Brown: Mets Make Optimistic Fans Look Like Clowns

In the words of New York's own Ja Rule: "I, too, was hustled, scammed, bamboozled, hoodwinked, lead astray."That is the feeling every Mets fan felt after Thursday's 16-inning, 3-2 loss to the Giants.After losing their first game after the All-Star break and then winning four straight, the Mets made us believe they might have been able to turn this dreadful season around. The bullpen was finally pitching well. The lineup was getting production from top to bottom. The starting pitching staff was having success. We almost forgot that the team was 10 games under .500 just a week ago.Then Thursday's post-midnight events happened, and we realized this is the same old New York Mets we're talking about.What an absolute disappointment this franchise continues to be. Just when you thought they might make things interesting and get back in the race for the second wild-card spot, they reminded us who they really are -- losers.The offense couldn't get anything done Thursday. There were no timely hits and no ability to get runners home with less than two outs. On top of that, Mickey Callaway continues to be lost managing baseball games. Absolutely clueless. From managing the bullpen to the lineup to double switches to pinch-hitters to the clubhouse, Callaway's got the biggest clown nose of all of us.How about Callaway's decision making Thursday? With the game tied in the 10th inning and Giants lefty Will Smith on the mound, Callaway had some head-scratchers. With runners on second and third, he left Tomas Nido up to hit, who struck out. Then he decided to use Wilson Ramos to pinch-hit for Juan Lagares. Ramos was intentionally walked. For no reason at all, Callaway then pinch-ran for Ramos with Luis Guillorme at first base for a run that wouldn't have mattered much, wasting a potential pinch-hitter he might have needed later if the game stayed tied. Callaway then sent up lefty Michael Conforto to pinch-hit, who struck out. Then Jeff McNeil struck out, too. The Mets had runners on second and third with no outs and failed to score. You can't make up the ineptitude.