Mets stumble in the 8th as Putz's blows it.

The bullpen implosions of the past two seasons has been a rare site for the New York Mets in 2009, but last night it was the Mets 1st meltdown of the season that did them in, a game where the Mets once led 5-0 to the lowly Pirates.
It was in the 8th inning with the Mets then holding a 5-3 lead that Jerry Manuel brought in JJ Putz to relieve Pedro Feliciano who had taken care of business in the 7th with a scoreless inning, Feliciano would give up a leadoff double to Adam Laroche, as in came JJ Putz. For the 2nd straight day JJ Putz came in for the Mets and could not deliver goods, Putz would go on to give up 4 straight hits as the Pirates would go on to score 5 runs to over take the Mets 8-5 to open the 4 game series. Putz was beaten to death with up the middle hits that snuck through the diamond as a dejected Putz could only look into the sky in disgust after failing once again. An error by fill in shortstop Wilson Valdez who had tripled and doubled to give the Mets an early 5-0 lead, did not help matters in that meltdown 8th.

It has been 2 months now into the season but Putz has not been able to get into rhythm with his new team. Right now his velocity is not at the 95 plus range he's been use to having when with Seattle. Still the Mets have the emerging Bobby Parnell ready to step in if Putz's problems continue. The Mets will look for a bounce back win tonight as they will send their ace Johan Santana to the mound looking for his 8th win of the season.

Carlos Beltran did not play again as he is still recovering from a stomach virus.
Angel Pagan also did not play as Jemery Reed started in his place in CF.