The New York Mets were hunting for a series victory entering Sunday’s series finale against the Houston Astros at Citi Field. Despite taking the lead at a couple different points in the game, the New York bullpen surrendered three runs in two innings spelling a 6-3 defeat. With the loss, the Mets drop back to 15 games under .500 at 61-76.
New York fell behind the eight ball early, as Jeremy Pena took Mets’ starter Zac Thornton deep to lead off the game. Thornton settled in after, allowing only one more run over the next four innings. In all, the Mets’ rookie went five innings allowed the two runs on six hits, no walks, and struck out five. His season ERA rose slightly to 2.93.
The Mets’ offense responded quickly after the lead-off Pena homer. Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto went back-to-back in the bottom of the first to get the Mets back on top. Luis Torrens then grounded into a double play bringing home A.J. Ewing who walked, stole second, and advanced to third on a bad throw.
The three runs, on only five hits, was all the Mets’ offense generated which was not enough. Bo Bichette was the lone Met to have a multi-hit game (2-for-3).
After the Torrens’ double play, Jonathan Pintaro served up a go-ahead home run to LaMonte Wade Jr., who replaced Cam Smith as a pinch-hitter, in the sixth inning. The Astros added their fifth and sixth runs after Jared Young‘s throw home went awry as New York tried to turn a 3-3-2 double play. Jefry Yan was hit with two runs, one earned, in the seventh.
New York had a last-ditch effort in the eighth frame when Carson Benge came to the plate as the tying run, however, he popped one up to shallow right field.
The Mets have now lost four of their last five games after being one of the hotter teams in baseball since the trade deadline.
Player of the Game: Juan Soto
New York’s superstar has not missed a step since returning from injury. He reached base twice in four plate appearances, including a solo home run to give the Mets’ a brief 2-1 lead. His OPS is at .950 which would be one of the top marks in the major leagues if he qualified.
On Deck
The Mets travel to Tampa Bay to begin a three-game set on Monday. The first game of the series is slated for a 6:40 pm ET first pitch. The projected pitching matchup is Robert Stock versus Ian Seymour. The Rays are one of the best teams in baseball.
