The second half of the season didn’t get off to the start the Mets hoped for, as they fell behind by four runs and ended up with a 6-4 loss to the Marlins Friday night in Miami.
Sean Manaea started and didn’t have it. He threw too many pitches over the heart of the plate and the Marlins, not necessarily known as a good-hitting team, took full advantage. Manaea gave up two runs in both the second and third innings and when the Mets came back with a two-spot, he gave up another run to slow the momentum.
Jeff McNeil was the hitting star of the game, as he had three hits, including two home runs. But he didn’t have a lot of help. Due to seven walks and some shaky defensive play, the Mets had multiple chances.
Perhaps none was more wasted than in the eighth inning, where a wild pitch gave the Mets two runners in scoring position with one out. But Harrison Bader hit into a fielder’s choice which resulted in an out at the plate and Francisco Lindor popped up to end the threat.
Mets trade target Tanner Scott got a four-out save to seal the Marlins’ win, their fourth in seven games this year against their division rival.
Gut Reaction: Manaea was hit hard. The Mets hit Cabrera hard but they were right at people. Oh well. Ottavino and Maton pitched well. They are needed in the second half for the middle inning relief work. Nunez some problems and was bailed out by Young, not Dieckman. Iglesias started at second base and delivered a double. McNeil started in right field and had some nice defensive plays and also had two homeruns. I hope McNeil gets red hot and continues to play right field.
It was a bad omen when they did not score in the first inning after getting guys quickly on base. Run off Nunez was the nail in the coffin that deflated the team to a too easy surrender in the top of the ninth. Didn’t realize it was a four game series with the fish. Really need the next three before the competition steps up. Severino, Scott and Peterson up next. When will Alonso turn the corner and is JD showing his age?
McNeil breaks out and the rest of the lineup forgot that games have resumed. The radio guys were talking about Manaea’s overall lack of command of his pitches.