In a game that seemed poised for a slug fest, the Mets and Phillies saw their fifth starters engage in a surprising pitching duel. The Phillies managed just one run against Jason Vargas in 4.2 innings and the Mets couldn’t do anything against Vincent Velasquez in five shutout innings. The bullpens did their jobs to keep runners off the bases for a few more innings until Robert Gsellman entered the game and decided a series sweep would have been to nice a treat for fans.
Vargas pitched his best game of the season and Seth Lugo provided two sterling innings in relief before getting in a little trouble in the 7th inning. With two runners on and Bryce Harper at the plate, Mickey Callaway handed the ball to lefty specialist Daniel Zamora who promptly struck out Bryce Harper. The Mets, meanwhile, couldn’t get the offense going against Pat Neshek and Siranthony Dominguez, but still hung around in a 1-0 game until Gsellman came in. The bearded righty, who looked like he found himself in his last few outings, simply did not have it tonight. He coughed up five hits and three runs in his ugly 8th inning of duty. As if 4-0 wasn’t insurmountable enough, Jacob Rhame entered for mop-up duty in the 9th and served up Rhys Hoskins’ revenge bomb, a towering two-run home run.
Due to minor injuries or scheduled off days, the Mets trotted out a lineup that included Juan Lagares and Dominic Smith in place of Brandon Nimmo and Pete Alonso. Both pinch hit, but failed to come through in their at bats. Robinson Cano was the lone offensive bright spot, contributing three hits and a walk. The team as a whole mustered just six singles in their season’s second shutout. Wilson Ramos struck out three times, all with men on base. Amed Rosario committed two more errors in what’s becoming a troubling trend for him.
Two out of three and a series win over the Phillies is nice, but a sweep would have been sweet. Tomorrow the Mets begin a three-game series at home against the Milwaukee Brewers, a team that, thus far, has been a lot more potent at home than on the road. Jacob deGrom will make the start after skipping his last turn in the rotation. Let’s go Mets!
Well this was a good series win but today was unpleasant and it had nothing to do with Vargas, who was pretty solid for 4+ innings and Lugo was great behind him. The Mets offense has been great all year, but it help sink them tonight with Ramos coming up in big spots numerous times and getting eaten alive by Velasquez chasing high fastballs and even missing a hanger up 2-1 in the count his second time wrisp. McNeil has a rough one too as his double play on a first pitch killed what was a promising start to the inning.
I was surprised that only down 1-0 that Mickey didn’t use Familia in the eighth over Gsellman with a day off tomorrow. Gsellman looked great last out but he reverted back to what has been maddening mediocrity. I was once higher on Gsellman than Dave Cameron was but Gsellman is what he is at this stage.
I had no issue with Hoskins slow trot after predictably homering off of Rhame but gesturing toward Conforto was a bit much.
All in all, a pretty frustrating game with all the chances the Mets had and oh I would have used Alonso as a pinch hitter for Lagares with two out over Nimmo, yes I know Nimmo was coming in why not use your best hitter though? Ramos and Gsellman really killed us tonight and Ramos has been downturning for a little while now. Oh well at least they won the series.
I agree with David that Ramos had a pretty bad night. His strike out in the first was a huge spot as well. Gsellman seems very inconsistent. The team basically laid an egg tonight, but if they can get good pitching every night, I’ll take my chances. Have to wonder why Rhame was in there tonight…
Catching the Mets sleeping on the bunt for the fourth run was pretty sad.
Rhame is just not a big league pitcher, regardless of how hard he throws.
Rosario’s defense is becoming extremely concerning. Barring a jump of Gimenez from AA, the Mets have no plan B at SS.
I completely agree TJ. Rosario’s defense at a position where defense needs to be good is Wilmer Flores like. (unacceptable). I also think he has a much weaker arm that you want for a quality SS.
Id rather see McNeil there if it comes to that.
I don’t know why we didn’t challenge the safe call on the first error. Smith made a nice catch; he called for a review and the Mets let it go.
Gut reaction this game was a Peter Pan game. It featured Captain Hook and the little lost boys. 89 pitches and Callaway takes out Vargas who is pitching well. Then Callaway pulls Lugo and brings in his second-tier relievers ( the little lost boys) in a 1-0 game even though he has an off-day tomorrow and his Tier 1 relievers are rested. I guess the tier-1 relievers only pitch when they have a four-run lead!
obviously the Mets could not hit last night. That happens sometimes.
Maybe the Mets are not concerned with Rosario’s defense but I am.
I would not have given Gio a guaranteed rotation spot. He would have to earn it.Good move for the Mets to not cave in with those conditions.
The bottom line was that It was a nice Series win for the Mets.
Your last line is the most important that is was a nice series win. Winning series consistently is what gets you into the playoffs. We are not a championship caliber team but have a chance to head that way if we continue to have the kids make progress. Rosario’s strength was supposed to be his glove. He made some errors along with some pretty decent plays. I see Lowrie playing some SS when he gets back to push Rosario. He would also be a good lead off hitter. But who gets sent down when he comes off the IL? Still concerned every time TDA puts in the catches mask. If they can sign Kimbrel to a shot term deal they could move Familia down a notch and slot him in the 8th inning. Can’t see him bitching about closing if he gets paid and heads toward another ring. While less than 5 innings is not optimal, Vargas kept us in the game and Lugo did his part. We failed to score some easy runs. Time for Jake to take the mound and win another series opener. Can’t wait.
Loved watching Hoskins trot around the bases at a snail’s pace. Previous night Rhame threw at his head. Baseball code says you drill a hitter in the backside, not the head. Rhame broke the code, so Hoskins humiliated Rhame in front of Rhame’s home crowd. Karma at its finest.