DENVER — The Mets won yesterday’s game against the Rockies despite a number of bad moves on the bases.
The third inning alone was a clinic in how not to perform on the basepaths. The follies started with Mike Pelfrey breaking from third to home on a grounder to third base — he was safe because Ian Stewart’s lob toward catcher Miguel Olivo hit Pelfrey in the back — and ended with Jose Reyes getting thrown out attempting to steal third.
But in between, Luis Castillo attempted to steal second base with Reyes standing on the bag. Castillo was tagged out.
Reyes said the plan was to execute a double steal, but when he couldn’t get a good jump against Jorge De La Rosa, he returned to second base. Castillo, running with his head down, didn’t realize Reyes had returned to the bag.
“We don’t mind the aggression, but we have to be smarter about it,” manager Jerry Manuel said after the Mets’ 5-0 victory at Coors Field. “If you are going to be a fast-break team, you are going to have some turnovers as well.”
➤ Reyes could make his debut as a No. 3 hitter this weekend against the Cardinals, but Manuel wants to make sure his shortstop is ready before making the jump. Reyes went 2-for-5 yesterday from the leadoff spot.
Once the move is made, it’s expected Reyes will bat third until Carlos Beltran returns from rehabbing his right knee.
“I want to do it so bad sometimes I get a little impatient, so I have to be careful,” Manuel said. “I’ve got to be patient with [Reyes] and make sure he’s right and ready so I don’t have to make changes in that later on.”
➤ Manuel said it was special to wear No. 42 yesterday on the 63rd anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking baseball’s color barrier. All major league players, managers and coaches wore the number in Robinson’s honor.
“I wouldn’t be in the position I’m in if not for Jackie Robinson,” Manuel said. “What we have to do is continue to kind of recruit African-Americans back into our sport. We’re missing a little bit of that ingredient, that spice that can be added.”