The Mets (36-31) fell to the Blue Jays (35-32) by a score of 8-0 on Wednesday night in Toronto.
Jon Niese took the hill for the Mets and pitched well, going seven innings while allowing three runs on seven hits and four walks, striking out six.
Toronto took an early lead they would never relinquish in the bottom of the second, when Kevin Pillar‘s RBI single made Niese pay for a pair of walks.
The Mets had several runners get into scoring position in this one, but failed to capitalize against Drew Hutchison and his relievers. An RBI double in the sixth by Chris Colabello put the Blue Jays up 2-0, and the hosts got a third run against Niese when Pillar hit a solo shot in the seventh.
The game was blown wide open in the bottom of the eighth with Akeel Morris, a Single-A pitcher called up to provide the bullpen with a live arm for a few days, making his MLB debut for the Mets. Morris walked the first two hitters he faced before being victimized by a few soft hits and plays not made behind him in the field. But there was nothing soft about the three-run shot Danny Valencia hit to put the Jays up 8-0 and turn Morris’ debut into an utter “nightmare,” as an equally out-of-place Ron Darling said on the play-by-play broadcast.
Jack Leathersich got the final out in the eighth, before the Mets went down quietly in the ninth to end the ballgame.
Well, that got ugly late. Morris was here to provide innings in already-decided games, which is what he did tonight (although you could argue the game was within reach until he showed up).
But this game felt like it was over pretty early, because the Mets seemed completely flat on offense. They hit a few doubles, but were taking bad swings all night, even when they got ahead in the count.
Niese pitched a solid game, which is good for him, good for the team, good for the bullpen, and good for his trade value. But the bats— which were pretty good over the homestand— didn’t help him out.
This team needs to be better on the road. There’s nothing more to say about it.
UPDATE: Morris has been sent to Double-A (which is a promotion considering that he came from Single-A). Logan Verrett has been promoted.
Up Next: The Mets will look to split the road portion of their series with Toronto tomorrow night. Bartolo Colon (9-4, 4.41 ERA) will face RA Dickey (2-6, 5.29 ERA) at 7:10 PM.
