Mets 9
Rockies 7
You’re stuck in a mini-rut? You need to snap out of a two-game skid? You want to regain some momentum?
You need the Colorado Rockies. Actually, you need the Colorado Rockies’ pitching staff.
Nope, nothing cures a baseball ill like a visit from baseball’s worst staff, and the Mets gladly welcomed the purple-and-black tonic last night. Pounding out 14 hits, including a season-high 10 for extra bases, and drawing seven walks, the Mets opened their series with their pals from Denver with a 9-7 win.
“We did a lot of good things hitting-wise,” Cliff Floyd said.
It was a bit of an understatement. Colorado pitchers came in with the majors’ worst ERA by nearly a run (6.30), and it didn’t get any lower. The Mets (20-22) drilled one homer (a Mike Piazza opposite-field solo shot) and smashed an absurd nine doubles (two apiece from Danny Garcia and Jason Phillips, who also drove in two runs each), one shy of the franchise record.
How much of a beating did the Mets give the Rockies’ arms? Let’s put it this way:
Forget that all eight Mets starters had at least one hit. All eight Mets starters had at least one extra-base hit.
Not that the Mets completely resembled a bunch of All-Stars last night. They stranded 11 runners, for one. They missed out on two more chances with the bases loaded, for another, and are 5-for-41 (.122) with ’em full this year.
They also nearly blew a four-run, ninth-inning cushion when previously untouchable Braden Looper (who had a streak of 212/3 innings without allowing an earned run) gave up two runs and had the tying runs on base for pinch-hitter Todd Helton. Looper closed it out when he got Helton to hit a splitter back to the mound.
“I guess if you’re going to do it,” a disappointed Looper said of giving up the runs, “that’s the time to do it.”
Most of all, the win masked a disturbing trend: The Mets’ starting pitchers suddenly are having issues. Even against a Colorado lineup without Helton, Larry Walker and Preston Wilson, Matt Ginter (five runs) managed to go only five innings.
Thursday, Jae Seo went five innings. In fact, although Mets starters have pitched well overall, they were tied for a lowly 10th in the NL in innings pitched heading into last night. Art Howe had to call upon nine relievers in the last two games combined – that’s too many.
“We’ve got to get deeper into the game with our starters,” Howe said.
Little wonder that especially with Jose Reyes on the way back, the Mets are prioritizing finding a starting pitcher. Their need never has been more glaring. Al Leiter is on the disabled list with shoulder tendinitis. Ginter, after a strong debut last Sunday, is an unknown. Tyler Yates, starting tonight, had a 6.04 ERA before being demoted.
The two biggest headliners among likely available starting pitchers are Seattle RHP Freddy Garcia and Pittsburgh RHP Kris Benson. Garcia, who’s making $6.875 million, owns a 2.89 ERA. Benson is making $6.15 million and is 3-3 with a 4.62 mark. Both are free agents after the year.
The Mets sure could use somebody. They don’t get to play Colorado every night.