Mets 7, Pirates 2: Tyler Yates Dampens Evening

by Charlie Wilmoth on May 8, 2009 10:41 PM EDT

The Mets really seemed to want the Pirates to win this game (the box score only lists one error--a bad throw by Jose Reyes--but there were also a couple of bungled plays in the outfield), but a tepid offense and Tyler Yates wouldn't let them. Jeff Karstens actually pitched pretty well, even throwing some breaking balls that were among the best I've ever seen from him, but he left the game after six with the score tied, 2-2.

And then, Yates. Tyler got through one inning without incident, but John Russell sent him back for more in the eighth, and Yates started the inning with a single, a walk, and an RBI single by Carlos Beltran. Then Sean Burnett relieved Yates and promptly gave up a three-run jack to Carlos Delgado. By the end of the inning, the Bucs were down by five, and the mini-rally they staged in the bottom of the ninth wasn't nearly enough.

I understand the Bucs' problems with their bullpen right now. They have an injured closer and they're carrying several inexperienced pitchers, including a Rule 5 pick who doesn't belong in the big leagues. I get that, and I can live with that. But even within those constraints, it's past the point where Yates should be in high-leverage situations. He wasn't a good pitcher even last year, when there weren't many complaints about him. This year, everyone in the comment thread knows what's going to happen the second he walks through the bullpen door. Jesse Chavez and Evan Meek and John Grabow should get those innings. I'd even prefer the Pirates call up, oh I don't know, Romulo Sanchez, or Juan Mateo, or Jeff Sues, and have one of them pitch. Let Yates pitch mop-up duty.

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This is from DK's piece tonight

Niese, 22, is one of the Mets’ top prospects, but he was 0-2 with a 6.55 ERA for Class AAA Buffalo and told New York reporters he was “shocked” to be recalled to take the place of injured Oliver Perez.

We continue to make scrubs look like All-Stars on offense. It would be the equivalent of Gorzo coming up right now and holding a team to 2 runs over 6-7 innings. I know the bullpen was terrible once again tonight and it probably wouldn’t have mattered, but when is this offense going to do something?

by thelumberco. on May 8, 2009 11:41 PM EDT reply actions

I’ll claim ignorance on Niese but according to Vlad in the game thread, he is very highly regarded by the Mets and the Mets wouldn’t offer him for Nady.

That being said I understand your point and this team has gone from exciting to frustrating very quickly. Still a lot of season left. . . . .

I made most of my life decisions at a Foghat concert... I stand by them.

by Chester J Lampwick on May 9, 2009 12:15 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, Niese’s minor league ERA was misleading. He had 25 Ks and 8 BB in 22 AAA innings while allowing just 1 home run and inducing a ton of ground balls. That’s normally a recipe for success, but he must have just had a lot of hits fall in.

by shayborg on May 9, 2009 4:32 AM EDT up reply actions

Does any of this really matter?

The bottom line is that we still only scored 2 runs and are averaging less than 3 runs over the past 12 games. We simply cannot score because we have no big guns in the lineup who can produce an extra-base hit and until we stop wasting AB on the likes of Moss, Hinskie, Monroe, Young, et.al. then no amount of quality pitching is going to win us any games.

by Illinois Pirate Fan on May 9, 2009 9:11 AM EDT up reply actions

I ASKED you

to STFU about Moss already. Find another drum to beat, you’re making my head hurt.

by bucdaddy on May 9, 2009 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions

bucdaddy, if you like Moss so much, maybe you should pick him up for your fantasy team….hahahaha. It’s stupid to continue to play him.

by thelumberco. on May 9, 2009 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Jesus Christ

by bucdaddy on May 9, 2009 4:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Moss

His hit % is around 22%, that’s about 10 percentage points below his career average. He’s going to go on a tear, and soon. I’m not saying he’s gonna hit .330 or anything, but it’s going to get better. Law of averages.

by ILLZ on May 9, 2009 8:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Law of averages says

he can’t get much worse.

by Thunder on May 9, 2009 8:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Exactly

The worrisome thing is the lack of anything resembling power, not the BA.

by ILLZ on May 9, 2009 8:56 PM EDT up reply actions

You’re exactly right, Illinois Pirate. It really doesn’t matter. I don’t know if the Pirates could score more than two runs off of me. I don’t think putting Young in the lineup would be wasted at bats. He, unlike Moss, can hit. But you’re right man. It doesn’t matter right now who pitches against us. We’re that bad right now.

by thelumberco. on May 9, 2009 1:07 PM EDT up reply actions

I HATE TYLER YATES.

by pittbluedevil on May 9, 2009 12:10 AM EDT reply actions

Chester, You're Right ...

It’s a loooooong season. This one may seem especially loooooong.

by thegunner on May 9, 2009 1:41 AM EDT reply actions

Haha, very true. When does Steelers training camp start?

But seriously, I’m still eager to see the progression of some of our players even if the team stinks.

I made most of my life decisions at a Foghat concert... I stand by them.

by Chester J Lampwick on May 9, 2009 9:49 AM EDT up reply actions

Barthmaier to have tommy john surgery...

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09128/968882-100.stm

by phil79 on May 9, 2009 4:29 AM EDT reply actions

Is there any chance I Mets might call up that girl who pitched a perfect game for her Little League team to pitch against the Bucs tonight ?

by Ketcham Bruce on May 9, 2009 8:21 AM EDT reply actions

Announcement at Citi Field...

“Will the mother of the 12 year old in the Mets uniform please report to the Mets dugout? Your son/daughter is shutting out the Pirates on 3 hits.”

by Thunder on May 9, 2009 10:11 AM EDT up reply actions

hahahaha

by thelumberco. on May 9, 2009 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions

" the Mets"

by Ketcham Bruce on May 9, 2009 8:22 AM EDT reply actions

Late to the party

I just read the last 5 or so fanposts and the last 2 pages of main threads…

LumberCo, Gunner, and Illinios whatever your name is… you guys are idiots. And not because of your views. The worst part is that I think an intelligent argument can be made in defense of what you think. You’re idiots because you’re ignorant, and you refuse to address logical arguments against you with logical arguments in your own defense.

“My dad’s stronger than your dad because he’s a body builder”.

“No, my Dad is stronger”.

“He is? How do you know?”

“He just is, I know it”.

by ILLZ on May 9, 2009 9:13 PM EDT reply actions