Mets Overpowered By Astros Again, Lose 9-1

The New York Mets hosted the Houston Astros on Tuesday evening. After being swept in a two-game series just six days prior in Houston, the Mets welcomed them to Citi Field for the first time since the 2014 season. The Astros offense, however, powered their way to an 9-1 victory in their return to Queens.

Leading off the top of the first inning, Jose Altuve reached base safely via the walk, and Jeremy Peña replaced him on a fielder’s choice. Yordan Alvarez singled, as did Alex Bregman field, bringing in Peña. To cap of the scoring in the first frame, Kyle Tucker launched a 3-run home run into the bullpen. Carlos Carrasco struggled for his second straight start against the Astros. This time he wore four runs before the Mets got a crack with the bats.

On Tucker’s home run, he missed his spot and left a fastball down the middle of the plate. Carrasco allowed three hits and one walk, with all four runs charged to him. His ERA has ballooned up to 4.85 after his last two outings.

Starling Marte doubled to right field in his first at-bat, but Astros starter Framber Valdez was able to escape any damage by forcing both Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso to ground out, to end the inning.

Carrasco managed to settle in over the next two innings. The Mets defense turned two double plays, one each to end the second and third innings. Carrasco faced just six batters in those two innings. In spite of that, the Astros added a run in the fourth inning when Jake Meyers singled to center field to bring Tucker into score.

The Mets offense looked to get things going in the fourth inning. Marte led things off with a double to left field. In the next at-bat, Lindor walked to give the Mets two runners with no outs. With Alonso at the plate, Altuve made a diving stop to probably save a run while getting the force out at first base. Eduardo Escobar loaded the bases with a walk, following J.D. Davis striking out for the second out. The Mets had a chance to inch closer, but Mark Canha rolled over to Bregman at third, who got the force out at second base  to end the inning. The Mets were not able to capitalize on their best scoring opportunity all night.

Chasen Shreve was brought into the game in the fifth inning after Carrasco allowed a base hit with one out. Álvarez, the first batter Shreve faced, hit a towering shot that cleared the left-center field wall, bringing Houston’s lead to 7-0. It was Álvarez’s 23rd home run of the season, passing Alonso and Mike Trout to take sole possession of 2nd place, only behind the Aaron Judge.

Shreve surrendered another two-run home run, this time to Yuli Gurriel, making it a 9-0 ballgame. Gurriel’s two-run blast was the second given up in the inning by Shreve. He allowed three earned runs while only securing one out before Trevor Williams took over on the mound. Shreve’s previous outing came against the Astros on June 21 when he allowed six baserunners and four earned runs. He will need to improve mightily in the hopes ok keeping a roster spot this season. His ERA is up to 6.58.

The Mets managed to get on the board in the ninth inning. After Tomás Nido walked, Davis and Luis Guillorme both singled to load the bases. James McCann worked the count and picked up a RBI-walk with two outs. Newly-signed outfielder Ender Inciarte grounded out to end the game.

Player of the Game: Starling Marte

Marte doubled twice on the night, one to right field and the other to left field. He was the only Mets player with multiple hits, as well as the only Met to earn an extra base hit. He added a single to his stat line, collecting three hits in total. Marte is now 6-for-12 in his last three games, including three doubles and one RBI.

On Deck

The Mets will host the Astros on Wednesday afternoon at 1:10 p.m. to close out the season series with Houston. New York will hope to avoid the season sweep with a win. Taijuan Walker (6-2, 3.03 ERA, 49 SO) will face off against the 2011 American League MVP Justin Verlander (9-3, 2.22 ERA, 84 SO).