Mets fans can be forgiven if they think Joe Musgrove is the best pitcher around. Musgrove now has 20 consecutive scoreless innings against the Mets, as he led the Padres to a 7-0 win over the Mets Friday night in San Diego.
In a game like this, sometimes you say – at least no one got hurt. But we can’t say that in this one. If you just looked at the box score, you’d think that Paul Blackburn just got an early hook, as he allowed 10 H and 5 R in 2.1 IP. But he was removed from the game after taking a line drive off his hand. Gary Cohen speculated that he would have to miss his next start.
There were two sort-of positives in this game. The first was that they didn’t get no-hit, as Starling Marte had a double off Musgrove and Francisco Lindor doubled in the ninth inning. And the other thing was that the “B” relievers came thru when asked to carry a heavy load. In 5.2 IP, they allowed just 2 ER. Danny Young had the best outing with two scoreless innings, while Ryne Stanek and Adam Ottavino each allowed a run, with Ottavino also going two innings.
While he had plenty of company, Harrison Bader went 0-3, stretching his hitless streak to 0-19.
Flush it. Hate Musgrove, and I don’t say that too often.
Proud of how the Padres bounced back and I hope the Mets took notes. If the Mets want to “show something”, they win tomorrow.
A comment in today’s sport page noted that this was the 11th time that the Mets were shutout this season. It seems like a lot, but I don’t know where that stands compared to the other clubs. White Sox? Yankees? Brewers?
In previous posts, you have defended the Mets offense as being better then average re: runs scored when others have taken issue (like me) over it. 17 hits on Thursday and just the 2 last night…..to much of a “Jekyl and Hyde” performance for my taste. One never knows which lineup will show up on any given game, and it doesn’t always correspond with the calibre of pitcher they are facing. Oh well; if nothing else. it makes for an “interesting” season.
And thank you for your continual excellent work on this site.
Gut Reaction: Musgrove was dominant. Blackburn was not.
At least the core of the bullpen got some rest.
Once again the Mets made an opposing starter look like a Cy Young candidate. Musgrove has a career ERA of 3.76 and this season he’s at 4.43. In his last four starts prior to last night, he pitched 4.1 innings twice, 5.1 once and 3 another time. The Mets offense certainly took the night off unlike the day before. They were not supposed to beat the Padres, but not showing up at the end of August is unacceptable. Hope Blackburn is okay or we are in an heap of trouble with how well he has been pitching. Anytime you see Stanek in a game, it’s time to turn to another channel. Peterson today to secure a split in this series. Now 2.5 games behind the Braves for the last WC spot. Got to set up the DVR for tonight. Fingers crossed.