Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Carlos Carrasco took the mound for the first time since April 15 for the Mets after missing time due to elbow inflammation. The right-hander faced off against his former team, the Cleveland Guardians, for the first time since getting shipped to Flushing with Francisco Lindor in January of 2021.
However, Carrasco’s return ended up as the third time in four starts that he’s given up at least five runs.
Carrasco retired Cleveland lead-off batter Steven Kwan on a popout to begin his night, but he gave up a single to former Met Amed Rosario before walking José Ramírez. After falling behind 3-1, Carrasco surrendered a three-run homer to Josh Naylor. Since joining the Mets, Carrasco owns a startling 7.60 ERA in the first inning, and the Mets’ pitching staff has now allowed 42 first-inning runs in 2023 for an 8.02 ERA.
“I made one mistake on the homer with a pitch in the middle,” Carrasco said after the game. I was trying to avoid that and get a ground ball.”
Carrasco got into immediate trouble in the second inning, giving up a long double to Myles Straw to lead off the frame. With one out, Cam Gallagher dropped a single into left field to bring home Straw with the fourth Cleveland run of the game.
Following the single by Gallagher, Carrasco was able to settle down, retiring the next seven batters he faced. He threw just nine pitches to get through the third inning, then threw just nine more to work a clean fourth inning, striking out Straw to end the frame.
Carrasco ran into some resistance in the fifth inning, issuing a lead-off walk to Will Brennan. After striking out Gallagher and getting Kwan to ground out, Carrasco allowed a two-strike single to Rosario, bringing home Brennan. Carrasco battled Ramírez for seven pitches, ultimately getting him to ground out to end his outing.
Despite his struggles, there were some positive signs from Carrasco’s night. His four-seam fastball averaged 92.1 miles per hour, up from his season average of 91.3. Carrasco’s change-up was effective, generating five whiffs on 11 attempts, inducing mostly soft contact, and getting two of his three strikeouts. His slider, however, induced just one swing-and-miss. The 36-year-old generated eight outs on grounders, compared to four in the air.
“It was good to be able to finish my pitches,” Carrasco said. “I didn’t in the beginning of the season.”
After his outing, Carrasco’s ERA sits at an unsightly 8.68 on the season. Meanwhile, Joey Lucchesi tossed six shutout innings for Triple-A Syracuse in his first start since getting sent down. Should Carrasco’s struggles continue, Lucchesi seems to be one of the first players in line to take the final spot in the starting rotation. Carrasco’s next start is lined up for next Friday in Colorado.
