The Mets hoped that a trip to Cincinnati, to face the worst team in the league would get them back on track.
They lost their third series in a row.
The lineup card became the story of the day as the struggling Mets looked to take the rubber game in the series finale. Brandon Nimmo led off and struck out looking. Wilmer Flores followed with a strikeout of his own, but at least he took the bat off his shoulders. That brought Jay Bruce to the plate.
Bruce hit a double and the Reds manager Jim Riggleman strolled towards the plate. After a brief conference, it was ruled that the Mets batted out of order. Jay Bruce’s double was changed to a 2U and the inning was over.
This was just egregious. Putting Hansel Robles in high leverage situations TWICE in a 72 hour span, was one thing. This was just downright embarrassing. The lineup posted in the dugout was different than the lineup Callaway handed to the umpire, and the Mets were embarrassed by a completely avoidable mistake.
This nonsense really overshadowed a great start by Zack Wheeler. He went 6 innings and allowed just 1 earned run. He gave up 4 hits, 3 walks and struck out 7.
You’d think that would be good enough against the worst team in baseball.
The Reds sent Sal Romano to the mound, and the Mets could not touch him. Brandon Nimmo scored in the 3rd on an Asdrubal Cabrera ground out, and that was all the offense the Mets could muster.
Wheeler left with the score tied at 1-1, and Robert Gsellman took over. He fired two perfect innings, which was really nice to see. Seth Lugo followed with a perfect inning of his own. The pitcher’s spot in the lineup was due up though. Cue AJ Ramos’ music.
The hot-and-cold Ramos came out to pitch the bottom of the tenth. The first batter he would face was Adam Duvall. He would be the last batter too.
Duvall took a 2-1 fastball over the left field wall, and the game was over.
Cespedes sat, Frazier is on the DL, and the Mets could only put up 1 run against the Cincinnati Reds. During the game we received news that Jay Bruce would miss the upcoming series in Philadelphia. His wife is due to give birth and Bruce will be away from the team on paternity leave. Where is the offense going to come from?
The Mets are in a really bad place right now. When the pitching shows up, the offense doesn’t, and vice versa. The 11-1 start seems like a distant memory. Honestly, it feels like it never happened.
Amed Rosario stole a base if you want something to smile about.
After a much needed off day the Mets travel to Philadelphia. They’ve had success in recent years in Citizen Bank Park, so hopefully this will wake them up.
Steven Matz, Noah Syndergaard, and Jacob deGrom will pitch for New York. This will be Jacob’s return from the DL, so all eyes will be on him Sunday.
