Well, all good things must come to an end. So it was with Jason Vargas’s recent “hot streak,” which crumbled over his ears in the course of three-and-a-third innings. To be fair, though, this wasn’t anybody’s best night.
The Mets actually had a decent lead at the start. Todd Frazier led off the second with a base hit up up the middle. Jay Bruce drove a 1-1 offering from Rich Hill into the right field seats and the Mets had a quick lead. They added to it in the third, when Wilmer Flores singled an Michael Conforto slammed curveball over the fence in right center and the Mets led 4-0. Too bad the game had six innings to go.
Vargas, to that point, had looked OK, retiring the first six Dodgers he saw. The seventh and eighth Dodgers, however… Chris Taylor led off the third with a walk. He scored when Austin Barnes slammed a fat fastball over the wall in left center. In the fourth, Vargas gave up the ghost, altogether. David Freese homered leading off, to make it a 4-3 game. Enrique Hernandez singled, Taylor doubled. Barnes reached first on a botched play by Frazier at third, Hernandez scoring the tying run. With runners at first and third, Hill bounced back to the mound, Vargas nailing Taylor at the plate. Mets manager Mickey Callaway decided Vargas had had enough fun for one evening and pulled him in favor of Tyler Bashlor. It was not a particularly inspired choice. Barnes immediately stole third. Brian Dozier then bounced to Frazier, who just couldn’t pull off an around-the-horn double play as Barnes score the go-ahead run on the force. The bullpen held things steady until the seventh, when the roof caved in. Consecutive doubles by Justin Turner and Manny Machado gave the Dodgers their sixth run. Machado scored when Corey Oswalt unleashed a wild pitch to make it 7-4. Matt Kemp walked and was replaced by pinch-runner Tim Locastro. He scored when Freese doubled. 8-4. Hernandez drove Freese home with a line single to center. After Jacob Rhame replaced Oswalt, Taylor singled. Rhame got pinch-hitter Cody Bellinger to pop out, but Yasmani Grandal singled home Hernandez and Taylor.
Getaway game on Wednesday, Zack Wheeler faces Hyun-Jin Ryu.
Phooey is Right Charlie. What was disappointing was coughing up a 4 to 0 lead. The tandem of Vargas/ Oswalt as a fifth starter is still feasible. Remember, they are fifth starters. I would start Oswalt and then follow Vargas because Oswalt is a young pitcher and needs to establish a routine whereas Vargas as a veteran should be more adaptable.
As for Jay Bruce, I think he will be an offensive weapon and fulfill his contract as a first baseman. He said that he’s going to work the defense and become the best first baseman that he can. Bruce is a professional, has Pride, and wants to be a leader on this team. A good spring training will net good results.
Wheeler will get the series victory tonight. LGM
Vargas to the BP. Why not , lots of underperforming starters have gone there. Less damage done in 1-2 inning stints that are non pressure ones. Who knows lots of failed left handed starters have become competent set-up guys.r
Why was Nimmo batting 8?Why??
Because Mickey Callaway is the manager and he seems to have no sense.
Calloway didn’t wanted to rest Nimmo in two consecutive games because a lefty was on the mound. Nimmo only has an OPS of 746 vs lefties while Rosario has a robust 760 OPs vs lefties. Calloway is wrong! Rosario is suited in 7th slot utilizing his speed per Tom Tango “The Book”. Since I did some research and further looked and that “The Book” costs $21.39 on Amazon. Since I put my 2 cents in that leaves $21.37 . Maybe the loyal readers of Mets360 could make a collection for a gift for Calloway.
LOL!