Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Carlos Carrasco was given the ball for the Mets in the series finale between the Dodgers and Mets on Sunday night. His fourth start of the 2021 season is one he will probably want to forget, as he lasted just two innings. Not counting his rain-shorted start on August 10th against the Washington Nationals — where he lasted just one inning before the game was suspended — this was his shortest outing as a starter since April 12th, 2019. In that appearance, he lasted just 2/3 of an inning while allowing six earned runs on six hits.
The veteran righty’s start on Sunday Night Baseball didn’t go much better, as he was beat up by Los Angeles to the tune of six hits, six earned runs, one walk, and three strikeouts over the course of those two frames. He threw 57 pitches (35 for strikes) and faced 13 batters. Of the six hits he surrendered, three were home runs to Justin Turner (first inning), Will Smith (first inning), and Max Muncy (second inning). Mistakes crushed Carrasco on Sunday night as his ERA climbed to 10.32 on the season.
It was also a head-scratching move to see Carrasco bat for himself in the bottom of the second with one out and two men on, but not come out to pitch for a third inning. He ended up laying down a sacrifice bunt, which didn’t lead to any runs being scored by the Mets. Here’s the explanation from manager Luis Rojas on this situation:
Rojas said he didn't want to use a pinch-hitter that early with a 4-man bench. The Mets ended up using their pinch-hitters in the sixth (in a 9-2 game) and the eighth (12-4), then Kevin Pillar to finish pitching the ninth. https://t.co/MHOJX4J3FG
— Greg Joyce (@GJoyce9) August 16, 2021
Needless to say, the decision to not use a pinch-hitter there didn’t age well, but it ultimately didn’t matter as the game continued to unravel from there.
After missing the majority of this season because of injury, Carrasco first few turns in the rotation for New York haven’t gone as anyone would’ve hoped. He’s tossed just 11 1/3 innings through four starts, which has led to 13 earned runs allowed overall. He’s struggled to find a groove and his command, and it’s been especially apparent recently. Over his last two starts, Carrasco has thrown just three innings, which has resulted in allowing 10 earned runs on four homers.
