The Phillies started a lefty and the Mets predictably fell apart, managing just three hits, as they fell to the Phillies, 5-2, Sunday night in Philadelphia. With the loss, the Mets were swept in the four-game series.
The game had two highlights for the Mets. First was a homer by Ronny Mauricio. And the only other notable thing was the Mets’ debut of Anthony Kay, a guy the Mets drafted twice and who was ultimately sent out of town in the Marcus Stroman deal. Kay looked good, striking out two LHB in his first inning cleaning up for Grant Hartwig. He pitched another inning and gave up some loud contact but no runs.
Other than that? A whole bunch of depressing stuff.
Perhaps the worst thing was the announcers thinking that Hartwig has been good and should be in the bullpen next year, too. Hartwig has a 5.13 ERA, a 1.47 WHIP and has allowed opponents to post a .765 OPS. Nothing about that suggests a reliever who should be counted on to be, you know, good.
If that wasn’t the worst thing, it was Francisco Alvarez getting hit on back-to-back pitches and having to leave the game with an injured hand.
It wasn’t good that Brett Baty and Mark Vientos each struck out twice, while Pete Alonso and Mauricio whiffed three times each. Alonso grounded out to short to end the game. We started this series with hope that Alonso would have a good series and make an assault on another 50-homer season. Instead, he leaves Philadelphia going 1-17 with 8 Ks.
Gut Reaction: it was a lost weekend in Philadelphia. Mauricio hit a home run and that was good. After 3 good starts, Butto didn’t have a good game. He didn’t further his cause and mission to be in the starting rotation. Stewart got another hit. The Mets got another loss.
Gut reaction: one week left.
Play the kids everyday? Check.
Play Stewart against a lefty to see how he does? Check.
Give McNeil experience in CF? Check.
Improve the draft lottery odds? Check.