The Mets rallied back from a six-run deficit to take the lead but the bullpen couldn’t hold it, as they fell to the Rockies, 10-7, Saturday night in Denver
* Justin Verlander needed just eight pitches to retire the side in the first inning. He then proceeded to give up five runs in the second and another in the third. He threw two scoreless innings after that and his pitch count was low enough to go on but the Mets went to the pen instead.
* Pete Alonso hit his 20th HR of the season for the Mets’ first run. Francisco Alvarez delivered a 3-run homer to tie the game at 6-6.
* Starling Marte had two RBIs, both coming on grounders. The first one was an out and the second one would have been with a normal infield alignment, instead of one where the second baseman was playing up the middle.
* Mark Vientos got the start at DH and had two hits and a run. All three rookies were in the lineup and combined for five hits and drove in four runs.
* Dominic Leone gave a scoreless inning of relief but Jeff Brigham and Drew Smith each gave up two runs, with Brigham taking the loss.
Baby Mets went 5 for 14. Glad to see Vientos at DH against a righty and his two hits should reinforce his continuing in that role. Alvarez continues to impress behind the plate and is living up to his billing at the plate. When will they move him up in the order to 6th is the question. Seems that the Rockies hit everything that Verlander threw in that inning and hit it hard. Which Megill shows up today as we try for a rare series win. Anyone down on the farm or sitting on a losing team’s roster to replace these inconsistent relievers?
Drew Smith has been struggling mightily in the four games since he had his first save. His ERA in those four games has been 11.25 with an OPS of 1.274. He’s been in high leverage situations each game and failed to hold the fort each time. He was considered one of the five “lock” BP guys (down to four with Diaz out) and he’s having a tough go. I hope he’s not hurt, on one hand, but an injury would at least explain his awful performance of late.