Randolph asks Wagner to keep criticism in-house

5/2/2008 11:21 PM

PHOENIX (AP) -New York Mets manager Willie Randolph told Billy Wagner to keep critical comments in-house Friday, two days after the closer ripped pitcher Oliver Perez following a blowout loss to Pittsburgh.

Wagner criticized Perez after the left-hander lasted just 1 1-3 innings in a 13-1 loss to the Pirates on Wednesday, a night after the Mets exhausted their bullpen in an 11-inning victory.

``Perez has honestly got to step up and know that we've just used every guy in our bullpen the night before,'' Wagner said at the time. ``He can't come out there and decide that, `Gee, he hasn't got it today and so be it.'''

When asked if talking to Perez was like talking to a wall, Wagner said: ``Pretty much.''

Wagner had little to say Friday.

``It's all been taken care of,'' he said.

Randolph addressed the subject Friday before the Mets' game in Arizona

``I wouldn't go that route, but that's Billy,'' Randolph said. ``Billy gets a little emotional at times. If he feels that way, it's fine. Billy doesn't speak for the team. That's just him. That's just his opinion.''