This late morning start time on our Independence Day was just what the doctor ordered for an afternoon barbecue, and things got off well when leading off the game, Jose Reyes reclaimed a share of the top spot for Mets leadoff home runs, re-tying Curtis Granderson with 20.

However, the Nationals took the lead in the third on a single to right by known Mets killer Jose Lobaton, a two-out bunt single by Michael A. Taylor, a bloop by Bryce Harper and a lined single to left by Daniel Murphy.

But, Rene Rivera hit the first pitch for the fourth inning off his front foot 410 feet over the wall in right center field to tie the game.

Coming off a four-pitch first inning and a 13-pitch second inning, Seth Lugo started nibbling and came into the fifth inning with 55 pitches. He fell behind William Difo and gave up a single up the middle; a single to right on a 2-1 pitch to Harper that Jay Bruce overran, so Difo scored and Harper went to third; Murphy then hit a base hit off Wilmer Flores‘ glove at third to score Harper; after an Adam Lind single, Ryan Raburn hit a double into right center scoring two runs but overrunning second and getting caught for an out. Lugo was pulled after that frightful fifth inning. He spent most of the night pitching away and it caught up to him. The only inside pitch all night was a first pitch to Joe Ross on his bunt attempt in the second inning. This team needs a new pitching philosophy.

So, down 6-2, the sixth inning started with Erik Goeddel getting out the opposing pitcher to start the inning. He then walked two guys and Josh Edgin came in to face Harper, but walked him on five pitches. Up came Babe Murphy with the sacks drunk. After giving Edgin an 0-2 lead in the count to make it interesting, he hits what Darling called “a lazy slider” into right field for a two run single. The next hitter Lind hit a slow RBI roller to shortstop and so all three walks scored.

Meanwhile, Joe Ross who was on the ropes early, went seven innings with 114 pitches and despite allowing 10 additional baserunners, the scoring was just two solo homeruns.

To start the seventh inning against the Nationals, Neil Ramirez was brought in signaling the white flag and exciting Chris F and Name in the chatter. However, even though Ramirez was riding a seven inning scoreless inning streak, in the eighth inning the Nats kept scoring. Harper hit a low pitch into right for an RBI single and Murphy drove a low and away pitch into right center for an RBI double, after which Murphy was pulled with four hits, five RBI on the day and several million dejected Mets fans.

In the ninth inning, Bruce hit a two-run homer in the ninth ending his string of bad luck where good contact resulted in outs.

7 comments on “Gut Reaction: Nationals 11, Mets 4 (7/4/17)

  • Eraff

    This way to The Egress.

  • Dave

    I just don’t what to say at this point, I really don’t…Things were looking so good @ promising at the beginning of the year, and then all the injuries just killed us.

  • Pete from NJ

    Yesterday’s game should have been a win. Today’s game showed which team is suprior.

    Just to throw gas on the fire, none of our guys can hit .300 as opposed to the Nationals with D Murphy leading the pack What a mistake…what were the Mets and the rest of the league thinking? Seeing the Murph hitting like a professional (which we don’t have, except for Cespedes)makes me a bit queesy.

    Jake pitching tomorrow should brighten our thoughts. But these games could have given us a chance but it appears to be over.

  • Chris F

    Sell all parts. I hate to say it, but it’s rebuild time. Right now no one should be off limits. No one.

    Unfortunately this task is beyond the skills set of the present FO. Its overly convenient to blame injuries every year, but the whole operation resides under the GM and the amount of conditioning problems is absolutely shameful. Alderson cleaned up the financial mess of the Wilpon empire, sorted out the relationship with MLB, and went to a WS. I’m calling that complete. Its time to move the ball downfield with a different plan, faces, and ideas.

  • MattyMets

    Not the series I was looking for. I had such high hopes a few days ago. Life as a Mets fan. Like Charlie Brown trying to kick that football.

  • Metsense

    That was an embarrassing loss. How many of us felt that Murphy was going to deliver that bases loaded hit before he did? Strangely, for optimistic me, I did! It was a reality check for me that the Mets can’t compete at a playoff level. The starting pitching is no longer elite because they are not durable, the infield defense and catching defense is weak and the bullpen (except for Reed) is non existent. There is an opportunity available to re tool the minors at this trade deadline, evaluate some of the younger players for the rest to the season to see if any may be starting quality, and then this winter use the money coming off the books to trade for or sign “different” players. It is a challenge that I am not confident Sandy is capable accomplishing and one TC is ill equipped for.

  • Eraff

    I do believe they will attempt to re-stock…interesting to see what returns they get, and that will be a big measure of Management.

    I don;t believe they will offload starting Pitchers, unless it’s deGrom—he has a very high value.

    Either way, you need to head to next year with a similar stable of pitchers because you cannot sell all of them “low”.

    That points to a “re-load’… and that may mean a Collins return.

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