Both the Mets and the Phillies’ bullpens leave something to be desired. The setup guys for both teams did their jobs and it was the closers for both squads that let their teams down. The Mets tied the game in the top of the ninth off Hector Neris but the Phillies won the game in the bottom of the inning, scoring a run off Seth Lugo to earn a 6-5 win.
Lugo hadn’t pitched in five days, which would have been great for a starter. And Lugo could have started this game, as Jacob deGrom was scratched due to a sore neck. But once again the Mets opted to keep Lugo in the pen, sending Walker Lockett out to make the emergency start.
Lockett gave the team six innings, which was good. But he gave up five runs, which was bad. He was handed leads of 2-0 and 4-2 and was unable to hold onto either of them.
The Mets had a bunch of chances and combined with some questionable plays by the Phillies’ defense, it felt like the Mets squandered more opportunities than what’s become normal here in 2020. New York was just 2-16 with runners in scoring position.
Robinson Cano was activated from the IL and had two hits. He followed up Dominic Smith’s homer with a home run of his own in the third inning and he tied the game with a single to right field in the ninth. Smith also had two hits and two RBIs. Brandon Nimmo got on base twice and scored two runs and Luis Guillorme went 3-3 with a walk.
Guillorme’s third hit came in the eighth inning and Luis Rojas inserted Billy Hamilton as a pinch runner. Hamilton stole second on the very first pitch and when the ball got away, he tried to go to third. But he was thrown out on the play, ending another scoring opportunity for the Mets.
Amed Rosario returned from missing three games with a stomach issue. But it was like he never left, as he went 1-4 with a K, with neither a run, RBI or walk. Pete Alonso went 0-5 with 2 Ks.
Jeff McNeil wasn’t in the lineup and J.D. Davis was given the night off, which allowed the Mets to keep Andres Gimenez and Guillorme in the lineup despite Cano’s return. Rojas will have his work cut out for him on who to start once everyone is healthy. But after complaining a good part of 2019 about the preferential treatment that Cano received, it looks like Rosario will wear that crown in 2020. Right now, both Gimenez and Guillorme are better choices to start. Gimenez looks electric. Guillorme looks like a slow-pitch softball player but he’s excellent defensively and right now the hits are falling in for him. Might as well ride it as long as it lasts.
The point on Lugo is spot on. He should be starting. To me, he pitches like a starter who happens to be in the BP. Yes, he’s been successful overall, but that’s because he’s a good pitcher. He’s not going to suck out there. And was he horrible or something tonight? No. If he was starting and gave up a run, he would’ve just moved on to his next inning. But, they’ve got him in the 9th pitching as a “closer” which he is not. He got a starter’s rest as you noted. It’s not like the Mets don’t know former starters can leave the BP -see Gsellman. It’s gotten ridiculous now w/how poor the Starting rotation is this year. Matz tomorrow. Fun.
Gut Reaction: good teams win these games.
It was a bad read by Hamilton for an elite baserunner. Gimenez and Hamilton give the Mets stolen base threats, a dimension that they haven’t had.
With the bullpen solidifying, Lugo should start.
Cano has rebounded nicely.
Good teams hit with RISP.
My reaction, and it’s not from my gut but rather my head, is the Mets Front Office has been the problem all along with this team. You have Familia, Wilson, Betances, Diaz, and a few effective relievers like Drew Smith, Hughes, and Brach and you won’t give Lugo a shot? You think this stiff of a AAAA pitcher you got for Plawecki is going to magically transform into Dwight Gooden? I feel badly for the players that are busting their butt to keep seeing their efforts short circuited.
Otherwise, impressive write-up Brian. As I read it, I forgot it was you and thought it was a professional writer like Mike Puma or Tim Britton…