Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
The New York Mets (1-2) wrapped up their three-game series against the Philadelphia Phillies (5-1) Wednesday afternoon at Citizens Bank Park. Unfortunately, New York is headed back to Flushing fresh off an 8-2 loss.
The Mets will look to create some momentum as they head to Citi Field for Thursday’s home opener. For the first time in 18 months, there will be fans in the stands!
On The Mound
David Peterson matched up with Phillies ace Aaron Nola for his first start of the season. Last year, Peterson posted an impressive 3.44 ERA while striking out 40 batters in 49.2 innings pitched as a rookie.
It wasn’t a great start to 2021 for Peterson, as he allowed six earned runs on seven hits (two home runs), and two walks while striking out five. The struggles started immediately in the first inning. He was very shaky coming out of the gate, giving up a solo home run to first baseman Rhys Hoskins before rookie third baseman Alec Bohm blasted a three-run bomb deep over the left-center field wall. Peterson left during the top of the fifth, responsible for two runners with no outs.
Jacob Barnes came on in the fifth as the first reliever, and he was greeted rudely by J.T. Realmuto. With the first pitch of his Mets career, he left a fastball right down the middle that resulted in a game-breaking three-run homer, giving the Phillies a 7-1 lead. Barnes settled in after that and didn’t allow anything else, but the damage was done.
Dellin Betances made his season debut in the sixth inning. The velocity and command were something to watch for. He allowed one earned run in the one frame he pitched, which also included a strikeout, a walk allowed, and a hit-by-pitch, which happened during the first batter he faced.
Joey Lucchesi was the most dominant reliever of the three on Wednesday. The southpaw threw 23 of his 36 pitches in the strike zone, allowing just one hit while striking out three in two shutout innings.
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
At The Plate
The Mets’ bats did not wake up for this rubber match. There were plenty of opportunities to get back in the ballgame before it got out of hand, but it just didn’t happen — New York’s offense ended up going 1-for-12 with runners in scoring position, leaving a total of 14 men on base. Michael Conforto had a particularly rough day at the plate, going 0-for-5 with two strikeouts, leaving nine men on base himself.
There were some bright spots in this disappointing outcome, though. Brandon Nimmo was in the leadoff spot again, and he went 2-for-4 with two soft-hit infield singles, a walk, and a run scored. He’s now drawn five walks in three games and is sporting a .571 on-base percentage after one series of play. Pete Alonso continued his impressive start by producing great at-bats. He was the only hitter that came through with a runner in scoring position, driving in the Mets’ first run in the top of the third. The Polar Bear owns a healthy 1.015 OPS as he heads to Citi Field for the first time this year.
Jonathan Villar was another guy to watch, as he was given the spot start at second base for Jeff McNeil. He took advantage by going 3-for-5 with a long triple in the eighth inning. Luis Guillorme was also in the lineup at third base while J.D. Davis nurses an injury, and he went 2-for-3 with his opportunity to play.
On Deck:
The Mets play their home opener at Citi Field against the Miami Marlins on Thursday at 1:10 p.m. on SNY. Taijuan Walker will the start for the Mets in his team debut. In 11 innings pitched during spring training, Walker allowed six hits and four earned runs with seven strikeouts, which led to a 3.27 ERA. The probable starter for Miami is still unknown. Let’s hope New York can get back on track after a less-than-ideal start to the 2021 season.
