R.A. Dickey started for NY, allowing 3 runs on five hits over six innings of work:

Dickey tossed three shut-out innings before allowing a solo homerun to Joey Votto in the fourth.  The Reds added three more (two earned) in the fifth on one hit.

Photo taken by Michael Baron

R.A. allowed the first two batters to reach base without the benefit of a hit (hit-by-pitch and a walk).  With runners on first and second, Cincinnati catcher, Ryan Hanigan drove a double off the centerfield wall to plate the innings first run and only hit.  Reds starter, Matt Latos drove in another run with a sacrifice fly before Hanigan scored on a passed ball.  Following the game, Dickey spoke about the comeback victory:

It certainly does make for entertaining baseball. It makes for a good clubhouse environment when you know you have guys that all they want to do is contribute. Whether it’s laying down a bunt or pinch-running, whatever it’s going to take to get us where we need to be. That’s what you saw tonight. I thought that was kind of the paradigm for what our team has been all year.”

FIGHTING BACK:  The Mets had plenty of scoring opportunities early stranding runners in scoring position in each of the first three innings.  NY finally got on the board in the bottom of the fifth when Lucas Duda delivered a two-run double, plating Andres Torres and David Wright; who reached base with a single and a walk respectively.

Mike Baxter cut the deficit to one run with a sacrifice fly in the sixth before a Justin Turner‘s sacrifice fly tied the game in the seventh.  David Wright got the seventh innings started with a walk before advancing to second on a single up the middle by Duda.  Daniel Murphy followed the Duda single with a hard hit line drive that was misplayed by Reds centerfielder Drew Stubbs leaving the bases loaded with no-outs. Turner, who pinch hit for Ike Davis, drove a deep fly to right, plating Wright with the game tying run.

THE WRIGHT STUFF: With the score tied at 4-4, Wright drove a deep fly ball well over the head of Stubbs in center to plate Rob Johnson with the go-ahead run in the bottom of the eighth.  Wright finished the game 2-for-2 with three walks and a run batted in, improving his season average to .411 in the process.

BOUNCE BACK PEN:  Three Mets relievers combined to toss three scoreless. A nice change from what we have been seeing from the pen over the last week or so.

HITTING THE ROAD: The Mets will hit the road and travel to Toranto where they will send Jon Niese to the mound to square off against Ricky Romero.

I’m no expert on Valley Fever so I can’t pretend to know what kind of fatigue or other effects the condition may be having on Davis but there’s no denying that he’s not right at the plate.  Whether it’s a physical ailment, a technical oversight, or a mental lapse that has caused Ike’s struggles is up for debate, but his poor performance in 2012 is not.

I’ve been quick to slam Jason Bay of late, wondering how his return might push a more deserving player to the bench.  One possibility I didn’t envision is that the team could actually demote Ike Davis, put Lucas Duda at first, and go with an outfield that consisted of Bay, Kirk Nieuwenhuis, and Andres Torres.  On paper, even with Bay hitting just .240 before his rib injury, this might be the best offensive squad New York could currently put on the field.  The key word there is currently, as few people expect Bay to outproduce Davis on the season, but as the first basemen’s struggles continue, that assumption may begin to change.

According to Mike Puma of the New York Post, sending Ike to Buffalo to work things out is not likely to happen:

Photo by Michael G. Baron

Jason Bay will have a Mets roster spot when he’s ready, but at whose expense?

Though struggling first baseman Ike Davis would be a logical candidate for demotion to the minors, manager Terry Collins told The Post before last night’s 6-3 loss to the Reds it’s “doubtful” the Mets would go that route.

A team executive backed that view, calling it “not likely” Davis would be a consideration for demotion. Davis is batting .167 after going 1-for-4 with an RBI double last night.

Bay, a left fielder who is rehabbing from a rib fracture, could be ready to rejoin the Mets within the next 10 days. Ruben Tejada [quad] also is expected to return during that time. If Davis isn’t a consideration to get bumped — and there are no further injuries before Bay’s return — the team would be left to decide among Kirk Nieuwenhuis, Mike Baxter and Justin Turner for two roster spots.

All three players have been effective, and bumping Turner would leave the Mets with only one reserve infielder.”

Does Davis view himself as a candidate for demotion?

“It has crossed my mind,” Davis told The Post. “But even if they do send me down, I know I’ll be back. [But] I’m not going to think about it. If I get sent down, I get sent down. I’m starting to swing the bat a lot better and I’m still leading the team in home runs [five]. I’ve hit some balls hard lately and haven’t gotten hits and that’s all I can do.”

Photo by Michael G. Baron

Davis is one of the more likeable players on the team with a chance to become a huge star in New York.  I want him to turn things around and get back to the player we have seen in the past, but I’ve also said the exact same thing about Jason Bay over a hundred times.  In the end, all I really want is for the Mets to win and to have their best team on the field.  I don’t think any player should be opposed to a demotion if their performance warrants it and it presents them with a chance to figure things out without hurting their club.  Davis and Bay both seem like ‘team first’ guys so it’s not surprising to see how they’ve handled themselves while slumping, but something has to give and someone has start to produce or all bets should be off when it comes playing time and depth charts.

Photo by Michael G. Baron

Terry Collins knows there’s a dilemma waiting when Jason Bay is healthy enough to return to the Mets.

But it sounds as if any choices Collins and the Mets may be forced to make then will be about how to get Kirk Nieuwenhuis playing time because Bay, who was finally cleared by doctors Tuesday to resume baseball activities after bruising his ribs April 23, is getting his left-field job back when he returns.

“Absolutely,” Collins said Tuesday. “He didn’t come here to be an extra player.”

Not sure that logic is the best way to go.  He may not have come here to be an ‘extra player’ and I’m sure he didn’t arrive on the New York scene with thoughts of being ‘below average’ (to put it kindly), but that’s exactly how he’s performed.  I’m sure Bay had the best of intentions when he agreed to his $66-million deal with Mets, but he hasn’t lived up to expectations while a youngster like Kirk Nieuwenhuis has far exceeded his.

I understand the argument for getting a productive right-handed bat in the line-up, which is something Collins has pointed to when referencing Bay’s return.

He’s still a big part of this. I think you see, when we face lefthanded pitching, what a big hole we have in the middle of our lineup without him.”

Look, if you told me Jason Bay of 2009 were going to step in and fill that role there would be no argument, but there’s no reason to believe that’s what we’ll see.

My guess is that Terry is doing his best to give Bay a firm vote of confidence so that he doesn’t have to worry about looking over his shoulder and can focus on his rehab and reaching his ceiling when he gets back with the big club.  Where that ceiling now stands is anyone’s guess, but if his time in New York is any indication, I’d warn him to watch his head when standing up.

Photo by Michael G. Baron

I’ll be rooting for Bay to return to form as much as the next guy, but I still think he should have been forced to earn his job back because his performance to date hasn’t warranted an ‘automatic’ full-time role.  Even if this is the route Terry and company choose to go, I hope they don’t remain in denial if Bay’s struggles continue.  There has to come a time when you suck it up and choose productivity over paychecks.

The Mets designated RHP D.J. Carrasco for assignment.

May 16, 2012 10:31 pm via Twitter for AndroidReplyRetweetFavorite

@Mets

New York Mets

The night marked the second straight outing in which Carrasco gave up a home run and while he created a buzz Tuesday by hitting Ryan Braun after serving up a long ball to Rickie Weeks, the only headlines on Wednesday will be ones detailing his demotion.

All I can say is good riddance, I had been struggling to figure out why this guy was pitching late in games for New York and was surprised by Collins decision to bring him in during a close contest in last night’s loss.  At least the Mets manager won’t be tempted to go to #77 and it’s good to see that a players paycheck won’t always guarantee them a spot on the roster (Carrasco is making a cool $1.2 million this season after hauling in the same amount in 2011).

To take D.J.’s spot in the pen the Mets will turn to Robert Carson, a 23-year-old lefty who will give the Mets a little more room to maneuver and play match-ups in the late innings.

Robert Carson is returning from Binghamton. 2nd lefty.

May 16, 2012 10:43 pm via EchofonReplyRetweetFavorite

@AdamRubinESPN

Adam Rubin

Carson had been recalled by the club in late April but never made an appearance, but this time around he figures to get a much longer look.

Carson on the call-up: ““I’m just thankful and just so blessed, so honored to get this opportunity again.” #BMets #Mets

May 16, 2012 11:31 pm via webReplyRetweetFavorite

@PSBLynn

Lynn Worthy

Overall the lefty managed to put together a nice line for Double-A Binghamton (1.84 ERA and 13/4 K/BB ratio over 14 2/3 innings) and hopefully he can approach that productivity with the big league club because this bullpen sorely needs a boost!

As for Carrasco, apparently there are no hard feelings……except maybe by those of us who had to watch him pitch these past 1 1/2 seasons.

Very honest D.J.: “It was pretty self-explanatory. I would have done the same thing if I was GM.”

May 16, 2012 10:48 pm via EchofonReplyRetweetFavorite

@AdamRubinESPN

Adam Rubin

Johan Santana started for the Mets, allowing two runs on six hits over 6 2/3 innings of work.  He was rewarded with yet another no-decision:

If Johan had any luck, he would easily be 4-1 on the year. Instead the south paw has just one win in eight starts:

It’s always tough. You have a chance to win a ball game and it didn’t happen. It’s always tough. Especially after losing a game the night before. It’s not what you want to do, but again, this is baseball.  I just try to do my job. It’s tough. Once I do my job and I’m out of the game I just hope that the guys can finish it.  But, then again, it’s out of my control and there’s nothing I can do.”

BLOWPEN: The Mets pen allowed four runs, on four hits, over 2 1/3 innings of work:

THIS ONES ON YOU TERRY: Bobby Parnell relieved Santana with two outs and the tying run on second base in the top of the seventh inning.  Parnell made quick work of Zack Cozart, disposing of the second baseman in five pitches; including a 98 MPH fastball to end the at-bat.  Terry Collins — for some odd reason — then decided to relieve Parnell in favor of Jon Rauch.

Rauch proceeded to allow a leadoff singlt to Drew Stubbs, a double to Joey Votto, and a game-tying single to Brandon Phillips.

Shoot, I think I’ve screwed him over twice at least this year. I’ve blown two of his games. It’s really tough. I can’t even look the guy in the eye right now.”

Completely unacceptable performance. I let down my team, @johansantana, and the fans. Can’t make mistakes like I did tonight. #LGM

May 16, 2012 10:23 pm via Twitter for iPhoneReplyRetweetFavorite

@jrauch60

Jon Rauch

What has still left me scratching my head is why Collins turned to Rauch to start the frame?  I wasn’t the only one scratching my head as I received a text message from my MetsZilla battery mate Jay Robotham, “Why was Parnell lifted?” at the start of the frame. And, following the three consecutive hits surrendered by Rauch, Jay text me, “Terry should have let Parnell pitch the 8th. Brutal.” Couldn’t agree more!! In fact, with the left-hander Joey Votto scheduled to bat second, why wouldn’t Collins let Parnell start the frame and then turn to lefty Tim Byrdak to face Votto?  Then, you could either 1) stick with Byrdak to face Brandon Phillips (right handers are hitting .214 vs. the bird-man). And, just in case he reached base, Byrdak could face left hander Jay Bruce (who was brought in as a pinch hitter) or 2) turn to Rauch to face Phillips.
Anyway, Byrdak was eventually brought in to face Bruce who delivered a go-ahead sacrifice fly. What ensued was even more mind boggling then any of the previous non-moves.  Collins turned to D.J. Carrasco in a one-run game.  Carrasco promptly rewarded the move by serving up a two-run blast to Todd Frazier on the first pitch of the at-bat.

STREAK SNAPPED: Ike Davis snapped an 0-for-16 streak with an RBI single in the sixth.  Davis finished the game with one hit in four at-bats improving his average to .167 in the process:

IT’S UP TO DICKEY: R.A. Dickey will look to get the Mets back on track tomorrow after noon at 1:10 pm in Citi Field. He will face Matt Latos.

I was just trying to throw a sinker in first pitch and it got away from me and hit him”

In the bottom of half of the frame, with David Wright set to lead off, manager Terry Collins opted to pull Wright from the game in favor of Jordany Valdespin.  David was visible upset. Emphatically yelling at Collins demanding he stay in the game before storming down the clubhouse steps. All of which, was caught on camera. Wright later returned to the dugout and passionately discussed the situation with Terry.  Following the game, Collins stated the following:

In my opinion, why I took him out of the game, he wasn’t getting hurt. I’m not accusing anybody of the possibility of retaliation, but I don’t blame the umpires for doing what they did, and I don’t blame the other team for any perception they had of what happened. But, I’ve got news for you, in this game there are unwritten rules, and one of them is you hit my guy, I’m hitting your guy. They’re not hitting my guy tonight. I’m not exposing him to being hit. He said, ‘If anybody gets hit, I want it to be me.’ I said, ‘I’m sorry, it isn’t going to be you.’ They’re not going to hit Jordany Valdespin, but, if they were going to retaliate, they will hit David Wright and that ain’t happening tonight. … I’m not saying they were going to hurt him. Believe me, I’m not accusing them of anything. I just know what might have taken place and I was trying to avoid it.”

Wright spoke with reporters, saying:

Terry’s the manager, and I’ve got all the respect in the world for Terry. I try to go to battle for Terry every day. He’s got to make the move that he thinks is best for the team, and he obviously did that. Whether I agree with it or disagree with it, I respect him. I’ve loved playing for him the short amount of time that we’ve had together. And I’ve got all the respect in the world for Terry specifically. You get caught up in the moment. Things probably looked a lot worse than they really were and we go on from here. Terry and I have no issue. It’s one of those things, like I said, in the heat of the moment it probably looked worse than it really was. …I guess my thinking at the time was Ryan gets hit and then I go up there and get hit and then everything is settled.”

Seriously, this was awesome.  Normally it’s easy to say David was wrong, Terry was right or vice versa. In this situation, however, I agree with both sides.  I totally understand why Collins pulled Wright from the game and honestly, I think I would have done the same.  David could have easily been drilled with a fastball on the wrist, elbow, or the head and needed a DL stint to which we would all have been furious that he was left in the game. And so, I am glad Terry did what he did.  Wright is very important to this club and there is no reason he should have been put in harms way during an 8-0 game.  On the flip side of that coin,  I get why Wright was upset. He’s the leader of this club and official or not, the captian. That may have never been more evident then it was tonight. Honestly, the dude is awesome. The passion he displayed. The fact that he stood there — in front of his teammates — and said I’m willing to take one for this team was pretty cool to watch.   That brief moment in the Mets dugout showed just how much David cares about this team and thanks to the SNY camera crew, we all got to witness it.  #extendtheman