The Mets sent Noah Syndergaard to the mound in the series finale against the Colorado Rockies.
This would also be the finale in what has been a forgettable home stand.
The day started with news that the team has decided to be patient with Jacob deGrom. He was originally slated to pitch Monday in Cincinnati. The Mets opted instead to to place him on the disabled list. The DL stint will be backdated, allowing him to pitch Sunday in Philadelphia. What a time to be without deGrom.
The Mets have lost 5 straight games, 3 of which were shutouts. They never even had a lead.
That would finally change on Sunday as the Mets would strike in the first inning. And, get this. The Mets did not allow a first inning run!
Juan Lagares led off the game with a single. Not to be outdone, Asdrubal Cabrera and Yoenis Cespedes added singles of their own. Lagares scampered home, and the Mets led a ballgame for the first time all week. Todd Frazier hit a sacrifice fly and the Mets had an early 2-0 cushion. Neither Wilmer Flores or Jay Bruce were able to add to the lead, and the Rockies were out of the inning.
The Rockies cut the lead in half in the second, as Ian Desmond hit a solo homerun.
Colorado went back to work in the 3rd inning, as Charlie Blackmon and David Dahl both singled. Nolan Arenado walked, and the bases were loaded with no outs. Gerardo Parra stepped up to the plate.
Then, something happened for the first time in most Syndergaard’s career. He walked in a run. “Thor” must have taken that at-bat off, as a somewhat timid Syndergaard threw back-to-back changeups and lost Parra.
Noah did bear down once the game was tied. He struck out Trevor Story swinging, and then got Ian Desmond to ground into a double play. 2-2.
Syndergaard kept the Rockies at 2 runs for the next 3 innings, and then departed after the 6th. He came into the game having only allowed 6 walks all year. He walked 4 Rockies in this game alone. Syndergaard gave up 6 hits and struck out 5.
Noah Syndergaard has kept the Mets in every ballgame he’s pitched. Some fans are getting a little antsy because he hasn’t truly dominated a ballgame yet. Well, I want everything to be perfect too. The guy pitched 30 innings last year.
The Mets used up all their offense in the first inning apparently, as their bats went mostly quiet. That would prove to be problematic as Colorado would strike in the 8th.
When Matt Harvey was designated for assignment the other day, Hansel Robles was chosen to replace him. So obviously, you want Robles to make his very first appearance in the tie game in the 8th inning. Classic Terry.
What do you think Hansel Robles did? If you guessed, “gave up a homerun and pointed at the sky” congratulations! Ian Desmond who came into the game hitting .177, had his second homerun of the game, and the Mets were now trailing 3-2.
Remember when the Mets would answer scores by the opposing team immediately? I sure do miss those Mets. Brandon Nimmo was able to draw a walk, but was stranded and we were headed to the 9th inning.
Hansel Robles came back out to pitch the 9th inning. He walked the lead off man but got through the rest of the inning with no problems.
Todd Frazier led off the bottom of the 9th by striking out. Wilmer Flores followed with a walk. Jay Bruce struck out, and it was up to Jose Lobatòn.
No, it wasn’t. The Mets have to pinch hit for these catchers every single game. Adrian Gonzalez entered and singled to left. That brought up the pitcher’s spot in the lineup. Uh-oh! Our only bench player left is a catcher. Tomas Nido.
He struck out looking.
The Mets were swept for the second series in a row. They have lost 6 straight games. They have lost 6 of their last 7 series.
Oh yeah, Yoenis Cespedes left this game after the 2nd inning. The team is saying it’s a quad issue. We hope this doesn’t cause him to miss any time, because we obviously can’t afford it.
I do believe that Amed Rosario is about to breakout. Maybe I saw something in his at bats recently. Maybe I’m jealous that Gleyber Torres hit a walk off homerun for the Yankees today.
The Mets now travel to Cincinnati. If a trip to that bandbox isn’t a cure for what ails the Mets, then I’m out of ideas.
PJ Conlon will start the series opener in place of Jacob deGrom. Conlon is the first Irish-born MLB player since 1945.
