8-2-10 Z-Cap: Atlanta 4 Mets 1

The New York Mets dropped to .500 (53-53) for the first time since 6/2 with a series opening loss to the Atlanta Braves. NY squandered scoring opportunities early in the game leaving 10 runners on base while hitting just 1 for 9 with runners in scoring position.  Since the All-Star break the Mets are 5-13 averaging just 3.1 runs/game while hitting .197 with RISP. The loss drops the Mets to 4th in the division and 7 1/2 games behind the division leading Atlanta Braves:

Manager Jerry Manuel spoke after the game about why he thinks his team has been unable to “find it”:

"

I think the pieces are a little different, I mean I’d have to say that. Maybe quite not as right as they should be at this point. Obviousely they are very very good players but right now, its just not working.”

"

For the second straight outing Johan Santana settled down after a rough first inning (3 ER) in which he was unable to put Atlanta hitters away allowing RBI hits to Matt Diaz and Rick Ankiel after getting ahead 1-2 in the count. Santana struck out a season high 11 batters and allowed just 1 more run (solo home run to Chipper Jones), over 7 innings of work, while Tim Hudson battled through 6 IP (1 ER) to pick up his 12th win of the season.

The Mets got off to a rocky start in the bottom of the first when Chipper Jones hit a tailor made double play grounder to David Wright with runners on 1st and 2nd and 0 outs.  Wright quickly got the the first out at second base but Luis Castillo botched the play when he was unable to get the ball to first by bobbling the ball on the transfer.  The botched double play opened the flood gates as it put runners on the corners with 1...TO READ THE REST OF THIS POST AND OTHERS LIKE IT HEAD TO METSZILLA.COM BY CLICKING HERE:

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