The Mets’ debut of Jason Vargas did not go as planned, as the Padres jumped on top early and never looked back, finishing with a 12-2 win Saturday to even the series.

Vargas was supposed to give the Mets innings but he turned in an outing reminiscent of what everyone has found lacking from Messrs Harvey, Matz and Wheeler. In the first inning he gave up a two-run homer and a two-run triple and there was more damage to come later. After giving up his second homer of the game in the fourth inning, a blast which made it 9-0, he was mercifully removed. And it could have been worse, as Juan Lagares reached higher than the wall to prevent another two-run homer.

Seth Lugo was called on to give the team innings and he did that. He also allowed four hits and three runs, the fourth time in his last six outings he’s allowed runners to cross the plate. At least Jerry Blevins and Jeurys Familia threw scoreless ball in the lowest of low leverage situations.

Yoenis Cespedes provided the only runs for the Mets, hitting a towering two-run homer to the left of center field in the sixth inning. It was one of just four hits on the night for the visitors.

8 comments on “Gut Reaction: Padres 12, Mets 2 (4/28/18)

  • TexasGusCC

    Brian, a noteworthy performance on your part to even acknowledge this game. Here would have been my rendition:

    A total non-show for the Mets team. Jason Vargas was activated too quickly and got killed as he lacked velocity and command. It would have been worse if Lagares didn’t rob Villanueva of a second HR in consecutive innings.

    Our first place Mets: Runs Scored 113. Runs Allowed 111. Surely, they need to re-evaluate their lineup, their defense, and any other warts that have been shown in April (i.e.: third base coach).

    The Padres will be awfully upset to see Wheeler’s mid to upper 90’s stuff tomorrow, especially if he’s hitting his spots.

    • Steve S.

      I’m not sure how much more the Mets can do to improve their defense—which is already much better on the left side of the infield. They are not going to rest Cabrera too much at 2B and Bruce/Flores at 1B is not really an improvement.

      One thing is to play Lagares in CF against all LHers, and to put him in there in the late innings, as well.

      Hopefully, Wheeler and Matz will pitch better consistently to give us a solid top four in the rotation. Vargas had nothing last night, but it’s only one start (*fingers crossed*). He’s our #5 now.

  • Meticated

    It cannot be understated how anemic our pitching and offense have looked. Of course there has been exceptions and some limited early success, but we are rapidly descending to the mean /mediocre. It we don’t develop some fire and consistency, then we are clearly destined for an up…and mostly down 80 win season. I wish I could be more upbeat, but I’ve been down this lonely road so many times before as to remain optimistic. This pattern is all too familiar and I’m not deceived by one stretch of superlative play against weak teams. Please tell me I’m imagining this…grins

    • Pal88

      You are so right. The signs are beginning to look very familiar.

  • Eraff

    The Slumps become more obvious with a lineup shortened by the absence of a Major League Catcher.

    As a mix, I expect Cabrera, Ces, Frazier,Conforto, and Bruce to provide Baseball Card Results. Rosario will struggle and flash. The lineup is short and it’s slumping. AG looks like he’s cooked.

    I’m not worried about offense—they can and will address catcher…but the Pitching!!!?????

    • Mike Walczak

      Before the season started, it was Syndergaard, deGrom and a bunch of question marks. And that is how it is playing out. Oswalt deserves a real shot.

    • MattyMets

      We knew JDG and Thor would be awesome. What Callaway and Eiland were brought in for was to squeeze some quality out of the oft injured and inconsistent lot that were supposed to be frontline starters.

  • Mets6986

    I am concerned who the leaders are on this team to shake some sense into its slumping players. Gonzalez needs to go and take Reyes with him. They simply are not catching up to MLB pitching anymore. Bring up some promising kids. We need a take charge leader behind the plate and with a bag of prospects and one player from our current roster Buster Posey may be available from the slumping and rebuilding Giants. How can we let backup catchers be our mainstay handling a young pitching staff? We are solid defensively but still need to get clutch hits. We need to trade for one more solid home run hitter that puts a fearful bat in the middle of the lineup. Who are people afraid of aside from Ces? It’s still very early but getting blown out by the Padres is not a good sign. All this being said, keep the faith Met fans!!

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