Huascar Brazoban gave up a three-run homer in the seventh inning and the Mets fell to the Angels, 5-4, Saturday night in Anaheim.
The Mets had just taken a 4-2 lead, thanks to a grand slam by J.D. Martinez in the top of the seventh. Carlos Mendoza opted to go to his pen, removing David Peterson after six innings and 82 pitches.
Metsense right away in the chatter called out the move. Peterson had pitched in some tough luck, giving up two runs on some soft hits. It didn’t seem like he was out of gas but with a rested pen, it seemed like a defensible move.
Brazoban quickly got two outs and then it all fell apart on him. A single, walk and then the game-winning homer. It was just the second HR Brazoban has allowed in 32.1 IP this season.
With eight hits and four walks on the night, the Mets had some chances. But outside of Martinez’ homer, they were 0-6 with RISP.
Gut Reaction: Martinez Grand Slam put the Mets in position to win. Peterson should have pitched in the 7th inning because he was pitching good. Brazoban unfortunately gave up they go ahead home run. It happens.
Mendoza is very good the substitutions and playing time with the position players but he doesn’t do good with the substitutions with the pitching staff.
Ottavino pitched a scoreless inning again. One four run inning has sunk his ERA but his FIP is in line with his career.
Let’s win the series this afternoon.
Incredible catch by Kevin Pillar on Lindor’s drive to left center. Whoa baby! I can’t believe Pillar is retiring!
Failure to advance Iglesias on second with no outs in the 8th inning was very upsetting! Bunting him over not an option?
After the go ahead HR by the Angels, Vientos led off with a double…the tying run. The Mets were basically set up as if it were extra innings. They failed to score a runner from 2nd with no outs. Two things struck me, without any evidence – 1. the Mets seem to fail to score in this situation quite frequently, and more than their opponent; 2. modern day three true outcome baseball teams seem to fail in these situation more than teams in the 70s and 80s. There is probably data out there somewhere…but anecdotally it looks like the modern day hitter – bigger, stronger, and with more available information than his ancestors – may be a little lesser in savvy, if that’s a thing.
The average MLB team in 2024 has a .751 OPS with RISP and 357 runs scored
The Mets have an .810 OPS and 394 runs scored
Things are always magnified in a game where you had your chances and didn’t cash in. But if you zoom out and look at the big picture, the Mets do fine with RISP.