NEW YORK—Ok, it’s already mid-May and the Mets are 20-17 yet there still remains a level of inconsistency with this ballclub. Yes, the series opener against the lowly Washington Nationals when it came to the weather felt like September. It was downright cold for the die-hard Shea faithful who stayed to watch the Mets lose10-4. Then the following day, the Mets would take game two with a 6-3 win. What gives?

In Game One, Mets starter, Nelson Figueroa who not too long ago was the ‘Cinderella Man’ pitching his way into the hearts of the cheering fans has unfortunately seen his luck temporarily diminished. He, along with Jorge Sosa, was designated for assignment. Figueroa, who went five innings, walked five, give up six runs and even hit a couple of batters. He wouldn’t blame the cold air but did point at the dugout antics of the Nationals bench who started chanting while he pitched.

“They were cheerleading in the dugout like a bunch of softball girls,” stated Figueroa after the game.

The Nationals countered that it was simply getting their batters motivated to continue their offensive tear, not showing up the opposing pitcher.

Sosa, who would only pitch an inning, gave up four runs, four hits and walked two. He’s ERA was 7.06.

The Nationals would put up ten runs and ten hits, yet the Mets would also put on the board twelve hits but only cross the plate four times. After the game, Randolph was surely scratching his head hoping it wasn’t going to be another Pirate series.

Delgado who was currently on a nine game hitting streak, seemed to be finally crawling out of his funk. Moises Alou was showing much-needed offense and surprisingly quick hustle on the bags. Carlos Beltran, David Wright and Jose Reyes have all but shown their bats are beginning to wake up.

Ryan Church, currently batting .324, is showing his former team that he’s looking to be one of the Mets’ representatives in this year’s All-Star Game in the Bronx. His offense, and what was originally debated when he was traded to the Mets – his defense – has been quite extraordinary and consistent.

Although the Mets would bounce back the following day having John Maine (5-2) on the mound along with the Mets fourteen hits. Maine would also show his solidarity with the team and give Nelson Figueroa a little pay back by ‘throwing’ at the lead-off hitter, Felipe Lopez in the top of the first. Once again, Ryan Church would go deep for his eighth homer of the season and another former Nationals player, catcher Brian Schneider would contribute three hits. Billy Wagner who continues to post a 0.00 ERA shuts the Nationals down and gets his eighth save of the season.

There seems to be this notion that the 2008 Mets will continue this roller coaster ride throughout the season. If the Mets do not figure out soon which team will show up, we can only be optimistic for Willie Randolph and company that there isn’t a repeat of 2007. If so, the Mets new stadium, Citi-field may have a different skipper and a few different crew members aboard this ship in 2009.

Edited/Posted by WGR
Editor’s note: Latino Sports is critical and opposes any manifestation of sexism in sports and in this case, baseball.

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