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Message #14 of 41  *NEW*
To:  All
From:  
RJ Warner  
Subject:  You Play to WIN THE GAME!
Date:  5/4/06, 4:36am
graphic
Mets 4, Pirates 3 - 12 innings

The Pirates lost to the Mets 4-3 in a 12 inning thriller at Shea Stadium last night, dropping their record to 8-21. The game featured 28 total strikeouts, 14 by each team, and 9 each by starters Pedro Martinez and Ian Snell.

The Pirates shocked the rain-soaked Sheaheads by scoring twice in the ninth off super-closer Billy Wagner. The blown save is Wagner's second in a week and it cost Martinez his sixth win. Jose Hernandez and rookie catcher Ronnie Paulino had back to back RBI singles to tie the game at three.

I didn't understand a move Pirates manager Jim Tracy made in the top of the 12th inning. With two out and nobody on, he sent pitcher Mike Gonzalez to bat for Roberto Hernandez. Gonzalez meekly grounded out. In the bottom frame, Carlos Delgado took Gonzo deep for the Mets' win.

Why hit Gonzalez in that situation? They had gotten past Pedro Martinez and Billy Wagner still intact, and were quickly wearing out the Mets bullpen. Tracy had two available bats on the bench in Humberto Cota and Joe Randa. Granted, Randa has been nursing a sore foot, but if he is dressed for the game, he should be available to pinch hit. So why didn't Cota hit instead? Radio announcer John Wehner babbled something about not wanting to lose a catcher. Why not? It was the 12th inning, and if the game continued to drag on, first baseman Craig Wilson could've donned the gear. He would have been glad to. That wouldn't have mattered, because Paulino could have stayed in the game to catch.

A big league manager has to use all of his weapons to win a game. To me, it's as if he conceded the game to the Mets. I understand that he trusts Gonzalez, and Cota is no Dimaggio at the plate, but I think he's a tad better with the stick than Gonzalez. You have to take your shot to score a run. When a team is drowning fast at 8-20, every win is precious. Poor move by Tracy and I hope this doesn't go unnoticed by Pittsburgh fans and media types. Like Herm Edwards said, "YOU PLAY TO WIN THE GAME!"

On a positive note, however, rookie hurler Ian Snell continues to improve by leaps and bounds. Once destined for a trip back to Indianapolis with a 9.60 ERA, Snell has been rock solid his past two outings. He has struck out 16 batters over 12 innings while lowering his ERA to 5.60 and WHIP to 1.69. I would definitely recommend taking a closer look at starting him early next week against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Pittsburgh.

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