It started off strong for the Mets on Saturday against the Miami Marlins, as they took an early commanding 6-0 lead. However, Jason Vargas and the bullpen’s rough day led to a 11-6 loss.
New York started the day on the right foot, thanks to a two-out rally started by Robinson Cano. The Mets’ new second baseman reached base on a single and promptly came around to score on a two-run bomb off the bat of Michael Conforto.
The Mets tacked on another run in the third, again off a two-out rally from Cano and Conforto. The former doubled and scored on a Conforto single.
The next inning, Amed Rosario walked and Juan Lagares singled with starting pitcher Jason Vargas coming to the dish. Vargas hit into a fielder’s choice which momentarily prevented the run from scoring, but the next batter Jeff McNeil did not let the opportunity fall by the wayside. McNeil doubled to plate a run, then Pete Alonso followed up with a single that scored a run and advanced McNeil to third.
McNeil would come around to score, giving New York a strong 6-0 lead.
The starting pitcher, Jason Vargas, took that lead in stride to begin the game. He held Miami at bay through the first four innings, logging four strikeouts in the process.
In the fifth inning however, Vargas was roughed up and was pulled before retiring a batter. When all was said and done, he was charged with four earned runs as his spring ERA spiked from 1.03 to 3.65.
It was a rough day for the rest of the pitching staff as well, as Robert Gsellman, Seth Lugo and Tim Peterson were charged with seven combined runs.
After the early 6-0 lead, the Marlins put up 11 unanswered runs while the Mets recorded just one more hit along the way.
New York will be back at it again on Sunday, as they take on the rival Washington Nationals. Hector Santiago will toe the rubber for New York while Stephen Strasburg gets the nod for the Nats. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m.
