Manuel 'discouraged, disappointed' with loss to Livan
New York Mets manager Jerry Manuel throws a ball while watching the Mets take batting practice before facing the Colorado Rockies. (April 13, 2010) Credit: AP
DENVER - Jerry Manuel doesn't regret taking "full responsibility" for the Mets' ugly loss to Livan Hernandez and the Nationals on Sunday. He's comfortable with the bull's-eye on his back and believes he accomplished his mission of deflecting blame from his players and staff.
But Manuel said before last night's game that "unprepared" may not have been the correct way to describe his team's effort. When asked if that was the right word, Manuel backtracked.
"Probably not," he said. "As you can see, we've got mounds of information and stuff. We prepared here last night for the Rockies. That's not the issue. The issue is to get that information to where your players have some revelation as to what is going on and what is happening. I think that's what frustrates me. That probably gets me more than anything."
Asked about one of the Mets describing him as "hot" after Sunday's game, Manuel didn't dispute that. "I was discouraged," he said. "I have to be honest. You guys know me well enough to know I was disappointed. Not taking anything away from Livan, but I do think Livan is kind of toward the evening of his career.''
Delgado drops by
Carlos Delgado, who is rehabbing from hip surgery in nearby Vail, visited with his former team before last night's game. Delgado has spent the last eight weeks at the Steadman-Hawkins Clinic, where he had the surgery, and though standing on crutches, he talked about his plans to return this season.
"I want to get healthy," Delgado said. "And obviously the plan is to end up playing somewhere, sometime.''
Davis looking extra special
Ike Davis is putting pressure on the Mets after five games at Triple-A Buffalo. Through Monday, Davis had six hits, including three doubles and two homers, with an on-base percentage of .545.
