'Houston... We Have A Problem'

Is it me, or is Houston just a bad place for the NY Mets (1986 notwithstanding)? Or, better yet, is Randy Wolf really Mike Scott in 'Wolf's' clothing?? Wolf has beaten the Mets in four straight starts with four different teams. The Mets just cannot capitalize against this guy, and could not afford to make the mistakes they made against him while looking to get out of Houston with, at least, one win.

Let me start with this.... get rid of Nick Evans. Is it also just me, or does this guy look like a timid 8th grader coming up to bat in his little league All-Star game against a pitcher who has struck out 15 straight batters on 45 pitches??? He is miserable and I almost put my foot through the television yesterday when he went down looking in consecutive at bats and did not swing at SEVEN consecutive pitches... SEVEN!!!. I would like for someone to do some research to find out if someone has been caught looking in consecutive at bats without swinging at ONE pitch. I think I did.... In FOURTH grade!! His misplay in the field cost the Mets two runs yesterday as well. Time to go, Nick... come back when you want to play.

Now, Evans was not nearly the root of all problems this weekend and this was the first time the Mets have been swept in a series in the post Randolph era. Backup catcher Robinson Cancel made a veteran like play to bunt in the 3rd inning when spotting Ty Wiggington deep at third, but reversed his cause when he attempted to steal third with two outs, and a 2-1 count with Wright at the plate. As Manuel poignantly put it, a 'brain-dead' play. The malaise was felt through the television.

Ollie could not get the job done, but his fielders did not help him that much either (Nick Evans). Ollie has been grand since Petersen's departure, so we cant give him too much grief at all. I guess the silver lining to yesterdays game was that Delgado went 3 for 4 and Beltran looked good in the #2 slot... although I'm not sure how much of a fan I am of that move because it makes the bottom of the lineup very weak... I think Jerry should change it back. Granted, the move was made to get Beltran going...but as hot as Delgado is, Beltran will see many more pitches batting behind him.

Well, the Mets desperately need this day off to re-group and realize that with only51 games left (I don't care who is injured or not) the margin for error has shrunk considerably. San Diego comes into town, and the last series the Mets were swept (prior to this weekend) were at the hands of these very Pads. Oh brother... what is in store for us this week?? Here's hoping we see Binghamton pitching phenom Eddie Kunz this week. With Wagner going on the DL, we might get a whiff (no pun intended) of the Mets future closer. Here's to not needing him in the 9th, however.