It was a trip back to 2021, as the Mets put a ton of runners on base and couldn’t come up with a timely hit, as they fell to the Phillies, 4-1, Saturday night at Citi Field.
The Mets left 13 runners on base and went 1-8 with RISP. And in another ode to ’21, that one hit did not drive in a run. The Mets’ only run of the game came without a hit. Brandon Nimmo drew a walk, advanced to third when the pitcher threw wildly to second base on what looked like a sure double play ball and then scored on a slow roller to first by Francisco Lindor, just beating the throw home on the fielder’s choice.
It’s not like the Mets didn’t have opportunities to put more runs on the board. They had runners on second and third in the first inning but did not score. In the fourth, it was runners on the corners. After they scored in the fifth they loaded the bases but they couldn’t add on. In the eighth it was bases loaded again. And Lindor reached third base in the ninth on fielder’s indifference but did not score.
The good news of the game was that Taijuan Walker made the start and pitched five shutout innings and looked great. After the Mets scored the first run of the game, he was even the pitcher of record on the long side. But after Trevor May pitched a scoreless sixth, the bullpen collapsed and the Phillies unloaded with two homers.
Adam Ottavino gave up three runs, including a two-run homer to Kyle Schwarber. He was relieved by Sean Reid-Foley, who finished the seventh inning and then came back for the eighth. But he gave up a blast to Rhys Hoskins before leaving the game with an arm injury.
You can’t win ‘em all but the Mets can win their seventh straight series if they win Sunday night. And while it seems like the club’s record in ESPN games is dismal, they do have Max Scherzer on the hill, which should be good news.
Walker’s terrific return is indeed great news! And Davis looked OK batting, but can he run yet?
Hopefully, Cano will be gone by Monday!
Gut Reaction: They had the opportunities but couldn’t get the clutch hit. Maybe next time.
Buck likes to alternate the lefty/righty batters in the lineup. So therefore, Marte and Canha should switch positions in the batting order.
Walker look fine. Ottavino had a bad night.
Let’s take the rubber game tonight and keep the series win streak alive especially against a divisional opponent.
Nimmo’s 0-3 on first-pitch swinging is probably a good thing… he might stop doing it.
Walker looked very good.. huge asset.
Marte needs to relax. Play Jank a game in OF.
Leave McNeil alone.
Escobar needs a day off.
Dom is still sleepy.
Ottavino painfully deliberate in pace.
Mets bullpen still unproven, despite no-no.