Errors Abound As Mets Fall To Braves

BRAVES 8

METS 3

So much for that wonderful seven game winning streak.

The Mets not only found a way to boot away baseballs on the infield, they found a way to boot their winning ways, and hand Johan Santana his second loss of the season. Santana didn't have great command tonight, but losing the game was not his fault. In the first inning, David Wright misplayed a chopper by Martin Prado to put two Braves on with one out in the inning. Later, Wright botched a throw to first on a Matt Diaz single. The throw got away from Fernando Tatis, allowing Yunel Escobar to score from third, 1-0 Braves.

Meanwhile, Derek Lowe was fantastic for the Braves. The former free-agent who the Mets refused to sign to a four year contract must have had some extra motivation, blowing away the Mets offense. Lowe gave up only two runs on five hits in six and two-thirds innings to improve to 5-1 on the season. If you heard a toilet flush, it was Mets GM Omar Minaya throwing up, realizing that he blew the opportunity at signing a real pitcher and not the fink that he did sign in Oliver Perez.

In the seventh, the Mets buffoonery in the field continued. First Jerry Manuel pulled Santana out of the game, because the ace threw 108 pitches. 108 pitches!?!?!? What he could throw 10 more? I think Manuel wishes he did, because it went down hill from there. Bobby Parnell came in and allowed Yunel Escobar single to put runners on base.

Manuel continued to over manage, pulling out Parnell in favor of the struggling Pedro Feliciano. Feliciano was able to induce a ground ball out of Braves catcher Brain McCann, but Jose Reyes booted the ball loading the bases for the Braves. Matt Diaz followed with a two run single, and Casey Kotchman laced a two run single to left. Before you knew it it was 7-2 Atlanta, and the night was O-V-E-R! OVER! OVER! OVER!!

Granted, no one expects the Mets to play 1.000 baseball forever, but the fact that this team can't seem to get enough run support, or even fielding support for Santana is a complete joke. Santana has a 0.78 ERA this season, and if he were on a team that actually hit a baseball, he could be 7-0 this season. Santana deserves better, and it better change if the Mets truly want to be considered a contender. Box Score.