The less said about the first game of Sunday’s Mets/Giants twinbill the better. Kaz Ishii (above), much like Victor Zambrano, has proven to be maddeningly inconsistent through the season’s first two months. He’s a perfectly serviceable no. 5 starter….assuming you’re guaranteed of winning the prior 4 starts, which the Mets aren’t.
In the nightcap, New York bludgeoned SF pitching to the tune of 13 hits, 4 of ’em homers, two of which coming on monster shots by Cliff Floyd. Clifford did some serious damage hitting cleanup, as did 3B David Wright (above) hitting 5th. This is not another gratuitious swipe at Mike Piazza (though Ramon Castro picking a runner off at first was enough to provoke one), but Willie Randolph has to consider moving one or both of these guys lower in the order.
Mets starter Kris Benson (4-2, 3.74 ERA) has been unbeatable since Lloyd McClendon went on record questioning the former Pirates product’s heart. With this success in mind, perhaps McClendon would be willing to publicly diss Kaz Ishii for a small fee.
Benson does appear to be one that needs prodding and external motivation in order to not lapse into middling status as I remember how mediocre he was pitching for the Pirates last season until it became time to showcase himself for the trade deadline, at which time he picked it up. He also came on very strong last September (after a lackluster August with the Mets) which gave himself leverage for the contract negotiation. Mets fans can only hope that a fire can be kept lit under his butt as he is a damn good pitcher when he brings his A game…also..re Piazza: What do Mets fans think the reason is for Willie Randolph not dropping him down to 6th in the order? Its obvious that Piazza is well into his twilight and as he is still capable, his offensive production tends to come in 1 game spasms whereas David Wright has consistently been rolling along at a .900+ OPS clip all season. Correct me if I’m mistaken, but Piazza seems pretty reasonable, never struck me as being a prima-donna, can read the writing on the wall, and I dont think he would make a federal case out of it if he was dropped into the 6-hole.