The Mets dropped the final game of their series with the Phillies this afternoon, 5-1.
Robert Gsellman made his first career start in this one and, despite his line, it should be seen as an overall success. He went six innings, struck out five, and was charged with four earned runs. He was cruising right along until the dreaded seventh inning, when the Phillies had three consecutive hard-hit balls to load the bases with no outs. Instead of letting young Gsellman (who’d been having a great game but was at 94 pitches) try to get through it, Terry Collins brought in Hansel Robles to throw gasoline on the fire. Robles promptly gave up a two-run double and everything went downhill from there. Still, it was a good outing for Gsellman who had nice sink and his fastball and showed some good bite on his curve.
The Mets continue to be the walking wounded as Yoenis Cespedes (quad) and Neil Walker (back) sat this one out. Asdrubal Cabrera left the game in the first inning after colliding with the first baseman running out a bunt attempt. Word was it was a sore left knee, the same knee that’s been giving him problems all season. As such, the offense sputtered along and could only plate one run despite getting seven hits.
There really isn’t much else to say about this one. The Mets will start a very important series against the Marlins tomorrow night.
Rob, I vehemently disagree with you. As you said, three hard hit balls. What was Collins waiting for? This a pennant chase, not a game in April. Collins, who acts like every game is Game 7, was caught sleeping which has become par for the course this last month. By the second hit, someone should have been in. He got six great innings from a kid pitching in late August and may be running on fumes. Rather than be happy, he was unprepared. Cost his team an important game.
Fair enough, Gus. Perhaps it’s just my complete lack of faith in most of the bullpen right now plus Collins’ pitching decisions that led me to rather have Gsellman tough it out.
Rob, I thought of my response and was coming to the website to apologize about being so fumed and taking out on you about the game, when I saw you responded.
I understand your rationale about the bullpen, but this is a manager that needed multiple relievers up 11 runs in the 8th inning yesterday. He also doesn’t have faith in them.
Jimmy, I see your comment below and also would have let Gsellman start the inning too, but after the second hit, he was out. Why wait for the third and risk it all?
No worries, Gus! It’s frustrating to see losses like this, especially when they always seem *so* close turning a corner as a team and just stumble right back. And the injuries. Hoo boy.
First, Collins signaled to the opposition that his pitcher was done; Cespedes was to pinch hit. It’s a small psychological hint that the young pitcher at 90 pitches should be lifted.
They pounced.
After the first hit I thought he would be pulled. After the 2nd, I left the TV to grab snack assuming it was pitching change.
Collins.
But when I saw Hansel….
Oh man.
Keith keeps praising De Aza for being “so hot lately ”
Last 7 games he heated to .220
He’s batting under his weight but always in the lineup.
Conforto .427 in AAA
My sense, too, was that Collins stayed with kid a little long. At six innings and one run, I felt he’d accomplished everything we’d hoped for. That said, I would have let him start the 7th inning too.
The Mets did not get greedy and sweep but they did do what was expected of them. They did lose an opportunity to gain ground on the Marlins and go into the four game series even. A split in the upcoming series should be the minimum acceptable result but 3 of 4 will move them ahead of the Marlins.
It was a tough day to begin with when Loney, Bruce and Granderson were in the starting lineup. BTW I am not picking on Loney because I appreciate his 2016 early contibution and for that matter Granderson also is respected for his 2015 contribution but going forward only one of the three should be in the lineup to start until they prove otherwise. The injuries forced the issue today.
Gsellman pitched well but maybe TC went too long into the 7th with him. Lets go catch some fish, Lets Go Mets.
Well, here we go. The series that will define the 2016 season. 3 out of 4 from the Phils is good. Let’s see what they do this week. I would have pulled the kid in that situation too.
Realistically, given the pitching match ups, we may have to be satisfied with a split. Yes, would love to go 3 out of 4.
Losing Walker and Cespedes and Cabrera yesterday — our three best hitters — that’s just really rough given the circumstances.
At this point, more concerned with holding on than gaining ground. Wish it were otherwise, it’s time to make a move, but look at this team right now.
Reyes could use some rest, looked spent yesterday.
Flores just not a productive player vs. RHP. And alas, that’s a lot of pitching. He’s a valuable asset for any team, but limited. Up and down the roster, just a deeply flawed group. Loney, Granderson, Bruce — that’s some trifecta. Need Cespedes and Walker.
Lineup badly missing Conforto yesterday.
Might have been a different outcome if d’Arnaud came through in the bottom of the sixth. Even if he just walked. Collins would have pinch hit Cespedes for Gsellman. Maybe Ces comes through their with men on base. Then Robles starts the 7th against the bottom of the lineup instead of entering with the bases loaded, no outs and the meat of the order. TDA has been such a disappointment.