change anything. I don't think it's dumb. I think the difference between a particular problem and a systemic problem is important. He's basically saying it's not a problem, because you can't get better at that aspect of the game. Whether it's systemic or exclusive to Rojas is irrelevant to if the Mets can improve on it. It's like saying you shouldn't throw out your milk if the power goes out on your block because the power is out on the whole block, not just your house.

Edgy MD Jun 29 2021 12:50 PM Re: IGT 6/28 - Mets at Nats for the Sweep!

I don't presume to know what he's "basically" saying. I know what he is saying. If a manager's action is common to all managers is different than if a manager's action is unique to your own manager. I think the difference matters.

Frayed Knot Jun 29 2021 02:03 PM Re: IGT 6/28 - Mets at Nats for the Sweep!

My 2 pennies: ONE of Schwarber's HRs was (assuming the above chart is accurate) grooved, the other was a HOWDAHELLDIDHEHITTHATONETHERE!?!?!? kind of pitch. Whenever a hitter is hot a certain pct of fans tend to bring up the 'we should walk him every time' strategy. But that's a dumb card to play. You IW great/hot hitters sparingly and situationally, not constantly and haphazardly.

Ceetar Jun 29 2021 02:42 PM Re: IGT 6/28 - Mets at Nats for the Sweep!

Here's the other one. A little tougher to bomb that one you'd think, but a 90.5 mph fastball to a guy like Schwarber who I think is pretty free-swinging plus locked in, and i dunno. Should've probably been a little more in than that, though looks like Eickhoff was gipped on that first pitch in this AB too. Eickhoff confessed concern that he was tipping his pitches. If so (or if they have a camera somewhere) it's not surprising he cranked this one. [attachment=0]78814080-1d36-4e4e-95a6-0965048c2e04.jpg[/attachment]

Edgy MD Jun 29 2021 03:41 PM Re: IGT 6/28 - Mets at Nats for the Sweep!

Frayed Knot wrote: My 2 pennies: ONE of Schwarber's HRs was (assuming the above chart is accurate) grooved, the other was a HOWDAHELLDIDHEHITTHATONETHERE!?!?!? kind of pitch. Whenever a hitter is hot a certain pct of fans tend to bring up the 'we should walk him every time' strategy. But that's a dumb card to play. You IW great/hot hitters sparingly and situationally, not constantly and haphazardly. And, of course, there's always the middle ground of pitching around a guy. If all you're trying to do is scrape the corners and/or make him chase, and he still takes you deep, you accept that he has succeeded and you have failed. Despite the odds being with you, the talent and execution was with him. You focus tighter and mentally expand the strike zone just a little bit more the next time. A good player beat the Mets. It's gonna happen. There's a lot of reason to complain. We had the wrong pitcher in there. We had the right pitcher but hadn't effectively prepared him. We cheaped out on more pitching in the offseason. We should've pulled the pitcher earlier. But the notion that we didn't surrender quickly enough is a tougher one to swallow. Willie Randolph walked Barry Bonds with two out in the first and the Giants OPSing at .582 or something with all the batters they'd been using behind him. Bonds still scored. And unlike Bonds, the Mets were dealing with a guy batting leadoff. Really, where Eickhoff succeeded was mentioned (albeit, mostly sarcastically) earlier in this thread. He kept folks off base in front of the homers (or simply gave them up at the top of the game/top of innings), to limit the bombardment. Ultimately, it was Ryan Zimmerdude in the eighth who put the game away, driving in more runs with one swing than Schwarber on anybody else did all night. I'm more concerned about offense. Not a walk all night. Sitting around and waiting for bombs is boring and counterproductive. There was never any heat on Espino all night, and it sure felt like a gift when Dave Martinez lifted him after only 67 pitches.

Frayed Knot Jun 29 2021 04:05 PM Re: IGT 6/28 - Mets at Nats for the Sweep!

Yeah, strategical arguments aside, it was simply one of the worst games all year. Eickoff put us in a hole in the first three pitches, and was still XBH-prone even when going 6-8 batter stretches of pitching effectively. The offense stunk, the defense was worse, and it took one pitch for an aging PH to re-put the game out of reach when we got to the pen. After a while I was having trouble paying attention and/or caring ... but at least the pace of the game was slow and tedious.