|
|
Mariners vs. Yankees |
Mets vs. Cardinals
|
|
Monday, October 16
Subway Series? Game 5 foremost on Mets' minds
By Bob Klapisch
Special to ESPN.com
NEW YORK -- Over and over, the Mets uttered the same sobering mantra, a
personal reminder that October makes no promises -- not even with Mike Hampton
pitching Game 5 of the National League Championship Series.
Not even at home.
Not even with the World Series just nine innings away.
"It's really tempting to get caught up in this, but we have to remember that
we were in the same situation they were in last year (against the Braves) and
we came within a game of beating them," said Al Leiter. "This thing isn't
over yet, not by a longshot."
"You want to ask me about a Subway Series?" John Franco said, repeating
the question. He started and stopped. Then he smiled. "We better wait until
we actually get there," the reliever said.
Obviously, the Mets have to repeat such lines because to do otherwise
would be politically incorrect. It'd also be just foolish, since the
Mets really do respect the Cardinals, especially after they pounded Bobby
Jones and Rick Reed for a combined 10 earned runs in 8 1/3 innings.
There's no doubt the Cardinals, who were 78-44 against right-handed
starters this year, aren't afraid of either Jones or Reed, who's scheduled to
pitch in Game 7.
But Tony LaRussa's problem is extending the series that far. That means
beating Hampton at home Monday night, then defeating Leiter in Game 6. It's
not impossible, but the Mets don't think St. Louis' left-handed-hitting
weapons are a match for either pitcher.
In fact, in unguarded moments, with the TV cameras gone, the Mets are
already talking about individual matchups with the Yankees in the inevitable
Subway Series.
How will they deal with Roger Clemens' addiction to the up-and-in fastball? Is there a way to solve the subtle, but maddening run in Mariano Rivera's
heater? And is there a way to keep Bernie Williams quiet for seven games?
Make no mistake, the Mets welcome the challenge. In fact, they're openly
rooting for the Bombers to finish off the Mariners in the ALCS. But first
things first: The Mets are well aware they took the pivotal game against the
Cardinals Sunday, especially after Reed was so overwhelmed in an 8-2 loss in Game 3.
Reed was so ineffective, allowing five runs in 3 1/3 innings, he was
actually humbled. Normally gruff and nonverbal, Reed cited the problems St. Louis creates for right-handed pitchers, and how, in his words, "You just can't fool them. That's a very tough lineup to crack."
Reed's assessment was like a Game 4 prophecy, because the Cardinals
bludgeoned Bobby Jones for two quick runs in the first inning. And talk about
a lightening strike -- it took them just four pitches before Jim Edmonds sent
a fastball soaring over the right-field wall, giving Darryl Kile a 2-0 lead.
The rally had the profile of an all-out flogging, except that Jones
retired the last batters in the inning, Will Clark and Ray Lankford, without
incident. And that meant, in Todd Zeile's words, "We came into the dugout
kind of upbeat, instead of us having to say, 'We're in trouble.' "
What the Mets were about to discover, as well, was that Kile was
operating without much velocity and absolutely without location.
In other words, Kile stood naked before the Mets -- a situation that was
exaggerated by the fact he was pitching on just three days' rest.
Just how poorly did Kile perform? In allowing seven earned runs in his
first two innings, some Mets said his problem was purely physical -- that,
according to Zeile, "his velocity was down, and he was obviously trying to hit
spots and missing."
Robin Ventura was slightly more benevolent, saying, "We hit some good
pitches. And in some cases, we were just lucky."
But Kile himself said, "When I'm up in the zone I'm very hittable. You
have to get the job done, and I didn't do it."
Of course, the Mets gave Kile all due respect for working on short rest.
But some wondered how LaRussa could've allowed the right-hander to absorb so
much punishment when it was obvious he couldn't overcome arm-fatigue.
Even more surprising to the Mets was LaRussa's decision to let Kile bat
in the third inning, even though the Cardinals were already trailing, 7-3.
One Met veteran said, "Whatever Tony was thinking, I was very thankful.
That's all I'll say."
The rest of the night was, in reality, just an equal exchange of punches.
The Cardinals huffed and puffed, scoring three runs in the fifth, knocking
out Jones in the process. And the Mets answered with two unearned runs in the
sixth, without a base hit.
And when the smoke lifted, Mark McGwire was still on the bench, as
once again LaRussa failed to pick the right spot for America's greatest home-run hitter.
All that was terrific news for the Mets, who now turn their gaze to
Hampton in Game 5 -- while discreetly keeping an eye on the Yankees.
The Subway Series, a living, breathing beast, hasn't begun yet. But the
monster is almost ready to escape the laboratory. We can almost feel its
tentacles wrapping tightly around us. Be ready.
Bob Klapisch of the Bergen (N.J.) Record covers baseball for ESPN.com.
|
|
 | 
|
