The lack of starting pitching depth for the New York Mets reared its ugly head on Wednesday night in team’s 5-1 loss to the division rival, Washington Nationals with Wilmer Font on the mound.
Font, 28, acted as more of an opener for the team than a starting pitcher, going just 2.1 innings while allowing five runs on six hits, walking two and striking out two.
It was a bit of a let down for Wilmer after earning a second start with the team after an okay debut performance against the San Diego Padres where he allowed just two runs over four innings pitched. Font spoke about his struggles after Wednesday’s game.
“I just didn’t really have the same type of control,” Font said. (MLB)
Font tossed 63 pitches in his short start, only 38 of which landed for strikes. It was a big opportunity for Wilmer to perform against a division rival and try to build some ground for himself as a solid option for a starting pitching starved team.
Font’s record sits at 1-1 on the season with Wednesday’s loss with an unforgiving ERA of 7.08 and a WHIP of 1.52. He has accumulated 21 strikeouts in 20.1 innings pitched so far this season.
Manager, Mickey Callaway though is not worried and believes someone will step up soon and is quite confident about it.
“I have faith that somebody’s going to step up,” Callaway said. “We need them to step up and I think eventually they will.”
Who that somebody may be has yet to be seen as the team finds themselves in the midst of playing a 20-game stretch in which they will not be seeing another day off until June 3rd.
With a lack of options in the organization who they feel are ready contribute at the big league level, it remains to be seen if the team dips their hat into the free agent market and scoop up that one prominent pitcher who is just sitting there for the taking.
