The Mets bullpen shut the door in last night’s 4-1 win over the Marlins, but too often this season they have failed to lock it up.
The relievers cost the Amazin’s an opportunity to go for a sweep tonight in Miami (7:10, SNY, WFAN), allowing the Marlins to score five eighth-inning runs Monday night and win 7-3.
It was the most recent example of a disturbing trend this season.
SNY analyst Keith Hernandez said he believes the Mets should consider looking for help in the bullpen before tomorrow’s trade deadline.
“Right now if they are going to make any type of move, I would take my chances with the offense and beef up the bullpen,” Hernandez said. “Let’s get another reliever, a guy who can go late into the game and hand it off to (Billy) Wagner to go along with (Duaner) Sanchez and (Aaron) Heilman.”
The duo that was so successful in 2006, before Sanchez’s shoulder injury in late July, has struggled this season to get the ball to Wagner. Sanchez’s trouble is made more alarming by a recent decrease in velocity, highlighted by back-to-back appearances last week when he failed to retire a batter, giving up five hits, a walk and four runs.
“In 2006 it was Sanchez and Heilman doing it, before Sanchez got hurt, and that was a beautiful thing because neither got overworked,” Hernandez said. “They worked in tandem and both did great jobs.”
Heilman’s struggles have been more pronounced. The want-to-be starter’s ERA has not climbed below 4.50 since the second game of the season and he has allowed seven home runs.
Sanchez and Heilman are part of a bullpen that has look tired in the second half, allowing 26 runs in 36 1/3 innings (7.02 ERA). And who collectively authored two heart-breaking losses to the teams directly behind them in the standings.
The Phillies rallied for five in the ninth to get their only win of a three-game series last week. The failing bullpen has the Mets in the tightest of races in the NL East, leading Philadelphia by one-half game and Florida by two.
One reason the Mets have a lead at all is the play of left fielder Fernando Tatis, who is hitting .321 with seven home runs and 28 RBIs. Hernandez said he feels the Mets should not rush to go after a corner outfielder, like Raul Ibanez.
“All I can tell you is that Tatis is in consideration for Comeback Player of the Year in the National League,” Hernandez said. “I have always loved Endy Chavez. The (Ryan) Church situation is really throwing a wrench into Omar Minaya’s thinking.
“It’s a very tough decision because Church (headaches/concussion) is going to be our right fielder for a long time, but in terms of this year it is a really, really tough decision.”
Tonight’s Pitching Matchup:
Mets RHP Mike Pelfrey (9-6, 3.67 ERA) Pelfrey has not lost since his previous start against the Marlins, way back on May 26. Since then, Pelfrey has collected seven wins and a 2.56 ERA in 11 starts.
Marlins RHP Josh Johnson (0-0, 3.71 ERA) Johnson showed potential in 2006; as a rookie he went 12-7 with a 3.10 ERA. But Johnson underwent Tommy John and had four starts last season. Tonight he makes the fourth of this season after earning three no-decisions (17 innings, 7 runs) against the Dodgers, Phillies and Cubs.