Bats Struggle As Mets Shutout 1-0 Against Colorado

Entering Sunday afternoon’s series finale, the New York Mets (82-47) were pursuing a four-game sweep over the Colorado Rockies (55-74). During a nice day at Citi Field, a pitcher’s duel ensured. One where the Mets found themselves on the losing end. New York was shutout 1-0 and for the time being, see their division lead shrink to 2.5 games.

As mentioned, the game was a pitcher’s duel between Germán Márquez and Max Scherzer. The Mets did not register their first hit until the fifth inning. Meanwhile, Scherzer had seven strikeouts through five innings. Each offense was scuffling and that continued until the seventh inning.

The Rockies loaded the bases thanks to three singles to lead off the inning, this included two infield hits. Scherzer, who now had his work cut out for him, as the bases were loaded with no outs, got out of the inning just allowing a single run. He struck out two in the inning, which brought his total to 11 for the game. He pitched seven splendid innings, tossing 112 pitches.

After Joely Rodríguez and Mychal Givens combined for two scoreless innings. The Mets, who only had two hits all day, looked to rally in the ninth inning with Francisco Lindor, Pete Alonso, and Eduardo Escobar due up.

After Lindor popped out, Alonso singled to right field. Escobar then struck out and Jeff McNeil grounded out to the second baseman. The Mets were officially shutout in a game they only mustered three hits.

Player of the Game: Max Scherzer

Scherzer was brilliant overall. He cruised through the game’s first six innings, and ended up striking out 11 hitters. Despite allowing the subsequent game-winning run in the seventh inning, he did a good job limited the damage. As the bases loaded situation with no outs could have gotten a lot worse. His season ERA is down to 2.27.

Final Line: 7 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 11 SO

On Deck

Next up for the Mets is a showdown with the league’s-best Los Angeles Dodgers. New York will have an off-day tomorrow, before the three-game set begins on Tuesday. The Mets’ projected starter for game one is Taijuan Walker (3.38 ERA). The Dodgers have not announced a projected starter, but Andrew Heaney (1.94 ERA) is a likely.