Gut Reaction: Marlins 7, Mets 2 (4/7/17)

For Zack Wheeler, tonight was supposed to be a strong comeback start. After the first inning though, things quickly went downhill. Wheeler would go on to give up five earned runs in four innings. While this is not the result Wheeler or Mets fans wanted to see, it was awesome to see him back on the mound. In his next start, Wheeler will look to extend his good results past the first inning en route to a longer start.

While Josh Smoker was ineffective in providing relief for Wheeler, giving up two runs in a third of an inning pitched, the rest of the bullpen held their own. Rafael Montero and Josh Edgin came in to eat some innings, combining to allow just two hits in 4.2 innings.

The bats were also relatively quiet, who although combined for nine hits, could only muster two runs. Jose Reyes put up another goose egg alongside Jay Bruce, who drew a walk. My gut reaction to another hitless night for Reyes is that he will sit tomorrow night. He looks rather lost right now at the plate, no matter which side he is batting from.

Rene Rivera went 2-3 at the plate, including a double. Curtis Granderson also had a double tonight, his only hit of the night. Yoenis Cespedes hit a solo shot, his first of the year in the eighth inning. Asdrubal Cabrera, Wilmer Flores, and Neil Walker each also added a hit tonight.

The Mets will need to turn the offense up if they expect to have a successful series. The Marlins have too strong of an offense to only score two runs against. While a stronger start is expected tomorrow from Robert Gsellman, the Mets will absolutely have to score more runs to secure a victory against the heavy hitting Marlins. The Mets and Marlins will go back at it tomorrow night at 7:10.