A few hours before his meltdown against the Brewers yesterday, Jason Isringhausen said he wasn’t sure whether he wanted to play another season with the Mets next year, or any other team for that matter. By the time the Mets had endured a brutal 11-9 loss, their fans were ready to show Isringhausen the door.
If collecting his 300th save against the Padres on Tuesday was one of the highlights of Isringhausen’s 15-year career, yesterday was one of the low points, “a debacle” as he called it, a performance that can make a 38-year-old feel like 58.
The Mets were on the verge of an improbable victory when Isringhausen was summoned from the bullpen in the top of the ninth inning to extinguish the red-hot Brewers. Trailing 7-1, the Mets staged a remarkable rally by scoring five runs in the seventh inning and three more in the eighth to take 9-7 lead.
That all three runs in the eighth came off former Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez made it sweeter. “Kayyyy-Roddd,” the crowd chanted mockingly.
But what followed was pure horror for Isringhausen.
“I warmed up in the bullpen fine and just got out there and lost it,” he said. “I couldn’t find the strike zone.”
His nightmare began by walking Jonathan Lucroy on a full count. Then he walked pinch-hitter Nyjer Morgan on another full count. With runners at first and second, right fielder Corey Hart lined a single to left so hard the Brewers could only load the bases. Up came pinch-hitter Mark Kotsay, and it was clear Isringhausen was struggling with his command. He went to another full count against Kotsay before walking him to force in a run and prompt a pitching change.
“I’ve done it once or twice in my career where I just can’t find the strike zone like that,” Isringhausen said. “But I warmed up great in the bullpen and I just got out there and fell apart. I have no excuses and I can’t explain it.”
Manny Acosta came in, but couldn’t limit the damage. He allowed two hits as all four Brewers who had faced Isringhausen scored, giving Milwaukee its margin of victory.
Isringhausen may think about this game a month after the season ends when he’s deciding whether he wants to play another year or retire. Before his brutal outing, he sounded like someone with nothing to prove. He has 300 saves and has been on two World Series teams with the Cardinals. He has two girls — Madolyn, 9, and Emerson, 2 — who would rather have their daddy at home on a full-time basis. There’s also the daily preparation needed after six elbow surgeries, two hip surgeries and three shoulder surgeries.
“It’s a lot of hot-tubbing; a lot of getting on the treadmill to get some walking in to loosen up; heat packs and [stimulation] on my back; things like that,” he said.
Despite yesterday’s performance, Isringhausen has been an important contributor this season when few expected him to make the Mets out of spring training. But over his last eight games, he has compiled a 12.86 ERA, giving up 10 earned runs in seven innings.
“The way I feel right now I could do it again,” he said about playing next year. “But is it worth doing it again? I’m not looking to go for 400 saves. That’s not why I do it. I got my 300. That’s one reason why I came back this year and another reason was to leave on my terms. If I walk away this year and I feel healthy that’s on my terms.
“I don’t want to come back next year and get my butt handed to me and say it’s time for me to go home. I don’t want to be that way.”
Isringhausen got it handed to him yesterday. But there still are six weeks to play before he can think about going home for good.
