Christian Scott and the Mets (60-74) took on the Astros (57-61) in the first game of a three-game set at Citi Field. The Mets came in after losing a series to the MLB’s best team in the Brewers, looking to bounce back in the weekend series. Unfortunately, the series did not get off to a good start, with the Mets losing 3-1.
The game began with an outage in the SNY television truck, leaving viewers unable to watch the game in the top of the first despite the game beginning. However, Scott was able to set the Astros down without giving up a run, despite allowing two batters to reach base, getting things started in a positive way for the Mets.
The Mets stepped up to the plate in the bottom of the first, looking to get some offense going in their first turn at bat against Hunter Brown. After going down one-two-three, though, that dream did not come to fruition, with the score remaining 0-0 after one.
After a while of no offense, Francisco Lindor got the Mets going with a single before Carson Benge hit a double into the right-center field gap to drive him in. However, nothing more would come in the inning, as the Mets led 1-0 after four innings.
After he got through the first five innings, Scott ran into trouble in the sixth, loading the bases on three walks with just one out. Due to this, he was pulled from the game and replaced by Nate Lavender. Lavender allowed a single that scored two, giving up the Mets’ lead, with a second single making it 3-1 and closing the book on Scott.
Christian Scott by Berto Carlo
Scott’s final line: 5 1/3 IP, H, 3 R, 3 ER, 5 BB, 2 K, L
After the Mets went scoreless in the bottom of the sixth, Jonathan Pintaro came in to replace Lavender. Pintaro worked a scoreless inning despite allowing two base runners, helped out by a remarkable stop by Bo Bichette to start an inning-ending double play.
The Mets failed to score in the seventh, so Dedniel Núñez came on to pitch in the top of the eighth. The right-hander worked another scoreless inning, leaving the door open for a Mets comeback.
The game entered the ninth inning, and yet the Mets still could not get on the board. Kodai Senga entered to pitch in a non-save situation, looking to keep the Mets’ deficit at two runs. The master of the ghost forkball would do just that, giving the Mets one final chance.
In the bottom of the ninth, the Mets put up little fight, going down one-two-three to Josh Hader, who earned his 20th save of the season in 20 tries.
Player of the Game: Carson Benge
Despite the loss, Benge continued what has been an incredible stretch for him as he looks to win the NL Rookie of the Year award. The 23-year-old went just 1-for-4 on Friday night, but he had the biggest Mets hit of the night in the fourth inning when he roped a stand-up double into right-center, driving in Lindor for the Mets’ only run of the night. If Benge can continue this level of play in the final 27 games, he may win the NL ROTY over JJ Wetherholt, Sal Stewart and teammate Nolan McLean.
On Deck
The Mets will resume action on Saturday at 4:10 p.m. EST in the second contest of the three-game set against the Astros. McLean will make the start, looking to add another great outing to what has been a stupendous rookie season. The game will stream live on SNY, with radio on WCBS 880 and the Audacy app.
