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IGT 5/4 - Mets/DBacks

Frayed Knot May 04 2008 11:32 AM

This game is also the Nationally televised WTBS Game of the Week that some of you not in the NY area might pick up on Santana (3-2, 3.12) vs Dan Haren (4-1, 3.13) Haren is coming off a win vs Houston where he pitched 7.2 innings giving up 3 ER on 5 hits, 1 BB and 5 Ks Prior to that was his only bad game of the season, a 6 R (5 ER), 9 H, 2 BB in 4.2 IPs thrashing in LA

Gwreck May 04 2008 01:35 PM

Mets Reyes Church Wright Beltran Alou Delgado Schneider C Castillo Santana Diamondbacks Chris Young CF Augie Ojeda SS Eric Byrnes LF Conor Jackson 1B Justin Upton RF Mark Reynolds 3B Chris Synder C Chris Burke 2B Dan Haren P

AG/DC May 04 2008 01:51 PM

Schneider v. Snyder. With Endy being Alou's defensive caddy and pinch-runner, and likely to get into games earlier than your typical defensive sub, Pagan looks like he's dropped from being the third outfielder to being the fifth, through no fault of his own.

AG/DC May 04 2008 02:13 PM

Haren's kick is goofy, isn't it?

Zvon May 04 2008 02:16 PM

He's just plain goofy lookin. Wright almost got a hold a one in the 1st, flyin out to the 417 mark in center.

metirish May 04 2008 02:19 PM Re: IGT 5/4 - Mets/DBacks

Frayed Knot wrote: This game is also the Nationally televised WTBS Game of the Week that some of you not in the NY area might pick up on I don't have it here in da Bronx , sucks because Channel 11's HD station leaves a lot to be desired.

Zvon May 04 2008 02:22 PM

That darn Augie doggie. And he was out.

TheOldMole May 04 2008 02:41 PM

Castillo not covering himself with glory in the field.

AG/DC May 04 2008 02:48 PM

Trying to suspend his leg on his kick like that has to be fatiguing. He's dropping it now and it's only the third. And... we have our first baserunner.

AG/DC May 04 2008 02:51 PM

The goofs in the boof stating that Castillo is a distinctly non-walking man. His career isOBP is .075. He's done something right.

TheOldMole May 04 2008 02:52 PM

Mets draw first blood as Santana sacrifice pays off.

Rockin' Doc May 04 2008 02:53 PM

Reyes drives in Castillo with the first run.

AG/DC May 04 2008 02:53 PM

Reeyes does something (W)right also, and drives home the game's first run.

TheOldMole May 04 2008 03:06 PM

On my cable (TimeWarner) TBS is blocked.

Zvon May 04 2008 03:07 PM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on May 04 2008 03:08 PM

1-0 us after 3 Wright leads off. Time to break this baby open.

AG/DC May 04 2008 03:08 PM

Eric Burns consumes acanthocephalans.

Zvon May 04 2008 03:09 PM

AG/DC May 04 2008 03:09 PM

="Zvon"]1-0 us after 3 Wright leads off. Time to break this baby open. Done and done.

Zvon May 04 2008 03:11 PM

Reynolds over runs the foul pop and looks goofish

Rockin' Doc May 04 2008 03:11 PM

Damn Reynolds over ran that Beltran foul pop by an embarrassing amount. Looked like something you would expect to see in Little League.

Nymr83 May 04 2008 03:14 PM

Delgado hits one off the top of the wall 407 feet away in center, might he finally be finding his stroke?

AG/DC May 04 2008 03:14 PM

Don't know enough ask a trivia quesiton and not answer it right away. Man, Moises. Stay healthy and please me.

Zvon May 04 2008 03:14 PM

DOUBLOOM! Delgado hits one that shudda been a homer. Damn goofy stadium.

Rockin' Doc May 04 2008 03:15 PM

Delgado with a rocket off the wall, about 12 feet above the 407 sign, for a double.

Rockin' Doc May 04 2008 03:17 PM

Nymr - "Delgado hits one off the top of the wall 407 feet away in center, might he finally be finding his stroke?" I certainly hope so. If he could become a reasonable fascimile of his previous self it would be a huge boost for the Mets offense.

Zvon May 04 2008 03:17 PM

Ill take one run at a time. Here, lemme type the final: 7-0 Mets! 2-0 , bottom of the 4th.

Zvon May 04 2008 03:20 PM

Justin Upton justin keepsin hittin. Schnied! wHaTrYaTrYiN2Do2mE? stop those wild pitches guy.

Zvon May 04 2008 03:23 PM

Off the real top of the wall. No more predicting for me....well...one more. final: 7-1 Mets!

AG/DC May 04 2008 03:24 PM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on May 04 2008 03:25 PM

Mark Grace, shut up. You know what's behind the top of the wall? Air. It's not a homer.

Nymr83 May 04 2008 03:24 PM

How di Snyder's ball not go out? the bounce it took looked impossible

Zvon May 04 2008 03:26 PM

That WAS wierd. Like Darling said, how does that ball not have the momentum to continue and bounce over? Like the "ball on the wall" back in '73. This might be a break for the Mets tho....thats how Im gonna spin it anyway. 2-1 Mets after 4 complete.

AG/DC May 04 2008 03:27 PM

The wall is at a goofy angle, and the top edge of walls produce funny angles. Snyder should have gone on that wild pitch.

Rockin' Doc May 04 2008 03:31 PM

Great play by SS Ojeda to get Castillo on a grounder up the middle. Damn it!

Zvon May 04 2008 03:32 PM

Zvon May 04 2008 03:37 PM

Reyes Ks. He tosses everything not sewn on him,lol. Hey, I like to see that kind of fire but if that helmet came up and hit him in the head we'd be in trouble. Note to Reyes: Throw equipment AWAY from your body please. Far away.

Zvon May 04 2008 03:42 PM

YIKES. Augie doggie with another hit. Should we trade Reyes for him straight up? Steve? Seriously tho, go get him and stick him at 2nd base Omar.

KC May 04 2008 03:44 PM

On that odd triple off the top of the wall that Alou had to chase into center I noticed that Beltran was no where in the picture. Was he picking his nose or something?

Zvon May 04 2008 03:45 PM

AWWWOH! I missed foul pop opportunity. Shudda been caught. Ill blame Schnied...(Wright shudda had it,lol) All game predictions are officially off.

Zvon May 04 2008 03:47 PM

KC wrote: On that odd triple off the top of the wall that Alou had to chase into center I noticed that Beltran was no where in the picture. Was he picking his nose or something? The fact that Alou caught up with that ball before Beltran was more shocking to me than the bounce off the wall.

TheOldMole May 04 2008 03:50 PM

John McCain at the game.

AG/DC May 04 2008 03:54 PM

The ball wans't a homer, plain and simple.

Zvon May 04 2008 03:54 PM

McCain chats and possibly widens the supposed generation gap between him and some voters when he says Ted Williams was his boyhood hero and the D'backs are "2 inches" from tying this game up.

AG/DC May 04 2008 03:56 PM

This generation has finally switched to the metric system?

bmfc1 May 04 2008 03:58 PM

I'm watching on TBS... did I miss a McCain interview?

Benjamin Grimm May 04 2008 03:59 PM

If anyone courts the "metric system" vote, they'll have about 15 votes in their pocket.

Zvon May 04 2008 04:04 PM

...to be fair I'm sure he meant 2 inches in reference to the ball off the wall. If he said it in past tense, as in "were 2 inches" I would not have touched on it. But thats what you get when you live under a microscope.

KC May 04 2008 04:05 PM

McCain should shave his head, or at least get a buzz cut. Just sayin'.

Zvon May 04 2008 04:07 PM

A double, 2 walks (1 int) loads the bases for the Snakes. 2 out. Santana must battle out of this hole. And its gonna be a joy to watch him do it.

bmfc1 May 04 2008 04:08 PM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on May 04 2008 04:08 PM

Jim Kaat's no dummy but at least look at the uni number or the way they throw: there was a shot of the Mets BP and Kaat said it was Heilman.

AG/DC May 04 2008 04:08 PM

Hillary should shave it also. How about walking the number-eight guy and the D-Backs pinch-hit for Haren after only five?

Zvon May 04 2008 04:09 PM

...and he does it

bmfc1 May 04 2008 04:09 PM

Did Gary yell on the Young pop-up? Moron Chip Carey screamed "that ball might drop!!!!" Yeah, if there was nobody in the OF.

Nymr83 May 04 2008 04:10 PM

Haren went 6 not 5. Santana's last pitch got way too much of the zone for an 0-2 pitch

AG/DC May 04 2008 04:10 PM

And the Church Ladies cheer!

Zvon May 04 2008 04:11 PM

Nymr83 wrote: Santana's last pitch got way too much of the zone for an 0-2 pitch Maybe...it was a bit up--it was a riser.

Frayed Knot May 04 2008 04:12 PM

="TheOldMole"]On my cable (TimeWarner) TBS is blocked. As it is everywhere in the NY market - and the Phoenix one too I'm sure. But those out-of-town NYM fans should be getting this game on their sets. This new package gives TBS a nationally televised game every Sunday afternoon but, unlike the FOX game on Saturday, they DON'T get an exclusivity window so their game is up against all the regular regional games and is blacked-out if the local market is carrying that specific game. With FOX on Saturday, not only is it their feed instead of the local one but no other games are even allowed to be scheduled at the same time as the the one designated as FOX's GotW plus 1 or 2 backup games. What that tells you is that FOX pays a helluva lot more for their rights than does TBS.

themetfairy May 04 2008 04:14 PM

Frayed Knot wrote: What that tells you is that FOX pays a helluva lot more for their rights than does TBS. And that you don't mess with Rupert!

AG/DC May 04 2008 04:15 PM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on May 04 2008 04:16 PM

If I may, look at the 135-degree angles of the walls in the corner. A line-drive ball coming in from home plate is going to ricochet off that wall toward center naturally. That's the expected trajectory. We've reached the time during the game where Mark Grace needs to be punched.

Frayed Knot May 04 2008 04:16 PM

bmfc1 wrote: Jim Kaat's no dummy but at least look at the uni number or the way they throw: there was a shot of the Mets BP and Kaat said it was Heilman. Is Kaat doing the TBS broadcast? - I thought he had retired.

Zvon May 04 2008 04:18 PM

I got it on CW11 (channel 79-3 here :s), TBS, 2 TVs in front of me, a 5 second delay between the 2....I have the CW11 sound up and Im watching the TBS view, and,...its wacky.

Zvon May 04 2008 04:19 PM

AG/DC wrote: If I may, look at the 135-degree angles of the walls in the corner. Thats wacky too. Its goofy even.

bmfc1 May 04 2008 04:19 PM

Frayed Knot wrote: ="bmfc1"]Jim Kaat's no dummy but at least look at the uni number or the way they throw: there was a shot of the Mets BP and Kaat said it was Heilman. Is Kaat doing the TBS broadcast? - I thought he had retired. Yes he is, alongside Moron Skip Carey. I thought that the color guys were Ron Darling and Buck Martinez, alternating each week. Kaat's fine but Moron Skip Carey is a moron.

AG/DC May 04 2008 04:20 PM

Santana gets only six innings out of 116 pitches.

AG/DC May 04 2008 04:24 PM

Before we ever acquire Eric Byrnes, please remember that he --- presumably by choice --- takes the batters box to the tune of "Your Love" by the Outfield.

Frayed Knot May 04 2008 04:26 PM

I heard it was going to be Darling/Martinez too. Their roll-out announcment mentioned nothing about Kitty. But that's OK, I always liked Kaat so it would be good to catch him on a TBS game that doesn't conflict with a Met game. He did Yanqui games for years up here (that was the job he supposedly retired from) and not only was he a good nuts & bolts announcer but he was the one guy who didn't let Steinbrenner or one of his peons dictate to him what he could and couldn't say. Actually, the hell with announcing - after all these 3+ hour games I wouldn't mind watching Kaat pitch a couple games too.

Zvon May 04 2008 04:27 PM

AG/DC wrote: Santana gets only six innings out of 116 pitches. 8 Ks. He pitched a fine game. Now the pen must do its job. No room for error. Smith Ks the 1st two batters then is tapped for a single. Wright playin the line w/2 out and no on? Cause that was a grounder to third, easy out if he's in normal position. Full count,...and Smith walks him. Dagnabbitt. 2 on, 2 out.

Zvon May 04 2008 04:31 PM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on May 04 2008 04:32 PM

Broken bat bloop baseknock drops "2 inches" in front of Alou and ties it. Hey Alou, why dont you pump a few more times b4 you display that weak arm? Lol. Gah. Mets get out of it w/o any more damage. Score, 2-2 Mets

AG/DC May 04 2008 04:31 PM

Reynolds hit a good pitch there. Smith's real sin was the walk.

Frayed Knot May 04 2008 04:35 PM

Yup. We're walking too many this year. * upon looking it up -- 4.0 per/game (before today). Not the highest in the league although higher than the league avg of 3.7 We've also hit 14 although I don't know if that's high or not.

Zvon May 04 2008 04:42 PM

Zvon May 04 2008 04:46 PM

Reyes walks, steals second. Reyes is dodgin bullets with his headfirst slides on EVERY steal. He had that one easily and a foot first slide there would have been less of a risk. As it was he almost jammed his hand and almost over slid the bag. Okay, I know this isnt horseshoes or handgranades.... Church walks! Wright up.

Zvon May 04 2008 04:48 PM

Zvon May 04 2008 04:51 PM

...a wasted opportunity :(

metsguyinmichigan May 04 2008 04:53 PM

That was the big chance.

AG/DC May 04 2008 04:54 PM

Dear Schaefer, Please send a case to Ryan Church. Sincerely, AG/DC

smg58 May 04 2008 04:54 PM Edited 2 time(s), most recently on May 04 2008 04:56 PM

Serious contender for defensive play of the year there. (At least the end of the play.) Burke bunted, Feliciano threw the ball into right field, Burke rounded second and looked very certain to make third but Church made a great throw and Wright made a great tag.

Rockin' Doc May 04 2008 04:55 PM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on May 04 2008 05:02 PM

Bad baserunning by Burk and a great throw by Church gets the first out for the Mets. edited to correct typo on Burk's name

Zvon May 04 2008 04:55 PM

What a throw by Church! WOOT!

Zvon May 04 2008 04:57 PM

You better argue that Willie. Better yet, get tossed....fire em up.

AG/DC May 04 2008 04:57 PM

Hey, Brian Runge. Your father wouldn't have blown that call.

Zvon May 04 2008 04:59 PM

My mistake... I thought Willie was gonna argue. Apparently he just had a sentence worth of critique in him. He ran out, said something, and....I guess ran back into the dugout,lol. Why even go out there? If your not gonna kick some dirt in that situation just yell at him from the dugout.

AG/DC May 04 2008 05:02 PM

Brian blew the strike call also That's two generations of umps embarrassed by him today.

Frayed Knot May 04 2008 05:04 PM

Relievers use on Saturday: Sosa - 1.0 IP, 15 pitches Heilman - 1.0 IP, 28 pitches Sanchez - 0.1 IP, 25 pitches Probably best explains why Sosa now and not either of the other two.

Frayed Knot May 04 2008 05:05 PM

Nice inning Jorge!!

Zvon May 04 2008 05:06 PM

Whew. We get Augie doggie in a big spot. RELEASE THE HOUNDS!

AG/DC May 04 2008 05:08 PM

Beltran Alou Delgado.

Rockin' Doc May 04 2008 05:09 PM

Sosa gets the job done. Now let's score some runs!!!

Rockin' Doc May 04 2008 05:10 PM

Beltran starts it off with a single. Alou follows with his first hit of the year.

AG/DC May 04 2008 05:10 PM

/1B

Frayed Knot May 04 2008 05:11 PM

All praise the God of top-spin! I thought that was an easy GiDP.

bmfc1 May 04 2008 05:11 PM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on May 04 2008 05:11 PM

Endy crosses himself before pinch-running. Whatever works, ND.

AG/DC May 04 2008 05:11 PM

\ /1B

Rockin' Doc May 04 2008 05:12 PM

Thank you Connor Jackson!

Zvon May 04 2008 05:12 PM

yeaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!

smg58 May 04 2008 05:13 PM

We thank you for your most generous gift.

Frayed Knot May 04 2008 05:14 PM

I'm not too wild about bunting in front of the player voted in his yearbook to be the boy least likely to hit a deep fly ball.

Rockin' Doc May 04 2008 05:14 PM

Having Schneider sacrificing in order to give the RBI opportunity to Castillo is stupid, imo.

bmfc1 May 04 2008 05:14 PM

Has Willie even been tossed while Mets mgr.? My son's JV baseball mgr. got thrown out yesterday.

metirish May 04 2008 05:14 PM

Did Jackson think the base was right behind him, weird play

AG/DC May 04 2008 05:14 PM

/\ \/1B \ /1B /E5

bmfc1 May 04 2008 05:15 PM

Frayed Knot wrote: I'm not too wild about bunting in front of the player voted in his yearbook to be the boy least likely to hit a deep fly ball. That was funny! I appreciate the IBB.

Frayed Knot May 04 2008 05:16 PM

I guess Melvin doesn't like the idea of playing the infield in with a slap-hitting, hole-finding Castillo ... but I still thank him for his IW

Rockin' Doc May 04 2008 05:16 PM

Melvin playing by the book walks Castillo to load the bases and set up the potential dp. He obviously has more respect for Castillo than I do. I'd rather give Marlon the chance.

AG/DC May 04 2008 05:16 PM

Castillo (now being walked) is capable of run-scoring grounders, though. Sac flies aren't everything.

TheOldMole May 04 2008 05:16 PM

I think a bunt with no out and runners on first and second is often a good idea.

Zvon May 04 2008 05:16 PM

AG/DC May 04 2008 05:17 PM

Marlon takes that chance.

TheOldMole May 04 2008 05:17 PM

And hey, it turns out Willie's a genius and Bob Melvin is the nudnick, in spite of the testimonial from John McCain.

Rockin' Doc May 04 2008 05:17 PM

Anderson drives in the run and tells Melvin to burn his book.

bmfc1 May 04 2008 05:17 PM

Over-managing by Melvin? Castillo doesn't K very much but a flyball was doubtful, and Marlon isn't having a good season, but I was very glad to see the IBB.

Rockin' Doc May 04 2008 05:20 PM

%-2 good guys going to the bottom of the ninth.

Frayed Knot May 04 2008 05:22 PM

TheOldMole wrote: I think a bunt with no out and runners on first and second is often a good idea. As do I, particularly if it's late in the game and you're dying for just 1 or 2 runs. It's just that doing it into Castillo virtually removes the option of scoring a run via a productive out. The IF would be in killing the ground ball RBI and batting LH he's not likely to hit a long-enough fly ball. Oh well, it worked out for the best.

Zvon May 04 2008 05:22 PM

D'backs wanna give us the game. Augie doggie playin somewhere between DP depth and infield in, ty. Connor and his sailing throw, ty. And yea, intentionally walk castillo to get to Anderson, tyvm. 5-2. Wags for....

Zvon May 04 2008 05:25 PM

TheOldMole May 04 2008 05:26 PM

Like I said, two of three.

TheOldMole May 04 2008 05:26 PM

I've been through the desert on a horse with no name....

KC May 04 2008 05:27 PM

Wasn't pretty, but 2 W's against the D'baggs is 2 W's. Onto to Lah Lah Land, the Dodgers finally lost a game today.

Rockin' Doc May 04 2008 05:27 PM

It was great to watch a game in which the Mets actually come out victorious.

AG/DC May 04 2008 05:29 PM

Frayed Knot wrote: ="TheOldMole"]I think a bunt with no out and runners on first and second is often a good idea. As do I, particularly if it's late in the game and you're dying for just 1 or 2 runs. It's just that doing it into Castillo virtually removes the option of scoring a run via a productive out. The IF would be in killing the ground ball RBI and batting LH he's not likely to hit a long-enough fly ball. The infield in is a good thing.

Frayed Knot May 04 2008 05:31 PM

It could giveth or taketh awayeth

Zvon May 04 2008 05:40 PM

Gwreck May 04 2008 06:12 PM

I'm going to call this a BIG Win (TM). Despite two errors on our part; despite at least 2 blown calls on the bases by the ump; despite an inconsistent strike zone. Very very pleased to have taken 2 from the Diamondbacks. Willie looking smart today: 1. Leaving Alou in after he batted in the 7th rather than going to Endy for defensive replacement purposes. 2. Intentionally walking to get to the pitcher's spot with Santana at the end of his rope.

John Cougar Lunchbucket May 04 2008 08:32 PM

Yeah, very big win. Two of three from the Baggs at their place was good no matter how shaky we looked. (Or sounded, such as it was for me, as I heard this mostly in the car). The Phillies were meanwhile winning 2 of 3 from the Giants at CBP, despite being outplayed by them, so it happens. The West has some pitching this year.

AG/DC May 04 2008 09:07 PM

How different does our lineup suddenly look? 1) With Churchie batting second, it's the other guys worrying about situational strategy, and not us. 2) Brenly going to his lefthander in the pen in the sixth, and having to get past Alou before he faced Delgado and Schneid... well, Brenly and Slaten survived that spot, but you know they pooed themsleves first. 3) Delgado getting in gear but still sliding down the lineup as Alou returns is some comfort. It's not unreasonable to think he's still enough of a threat to bat sixth. 4) Yeah, we're still giving away too many outs at catcher and second, but (a) now they're seventh and eighth, (b) Schneider's hit as well, when healthy, as we had a right to hope, (c) we can get some lefty-righty flip-floppage if/when Castro gets back, and (d) if Castillo's main remaining job is trying clearing the pitcher, and secondarily being occasionally in scoring position when Reyes comes around, well, he's probably good enough. Much remains to be seen, health can certainly upset this apple cart at any moment, and Beltran's been looking lost, but I liked the lineup's look this weekend.

DocTee May 04 2008 09:30 PM

Melvin, not Brenly.

AG/DC May 04 2008 09:41 PM

Him too. Bigheaded west-coast catchers-turned-managers named Bob. Can you blame me for not keeping up?

metirish May 05 2008 07:06 AM

Yeah this was a good series win , during the game last night when Owings pinch hit Gary mentioned that Melvin would more than likely use Micah as the DH during IL road games , and that there were internal talks about playing him at first base at times although that was scraped , fascinating . As mentioned during the game even though he's a pitcher he has to be ready like any position player every day . I suppose all players do but Owings is likely to PH as much as any player.

Benjamin Grimm May 05 2008 08:10 AM

I'm much happier with Castillo as an 8 hitter than as a 2. As an 8, I think he's pretty "Old Mutual." He might be one of the better 8th-place hitters in the league. (And no, I don't know who the other 15 are, but my off-the-cuff guess is that he's probably in the upper half.)

batmagadanleadoff May 05 2008 08:57 AM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on May 05 2008 09:05 AM

Frayed Knot wrote: ="TheOldMole"]I think a bunt with no out and runners on first and second is often a good idea. As do I, particularly if it's late in the game and you're dying for just 1 or 2 runs. It's just that doing it into Castillo virtually removes the option of scoring a run via a productive out. The IF would be in killing the ground ball RBI and batting LH he's not likely to hit a long-enough fly ball. Oh well, it worked out for the best. Successfully bunting a runner who is on second base with nobody out over to third base is the only instance where, on average, you increase your chances of scoring one run - but only one run in the inning. As you already noted, this strategy is more effective in the very late innings of a tie game because with less innings remaining, a small lead is that much more insurmountable, especially for the Mets these days because Wagner has been unhittable all season long. The problem with Randolph's use of that tactic yesterday was, as you also noted, the part about leaving it to Luis Castillo to deliver the big one out productive out. With one out and runners on second and third, Randolph was clearly hoping for at least a fly-out hit deep enough to allow the lead runner to tag up and score. But ironically, Castillo might be the worst player in all of baseball suited to that task, of course not including pitchers. Castillo is a notorious gropund ball hitter, more so than almost every other player in baseball, and is therefore one of the least likeliest to hit a fly ball - let alone a fly ball deep enough to get the run in (It's Castillo we're discussing). This season, for example, Castillo has the fourth highest ground ball to fly ball ratio in the Majors, and the three players ranked above him are significantly better at not making an out in the first place. If we were able to watch Castillo hit under those exact circumstances over and over again, the same way we could flip the same coin over and over again, Castillo would likely waste an out without delivering the desired run more often than is tolerable. I wonder what Willie was thinking when he sac bunted before Castillo's at-bat, what Willie knew that we didn't know if anything, and what Willie did not consider - intentionally or from ignorance? In other words, just how informed was Willie's decision to sac bunt in that inning. Of course, Castillo was then walked intentionally and Marlon Anderson then followed with a run producing single, bailing the Mets, and possibly Willie, too. So ultimately, things worked out for the best for the Mets. Maybe in spite of Willie Randolph.

Centerfield May 05 2008 09:00 AM

I was thinking when watching this that we'll be ok with Willie Randolph so long as the opposing manager is even worse.

AG/DC May 05 2008 09:06 AM

I'm sticking to my guns. If that strategy is right or wrong has little to do with Castillo coming up. As ill-equpped as Castillo is to provide a deep fly, he's just as ably equipped to drive a grounder through a drawn-in infield, and to avoid the worst of likely outcomes --- a strikeout. All this changes if Bob Melvin has the guts to do what Chuck Tanner once did against Wally Backman in a silmilar situation: pulling one of his outfielders in and making Backman hit against a five-man infield.

Frayed Knot May 05 2008 09:10 AM

Hey I was against the bunt before it was even attempted -- but just to play devil's advocate here for a second (or AG/DC advocate as he mentioned it several times) you're getting Castillo's slap-hitting ground-ball skills against a drawn-in infield thereby increasing the odds of a single through a hole somewhere. ** on edit: slow typing Or maybe Willie was counting on the IWW - although it certainly never crossed my mind.

batmagadanleadoff May 05 2008 09:14 AM

Centerfield wrote: I was thinking when watching this that we'll be ok with Willie Randolph so long as the opposing manager is even worse. Could be. Or maybe Willie anticipated the intentional walk to Castillo. I doubt this to be the case and so refuse to give Randolph that benefit of the doubt. Of course, this is just my hunch, nothing more. Maybe, with the go-ahead run already having been delivered prior to Castillo's at-bat, Willie sac bunted mainly to reduce the douple play risk. I'm stretching here and of course, this then questions Randolph's use of Castillo as the #2 hitter earlier this season with such a hypothetically meager vote of confidence.

batmagadanleadoff May 05 2008 09:18 AM

AG/DC wrote: I'm sticking to my guns. If that strategy is right or wrong has little to do with Castillo coming up. How can you say that? Context is everything. Would it be the same to have Wright sac bunting for Beltran to come up with one out/second and third?

AG/DC May 05 2008 09:19 AM

Because... I wrote: As ill-equpped as Castillo is to provide a deep fly, he's just as ably equipped to drive a grounder through a drawn-in infield, and to avoid the worst of likely outcomes --- a strikeout.

batmagadanleadoff May 05 2008 09:23 AM

And you also wrote ="AG/DC"]if that strategy is right or wrong has little to do with Castillo coming up. It can't be about Castillo and not about Castillo simultaneously. Pick one and go with it.

batmagadanleadoff May 05 2008 09:29 AM

batmagadanleadoff wrote: Pick one and go with it. Me personally, I like the idea that Willie was setting up Castillo for the grounder that might get through a drawn in infield. Or maybe we would've seen a squeeze play but for the intentional walk. Castillo is a terrific contact hitter, putting aside the quality of his contacts. But how can you say that the infield was in on Castillo when he was intentionally walked?

AG/DC May 05 2008 09:36 AM

This seems much simpler than the way you're framing the logic. Castillo's assets offset his defecits, to my thinking, so issues of Castillo cancel each other out. I didn't say it was about Castillo. I'm saying Castillo is a neutral factor.

AG/DC May 05 2008 09:40 AM

="batmagadanleadoff"]But how can you say that the infield was in on Castillo when he was intentionally walked? I didn't. Frayed Knot wrote that the infield would be in.

batmagadanleadoff May 05 2008 09:40 AM

Gotcha.

batmagadanleadoff May 05 2008 09:47 AM

Gotcha again. ="AG/DC"]This seems much simpler than the way you're framing the logic. Castillo's assets offset his defecits, to my thinking, so issues of Castillo cancel each other out. I didn't say it was about Castillo. I'm saying Castillo is a neutral factor. But it seems that it was about Castillo. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

AG/DC May 05 2008 09:56 AM

...

batmagadanleadoff May 05 2008 10:00 AM

Gotcha as in "got it", "I get it", "I understand you". Not as in "I caught you".