The Mets continued a bad trend, dropping the first game of a series versus a sub-.500 team, this time a 5-2 loss to the Cubs.
Chris Bassitt didn’t have it tonight, as he put the Mets in a five-run hole before being yanked in the fourth inning.
The Mets had some opportunities but went 1-9 with runners in scoring position. Mark Canha twice came up with the bases loaded and did not come thru either time.
The Mets’ “B” relievers came up with a great effort, giving 5.1 scoreless innings. Mychal Givens gave two innings and is making a case to move up to the “A” reliever group. In his last 10 games, Givens has 13 IP, 11 H, 2 ER, 5 BB and 14 Ks. That’s a 1.38 ERA with a 1.230 WHIP.
James McCann had an RBI single in the third and Francisco Lindor had a solo homer in the ninth to account for the Mets’ runs.
Very succinctly put write up. My Gut Reaction when Ruf came up with the bases loaded and two outs in the 8th versus a lefty and popped to short right field was one of disgust, but not surprised. We need to accept that whatever the DH, the C, and any bench players give is gravy. At least the Giants, after giving Wilmer Flores a two year extension held off the Braves and kept the lead at 1.5 games. I thought Wilmer sucked? Seems he has been better than league average since 2016. Of course, the Mets want role players that are less than league average…
A wasted opportunity as the Giants did us a solid hanging on to beat the Braves. Had a bad feeling when we could not capitalize and score some first inning runs with all those ducks on the pond. So much for the opposing pitcher throwing 20 plus pitches in the first inning. Usually a good sign but instead we made easy outs in subsequent innings and let him pitch deep enough into the game. Consider that a 100 win season also include 62 losses, you realize you can’t win every game. The schedule still favors the Mets but you have to beat teams like the Cubs and the lowly Pirates who are on deck. Jake to the rescue tonight but only if they hit the ball. Thought we might have seen Vientos instead of Ruf but throwing an experienced veteran up instead of a rookie who was 0-5 in his debut was not illogical. And the bloom is certainly off Vogelbach despite his continuing ability to get on base. It’s the longball we expect for him. Curious that we still have not seen the return of Dom Smith. He’s not tearing up AAA but he is hitting better than who we have at DH. Thankful Luis is back. LGM
I’d like to see Dom Smith too and give him one more chance at getting the “big hit”.
Gut Reaction: Bassitt pitched a clunker,. The bullpen pitched well. The hitters had opportunities but they not deliver the clutch hit, especially in the 8th inning. Facing a RHP today, maybe Escobar can DH and Guillorme can play third and Vogelbach could rest his injured leg and only be a PH. Once again in September, they have to win the remaining two games to win the series. I am confident that they will. LGM