The New York Mets (2-1) dropped the series finale to the St. Louis Cardinals (1-2) at Citi Field in this matinee by a score of 5-1.
Pitching
Steven Matz started for the Mets today and labored through four innings. Matz struck out two in the first but gave up a home run to Paul DeJong in the second inning. In the third, he gave up an RBI double to Marcell Ozuna with two outs and in the fourth, he gave up a home run to Yadier Molina.
Matz’s velocity touched 95 while mostly sitting in the 93-94 MPH range. His control was not good, but he did seem to have some swing-and-miss stuff that he lacked last year. He only pitched four innings in which he allowed three runs, four hits, and three walks while striking out four batters.
Paul Sewald relieved him and threw 55 pitches over two innings. He gave up a one run in that span of work and will presumably need a day off tomorrow.
Jacob Rhame pitched the seventh and eighth inning and looked good in his first inning of work. However, he labored in his second inning and served up Paul DeJong‘s second homer of the game.
Jerry Blevins relieved Rhame with two outs in the eighth, but walked his first two guys. He came back, though to get Matt Carpenter though and got out of the inning without allowing a run.
AJ Ramos made his season debut and pitched the ninth inning. He pitched a 1-2-3 inning with a strikeout.
Offense
The Mets had their share of baserunners but never capitalized on their chances.
Amed Rosario drove in the Mets only run of the game, during the second inning. He drove home Kevin Plawecki, but was subsequently picked off by Luke Weaver.
All told, the Mets had nine baserunners, but they could not get much going with the bats.
Juan Lagares did go 3-for-5 with three singles in the game as Brandon Nimmo sat with the flu.
On Deck
Matt Harvey makes his season debut tomorrow against the Philadelphia Phillies (1-2) who will send Ben Lively to the mound. The game starts at 7:10 p.m. and can be heard on 710 WOR and ESPN Deportes 1050.
