PHILADELPHIA — Judging by many of the headlines and reader comments after Tuesday night’s 8-7 loss, the Mets’ bullpen is getting much of the blame for what was a historic choke job. But is that blame entirely deserved? Consider this: seven relievers combined to allow just three runs in almost eight full innings in one of the biggest hitters’ parks in all of baseball. Brian Stokes threw two scoreless innings against a fearsome Phillies lineup, while the much-maligned Aaron Heilman tossed three scoreless innings.
Perfection is a lot to expect out of a visiting pitcher in Citizens Bank Park, which is the definition of a bandbox.
Sure, the bullpen has blown 22 saves this season and couldn’t get an out when the Mets were just two strikes away from staying in first place. But it seems to us the Mets’ awful bats after the fourth inning were the bigger culprit.
Tell us what you think …