Win Streak Ends At 6

The Mets road winning streak has ended at six. Just like last Monday when Pirates Right Fielder Steve Pearce had a game winning hit in a 7-5 victory over the Mets, he had a key hit in the Pirates 5-2 victory today.

Duaner Sanchez, who has been awful lately, was awful again today, as he came in with the score tied at two in the eighth inning, and gave up three hits. It all started when he relieved Pedro Feliciano with one out and a runner on first. The runner on first was First Baseman Adam LaRoche, who singled to center. The first batter Sanchez faced was Left Fielder Jason Michaels who singled to center, and moved to third on an over throw by Left Fielder Endy Chavez. Next up, Third Baseman Andy LaRoche who was intentionally walked to load the bases. Up after LaRoche, Steve Pearce, who singled in Adam LaRoche to give the Pirates a 3-2 lead, their first lead of the series.

After the Pearce single, up stepped Shortstop Jack Wilson, who was Pittsburgh's main supply of offense for the series. Today, Wilson followed Pearce's single with a two run double that scored Michaels and Andy LaRoche. Joe Smith came in to relieve Sanchez after the double to get the final two outs of the inning.

The Mets got the tying run up in the top of the ninth in the person of Second Baseman Argenis Reyes, after both Damion Easley and Robinson Cancel walked, but Reyes was unable to do anything, as he grounded out to end the ball game.

The Mets could have, and should have won this ball game. They had numerous opportunities to score but were unable to do anything. In the first, they had two on, but only came away with one run after a Carlos Beltran sacrifice fly. In the fourth, they had two on, but only came away with one run after a Carlos Delgado ground out. In the six, they wasted a leadoff double by Nick Evans. In the eighth, they had bases loaded, and got nothing in. Finally, in the ninth, as I said, they had the tying run up in the person of Argenis Reyes, but he grounded out to end the ball game.

Just when the Mets were looking like they were about to get on a roll, they play a game like this, which is one they should have won. As the season starts to wind down, it makes me wonder if they will even get into the playoffs. If they keep struggling on offense with RISP (runners in scoring position), and if the bullpen keeps imploding, the answer will be NO.