Alex Cora: Mets don’t know how to bounce back

What's wrong with the Mets?

Alex Cora, who was released by the Mets last week, said he knows the reasons behind the team's second-half swoon.

"When the team gets on a roll they get very high and emotional, but when they go bad they get very low," Cora said in an interview Tuesday on WFAN.

"I think winning teams try to find that middle part where you are consistent. Like you win today, but you turn the page and you do it again tomorrow. Or you lose today and go after it real hard the next day. Until they find that point where they lose and can put it behind them, they will be inconsistent."

Inconsistency has been the operative word for the Mets, who have not won back-to-back games since June 22-23 against the Tigers. The Mets have faded to 8 ½ games behind the Braves in the NL East thanks to their struggles, which were emphasized during the team’s 2-9 west coast trip that started the second half.

"We just didn’t hit," Cora said. "You can tell it was hard for us to show up and push it. It’s not that we quit, but it was very hard to find that level of consistency that winning teams have."

Cora was released by the Mets on Friday to make room for youngster Ruben Tejada, who has taken over as the starting second baseman over Luis Castillo. Cora does not blame the Mets for his move.

"Let’s be honest, I’m hitting .207 and in sports you have to perform," Cora said. "When you hit .207 ... they obviously expected a little bit more and that comes with the territory. And they also wanted to see the young kids perform."



(nypost.com)