So Much For Kunz

So much for Eddie Kunz being the Mets closer. Tonight Pedro Feliciano pitched a harmless (yes, the same Pedro who has stunk the joint up), scoreless ninth, securing a 4-3 Mets victory over the Washington Nationals.

I was real upset that Kunz didn't get the opportunity, but in all fairness, Pedro pitched surprisingly well.

On a side note, I did disagree with Manuel's eighth inning moves:
With the bases loaded he had Dan Murphy pinch hit for Ramon Castro, and Brian Schneider pinch hit for Johan Santana. Both Murphy and Schneider struck out. With the bases loaded and one out, the Mets could score only one run.

Quick Points

If it was me managing, which I do quite effectively from my living room, I would have let Castro bat, who is more experienced than Murphy, and a much better hitter than Schneider, and would have either let Santana hit, or have Murphy pinch hit for Santana. Schneider is one of the Mets worst hitters, and to have him pinch hit is an automatic out. Thank goodness this move didn't come back and kill the Mets.

A tip of the Hat to Joe Smith, who pitched a scoreless eighth inning. He did give up a lead-off single to Austin Kearns, who promptly stole second base on Smith, who didn't bother to keep an eye on Kearns. Smith struck out Milledge and Flores before getting Belliard to ground out to second to end the inning and the threat.

Before we get too excited about this Mets win, let's not forget the Mets gave up two leads (2-0 and 3-2) before scoring the winning run on a bases loaded HBP of Damion Easley, scoring DWright. The Nationals are the worst team in baseball, and with the Mets "Ace" on the mound, they should have won this game in a much less difficult manner.

At this writing, the Mets are 1.5 games behind the Phillies, who are playing a late game in LA. The Phillies are leading the LA Ramirez' 2-1 after two innings.