Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

Carrasco’s first season with the Mets has been discouraging between first half injuries and second half performance.

The 34-year-old right-handed pitcher struggled during every first inning, giving up plenty of runs: a 14.40 ERA in the first inning and a 2.60 in the subsequent innings. This sluggish end of the season could be seen as the result of still recovering from his hamstring injury, but for Carrasco and fans alike, this is not what anyone had hoped for. In his last seven games, Carrasco had 37 1/3 IP, 36 H, 20 ER, 14 BB, 32 K a 4.82 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP.

On Saturday, Carrasco held the Braves off the scoreboard in the first inning, which was only the second scoreless first inning in 12 starts. He allowed five earned runs on seven hits and two walks over five innings, though, to finish his season with a 6.04 ERA.

The first run for the Braves didn’t come until the third inning where Joc Pederson homered to center field on a 94-mph fastball. That stamina continued for Atlanta as Orlando Arcia got on base and Freddie Freeman singled, sending Arcia home to make it 2-0. In the fourth, William Conteras had a two-run shot, doubling the lead. In the fifth, a sharp line drive from Eddie Rosario sent Arcia home again to put a cap on Carrasco’s five earned runs.

Carrasco’s final line: 5 IP, 7 H, 5 ER, 2 BB, 5 K.

The Mets then started getting into a groove, their first scoring run happening in the sixth. As for pitching, Robert Gsellman (1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K) came in for the sixth inning and gave up one run. Brad Hand (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K) pitched the seventh and was able to keep Atlanta under control. Miguel Castro (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K) pitched the eighth and didn’t give up any runs, giving the offense a fighting chance. In the ninth, the Mets were only down by one run and could have pulled out a win with bases loaded, but the Mets were unable to score. Another loss in the books.

Final score: Braves 6-5

Carrasco assessed his 2021 season and said “it was a lot of ups and downs.” This may be seen as a lost season for Carrasco but hopefully he can turn it around and have a strong 2022 campaign as he will be an important member of the rotation along with Jacob DeGrom and Taijuan Walker, who are under contact. The hope is to retain Marcus Stroman and Noah Syndergaard, who are impending free agents, as well.