Bullpen Issues, Hurting The Mets

by Kenrick Thomas

[1]  The Mets find themselves in trouble. Losing against the Washington Nationals, 13-2. This doesn't make sense. Leading the National League East, but losing to horrible teams.

Willie Randolph is frustrated, and he isn't the problem. What can he do? Losing the division lead, will cause damage.

The pitching, that's the problem. This bullpen has cause issues. Being in trouble, and losing to horrible teams. The Mets line-up can't slump, because it's over. No help from the starting rotation, because their inconsistent.

Omar Minaya sent money on the bullpen, and it's waisted. All off-season, nothing but bullpen help. They were expected to produce, but failed this season.

Things has changed, the pitchers aren't productive. Last season, the Mets bullpen was great. The worst has happen sense. No being able to close games, and hurting the confidences of others. The Mets are suffering, and the bullpen has caused it.

Having World Series talent isn't a problem. The Mets can win, but bullpen issues might stop them. I'm not sure anymore; playoffs predictions aren't great. This team has to fight, and prove other wise.

The Nationals were cruising, and didn't crash. Getting blown out isn't comfortable, and the Mets understand that.

Bottom of the second, Carlos Gomez hit a sacrifice fly and Carlos Delgado scored. The Mets were up, 1-0.

Top of the fourth, Robert Ficks singled to center and Ryan Zimmerman scored. Moises Alou made an error, and Austin Kearns scored. The Nationals lead, 2-1.

Fifth inning, Kearns homered. Ryan Church and Zimmerman scored. The score was 5-1.

Robert Belliard doubled, D'Angelo Jimenez and Justin Maxwell scored. Sixth inning, the score was 7-1.

Same inning, the Mets fired back. Paul Lo Duca singled, and Alou scored. Jose Reyes grounded out, Lo Duca scored. The Mets were losing, 7-2.

Eighth inning, Belliard singled and Jimenez scored. Church doubled to center, Belliard and Zimmerman scored. Nationals added on, 10-2.

Last inning, The Nationals added more runs. Ryan Langerhans homered, Felipe Lopez and Maxwell scored.

The Mets tried, but to late. Carlos Beltran hit a sacrifice fly, and Luis Castillo scored. This team needs to win. The magic number is 5, and then post-season time. "It's over now," New York manager Willie Randolph said. "We have to get ready for tomorrow." Willie needs it, because a turn around is needed.

"It's embarrassing with the season on the line to go out there and get embarrassed on your own home field," said David Wright. Tell the pitching staff, their hurting everyone. This line-up has to produce, because the bullpen isn't. Wright perform the best, and can't get credit. He extends his hit streak to 12 games.

"I let the team down," Mike Pelfrey said. "I didn't keep us in the game." Correct, because Pelfrey struggled. Allowing 7 runs, and 5 walks (career high) in 5 innings. He's a nightmare, going 3-8 on the season. His performance was expected. "I got what I deserved," he said. "I started falling behind guys and I was walking guys, putting guys on, and they made me pay." Now he can improve. It's going to take all off-season, but he needs it. This season hasn't helped him, and everyone knows it.

Tom Glavine is pitching against the Nationals. He is 13-6, and 3.97 ERA. Expect something good to happen. Glavine is 7-1, 3.33 ERA in 14 starts at Shea. He hasn't lost since July 2, going 6-0 at home.

Alou extended his hit streak to 28 games (franchise record), but has trouble coming. Alou is hitless against Jason Bergmann his season. Bergmann will start for the Nationals.

The Mets need to win. They can't lose another series.

(Quotes From Yahoo Sports)