Christian Scott was terrific in his MLB debut but the Mets’ offense was MIA in Tampa, resulting in a no-decision for Scott and a 3-1 loss to the Rays Saturday night. The loss drops the Mets under .500 for the first time since April 14.
The Mets staked Scott to a 1-0 lead two batters into the game. Brandon Nimmo hit a ball that the Rays’ outfielder lost in the lights and wound up with a double. Starling Marte followed with a hard-hit ball to RF that was bobbled. Nimmo was originally going to stop at third but was waved home. It looked like he was going to be a dead duck at the plate but somehow he slid and beat the tag. We see so many bad slides that it’s nice to see a good one for a change.
Things didn’t start off so well for Scott. He gave up hits to the first three batters he faced and the game was tied. But he struck out the next batter and then got a double play ball on his next pitch to end the inning.
And he was in complete command after that.
Scott was very economical with his pitches. He didn’t have the eye-popping strikeouts that he did in the minors. But more importantly, he didn’t have any gopher balls, either. It was a tradeoff well worth making.
After getting the first two outs in the seventh inning, Scott couldn’t put away the next batter, who singled, which prompted Carlos Mendoza to go to the pen. Reed Garrett came in and the runner stole second and moved to third on an error by the catcher. But Garrett struck out the batter for the final out.
The final line for Scott was 6.2 IP, 1 ER, 1 BB and 6 Ks.
Mendoza went to Adam Ottavino to start the eighth inning but he allowed two hits and two walks, the second one a bases-loaded walk that drove in the go-ahead run. Sean Reid-Foley was up next and he walked the first batter, giving the Rays a two-run lead.
The Mets had runners in scoring position in both the eighth and ninth innings but could not capitalize. J.D. Martinez had runners on the corners in the eighth but grounded out. DJ Stewart pinch-hit in the ninth with a runner on second but grounded out to end the game.
But the loss almost seemed secondary to the pitching of Scott. His fastball was extremely impressive and he didn’t leave his offspeed stuff in the middle of the plate. It would have been nice for him to get the win but he certainly pitched well enough that those will come in the future if he continues to throw like that.
Thrilling debut outing by Scott! Yes, he was definitely in command after the first three batters.
And how about that play by Lindor to get the force out at home!? Whoa!
Alonso is so lost at the plate. He’s killing us. McNeil has seen better days, as well.
Gut Reaction: Scott had a debut like Seaver, Gooden and deGrom did. I hope he has many games like this. He was in total command after the first three batters. Lindor’s 8th inning play was unbelievable. It was a tough loss.
Thrilled at Scott’s debut and it would be a great change of pace to see a young pitcher jump on to the scene for us. Some of the opposing pitchers in recent games seem so young. We need that. Another anemic offensive display with Lindor, Alonso, McNeil and Nido take an 0-for. Not acceptable. On to Sunday.
Mr. Scott arrived in style…and was treated like Mr. DeGrom.
Trade Alonso.* Trade McNeil. Bring up Vientos for 1B.
*I could live with Alonso if he was a “Killebrew”, but not another “Kingman”. Even if he starts hitting a boatload of HRs, he just isn’t an elite ballplayer….certainly not worth the $$$.
And I’m tired of hearing about “if only the hitters would reach their lifetime averages….” Nimmo, Lindor, Marte, Alonso, McNeil. Add JDM and having no ML catchers on our roster, and I’m losing faith in this team in making it back to .500; nevermind the playoffs.
Kudos to Scott though. Continue bringing up fresh blood.