New York’s offense is still not right. They have had big innings and gotten home runs from their key hitters but that has hidden the fact that the Mets are basically hitting in the same poor way.
The Mets have not found consistent scoring. They aren’t the constant scoring threat they were just over a month ago. New York seems to have one good inning and then cool down for the rest of the game or they get a couple home runs and hope it's enough to get them through the game.
In last night's game, the Mets secured a 4-0 victory. The win felt very safe throughout the game. The Mets scored a run in each of the first four innings but, after that, their offense provided nothing. All it would've taken was one big hit and that game could have been turned on its head.
Today, the Mets scored one in the fifth on a clutch two out RBI single by Francisco Lindor. Brandon Nimmo hit a solo shot in the next inning.
New York had the lead after six innings, thanks to a great performance by Paul Blackburn. The former A bounced back after a rough outing against his previous team. Today, Blackburn threw six innings and only gave up one run.
The only run Blackburn gave up was very unlucky. Otto Lopez hit a relatively routine fly ball that Tyrone Taylor completely misjudged. Lopez was able to get all the way to third on a hit that was called a triple. Lopez was driven in with a sacrifice fly.
That was the only blemish on Blackburn’s otherwise excellent outing.
The Mets bullpen had the lead with nine outs to get. Huascar Brazobán was the first man out of the Mets pen.
Brazobán has had a rough go of it since joining the Mets from the Marlins. He was very good for the Marlins but he has yet to hit his stride with his new team.
After getting an out, Brazobán allowed back to back hits. With runners on first and third, Brazobán threw a wild pitch and the game was tied. Brazobán followed that by getting a second out then giving up a third hit.
With two outs, Reed Garrett came in. Garrett gave up a sinking fly ball but Nimmo made an excellent diving catch to keep the game tied.
Nimmo tweaked his back on a swing in the next inning. He tried to fight the pain and stay in the game but, after finishing the at bat, he was replaced by Jeff McNeil.
Garrett came back in for the eighth. He allowed two walks. He then was aided by terrible Marlins baserunning. The Marlins did not run the bases well all day. Garrett picked a runner off second for the Mets’ third pickoff of the day.
The baserunning mishaps were not enough to save Garrett. Garrett walked the following hitter and had to come out of the game. Three walks in an inning is inexcusable for a major league reliever.
Phil Maton inherited the jam. He gave up a single and, despite McNeil’s best efforts with a great throw, the go ahead runner came around to score.
New York got the first two runners on in the ninth inning. McNeil was asked to bunt. McNeil has been the Mets’ best hitter in the second half of the season so the decision to have him bunt will be much discussed.
Although McNeil has a history of bunting, he did not look confident trying to lay one down. McNeil ended up striking out after a foul bunt and a pitch where he pulled the bat back even though the pitch was right down the middle.
Lindor came to the plate and smacked a ball to center field. A ball that would be gone in Miami was just a deep fly out at Citi Field. The Mets offense was not good today but, also, luck was not on their side.
New York had the 11 hardest hit balls of the game but a baseball game is not won by hitting the ball hard. Luck plays a factor, as does walking three hitters in one inning.
The Mets have gone 3-3 on their home stand against the Athletics and Marlins. Now they finish their homestand against one of the best teams in MLB. New York starts a three game series against the Baltimore Orioles tomorrow
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