The Mets tried to make it a game with a four-run eighth inning but a comedy of errors on one play led to the Orioles tacking on two more runs and they finished with a 9-5 win over the Mets Tuesday night at Citi Field.
Francisco Lindor hit his second double of the game to start the Mets’ rally in the eighth inning. Mark Vientos reached on an error and Brandon Nimmo followed with an RBI double. The big blow came from J.D. Martinez, who delivered a three-run homer to make it 7-5. Earlier in the game, Martinez put a charge into one that died just a few feet from the wall.
But the rally died with a groundout by Pete Alonso and a strikeout by Harrison Bader, who’s now 0-15.
And the momentum died on one weird play. A ball was hit to shallow left field, Nimmo charged and dived and it was a play that he makes 99 times out of a 100. But this one went off his glove, instead. He chased it down and mad a poor throw to the plate. Reliever Alex Young was backing up the plate and made a poor throw to third base. Two errors on the play, two runs in and the game, for all intents and purposes was over.
Jose Quintana got hit hard again, as he allowed 2 HR and 7 ER in 5 IP. But with Jose Butto no longer stretched out, the Mets have little choice but to keep giving Santana starts. It’s either that or a return engagement with Tylor Megill and few want to see that horror show return.
Three Mets relievers who are on the bubble for when Dedniel Nunez returns all turned in a scoreless inning – in order it was Adam Ottavino, Ryne Stanek and Huascar Brazoban. Ottavino looked the best, with a 1-2-3 sixth inning.
The Mets will aim for the series win at 1:10 p.m. on Wednesday with Sean Manaea taking the mound.
Gut Reaction: Quintana is killed the team and McCann is a Robber Baron. After a very good July with a monthly era of 2.05, the 35 year old Quintana has fallen apart in the month of August with 8.27 in four games. He better right himself fast or else the Mets should turn to Butto or Scott. McCann is paid $9.5m by the Mets to hit a homerun against them. I’m glad Bobby Bonilla is retired. Let’s win the series this afternoon.
Mets paying McCann to homer against them pretty much sizes up the Mets from a historical perspective…somewhat poetic justice. Not a great time for Mr. Q to hit a bad spell. 3 down in the loss column they are on the brink once again. Will the 2024 Mets have more lives than a cat? I hope so.
Quintana is killing us! When will Scott be back? Or maybe start Megill again.