In reading newspapers and blogs today I have seen many people putting blame on Matsui for this game. But if you're blaming Matsui then you're taking the easy way out. Sure he made the error but it was Wigginton's mental error that really cost the game. Wigginton would say after the game that he threw to first because he thought Jones was going to go back to third base. Jones had, after all, run through a stop sign at third. That explains why Wigginton didn't throw home but that's not what I'm talking about. I'm talking about the throw to first.
Cuddyer was safe at first and even a perfect throw may not have gotten him. But even so, Cuddyer was irrelevant. What was relevant was the winning run rounding third base (Jones). Even if Jones hadn't run through a stop sign Wigginton's throw to first would have given him time to break for home. Unless Wigginton was throwing to first to complete an inning ending double play (which is what Jones may have thought was going on) there was no reason to throw to first and every reason to hold on to the ball and watch Jones in case he went home.
Instead, Wigginton's throw to first cost the Mets another excellent outing by Tom Glavine. Glavine allowed 5 hits and 1 run in an 8 inning no-decision. Another good start wasted.
