The New York Mets (66-64) were defeated by the Philadelphia Phillies (60-70) by a score of 5-1 at Citi Field Sunday afternoon.
Pitching:
Robert Gsellman was on the mound for the Mets today making his first ever career start and he was very good before running into trouble late in the game. Gsellman had only allowed one run heading into the seventh inning before giving up three straight singles to load the bases. All in all, Gsellman went six innings giving up four runs, walking one, and striking out five.
Hansel Robles came into a mess created by Gsellman in the top of the seventh inning. With the bases loaded and nobody out Hansel Robles through gasoline on the fire. Robles gave up a double to A.J. Ellis allowing two runs to score to make the score 3-1. After Robles intentionally walked Freddy Galvis to load the bases again, Robles hit Peter Bourjos in the wrist to bring home another run and make the score 4-1.
Jerry Blevins was called on, still with the bases loaded and nobody out. Cesar Hernandez hit a sacrifice fly to make the score 5-1. Blevins then got Odubel Herrera to strike out. Jim Henderson came in next and was able to also get Maikel Franco to strike out for the final out of the inning.
In the top of the eighth inning, Jim Henderson stayed on and pitched a scoreless inning.
Josh Smoker came on pitched a scoreless ninth.
Offense:
Well, the Mets had most of their lineup intact for almost two whole days! Neil Walker’s back and Yoenis Cespedes’s calf flared up and both were out of the lineup today. Red-hot Asdrubal Cabrera collided with Tommy Joseph at first base and was forced to leave the game in the first inning. The Mets just cannot afford to keep having key players out of the lineup during this final push.
Outside of a sacrifice fly by Curtis Granderson in the first inning, there wasn’t much offense to speak of for the Mets today.
Notes:
Asdrubal Cabrera left the game in the first inning what is now being called a sore left knee. This is the same knee Cabrera had an issue with recently and had to miss three weeks.
Yoenis Cespedes (calf) and Neil Walker (back) were out of the lineup today.
JZ Goat of the game: Hansel Robles. Robles inherited a mess in the top of the seventh, but he just didn’t have it today and put the game out of reach.
On Deck:
The Mets will play their first game of a four-game set with the Miami Marlins at Citi Field tomorrow evening. The game has a start time of 7:10 PM. Rafael Montero will be making his first start of the 2016 season against Jose Fernandez (13-7, 2.91 ERA).
