Yes, the hero of the DataLounge. Tim Tebow (probably actually gay) was much debated (some thought he was "fit-fat"), but A-Reck was much desired on the Home Team, despite little evidence of inclination.
…er, ahem.
I did not realize that (unlike last year, when "Sunday Lead-off" was on Pee-cock) DirecTV actually gets the Sudoku Channel, and so I didn't tune in until I had literally slept through the end of Chelsea-Manchester City, and a bit beyond.
(Did you know that Chelsea has at least
43 players on their senior squad?? Not that it helped.)
So I only tuned in to see the Mets make the final 3 outs, blowing their final chance of many, apparently. Mendoza is a bleeping idiot for having McNeil bunt. Yes, that gives you two chances with two men in scoring position (IF McNeil succeeds) but you only need one run. Better to take three chances at one hit, on the theory that 3>2.
(As the final score proved.)
And yes, if McNeil bunts, you can then score a run on a sac fly. But there are other ways to advance the runners (slow grounders, deep fly balls) that DON'T sacrifce the chance that the guy who has hit 8 HRs in past month (and had 1 knocked down from the wind when we were pounding the Yanks, back when) might not only deliver a game-tying single, but perhaps a game-winning XBH.
Stupid as anything, especially when you consider that McNeil, who is now in his 7th MLB season (time flies!) has a career total of
8 sac bunts. Clearly, that's not his specialty. And he's 32 years old…Senior Squirrels don't learn new tricks, so much.
So that's one brain cramp. Also, given that the stinky Fish know Usedcar Brazoban's weaknesses better than anyone else in the league, maybe you don't put him in? You only need three innings, so why not try Garrett-Maton-Diaz, or something like that?
Not that Garrett covered himself in glory, either. I hope the Mets have him walking back to Syracuse, right about now.
Nice to see that Nimmo hit another HR. Less nice to hear he needs an MRI.
And how did Vientos get tagged out at home when the Fish needed 3 throws to get him? Did he fail to tag up and had to go back? Did he trip over a root? Was he trying to score from 2nd? Because even Anthony Recker should have scored from 3rd on that ball.
(Boring) Stat of the Day: Mets 1-9 (.111) w. RiSP. Mets leave 9 runners on base. Mets lose by 1 run.
To quote Talking Heads: "Same as it ever was, same as it ever was…"