This was a tough one (box). After taking a 5-0 lead in the first, stretching it to 7-1 in the top of the seventh, it sure looked like Syracuse would be on their way to the playoffs and a divisional title.
Then it started, Ervin Santana, who had been tremendous all day with six innings allowing just one hit, a walk and one run, gave up a home run to start the 7th and three consecutive singles loading the bases. 7-2 now the score, no outs, and Nick Rumbelow now coming in.
After a single, single, walk, it was 7-5 and Stephen Nogosek was in.
Nogosek has been tremendous for Syracuse all year, with no runs allowed in 30.1 innings and 23 previous games for Syracuse. On his first pitch, Nogosek secured a huge double play. One run scored making it 7-6 but he retired the next batter with a fly ball and the threat was extinguished and Syracuse still had the lead.
The top of the eighth Syracuse responded with six runs to take a 13-6 lead. Mack’s Met’s own Tom Brennan stated at that point “looks like they are going to win”. Your lips to God’s ears, Tom.
Maybe it was the long inning. Maybe it was the long season. Maybe it was the long odds of being ten games back on August seventh to play the best ball in the International League and force a one game playoff against the team that had been torturing you all year. For whatever reason, Stephen Nogosek, perfect all year, was not himself in the eighth for Syracuse.
Homer, hit by pitch, walk, passed ball, walk and Nogosek gave way to Brooks Pounders with Syracuse still up 13-8.
Sacrifice fly, single, wild pitch, walk, single, sacrifice fly, 2 out, Syracuse still up 11-8, Eric Hanhold on to pitch.
Wild pitch, wild pitch, walk, stolen base, double. Scranton Wilkes/Barre 14 – Syracuse 13
Put a candle in the window
'Cause I feel I've gotta move
Though I'm goin', goin'
I'll be comin' home soon
Long as I can see the light
Pack my bag and let's get moving
'Cause I'm bound to drift awhile
Though I'm gone, gone
You don't have to worry
Long as I can see the light
-Creedence Clearwater Revival
There is a light. It is coming from Brooklyn. The Cyclones enter the New York Penn League as the number one seed playing an exciting brand of baseball. The pain of this Syracuse loss hurts real bad but you don’t have to worry, long as we can see the light.
On the surface...
ReplyDeleteBaseball looks like such an easy game to play and understand. Doesn't it? You pitch the ball. You hit the ball. And you field and throw the ball. Simple. Right? A child could do it.
Not so.
It's at the higher levels where it gets a little bit confounding and tricky. Nothing is ever certain.
We have seen some "cannot miss players" come thru these Mets turnstyle gates. But somehow their talent never could really manifest itself consistently here. It's that kind of a game at this level.
I look today at this 2020 NY Mets team.
I see an unbelievably talented NY Mets baseball team and I have followed this team since like the Flintstone stone age. I just cannot believe the talent level of especially the hitting here right now. If you asked me if this 2020 NYM's team is the very best hitting one ever, I would have to say that it is. It's that darn good people. As a fan right now, you just cannot even guess (before any game) who will be this team's hitting star that night.
So what exactly then are the last pieces of the missing puzzle here you ask?
A: Refinement of the pitching staff.
The nucleus is pretty much intact already, but it just needs a little bit more refinement. To me, it's more about solid scouting, grooming, and keeping your best live arm pitchers down on the farm until ready. This works. It's a tried and true formula. Just ask John Schuerholz.