The positive feelings created by the Mets winning their previous three series were crushed in an excruciating four game series with the Padres in San Diego. After losing three consecutive games by a 2-1 score (blowing a lead in the last two), their offense finally showed up today in a manner that should have been effective, barring the unexpected collapse of closer Billy Wagner, who gave up a two-out three-run pinch hit home run to ex-Met Tony Clark to cap an 8-6 loss.
If it's not one leak, it's the other, as one part of the team invariably fails to mesh with the rest to provide the reasons for the latest Mets loss. Failing to get clutch hits in the first three games against the last place Padres were a prime factor for those defeats, but now that Carlos Delgado has found his hitting stroke again, there's been no one behind him to capitalize on those opportunities.
The other bad news is that outfielder Ryan Church, one of the most consistent offensive producers for the Mets this year, did not play in the final three games of the series once he exhibited returned signs of the concussion he received in Atlanta last month, with a trip to the disabled list a distinct possibility at this point.
I know there's still 100 games to play, but this team has not given the fans any kind of confidence to believe that they can produce a comeback this season that equals the collapse of last season. It's definitely 'hold your breath' time when the Mets have a slim lead after six or so innings, and the chances of a late inning comeback are remarkably small for such a talented team. Grrr.
SUNDAY'S GAME RECAP
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