Yo, Adrian : Mets Pitch To Beltre, Get Belted





A 5 for 5 day with a HR and two RBI's for LA's Adrian Beltre, a likely MVP candidate and clearly a player who doesn't give Art Howe pause.

Beltre already had 4 hits in as many plate appearences when he came to bat in the 9th, LA ahead 3-2, two out and Cesar Izturis on third. Art Howe could've ordered Braden Looper to issue an intentional pass to the red hot Beltre, but the Mets' skipper did no such thing, watching as Lopper gave up a single to left and the Dodgers collected a crucial insurance run.

Given that Eric Gagne was going to take the mound for L.A. in the bottom of the 9th, this one was probably over, anyway. But as long as the Mets insist they aren't just going through the motions, shouldn't the manager be concerned with giving his team the best possible chance to win? How does pitching to Beltre with first base open ---- with Shawn Green hitting 75 points lower on deck --- make any sense? Is Art Howe the only guy in baseball who hasn't noticed that Beltre has turned into the most dangerous hitter in the NL not named Bonds?

Jae Seo allowed a run and 5 hits for NY in 6 and a third innings work. Mike Stanton blew his 6th save of the year and earned loss no. 6 as well, giving up consecutive hits to Shawn Green, Olmedo Saenz and Jose Hernandez in the top of the 8th.

Posted: Sat - August 28, 2004 at 04:17 PM      

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