Wagner's Latest Failure is Unnerving

As Mets Prepare For a Pennant Run, Their Closer Poses Doubts

Last night, the National League was poised to break their long All-Star schneid. For the past eleven years the American League had won 10 and tied once, leaving the NLers determined to win come hell of high water.

With a 3-2 lead and 2 out in the 8th inning, NL manager Clint Hurdle decided to replace San Francisco reliever Brian Wilson with Mets closer Billy Wagner. Big mistake. Wagner was touched for a single by Cleveland's Grady Sizemore, who promptly stole second. Tampa's Evan Longoria then doubled into the left field corner, scoring Sizemore to tie the game at 3. The AL would go on to win a 15-inning battle of attrition, 4-3, finally ending at 1:37 Wednesday morning.

Wagner's failure not only blew the NL's chance to ruin the Yankee Stadium lovefest, he cost the NL champion home field advantage in the upcoming World Series. He also made every Met fan from Canarsie to Commack as nervous as hell.

If you care to recall, this was not the first big game blown by Billy Wagner. In Game 2 of the 2006 NLCS, Wagner gave up a HR in the top of the 9th to light-hitting So Taguchi which gave the Cardinals the victory. The Mets would lose the series in 7 games. Then this season, after being lights out for the first two months or so, Wagner has blown 6- count 'em - 6 saves in the past 6 weeks. Uh-oh....

Now comes the All-Star failure. The Mets are looking to avenge their poor 2007 finish. They will need all hands on deck to get to the post season and make something of themselves. Wagner is a huge part of that plan. If he can't perform under pressure this season may turn out much like last year.