The Mets lost a tough one against the Tigers in Detroit, 6-5.
- Logan Verrett started for the Mets. All they needed was for him to eat some innings and have just an average performance. Instead, he gave them 3.2 innings of seven-hit ball. His final line is ugly: 3.2 IP, 7 hits, 6 runs, 2 BB, and 2 K.
- Jon Niese came in to relieve Verrett and immediately gave up a two-RBI single to Miguel Cabrera. Otherwise, he was actually pretty decent for 2.1 innings. If Verrett continues to struggle, it might be worth a shot to flip flop him with Niese, as terrifying as that sounds.
- The Mets scored five runs, but don’t let that fool you. The depressing lineup, which included Ty Kelly in the two spot and Rene Rivera as the DH, was actually pretty decent for the most part. Kelly got on base three times and scored the first run. The team had 14 hits. There were RBIs! Still, they spent most of the night putting runners on and not knocking them in, as per usual. They grounded into three double plays.
- In the seventh, the Mets hit into three double plays but managed to get to within one run. Let me explain. After the Mets appeared to hit into yet another double play, Cabrera attempted to turn two but hit Neil Walker in the head as he was running to second and a run scored. The next batter, Wilmer Flores, hit a another double play ball that glanced off of Mike Aviles‘ glove another run scored. Feeling bad and looking to make things right, Travis d’Arnaud helpfully hit yet another double play ball, this one successfully turned.
- Speaking of d’Arnaud, he had an ugly 1-5 night and continues to make us all feel sad. He had a brief moment of redemption in the ninth after the Mets remarkably put two on with two outs. He poked a single into right field that looked like it might score Jay Bruce, but Bruce was gunned down at the plate to end the game. Bad decision to send him? Probably, but it was a close play even with a great throw by J.D. Martinez from right.
- It was a tough loss in the end, but the game was only close because the Tigers played like the Mets for half an inning. Get em tomorrow, boys.
Rob, I only got to see the last two pitches of the game, so thank you for the recap. When I got to the chatter, straight away I asked Metsense if the announcers said anything not only about putting a defensive Catcher! as your DH, but double switching him out for Conforto and leaving no safety net for the team and d’Arnaud, but he said no. Hard to understand how Keith let that go. Metsense said that Walker can catch, but, ah… I don’t know if you want to find that out without being careful first.
Also, while we fans pick on a relatively young catcher with not alot of MLB time – because he keeps getting hurt – don’t forget that the catching coach for the Mets is a former infielder that has never caught a pitch in his life! So, not only does Sandy punt defense, he punts on those who can teach defense. I wonder if TDA doesn’t need a fresh start, because between the early eight hole at bats and now that he has cooled off he is moved up, and the lack of help from the brain trust, what’s this kid thinking?
I don’t recall the booth mentioning it at all, but I remember Adam Rubin mentioned it on Twitter. At least after the double switch because that was a….pretty special move on Terry’s part.
The knee slapping gets better.
Asked why he didn’t just automatically challenge the play anyway, Terry Collins said, “I didn’t think of it.”
Kelly..Rivera…Reynolds…Wow!!!
Turns out the insane Ty Kelly decision was correct. Strange game.
Conforto had another wildly disconcerting AB late in the game. Struck out on a pitch that was a foot inside and low. It’s like he’s not seeing the ball at all. Appears befuddled.
I know there’s resistance to the new plate-blocking rules, but I thought last night’s game-ending play may have been an example. It should have been reviewed. That’s two games in a row when Mets failed to challenge a borderline play. Bizarre.
The Rivera-at-DH thing was just weird. Then pulling him was weirder. For five years, TC never burns the backup catcher in a game, then does it last night in that situation, and acts as if it was a normal thing? After the games, he’s taken a page from Donald Trump: “I’m not crazy, you’re crazy!!!!!”
Got to see the Cyclones last night, and Szupucky in particular. Once again, Sandy has put together a pretty terrible, listless team, though I don’t think they are as horrible as last year’s Cyclones team, which was stunningly awful. Actually, there’s a few guys of interest, and then a lot of guys who seem really overmatched. I’m not a scout, but when I see under-sized guys hitting .210 and having feeble ABs (this describes 4-5 of last night’s starters), I have a hard time seeing the future Met. Jabs, Paez, Zaan, and couple of others.
* Alonso at 1B showed surprising speed on a foul pop deep down the foul line, and also while running out a grounder. Thought he moved well. Big guy. We’ll see how this goes.
* Lindsay DNP. Rats.
* Brosher caught and sailed a throw into the right-CF gap on a steal attempt. The second baseman did not even bother to reach for the ball. He’s a big guy with power and I guess that puts him in the “you never know” category, especially where it concerns catchers. But I think he plays a lot of DH, which tells you all you need to know.
* Woodmansee is a tall SS, about 6-3, and was not tested in the field. I don’t believe he made a play. Pulled a couple of balls foul. At least looked like a player.
* Szupucky was terrific. Struck out 5 of the first 6 batters he faced, think he got 10 or 11 overall in 5 1/3 IP. The gun was down, but the fastball got swings and misses. Throws a hard, sharp breaking ball. Seems to have an idea. Dominated. However, walked four guys and, I believe, walked three leadoff hitters in 6 innings. None of the batters ever really touched him, so the lack of control was frustrating to watch. Statistically, that’s not been a problem for him. Only gave up one hit, to the last batter he faced. I liked his demeanor, his composure, his presence. Projects confidence. Definitely a prospect. Need to see how he fares at the higher levels, and soon. Supposedly the Reds asked about him. Right now, this is an arm you want to keep.
Overall, it was a lot like watching the Mets. Lost 4-1. Nothing offensively. A dull effort.
Keith Hernandez said about the lineup “that Terry was trying to pull a rabbit out of his hat”. TC almost did but Verrett pitched a poor game and Niese gave up the hit with the inherited runners for the insurmountable 5th and 6th runs. Yet, Niese pitched better than Verrett and probably should be given the start next time around in the rotation. The Mets teased us all night with RISP but never could get the knockout punch.
Johnson, Walker and Bruce are hitting and Flores is vs LHP. Your above summary of the 7th inning pretty much was how the game (and to some extent the season) has gone. They are 36-43 since May 10th but amazingly only two games out.
I’d rather lose with young players getting experience for tomorrow than an old, tired line up barely batting their weight.
Can you block home plate with just your foot? If so, then this play was definitely a violation of the rule. Not sure if this is the case but I certainly would have challenged it to find out.
Jay Bruce is a pretty big guy. Salty should be glad he didn’t go Pete Rose on him.
https://mobile.twitter.com/NYPost_Mets?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
“Collins said he didn’t consider Nimmo for Bruce pinch running last night because for all he knows Bruce Is faster”
From Mike Puma’s Twitter account.
————————————————————————————————————————-
I cant believe what’s coming out of his mouth. Worse than ever!
I’m wondering if Collins isn’t driving himself nuts. Not challenging a call two straight nights is not his style, unless privately he has given up. He’d never say it, but seems to be showing it. Where’s Wally?
there should be an equivalent of “walk-off hit” on the defensive side of things, when a play at the plate retires the potential tying run to end the game, as happened in this one. Walk-off putout, maybe?