Mets’ Pitching Woes Continue in Wild 10-8 Loss to Astros

The rubber game of the Mets and Astros three-game series in Houston had a little bit of everything. The teams combined for 18 runs, 19 hits, 16 walks, eight stolen bases and three errors. There was a run-scoring wild pitch, a violation for running out of the baseline, a catcher’s interference call, a pitch-clock violation strikeout, and a successful safety-squeeze. After three hours and 32 minutes, the madness ended with the Astros defeating the Mets 10-8 to take the series.

The first inning was a microcosm of the Mets’ season so far. In the top of the inning, two walks and a hit-by-pitch brought Pete Alonso to the plate with the bases loaded and nobody out. The Mets’ first baseman hit a check-swing roller back to Cristian Javier for the 1-2 putout at home, then Alonso was called for running out of the baseline on Martin Maldonado‘s throw that went up the line and into right field. After another walk, Jeff McNeil left the bases loaded on a pop out to end the inning with no runs.

The bottom of the inning saw the Mets allow two runs on unforced errors. A catcher’s interference call on Omar Narvaez and two wild pitches put the Astros ahead 2-0 in an inning where the Mets were in a prime position to jump in front.

Tylor Megill was excellent in his last start against the Cardinals, but like most Mets pitchers this season, he was not able to build off his strong outing. The 6-foot-7 right-hander lasted just 2 1/3 innings, allowing five runs (four earned) on four hits and four walks while striking out just two batters.

The Mets got offensive contributions from up and down the lineup, but it was Daniel Vogelbach who led the way for New York. The Mets’ designated hitter went 3-5 with a double and drove in three runs, continuing his recent resurgence.

Alonso has struggled since returning from his stint on the injured list, but broke out on Wednesday with his league-leading 23rd home run of the season in the sixth inning. The two-run shot brought his RBI total on the year to 51 to tie him with Francisco Lindor, who drove in his 51st RBI with a sacrifice fly in the third inning, for the team lead.

Lindor went 1-1 at the plate with a double three walks, and a sacrifice fly, and Starling Marte went 2-4 with an two-run double on a ball that nearly bounced on the front corner of the batter’s box.

“Offensively we’re doing pretty good,” Buck Showalter said following the Mets’ loss. “We just needed to have better pitching effort today to take advantage of them, and we didn’t get it. Eight runs, you like your chances.”

Dominic Leone, who had given up just two runs over his last 9 1/3 innings, struggled mightily in relief of Megill. He allowed an inherited run to score along with four runs of his own over 1 1/3 innings.

After Leone, the bullpen settled down. Grant Hartwig walked three in 1 1/3 innings, but kept the Astros off the scoreboard. Josh Walker gave the Mets their first 1-2-3 inning of the day in the bottom of the sixth, but came out of the game with two on and nobody out in the seventh inning after getting hit by a come-backer. Adam Ottavino came into the game after Walker’s injury and allowed an inherited runner to score on a safety squeeze. He may have had time to get Corey Julks at the plate, but a poor flip allowed the Astros’ left fielder to score. Ottavino finished his day going two hitless innings and striking out three.

For the Mets, the loss was their 13th in their last 17 games despite scoring nearly five runs per game in that span. In that same stretch, the Mets have allowed 93 runs and pitched to a 5.09 ERA.

Stat of the Game: 7 Losses When Scoring 7+ Runs

The Mets have seven losses in 2023 when scoring at least seven runs, including losing six of the last seven instances. In 2022, the Mets only lost two such games. While there is plenty of blame to go around for the Mets poor first three months of the season, the lack of consistent pitching is easily at the forefront of the team’s issues.

Player of the Game: Daniel Vogelbach

Since returning from his week out of the lineup, Vogelbach has been red-hot at the plate. After going 3-5 on Wednesday, he improved to 7-17 (.412) at the plate over five games with two home runs and seven RBIs. Vogelbach had a productive April before falling into a prolonged slump, but it appears the break has done wonders for the Mets’ designated hitter.

On Deck

The Mets will continue their road trip on Friday night at 7:05 p.m. ET when they travel to Citizens Bank Park for a three-game series with the Philadelphia Phillies. The Phillies had won six games in a row before dropping their series against the Atlanta Braves. The Mets’ last series win came against the Phillies nearly a month ago.

Kodai Senga (6-4, 3.53 ERA) will make his second start against Philadelphia. The Japanese rookie had his best start of the season on May 30 against the Phillies, going seven innings and allowing just one hit while striking out nine.

The game will be broadcast on Apple TV+, and the radio call will be on WCBS 880.