Mota Puts Out The Fire

Just when you think it is safe to go back to Shea Stadium, just when you think the Mets are back on track, just when you think it is all systems go, the Mets remind you why fans and critics alike question this team. They were over 500. They have taken three in a row, two straight from the Phillies and had Johan Santana and Oliver Perez set to pitch. Johan did not have his stuff and after giving Ollie a lead, Ollie showed he did not have his stuff either.

After the Brewers took the lead, the Mets had numerous opportunities to score but could not take advantage, they kept hitting into double plays. Then came the eighth inning, which for me was the most frustrating inning of the game. Guillermo Mota, the former Met who kept blowing games last year, was brought in by the Brewers. The Mets managed to load the bases with Mota walking two. Carlos Delgado came up with the bases loaded.

You could feel Mota suffering, you could see he was pressing to show the Met fans he could come through. He was frazzled, he was not pitching well and the Mets had Delgado at the plate. A walk brings them to within one. A single ties it, a double probably clears the bases and gives the Mets the lead. A grand slam would certainly do that. Delgado, another Met who struggled last year, whose numbers were down, had a chance to redeem himself. My friends kept telling me that with some injuries and fatherhood and other things going on in Delgado’s life last year, we did not get an accurate picture of how good he was. They believed he would be a deadly force to be reckoned with this season. Oh how I hoped they were right.

Delgado came to the plate. He did make Mota work, but in the end, he popped out and the Met chances were over for the day. If was a frustrating game. The are back under 500 and making me question, once again, the guts, drive, determination and character of this team. Maybe today being an off day is exactly what they need. Unfortunately, this feels too much like last year. Every time they win a few games, they turn back around and lose a few. Once again guys, I say “WAKE UP!”

Let’s Go Mets!