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Another disappointing loss

For Mets fans, heartbreaking losses are nothing new. In fact, they seem to have almost become routine. Last night was no exception, as the Mets wasted a phenomenally gutsy effort by Johan Santana who threw 123 pitches over seven innings and left with a 1-0 lead. Unfortunately for Santana, the Mets bullpen was unable to hold the lead as Francisco Rodriguez (the pitcher formerly known as K-Rod) blew yet another save to cost his team a victory.

Managers and players are quick to point out that baseball has a long season, and they are absolutely right. Even so, losses like last night’s are especially painful, and they reveal many of the problems that have plagued the Mets all season.

One key issue facing the Mets so far this season has been a lack of offense. When the news of Carlos Beltran’s knee injury came out during Spring Training, most Mets fans expected the offense to struggle, and that has certainly been the case so far. With the news that Beltran could be returning to minor league rehab within the week, however, Mets fans finally have a small glimmer of hope for their offense.

Unfortunately, the Mets bullpen looks like it could be a more troublesome spot. Through the first month of the season, the Mets bullpen looked as if it would be a strength of the team. As the season has gone on, however, the Mets collection of castoffs and journeymen has struggled more and more. This shouldn’t really come as a surprise, as there must be a reason that most of these players weren’t wanted by any other teams.

One player who Mets fans thought they could count on was their closer, Francisco Rodriguez. Like the rest of his bullpen mates, however, Rodriguez has been struggling, as last night’s appearance was Rodriguez’s third blown save. To make matters worse, Rodriguez’s velocity appears to be down and his ability to overpower hitters seems to have disappeared.

As the season goes on, the Mets don’t appear to have any viable alternatives to the players listed above. Instead, Mets fans will likely have to hope for K-Rod to return to his 2007 form, and also hope for Beltran’s return to energize the offense.

by Nathan Eagan at the Sports Fan Blog Network

June 3, 2010 Posted by nathaneagan12 | Francisco Rodriguez, Johan Santana, New York Mets, Original Content | | No Comments Yet

   

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