Mets’ Offense Still Lacking Those Big Hits

Once again, opportunity knocked at the Mets’ door, but their offense was unable to capitalize, as they were ultimately swept by the Chicago Cubs via a 4-3 walk-off loss in extra innings on Thursday night.

The Mets had a prime chance to take the lead in the top of the 10th inning, but could not come through in the clutch.

Outfielder Kevin Pillar started the inning on second base and advanced to third on a wild pitch by reliever Dan Winkler. The struggling Jeff McNeil led off the frame as a pinch hitter and worked a 2-0 count initially. However, he would wind up striking out by chasing a pitch way out of the zone.

“He unfortunately expanded way too much. He got to a 2-0 count, and then he kind of programmed himself into thinking he was in a good hitters’ count. He was unable to make the adjustment and was a little over anxious,” said manager Luis Rojas of McNeil.

McNeil is 3 for his last 21 and is off to a poor start at the plate slashing just .163/.250/.529 with one home run and four RBIs in his first 43 at-bats.

After Luis Guillorme and Francisco Lindor fought from behind to work back-to-back walks with one out against a wild Winkler to load the bases, Dominic Smith grounded into an inning ending double play, which took the wind right out of his team’s sails.

Smith, who is now 1-for-15 with runners in scoring position this year, stranded the go-ahead run at third and failed to come through in a perfect scoring chance.

It was déjà vu all over again, as the Mets had a similar scenario with the bases loaded and one out against Craig Kimbrel in their Game 1 loss on Tuesday night. Brandon Nimmo struck out with the tying run in scoring position — before Lindor rolled over one on the first pitch — coming up empty to lose the game.

While the Mets were unable to take advantage in the top of the 10th last night, the same could not be said for the Cubs in the bottom half. Chicago loaded the bases with one out, before Jason Heyward called game and series, smacking an RBI single to walk it off against Edwin Diaz — capping off the sweep for his team.

“Getting swept feels like eating a sh*t sandwich to be honest with you. We have to go home and focus on one day at a time. It’s a tough series for sure. The Cubs played really well and we didn’t play up to our potential,” said first baseman Pete Alonso.

Alonso homered for the second straight night on Thursday with a two-run bomb in the top of the fourth to pull the Mets within a run. And while J.D. Davis‘ pinch hit RBI double tied the game at three in the seventh, the Mets never wound up leading in this contest.

The game was there for the Mets’ taking, but their lineup continued to struggle to hit with runners in scoring position going 1-for-8 and leaving seven on base. This has been the Amazins’ achilles heel dating back to last year and it has steadily haunted them throughout the first 14 games.

The Mets have been fortunate enough to break even at 7-7 to start the season, despite their overall sloppy play and offensive woes.

The club is trying to remain positive in the meantime and feels as though they will be able to bounce back given their resilience.

“It’s not about how you start, it’s how you finish. This is a resilient group and I know there is a lot of talent here,” said Alonso.

“We showed up today and played a really good game and just couldn’t get the big hit. Our task right now is tomorrow. That’s our focus. Jake is on the mound, we will be ready to go when we play the Nationals,” added Rojas.

The Mets finished up their road trip with a 2-4 record. They now head back to the east coast to begin a five-game home stand with the division rival Washington Nationals and the American League East leading Boston Red Sox, who are off to a strong start.

Mets’ ace Jacob deGrom will look to halt the losing streak at three games by getting his team get back in the win column against a Nationals club that is without their best player, and notorious Met’ killer, Juan Soto.