Tonight the Mets tried to continue their dominance of the Miami Marlins. The Marlins thought otherwise and squeaked a 4-3 win with a walk-off hit. The Marlins’ 9th started when Trevor Gott hit the first batter. That should have been a sign that things were going to get worse. With second and third occupied and two outs and 0-2 count to Burger, Gott didn’t get enough relish on his
slider and the Mets were well-done.
Joey Lucchesi pitched another good game and his name should be considered for the fifth
pitcher in the 2024 rotation. He pitched 5.2 innings only giving up two earned runs and his ERA
is now 2.88.
The Mets took the early lead in the third inning. Alonso singled to left and it was fumbled and Pete hustled to second. Lindor topped an infield hit and the Miami pitcher, Garrett, threw it away and Pete scored with Lindor going to second base. Lindor then stole third. Oh, those running
Mets! Lindor was dancing on third and it appeared that Garrett balked. The Mets argued. The SNY replay supported the argument but it wasn’t a play that they could challenge. The Mets were denied a crucial run.
Lucchesi had a hiccup with a two-out rally with back-to-back doubles by Solar and Bell in the 3rd to tie the game.
In the 5th inning Lucchesi had first and second when the ninth batter in the order bunted. Lucchesi fielded the bunt and threw to third base…, I Don’t Know, nobody was covering third base. Apparently Lucchesi had a brain fart. It really looked funny though just like the Abbott and
Costello routine. The Marlins took the lead and added another run in the next inning.
Reed Garrett pitched 2.1 innings of 1 hit ball to give the Mets a chance to pull it out.
In the 9th the Mets bats woke up. McNeil let off with his third hit, a double followed by Vientos with a single. Nimmo eventually batted with two outs and delivered a clutch two run double. Mauricio had a sure hit up the middle but Hampson, the Miami shortstop, made a terrific play to
save the game for Miami.
Story is Lucchesi and 6 innings as the wannabe starters have all me one their jobs in recent days. Nimmo three more hits in the lead off spot and can’t understand why people are still down on him. He does need to learn how to steal bases. If there was a closer on this team we might have gone into extra innings but you get what you get. One day closer to ending this season!
That August swoon hurt the Mets much more than the bullpen or sell off did. As for Marte’s injury, I don’t know how someone can have surgery in November and still not heal; but I can’t say the man isn’t still hurt for some reason. I enjoy watching the Mets much more now than I did a month ago when they were playing the AAAA types exclusively.
I didn’t get to see the game but coming back to tie in the 9th inning only to lose it in the bottom of the ninth had to be hard to take. Was Gott really the best option to pitch? I know they only have two relievers who are worthwhile. Would have been nice if they could have made extra innings.
Gott is a just an almost average reliever. He shouldn’t be put in those situations when they have three other relievers better. Gott is pre arbitration eligible but he doesn’t have any options left. The Mets should nontender him.
Billy Eppler has really done a poor job handling the coffers he was given. He cut a good reliever in January for no reason, he overpaid drearily for Gott, his bullpen construction is terrible, that sell off was nothing super special for all the money and quality he ga be away…
To continue from above, the Leone trade was awesome; the Pham trade was pretty good; thee Verlander trade was decent at best, thee Escobar trade was ok at best, the Scherzer trade was ok at best but not much better than that, and he did not trade Raley or Quintana.
To add some color on Alonso, he is tied for 177th in MLB for doubles with 18, with such hitters as Elvis Abdrus, Kevin Kiermier and Yan Gomes.
Mike, that isn’t the worst thing because his doubles go over the fence. For me, it’s his lack of contribution to extending the lineup and the conviction that we know that Alonso isn’t enough to carry this team. So, if they add Ohtani, I keep Alonso and go for it. If not, I move Alonso and reload.