Tonight’s game felt ominous from the start and then before you knew, it was over. Wilmer Font took the mound for the Mets for the second time since being acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays and was unable to make it through the third inning. On the night he gave up five runs as he was hit early and often by the Nationals; Font was tattooed for many hard hit balls, including a 106 MPH double off the bat of Anthony Rendon. On the hill for the Nationals stood Patrick Corbin, who pitched lights out over eight innings. This was the third start and first win against the Mets for Corbin so far in 2019.
By the third inning, with a 3-1 lead that would have stood, Victor Robles added an insurance run for the Nationals Robles hit a home run which is his eighth on the year and fourth against the Mets. The lone run for the Mets offense came off the bat of J.D. Davis, who has found success against Corbin on the year.
Drew Gagnon and Tyler Bashlor ate 4.2 innings in admirable fashion, and then Jeurys Familia closed out the ninth inning for the Mets. Mickey Callaway had said that he would ease Familia back into big time situations, which feels like a good managerial move in my opinion.
It is my Gut Reaction that the Mets would be better off giving just about anyone playing time at second base instead of Robinson Cano. For example, the team can move Jeff McNeil or Davis to the spot and possibly bring up an outfielder for flexibility. The Mets face the Nationals for the rubber game of the series at 1 pm.
The problem isn’t letting Cano play through his struggles, since you did literally mortgage the farm for him, the problem is there is some little known law that requires him to hit third and therefore flame out any possible rally trying to happen between the best three or four hitters in your lineup. Put him at least fifth, but preferably sixth or seventh, and if it hurts his feelings, show him the paycheck and tell him to get over it.
Too, I don’t understand the two crow hops McNeil took on Davis’ two out double. Yes, the carom came straight to Soto, but a player with McNeils wheels must score on that and those two skips while he checked out if he would need to run hard or not, cost the Mets a run.
Gut reaction: Corbin pitched like an ace. Font pitched like a replacement fifth starter. So I was not surprised by the outcome.
The bullpen was a pleasant surprise last night.
Callaway says that Cano is a Hall of Fame caliber player that should bat third. With that thinking, Callaway should make his plans for a Fourth of July BBQ at his house because he shouldn’t be in the dugout with the Mets.
This afternoon they need to win this game and this series.LGM