Yankees 5, Mets 4 (11 innings)
And with this, the Mets know what it is like to blow a 4-0 lead to their crosstown rival…with their ace on the hill, no less.
While zero blame can be laid at the feet of Pedro Martinez (7 IP, 8K’s, no runs, 4 hits, one walk) I’m really struggling to think of a silver lining regarding Billy Wagner’s spectacularly awful 9th inning, one in which the Mets closer relinquished a four run lead. Something like “we’re getting some great opportunities to see Jorge Julio showcased in pressure situations,” or “at least Wagner isn’t signed for 6 years.”
That was one hell of an at bat by Melkey Cabrera in the top of the 9th.
As much as it pains me to do so, I have to acknowledge a few more good things about the Yankees. It takes a wily veteran like Bernie Williams to have the presence of mind to place his rib cage in the path of a Billy Wagner fastball. Well done, Bernie. And Johnny Damon might not be the sharpest tool in the shed, but he can get down the first base line pretty well for a guy with a cracked bone in his foot.
No one seated near me seemed capable of inventing a chant about Andy Phillips blowing anyone. It really has been a day of crushing disappointment.
Today’s NY papers featured a photograph of David Wright being tackled by Jose Lima after the third baseman’s game winning single last night. I believe Frank Cashen once had something to say about the persons who’ve contributed the least doing the most celebrating.
On ESPN 1050’s postgame wrap, host Steve Phillips rejected criticism of Willie Randolph’s decision Saturday to use Wagner in the 9th after the troubled reliever had already been summoned the previous evening, pointing out that Wagner was overpowering on Friday, and had only thrown 12 pitches.
That said, Phillips proceeded to second guess Randolph’s failure to remove Wagner after the walk to Kelly Stinnett, then concluded by reading a promo for 1050’s broadcast of tomorrow night’s Glavine/Small duel. “If you want unbiased coverage, tune in here.” said Steve, presumably with a straight face. And what could be less biased than Mets analysis from a GM the club fired just a few years ago?
Activities at Shea caused me to miss the Cubs’ latest capitulation, a 7-0 beating at the hands of the White Sox that apparently featured a pair of Tadahito Iguchi homers and several persons trying to beat up A.J. Pierzynski. Remarkably, none of them were wearing Twins or Giants jerseys.
Armando Wagner and Lima Time!
Fortunately one was DFA’d today. We can only hope the other follows.
i was at the game, loge section 2 row l (thanks, mastercard, for providing my friends and me protection from the wind tunnel with your free-with-app stretchy fleece blankets) and sitting next to this woman who had a voice not unlike, say, axl rose’s on a really bad day. ‘AHHHHHHH!!’ she screamed on many a shallow flyout. also, she took the time to note that the last time the mets ‘won anything’ was 2000. (um …)
anyway, after that brutal outing, i’ll admit that she won the battle. of course, she admitted it, too, over and over again, screeching ‘THAT’S HOW YA DO IT, YEAH! YEAH!’ but surely i will win the war … of, you know, not having polyps on my throat.
Maura,
if you were loge section 2, row 1, that means during the fateful 9th inning I was probably standing about 10 feet behind you. Until I was told to stop standing there.
I thought Axl Rose’s voice on a really bad day sounded kind of like “oh god no, Mr. Hilfiger, please stop delivering those karate chops to my head”
(sorry, that one’s been an endless source of amusement. Especially the way two competing tabloids have Lenny Kravitz taking different sides)
you were probably 10 feet in front of me — i was in row L until the ninth, and moved up to row K after the yankees fans sitting there took off.
(and i too await the release of ‘get in the ring ii: tommy just kept smacking me.’ apparently this all went down at rosario dawson’s birthday party?)