It looked like a good omen when the Mets finally didn’t give up a run in the first inning. That euphoria was short lived, as the Rays scored in five different innings en route to an 8-5 win over the Mets Tuesday night in Citi Field.
Justin Verlander’s initial home debut for the Mets did not go well. He allowed 8 H and 6 ER in 5 IP and heard boos from the Citi Field crowd. It was disappointing when Verlander missed just over a month of action to start his Mets’ career. It was depressing to watch him pitch no better than the depth starters New York has had to use far too often with all of the setbacks to the projected starters.
The offense continued to look inept early the game. Once the score was out of reach, the Mets finally started hitting some home runs. Brett Baty got things going with a solo shot in the fifth inning. Pete Alonso crushed a two-run shot in the seventh and Eduardo Escobar came off the bench to deliver a two-run shot in the ninth.
It would be nice if this was the beginning of a revival for the offense but none of us are holding our breath on that one. And the starting pitching seems just as incapable of stringing a few good outings together as the offense. It would be nice as a fan to bring active optimism to the table. Perhaps it would be easier to do that if it felt like the club had any interest in displaying decisive action to end this uninspired play.
Vientos getting called up today. At least it’s something. Not sure if he can pitch however.
No mets SP has an ERA under 4 at the moment