The Mets just can't make anything easy for themselves.
Their series win over the New York Yankees in their annual interleague Subway Series matchup didn't come without a hitch, as closer Francisco Rodriguez had a bit of a tussle with bullpen coach Randy Niemann.
Ironically enough, this all came after manager Jerry Manuel had called a team meeting just a few days prior, in which he had to remind his players to just "breathe and enjoy the game."
According to the New York Times, Rodriguez and Niemann had to be separated from each other after the two had an argument over how the closer has been being used recently. When asked after the game about the spat, K-Rod sounded more like a kid brother who just got busted.
"We were just fooling around," he told the Times. "We were just kidding with each other."
The two reportedly met after the game and ironed out the problem, but it nonetheless highlighted another bumpy Mets season.
The incident followed that of another frustrated Mets pitcher, starter John Maine. The hurler made his displeasure known to Manuel after he pulled the starter just five pitches into his start against the Nationals. The Mets went on to win that game 10-7, but it became clear that a team that is desperate to live up to expectations may be a little bit on edge.
Maybe the locker-room drama can fuel them. The Mets won their home half of the 2010 home-and-home Subway Series and currently stand only five games out of the NL East lead. However, it is pretty clear that once again, the pressure is mounting in Queens.
