Jose Quintana made his 2023 debut and pitched five solid innings. But Drew Smith relieved him and once again brought his gas can with him to the mound. The end result was a 6-2 White Sox win, as Chicago averted the sweep Thursday afternoon at Citi Field.
Quintana gave up a run in the first inning, as the White Sox strung together three hits. The first one was a solid single but the next two were cheapies. Quintana gave up another run in the second inning. He allowed a solid double and then the runner advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on a sac fly. Quintana then finished with three scoreless innings. His final line was 5 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 0 BB and 3 Ks in 77 pitches.
Try to hide your shock but the Mets didn’t do much offensively, as they were too eager to swing versus a pitcher known for throwing balls. In the third inning the Mets had two runners on base, the second coming on a four-pitch walk. Tommy Pham was up and the pitcher proceeded to throw two more balls. Pham swung at the next pitch and grounded into an inning ending double play. And while running to first base, he grabbed at the back of his leg and was taken out of the game.
In the fifth inning, Brett Baty had a 3-1 count and checked his swing on ball four. But the third base ump called a strike, which just seemed like a rotten call. Baty ended up striking out, which hurt when two batters later, Omar Narvaez hit a homer. It should have been a tie game but instead the Sox maintained a 2-1 lead.
Smith came on in the sixth inning and the first batter reached base on a Pete Alonso error. And then the flood gates opened up. After a hit and a walk, Smith allowed a two-run double. After a sac fly, Smith allowed an RBI triple. And just like that, the game that should have been 2-2 turned into a 6-1 deficit. Only one of the four runs against Smith was earned. Still, it’s the sixth time in his last 12 appearances that Smith has allowed a run. And this was one of the relievers that Billy Eppler and the Mets were counting on to be a “lock,” despite the fact he had never pitched a full season in the majors previously. Woops.
After starting the game 0-3, Alonso delivered an RBI single in the eighth inning, which kept him above the Mendoza Line.
During the game it was announced that Starling Marte went on the IL. Later, the Mets announced that Mark Vientos was being recalled to take Marte’s spot.
Gut Reaction : good teams have the defense that doesn’t open up the floodgates.
Smith should not pitch in a close game until he straightens himself out.
Quintana pitched well in his first appearance.
If Pham gets on the injured list then his trade value pretty much is nonexistent.
Vientos will play right field. Oh wait, McNeil will play right field and Vientos will play second base. Oh wait, he can’t play those positions. Too bad then Mets don’t have a second base or outfield prospect to promote.
Yes, Mr. Smith goes to Syracuse May be playing very soon in Metsville. Unfortunately, that trip does not appear to have helped for Mr. Megill.
I can’t believe that we’re hearing so much about Quintana being a possibility for a trade. He’s got a second year on his contract at a “bargain” of $13 million for next year. And we need starting pitching in 2024.
Yes, he is a bargain but is will be be 35 year old. There are 7 starting pitchers under 31 years old this offseason. He is a good pitcher but not a difference maker. They need better than him to compete with the Braves in 2024. If they can get a decent minor league for the future this year, and sign a better starting pitcher in the off-season, then they will have a better team in 2024. The quality of the minor leaguer will dictate if they trade Quintana.