Mets Comeback Falls Short in 11-10 Loss to Rockies

The New York Mets (27-27) looked to bounce back after a back-and-forth game Saturday night in which they lost to the Colorado Rockies (24-30), 10-7. In another high-scoring affair on Sunday evening at Coors Field, the Mets once again were on the losing side of things, 11-10. The pitching performances – specifically from Tylor Megill and Stephen Nogosek – were too much to overcome and a ninth-inning comeback attempt fizzled out.

Megill took the mound looking to bounce back from another rough start in Chicago on Tuesday night, where he only pitched 3 2/3 innings and gave up six runs on six hits. Today’s game was not better as Megill had another disappointing outing and was one of the main catalysts in the Mets losing the series finale.

New York, in a similar fashion to Saturday, was down early in the bottom of the third inning, 2-0, after the Rockies scored on two consecutive RBI singles from Randal Grichuk and Harold Castro.

Then came the offense for the Mets, specifically from Tommy Pham. His two-run double tied the game in the top of the fourth inning. Following that, Eduardo Escobar then gave the Mets a 3-2 lead via an RBI single.

The biggest hit of the game for New York came off the bat of Francisco Álvarez, who just narrowly kept a three-run homer inside the foul pole in left field. This put the Mets in front 6-2 thanks to their big six-run fourth inning.

Unfortunately for New York, that lead lasted a mere half-inning as the Rockies took advantage of Megill.  Ryan McMahon smacked a bases-clearing double to bring the game’s score to 6-5. Colorado added one more run in the frame to tie things up before Megill’s day ended.

Megill’s day was done after four innings of work. He allowed a whopping 10 hits as well as two walks and surrendered the Mets’ lead in his final frame of work. He has struggled mightily all season long, as his ERA now reads 4.67 and his expected ERA is well above 6.00 on the year.

The Mets nearly took the lead back the following inning after Pete Alonso hit his sixth-career triple to lead off the inning. With Mark Vientos at the plate, a batted ball bounced to McMahon at third base and he threw out Alonso as he was trying to score. The Rockies preserved the tie game headed to the bottom of the fifth inning.

The Mets really imploded once they sent Stephen Nogosek to the mound. Nogosek allowed five runs to score in the fifth inning, as he gave up two two-run homers to Charlie Blackmon and McMahon. Just like that, New York now trailed 11-6 after five frames.

Francisco Lindor woke the Mets up in the top of the seventh inning as he slugged a 435-foot solo shot to inch the Mets closer, 11-7. Starling Marte followed that up with his first triple of the season, but was stranded at third, along with Pham at first, after a Mark Canha strike out.

The Mets tried to rally in the ninth inning. After Jeff McNeil registered a pinch-hit single and Marte walk, Pham continued his huge afternoon with a two-run triple. Pham scored after a Brett Baty ground out and that was all.

The final scoreline read 11-10 in favor of Colorado. Interestingly enough, after Megill and Nogosek combined to allow 14 hits and 11 runs, the Rockies were held scoreless from the fifth inning on, mustering only one hit.

Players of the Game: Tommy Pham

Tommy Pham had a much-needed strong afternoon. He went 3-for-4 with four RBIs, two runs scored, and two stolen bases. His three hits came off the bat at 113.7 mph, 103.7 mph, and 107.5 mph respectively. His two stolen bases, one of which was of third and directly set up another run, were numbers four and five on the season.

Pham has been hitting the ball hard all year long. Good to see him finally be rewarded for it this afternoon.

On Deck

The Mets (27-27) will take on the Philadelphia Phillies (25-27) for the first time this season after New York takes the day off on Monday. Tuesday’s starters are projected to be Ranger Suarez (9.82 ERA) versus Kodai Senga (3.94 ERA) and the game will start at 7:10 pm ET.