Eighth Inning Hiccup Costs Mets Sweep, Results in 4-2 Loss

The New York Mets ended their opening series of the season in Washington D.C. with a disappointing loss. At Nationals Park on Sunday afternoon the Mets blew a one run lead in the eighth inning. This despite a terrific pitching performance by starter Carlos Carrasco. Certainly a game manager Buck Showalter will want back as the Mets fell 4-2.

The scoring started early as Carrasco’s first inning blues continued. After a strike out and an induced fly out of Juan Soto, Nelson Cruz took Carrasco deep. The 109 MPH line drive shot went over the left-center wall. It took Carrasco 24 pitches to get through the half inning, however, the home run was the only damage done.

After some tough luck on hard hit balls, the Mets finally got one to go their way in the fourth inning. Francisco Lindor hit his first home run of the season. It was a solo shot that went 365 feet out to right field.

The scoring did not stop there as the Mets rallied with two outs. An Eduardo Escobar double, followed by a Dominic Smith walk and a Mark Canha single drove in Escobar. This was Canha’s second hit in consecutive innings. New York made Erick Fedde throw 36 pitches in the half inning. They led 2-1 headed to the bottom of the fourth.

Carrasco had a superb day after the early home run by Cruz. He went on to retire the last 15 batters he faced before being removed in the sixth inning. His final line read 5 2/3 innings pitched, two hits, one run, and five strikeouts. He threw 72 pitches. It was about as good as a debut you can ask given his struggles last season.

The Mets held the Nationals off the board until the eighth when manager Showalter made a questionable decision. He brought in long-man Trevor Williams into the game with a man on first and no outs. Williams gave up a single then Dee Strange-Gordon came home on a Lucius Fox bunt. After getting Soto to dribble into a fielder’s choice, Cruz drove in two more to give the Nationals a 4-2 lead and ultimately victory.

New York fought in the top of the ninth. Canha got his third hit of the game. He is now 7-for-10 in his first three games as a Met. However, the following three New York batters all hit into outs. With the frustrating loss the Mets drop to 3-1. There were several instances throughout the game, notable in the eighth inning, that Showalter made some questionable moves. It’ll be interesting to see how he responds moving forward.

Player of the Game: Carlos Carrasco

Carrasco’ struggles last season, specifically early in games, are well documented. At first, it appeared to be the case again. However, after allowing a first inning home run, Carrasco bounced back and pitched superbly. He retired the last 15 National hitters he faced and pitched a painless 5 2/3 innings. His success will be a large determining factor this season.

On Deck

The New York Mets will continue the season tomorrow in Philadelphia. The Phillies are fresh off a three game series against the projected bottom-dwellers Oakland Athletics where Philadelphia took two games. The projected pitching matchup to begin the three game series tomorrow at 6:45 PM ET is Taijuan Walker versus Ranger Suarez.