MIAMI – Off the field is where the action is with the Mets these days. Who’s going? Who’s coming?
Unfortunately, they have to play games, too.
Last night was another rerun in this sorry sitcom of a season. A player was hurt. They had a really strong pitching performance, but not enough offense. And, of course, they lost. Yada, yada, yada.
Loss No. 56 looked strikingly similar to the first 55. As the Marlins beat the Mets 4-3 at Pro Player, starter Kevin Appier left with a sore right hip, which could cause him to miss his next start.
However, the Mets still received their usual solid pitching, as Jerrod Riggan, Rick White (whom the Marlins are interested in trading for), and Dennis Cook combined for six scoreless relief innings.
Behind 4-0, the Mets rallied behind a Jay Payton third-inning solo homer and a two-run double by Desi Relaford in the fifth to cut the lead to 4-3.
Later in the fifth, with the bases loaded, Ricky Bones replaced Chuck Smith and struck out Mike Piazza before inducing Todd Zeile to bounce into a 5-4-3 double play.
This caused much of the postgame talk with manager Bobby Valentine to be focused on what is wrong with Zeile.
“I see what you see,” Valentine said. “I don’t necessarily want to evaluate in the paper.”
Zeile is hitting .267 with six homers and 41 RBIs. He has yet to take extra batting practice this year, Valentine said, but the manager added he didn’t think that was the problem. GM Steve Phillips would like to get rid of Zeile’s problematic $6-plus million salary for next year.
What’s the problem with Appier? Well, before he gave up four runs in the second, his right hip bothered him while he warmed up.
He pitched, though, but Valentine noticed Appier favoring the hip during the Marlins’ four-run second.
The DL seems unlikely, but the hip has caused Appier to miss starts in the past.
“It’s not a guarantee, but it’s a possibility,” Appier said.
With the trading deadline approaching Tuesday, the bullpen performances were important. Riggan is a potential replacement, if a reliever is dealt. The Marlins have interest in White and had to like what they saw in his three innings. Cook showed scouts how good he can be during his scoreless inning.
But the offensive frustration continued. After Zeile bounced into the 5-4-3, bases-loaded double play, he ran past first and slammed his helmet to the ground with two hands.
“He’s struggling,” Phillips said. “He’s not the only one.”
No he’s not. Valentine pointed out how the team needs more production from Robin Ventura, who took 0-for-3 last night.