You’ve got to score to win and for the second straight night the Mets were shut out, losing this time, 1-0 to the Nationals Friday night in Washington in the opener of a four-game series.
Luis Rojas made his second mid-inning pitching change of the game, bringing on Seth Lugo in the eighth inning. Lugo retired the only batter he faced yet Rojas sent Edwin Diaz out for the ninth with the game a scoreless tie. All season long, Diaz has been great in save situations and not so hot in other outings. He continued that streak by allowing a walk and then back-to-back hits, giving the Nats the win.
The Mets were impotent with the bats tonight, getting just two hits.
The lack of offense ruined another good start from Joey Lucchesi, who pitched 5.1 scoreless innings, his longest start of the year so far. Rojas let Lucchesi bat in the sixth inning, even though he was slated to face hitters for a third time in the bottom of the frame. After a strikeout to start the bottom of the sixth, the next two batters reached base, so Rojas went to the pen. No one will question that move.
It’s the one to bring Diaz in for the ninth after Lugo just faced one batter that will be criticized.
No, and I’m sure that letting Lucchesi hit was a tough decision, knowing he was likely only going to face three more hitters.
I thought bringing in Lugo for one hitter in the 8th meant that he would definitely pitch the 9th. Shows you what I know. Seems like throwing in the towel to use Lugo nd Diaz and the best ting that could happen is a tie in the 10th… with no bullets left in the gun.
In the future, save Diaz… use Lugo to his fullest extent, avoid Familia… I maintain that Rojas has no genuine feel for the pen in the late innings. The Mets pitching success does not necessarily mean that it’s because of Rojas… he rarely uses his gut… just plays the script and so far has been ok.
Offensively, it’s the to start kicking some asses. I mean how many at bats does Lindor require to hit a ball hard? When has Pete pulled a ball recently? Nido was dogmeat tonight in two at bats, then gets serious and unlucky.
I’ll say it again… Luis G in the 2 hole! Lindor #7 or 8. No way that stodgy old Luis Rojas will pull that switch.
We battled til the 9th and Diaz didn’t have it and we did nothing from the plate. We turned three DPs which is great and got a big start by Luchesie against an offense that had hit its stride. Not leaving Lugo in and saving Diaz for a save situation was a major error by Rojas. Again, It’s only one game and we did take 3 of 4 from the Cubs. A double dip tomorrow stretches us thin. Who will be the next Met to step up?
Gut Reaction: the offense remained dormant again and the result was a loss.
Lucchesi pitched well and his ERA is now 4.46 which is the average ERA for a MLB pitcher and it is a good ERA for a back of the rotation starter. Lucchesi has stepped up.
The explanation was that Lugo was not feeling 100% so Rojas went to Diaz in 9th.
They need the bats to respond and not be 0% .
It sure looks like a good time to get McNeil back in the line up. These will be an interesting few days
Fairly crucial games this weekend. Gotta hold their own with the very beatable Nationals lest the Mets lose their grip heading into even bigger series. Pete and Dom need to start driving the ball, Luis needs to start “building runs”… the three-run homer just ain’t a thing the Mets do.