Sean Green no longer looks like the steal of the J.J. Putz trade.
Green was battered once again yesterday, giving up a monstrous two-run homer to Nate McLouth in the ninth inning of the Mets’ 8-4 win over the Pirates at Citi Field.
The lanky right-hander, who had gotten off to a strong start with the Mets last month in a seventh-inning role, has now been bounced for seven runs in his past 3 1/3 innings.
Green, however, hasn’t appeared to lose the confidence of Manuel — at least not publicly.
“He just has to find his proper [arm] slot,” Manuel said of Green’s delivery. “Once he does that, his ball moves enough that he can be a guy that can be very, very effective for us. It’s just a matter of time before I think he figures that out.”
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So much for David Wright’s slump.
The All-Star third baseman’s fourth-inning RBI single yesterday gave him 12 RBIs in his past 12 games. He is hitting .356 (16-for-45) with three doubles, two triples and two homers in that span.
“We’re playing good baseball, starting with our starting pitching,” he said. “Them going six or seven innings time and time again gives our great bullpen a rest, and we’re also getting big hits at key times.”
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The Mets stole four bases yesterday, including a double steal by Jose Reyes and Luis Castillo in the seventh inning, and have stolen at least one base in 11 consecutive games.
The Mets also lead the NL with 27 steals overall.
