The Mets dropped the opening game of their doubleheader with the Braves by a 9-2 score Monday evening.

Chris Flexen got his first start in 22 days and did well through five innings, allowing just one run. Unfortunately, he pitched to three batters in the sixth and did not retire a single one

With the bases loaded and two lefties coming to the plate, Terry Collins played matchups and called on Josh Smoker. Everyone should know this by now but Smoker came into the game with a .275/.363/.477 line in 125 PA against lefties. Last year lefties had a 1.048 OPS against him. There’s little reason for Smoker to be on the roster and there’s even less reason to utilize him as a lefty specialist.

Oh, and in a small sample, he came into the game 5-9 with three doubles allowed when the bases were loaded. Smoker retired the first lefty but the next one hit a double and he ended up allowing all three inherited runners to score.

Tomas Nido delivered a two-run double in the bottom of the seventh for the Mets’ runs.

3 comments on “Gut Reaction: Braves 9, Mets 2 (G1) 9/25/17

  • TexasGusCC

    We all are attracted to Smoker’s heat, but he kind of reminds me the difficulties Parnell had because Parnell’s ball was fast but straight, too. When Isringhausen taught him the knuckle-curve, it gave Parnell an out pitch and a pitch that could change the eye-level. Smoker needs either John Franco to teach him the screwball, someone to show him a knuckle-curve, or some other eye-level changing pitch.

    • Name

      Not sure i buy this anecdote or comparison.

      Izzy came to the Mets in 2011. Parnell in 2010 had registered a 2.83 ERA with solid peripherals. So since he had success before learning a new pitch, i’m not sure how much you can attribute to it. Oh, and he was 25 at the time and not soon to be 29 like Smoker will be in November. Much like Scott Rice, he has absolutely no merits to be in the big leagues.

      • Jimmy P

        Yeah, not buying either.

        I liked Parnell and thought he was going to break out at the time he broke down.

        Smoker is just another strong-armed, erratic reliever in a game where consistency is king. Lots of guys can look good in flashes.

        It’s like saying Juan Lagares will be a really good hitter once he learns how to pull the ball for power . . . stop chasing the slider away . . . and recognize the curveball in the dirt.

        You know, learns how to hit.

        The glove is beautiful but I don’t think it’s enough to keep him on the field. We keep wanting the light bulb to turn on but he’s not even plugged in.

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