This was a brutal loss.
The matchup looked like a sure “L” before the first pitch, with the Mets sending Carlos Carrasco out to face Zack Wheeler. Yet, somehow, the Mets held a 6-3 lead in the eighth inning. But Brett Baty botched a double play ball and those option relievers couldn’t close the door, leading to a 9-6 loss Sunday in Philadelphia.
After Grant Hartwig danced around trouble in the sixth and seventh innings, lefty Josh Walker came out to start the eighth inning because Bryce Harper was due up first. But Walker issued a free pass to Harper, a single to J.T. Reamuto and another walk to a lefty in Bryson Stott.
This was enough for Buck Showalter, who brought on Jeff Brigham, the “star” of the option relievers. Brigham got what appeared to be a DP grounder, but Baty had trouble making the throw and when he finally did, it pulled the second baseman off the bag. A run was in and still no outs. Brigham then delivered a bases-loaded walk before getting a strikeout. But Brigham hit the next two batters, which brought in the tying and go-ahead runs.
Pete Alonso led off the ninth inning getting hit by a pitch. But the next two batters struck out and Jeff McNeil ended the game with a lazy fly to center field.
The Mets produced six runs and 11 hits, including solo homers by Alonso and Francisco Lindor. But it wasn’t enough because of lousy relief pitching and faulty defense.
Gut Reaction: this game the Mets have to win and should have won, but didn’t have the horses to pull them through. Robertson,Ottavino and Raley are the bullpen and only Ottavino was available. The remaining middle relievers aren’t quality and the result was a disheartening loss. They are 8 games out of the playoffs and their play reflects in their deserving record.
Saddened by our starters who can’t go deeper into games and for our fragile relievers who can’t pitch more than 2 days in a row at best. They need to take a page out of the reliever’s handbook from the past, take the damn ball and pitch when asked. We put up enough offense to win. The ending of this game was an embarrassment to the organization and the fans. McNeil made a great play at second but Baty blew an easy DP ball that might have saved the day. On to the next game.
Gut reaction? Same as yesterday when I was following the game on my phone….
If good teams find a way to win the games they should lose, and bad teams find a way to lose the games they should win, what are the Mets? I feel Showalter has been pardoned a bit too much for this malaise. Why were all those relievers unavailable? Why? Why was the team in this position? Why is it playing lethargically and not have its “collective head” in the game?
I didn’t see the replay showing where McNeil was on that fateful play, but Hernandez said although he was late getting to the bag, Baty should have led him anyway. Fair point. Does the kid have the defensive smarts to do this? I shut it off after that, but a walk and two hit batsmen? Really? Where does Eppler find these losers? For all the offense, the Mets resemble the Angels of all offense and not enough pitching. The Angels…..hmmmmmmm. Interesting thought….
I miss you buddy.
Miss you too!
FWIW, Baty threw the ball on outfield side of 2B at McNeils feet. It was a terrible throw.