The Mets needed Batista to give some innings today and he was unable to do that.
Today the Mets lost to the Dodgers by a score of 8 to 5. The Mets alarmingly fell back to exactly .500 on the season, at 47-47. Overall, the Mets have won only 1 game since returning from the All Star break.
Miguel Batista started the game and struggled and only went 3 innings giving up 4 runs. It took him 81 pitches to get 9 outs. After Batista’s lackluster display, Hefner pitched 2 innings giving up 2 additional runs. Josh Edgin and Tim Byrdak combined to pitch 3 scoreless innings.
Due to the recent bullpen woes, Terry Collins called on RA Dickey to pitch the 8th inning. Dickey got 2 outs before giving up a 2 run homer to Juan Uribe. It was interesting to see Dickey in a relief role. I do not think it is the greatest idea to use Dickey this way between starts, but if it works out it works out.
Scott Hairston and Ronny Cedeno both had multi hit games, and Cedeno added a solo home run. The Mets drew within 1 run in the 8th, but the homer Dickey gave up all but clinched the win for the Dodgers.
Overall, tomorrow has now turned into the most important game of the season thus far. This Mets team has been going strong all season, and to go under .500 would be a big morale killer for the team and the fans. Jonathan Niese will attempt to lift the Mets back over .500 before the Nationals come to town for a 3 game set. Game time for tomorrow is 1:10pm EST and the game will be aired on WPIX11 and on WFAN 660 radio.
