Highest of Highs, Lowest of Lows Applesauce: Gee Implodes, Offense Makes Triumphant Comeback, Parnell Implodes

by Steve Schreiber on Sep 4, 2011 9:00 AM EDT in Applesauce

Apparently, this visit to the mound did not help.

A game of highs and lows ended up in a low for the Mets, as they fell to the Nationals 8-7 on Saturday evening in our nation's capital. Dillon Gee was torched for five runs over the first two innings, three of them coming off the bat of rookie pitcher Tom Milone, who hit a three run shot on the first pitch he saw in his first big league at bat. Pretty impressive stuff. Things started to unravel for him after that, as the Mets roared back for six runs of their own, four of them coming from two run shots via Nick Evans and Jason Bay, the latter of which deadlocked the score at six apiece. The Mets smallball'd their way to a 7-6 lead in the seventh and Manny Acosta threw two impressive innings, striking out five batters but Bobby Parnell came in and immediately, that lead was put in jeopardy. Soon thereafter, Ryan Zimmerman's dunker in front of Lucas Duda won it for the Nats.

One thing to point out in that 9th inning was the curious decision by Terry Colins to intentionally walk Roger Bernadina to load the bases with one out in order to face Ryan Zimmerman. Sure, playing for the double play there would make sense in most cases, but Zimmarman is easily the Nats' best hitter. This was not the average case.

Choose Your Recap: ESPN NY, New York Daily News, Associated Press, MLB.com, New York Times, Bergen Record, Yahoo Sports, NJ.com

The rubber game of this series takes place tomorrow afternoon at 1:35 PM, as Mike Pelfrey will face off against hefty, innings-eating nemesis Livan Hernandez.

Johan Santana made his second rehab start in Port St. Lucie and went two innings without issue. The team is still using caution when talking about a potential return this season. It's probably a good idea to see how he recovers over the next few days before we set up any crazy expectations.

Here's some more reaction to the news of David Einhorn and the Mets parting ways. Did the Mets drop the ball by messing with the terms of the deal and will they struggle to find investors willing to pay for a portion of the team with no control? Or did Einhorn get greedy by asking to be pre-approved as the controlling shareholder down the line, should his effort to "short" the Wilpons work?

Tough news for Bisons' third baseman Zach Lutz, who has officially pulled himself out of a winter ball commitment in Venezuela due to continued concussion symptoms. If there's anybody in the Mets organization who's snakebitten, it's this guy.

Finally, in case you missed it, Gary Carter spent some time in the hospital last week with blood clots caused by his chemotherapy medication.

Around the NL East

The Marlins beat the Phillies 8-4 behind a pair of home runs from Mike Cameron and a three run shot by Gaby Sanchez. Oh, well look at that! Apparently he kills other teams aside from the Mets!

The Dodgers beat the Braves 2-1 in 10 innings, taking the lead with a Juan Rivera sacrifice fly.

Around the Majors

Brewers backup catcher George Kottaras became the player to hit for the cycle in 2011, the first since Carlos Gonzalez did it July 31st of 2010. Really? Nobody else has hit for the cycle this year? Baseball is weird.

Speaking of the Brew Crew, Fangraphs takes a look at the success they had last offseason dealing all of their prospects for big league talent. Though I wouldn't recommend this strategy for the Mets, it certainly worked out for them this year, since they basically had to go all in before potentially losing Prince Fielder to free agency.

Down 8-6 heading into the bottom of the 9th, the Tigers hit two home runs to walk off with a 9-8 victory over the division nemesis White Sox.

Ian Kennedy furthered his banner season as the Diamondbacks offense smacked Tim Lincecum around and beat the Giants 7-2, extending their division lead to six games. I'm sure the Yankees are quite happy with Curtis Granderson in center field, but imagine what could've been with Kennedy on their rotation?

Finally, today's start will be Livan Hernandez's last of the season. What is his role be going forward?

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I may get lambasted for saying this but

Acosta has me intrigued. He has always had a good FB in terms of velocity. Perhaps he recent streak of good pitching is just luck, but if he can minimize his HR’s he could be a solid MR. I don’t expect him to be a relief ace, but his FIP is getting closer to his xFIP as his HR/FB rate comes back down from the astronomically high rate that is was.

Anyone else think he could be decent going forward or am I just crazy?

by Balagast on Sep 4, 2011 9:34 AM EDT reply actions

meh, he can't be worse than Igarashi

he’s definitely not a bad middle relief option, youngish and cheap to boot.

"Fantasy, reality, science Fiction. Which is which? Who can tell?"

by feslenraster on Sep 4, 2011 9:55 AM EDT up reply actions

And, maybe,

Hopefully, Bucholtz, for his sake as well as the team’s. Since Carrasco is guaranteed another year, don’t jerk him around anymore and make him a true longer reliever.

It’s the rotation that worries me more. IF Johan comes back to form and can log significant innings, and, yeah, that’s big if. Dickey (say his name with great praise) should be around what he was this year, Niese should improve. I would take Cappy, but only with the right price, but, while I like him, we should be thinking/getting someone better. I don’t ever wanna see Mike P again, and I think Gee is a great backup you keep down in Buffalo for spot starts or if someone goes down for a while. So one big IF, two serviceable plus definites, and at least 2, possibly three major questions.

If say they don’t sign Reyes, what stud pitchers are available next year? And, just to fan the flames, would you consider trading Wrght for a top flight starter and playing Smurphy at 3rd? I heart me some Dubs and have never been in the triad wrongz contingent, it’s just a thought that’s crossed my mind of late.

by keepcoolbutcare on Sep 4, 2011 10:15 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Gee is probably better than most #5 starters.

Why keep him down in Buffalo?

Save Jenrry Mejia!
Keep Reyes, Trade Wilpon.

by Ogre39666 on Sep 4, 2011 2:22 PM EDT up reply actions

I think Cannonfodder

And others who run the site and comment on the boards thoght that Manny’s stuff was there, and that if he could somehow harness it effectively he would make damn fine bullpen arm. With his stuff, he could be a “8th inning guy” (meaningless term, I know) able to face both righties and lefties.

And if he continues to pitch the way he has of late, that’s certainly a reasonable expectation. Looking at the pen that could be next year, I’m liking what I see, but only if everyone pans out. Really liked what I saw of Stinson, digging out wee lefty moppet, keep Brydak, and losing Toyota Irritation? 3 guys who throw 90+, two carfy lefty loogies, possibly one or two relievers from the minors (not looking at you, Mish) – unless someone looks amazing in spring training, seems like high time to try a bullpen by committee, one that’ll use the best available pitcher in the proper situation, having faith someone else can “close” game.

by keepcoolbutcare on Sep 4, 2011 10:04 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

I was always an Acosta apologist if you will.

Wouldn’t you know, when he came up this year and was horrible, I joined in in writting him off.

Save Jenrry Mejia!
Keep Reyes, Trade Wilpon.

by Ogre39666 on Sep 4, 2011 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Has the three inning save been outlawed?

Acosta, who generally is a hit or miss proposition has pitched well lately and much more consistantly. So he throws two good innings and gets pulled so Captain Fastball can blow the game in the ninth. There’s been a lot of questioning of various moves in last night’s game, but I haven’t seen any mention of this one. Why not let Acosta finish out and try for the three inning save? Parnell is as iffy a porposition as the rest of the bullpen – lights out some nights, incapable of getting through an inning on others. If you’ve got one of your unpredictable pitchers out there, and he’s doing well, why pull him and increase your odds of finding the bullpen arm that’s going to be off on the night?

by Cranky50 on Sep 4, 2011 12:28 PM EDT reply actions