Is Terry Collins Serious?

In the ninth inning this afternoon, instead of going to his closer in a tie game, Terry Collins opted to have career minor leaguer Scott Rice open the frame and allowed him to pitch to the heart of the Dodgers' lineup.  The move seemed ridiculous, and it wound up costing the Mets the game as Rice surrendered 2 runs in the Mets' eventual 3-2 loss.  So, what was Collins thinking?

After the game, Collins was asked why he turned to Rice and not Bobby Parnell.  Collins' response was that he didn't want to use Parnell in a tie game because he would then risk losing his services for tomorrow night.  There's a major flaw with that reasoning.  What's the flaw, you ask?  The flaw lies in the fact that Collins used Parnell anyway.  However, instead of using Parnell with the game tied, Collins opted to bring Parnell in after the lead was gone. 

As I noted in the game recap on Rising Apple, today's ninth inning move was a prime example why Terry Collins should not be managing the Mets beyond 2013.  Even worse than his failure to use Parnell was his contradictory excuse for it.  

Listen as Zack Wheeler Pitches for Vegas Tonight at 10:05 EST

After a very solid third start, Zack Wheeler returns to the hill tonight at 10:05 PM eastern as the Las Vegas 51's take on the Sacramento River Cats. 

It's highly doubtful Wheeler will be called up after this start (or his next one for that matter), but it should be noted that this will be his last start before the Mets guarantee an extra year of team control over him.  After tomorrow, the Mets can call Wheeler up without having to worry about anything but potential Super Two status.

If you have MiLB TV, you can watch the start online.  If not, you can listen live here. 

Rehabbing Shaun Marcum Tosses 4 Perfect Innings

Per the beat writers, Shaun Marcum (neck, other linked maladies) tossed four perfect innings today in an extended spring training game.  He struck out five.  Adam Rubin noted that Marcum would make one more rehab appearance before potentially being activated from the disabled list.  When that appearance happens remains to be seen.

Marcum threw only 41 pitches today, meaning it's conceivable he'll be back on the mound in two or three days.  If that were to materialize (and Marcum gets through his next rehab appearance), it could pave the way for him to be activated when the Mets next need a fifth starter (April 27th). 

Change to Rational Mets Musings

As is noted two articles down, the majority of my articles can now be found at Rising Apple.  After joining the staff last August, I've recently taken over as the site's editor.  I'll be posting brief thoughts/snippets to Rational (Sometimes) Mets Musings - much like the one right below.  Again, be sure to head to Rising Apple to check out my more in depth work and the work of our other talented writers.   

Collin McHugh has a 0.50 ERA for AAA Las Vegas

Over his first three starts of the AAA season, in the notoriously hitter friendly Pacific Coast League, Mets starting pitcher Collin McHugh has an ERA of 0.50 over 18 innings.  He has a WHIP of 1.06, having allowed 15 hits and 4 walks.  He's struck out 15.  McHugh, 25, struggled during a brief run with the Mets last year.  However, considering the alternative is Aaron Laffey, it's quite puzzling that the Mets have thus far refused to give McHugh another chance in the big league rotation.  McHugh had an ERA under 3.00 in AA in both 2011 and 2012, and an ERA of 3.42 last year for AAA Buffalo.