The Mets (2-2) received their fourth straight solid outing from the rotation, but Jeremy Hefner’s effort was wasted as the offense disappeared and the bullpen was hit hard for the second time in four games in tonight’s 7-5 loss to Miami. The Mets have lost two straight after opening the season with two victories over San Diego. Miami won for the first time.
ON THE MOUND: Hefner surrendered a homer to Greg Dobbs, the only run he allowed in six innings. The Mets will take that every time. What they can’t accept was what the bullpen combination of Greg Burke and Scott Rice did, giving up four runs on three hits and a walk in the five-run seventh inning to break the game open. … Overall, the Mets’ pen gave up six runs.
AT THE PLATE: Jordany Valdespin started in center and at the leadoff position and singled. He was also picked off first base. … Daniel Murphy hit a three-run homer in the seventh. … Ike Davis has started the season on a 1-for-16 slide. … The Mets stranded 12 runners.
IN THE FIELD: Sparkling plays by David Wright and Ruben Tejada. Few make the barehanded scoop-and-throw as well as Wright. … Tejada made a costly throwing error that opened the door to the Marlins’ five-run seventh. It was his third in four games.
METS MUSINGS: Shaun Marcum was scheduled to return to Port St. Lucie and will be shut down for a couple of days. Don’t expect to see him any time soon. … Look for Anthony Recker to start in place of John Buck tomorrow afternoon.
ON DECK: Saturday, RHP Ricky Nolasco vs. LHP Jon Niese, 1:10 p.m., SNY/WFAN
Thoughts by Joe D.
I agree with you, John… Hefner in theory was supposed to be the Mets No. 5 starter and has now been forced into a more substantial role for the team. Last night’s performance was all the more impressive because he had to brave the frigid temperature and wind.
“I thought Jeremy pitched very well. It was tough circumstances to pitch in the wind and the cold,” Terry Collins said after the game.
“We didn’t make the plays we needed to make after we took him out. One thing we know about Hefner is he’s going to pound the strike zone, he’s going to change speeds and you’ve got to catch the baseball behind him.”
Heff did a great job of painting the corners and while he may not have the best stuff in the rotation, the kid is a pitcher’s pitcher.
