Tough Outing for Shingo

I don't understand the purpose of playing the blame game in this one. If Looper was struggling and Willie pulled him, it looks like Willie did the right thing. Are you suggesting that he was too late in pulling Looper? (I didn't see the game, so I only have the above account to go on.)

Takatsu was put into a situation where he had to be perfect. Anything less wouldn't do. It would be nice to be perfect every outing, but isn't realistic. For him it appeard to be "hero or zero." Well, I think he came out of that experience a little better than zero. If you think he'll get called on in a tough situation again, then I'd say that he managed to earn some respect with that failed outing.

I can't imagine anyone pointing the finger at Shingo as the scape goat for the loss. And I don't know enough about Looper's performance to judge him harshly. Did he start? How many innings did he work? Did he suddently self destruct? How many runs did the offense score? How many opportunities did they have to score? How many opposing runs were earned?

Based on the above post, I can't find blame in any single person of the team. While there are times when one can fairly pin the loss on a single individual (as well as know who to crown the hero of the game), most wins and losses are a team effort. Takatsu was called on to be perfect, and he was not. That was one failure in nine innings. Was it the only one?

From what I understand from this boxscore [MLB.com], Looper blew it in the 9th inning by giving up the tying run that inning, and then loaded the bases in the 10th before being taken out. [Game Recap - MLB.com]

Looper is the Mets' closer (many Mets fans want Minaya-GM to go after a closer this off-season as they feel Looper isn't a good in that role). Looper pitched an inning (and 3 batters in the 10th) giving up 3 runs, all earned, 3 hits, walked 2, and struck out 1. Looper gave up the tying run in the 9th, the Mets gained the lead back in the 10th, and should have taken Looper out then. By, the time Takatsu got in the game it was already over.

Takatsu was one pitch away from getting the save and winning it for the Mets.

From everyone I have spoken to here in New York, nobody is putting this on Takatsu. The fans I have met are fed up with Looper. In fact, there's a running joke among a few of my friends where we refer to him as "BLooper."

The game (and season) were finished long before last night's loss. To place any blame on Takatsu is ridiculous, especially when he was within one strike of salvaging the victory and cleaning up Looper's mess.

Trust me when I say all Met fans want Looper to take a one-way ticket outta town.

Now if only all of the teams, players, scouts, and individuals of every team in the NPB can remember Westbaystars' comments and beliefs when dealing with the gaijin, or suketto!

- That street runs both ways!
- Anonymous

Yes that street runs both ways. The teams here could never understand this. There is always blame and usually the gaijin are at the top of that list.

I can't see Takatsu being fully at fault, but he didn't get the job done that night. Closers are supposed to be near perfect and Looper is far from that.

Takatsu seems to be at least serviceable and I'm hoping he can get on track and make some solid contributions.