Heilman takes one for the team
No one had to tap Aaron Heilman on the shoulder to remind him of the situation. When you're the last one in the bullpen, you know what is required of you. "You pretty much understand," he said after he gave up the decisive two-run home run to Albert Pujols that sent the Mets to a 10-8 14-inning loss against the Cardinals early Sunday morning.
The 14th was Heilman's third inning, which is at least two more innings than he usually throws. But short of sending in Oliver Perez, the starter who was warming up in the 14th, it was Heilman's show. He said he still felt all right in that last inning. "I just didn't execute on that pitch. I left it up," he said.
Pujols sent it even farther up, way into the left-centerfield bleachers. Facing Pujols on a full tank is no fun; trying to get him out with the arrow on "E" is quite another. So there were no recriminations from or about Heilman,
In fact, the eighth of eight Mets pitchers was first on the manager's mind afterward. When Jerry Manuel was asked his impression of the game, he said, "I just have to applaud Aaron for his effort, more than anything else."
Heilman admitted there is no joy in taking one for the team. "Unless you win," he said.
When he was asked if the third definitely was going to be his last inning, no matter what, he grinned and said, "I don't know."
He was clear on one thing. When he came to bat with two outs and nobody on in the 13th, he wasn't thinking about a single. He was swinging for the fences. "You'd better believe it," he said.
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Comments (1)
Gary Cohen on last nights broadcast said the Cardinals have the most blown saves and bullpen meltdowns in the league, yet their bullpen was better than our bullpen last night.
Smith had a bad inning, Muniz couldn't hold the lead for Knight, Heilman gives up his usual game winning home run. Terrible bullpen.
Starting pitching might be the best in the league now, with Pelfrey, not Santana, leading the way. Imperative we sign Perez for next year and beyond. Pedro and El Duque not really needed any more.
Hitting has been more timely lately, especially with the hot Delgado. Maybe Beltran will wake up soon? DW has been steady but irregular in the clutch. Hope Tatis can keep it up especially with Church looking like he'll be back soon.
A. Reyes, even though two balls got under his glove in diving tries, one to each side, both Easley and Castillo would have been nowhere near either ball. Plus he's hitting major league pitching. Only 25, see him as our regular second baseman. The hell with Castillo, release him.
Catching is OK although I wish Schneider was a better hitter but with Castro playing a lot of games, that should enable Schneider to be stronger when he plays and swing a better bat.
Omar has to take the hit on the bullpen. Wonder how much better our bullpen would be with Heath Bell (now would be working with Warthen and not his nemisis Peterson), Lindstrom, Bradford and Oliver still here? That failure and the signing of Castillo has been the biggest failures for Omar.
The Church/Schneider deal was a good one for Omar, just tough luck about Church's concussions. Also the Santana deal, even though he doesn't have the mentality of an ace, appears to be a winner. Santana is like the pitching version of DW, both steady but irregular in the clutch. The prospects given away seem to be a while away if ever major leagues except for Gomez who is now hurt plus wasn't stealing bases like he was in the early part of the season and was struggling at bat before getting hurt.
Hey Omar, forgot about the corner outfielder, go get a good relief pitcher, our bullpen is definitely in need.