Max Scherzer and German Marquez engaged in an old-fashioned pitcher’s duel Sunday afternoon. The Rockies were able to push across a run while the Mets weren’t and the result was a rare shutout loss for the Mets, by a 1-0 score. The Mets took the series, 3-1 and for the year were 5-2 against the Rockies.
Scherzer had struggled a bit in his last two outings. He didn’t appear to have his “A” game today, either. But the Rockies weren’t quite at the talent level his previous two opponents were, so it was mostly smooth sailing.
In 7 IP, Scherzer allowed 4 H, 1 ER, 1 BB and had 11 Ks. The outing lowered his season-long ERA to 2.27 but his record fell to 9-4.
Marquez, an All-Star in 2021, was not having a particularly good season here in 2022. The announcers noted that other teams were teeing off on his fastball this year. But the Mets couldn’t hit anything he threw to the plate. And they didn’t fare much better against the two relievers they saw, either.
Starling Marte got the day off. Pete Alonso and Francisco Lindor probably should’ve been rested, too. Oh well, can’t win ‘em all.
The big test comes against the Dodgers. They should have figured out a way to scratch out a win today. Let’s hope th Cards knock off the Braves. They are up 2-0.
Gut Reaction: it was an excellent pitched game by Scherzer wasted by the Mets. 0-4 in RISP make it hard to win. The low light was that Marte didn’t provide a productive out in the 8th , striking out instead. Nimmo then struck out to end the inning stranding Baty on second. Unexpected and unusual. They were expected to win the series. Mission accomplished.
They split with the Dodgers, 2-2 in Los Angeles. Now take two of three and win the season series. LGM