Game #124: Rockies 5, Mets 2

(NYDailyNews.com)

Mötley Crüe had a song off their 1989 Dr. Feelgood album called "Same Ol' Situation." That's been the story for the New York Mets the last few weeks, and tonight, once again, it was more of the same.

Matt Harvey's great start was wasted by lousy bullpen work in the last 3 innings as the Mets couldn't muster enough offense and fell, once again, by a familiar score of 5-2.

The Bad Stuff:

• Tonight it was Ramon Ramirez's turn to "anti-shine": after coming out to start the 7th inning he only needed 2 pitches to turn a 1-1 game into a 2-1 deficit, giving up a solo home run to Wilin Rosario. A double, groundout, and sac bunt later, it was 3-1, and the Mets were in line for another tough loss.
• But it wasn't enough for just Ramirez to ruin things. No, Frank Francisco decided to get in on the action as well, allowing 2 more runs to cross the plate in the 9th just after New York had scored to make things more interesting.
• But even that wasn't enough. No, the offense, so sleepy throughout the rest of the game, chose the bottom of the 9th to wake up and tease the fans with a glimmer of hope. Mike Baxter hit a 1-out single and Justin Turner drew a clutch 10-pitch walk with 2 outs, but potential tying run Ronny Cedeno fell short on his own 8-pitch at-bat, flying out to left to end the game.
• The offense went just 1-6 with RISP and stranded 9 men on base.

The Good Stuff:

• Matt Harvey had his second straight quality start, going 6 innings and allowing just 1 run on 3 hits while walking 2 and striking out 9. When he left the game was still tied at 1-1, resulting in the first no-decision of his career.
• Harvey may just be the hottest bat the Mets have at the moment as well; he picked up 2 more hits in 2 at-bats to raise his average to a mind-boggling-for-anyone .455 average. If he's going to hit like that as a pitcher, why not put him in the outfield during off days? Get that man some more plate appearances!
• Scott Hariston and Ike Davis each went 1-3 with an RBI.

Final Analysis:
After Harvey left the game I knew New York had no chance. Nothing is going right for this team right now, and even when one part clicks (starting pitching) the other two (hitting and bullpen) are out to lunch. Every loss now drags them farther under .500 than they've ever been under Terry Collins. And if that weren't bad enough, the Phillies and Marlins are right at their tail about to overtake them for 3rd place in the NL East. They both lost tonight, but if they win and the Mets lose tomorrow the New York Mets will finally be right where the experts put us in April: Last Place. That, I believe, would finally be rock bottom.

MM