The Mets (36-33) were defeated by the Atlanta Braves (33-35) by a score of 2-1 tonight at Turner Field.
The Mets spoiled yet another great outing for Jacob deGrom, who was looking for a victory on his 27th birthday. However, the Mets anemic offense and shoddy infield defense, as well as Terry Collins’ head scratching in-game decisions, are what cost the Mets this game.
After the Mets could only give deGrom one run of support, which came in the sixth inning on a Michael Cuddyer single to score Ruben Tejada, he surely did his part, keeping the game 1-0 into the eighth inning, where it all fell apart for the Mets.
Andrelton Simmons hit a double to lead off the eighth, and advanced to third when Eury Perez dropped down a sacrifice bunt. Jacob deGrom would have thrown Simmons out trying to move up, but Ruben Tejada left the base uncovered, forcing deGrom to get the out at first.
Pedro Ciriaco then hit a ball to Wilmer Flores at shortstop, who took way too long looking back Simmons at third, allowing Ciriaco to reach at first on a late throw.
With only 97 pitches, and Jacob deGrom having done nothing wrong, Terry Collins went to the bullpen, summoning Sean Gilmartin to pitch with the game on the line.
With runners at first and third and one out, Gilmartin surrendered a two-run double to Jace Peterson to give the Braves the lead. The runs were charged to deGrom, who ends up with yet another tough luck loss.
Bobby Parnell and Jeurys Familia finished off the eighth, and despite Juan Uribe making an error at third base in the ninth, Jason Grilli shut the door for Atlanta, giving the Braves a win.
Familia was in obvious discomfort coming off the field in the eighth, however, the problem isn’t serious, as Familia was just dealing with some cramps. A collective sigh of relief.
Thoughts:
Well, a hard loss to swallow for us Mets fans. But, we’ve seen this before, and countless times at that. A Mets’ pitcher goes out there and dominates, but the bats are nowhere to be found, and slapping the starters with 1-0 or 2-1 losses. Jacob deGrom does not deserve this loss.
Terry Collins blew this game for the Mets. Wilmer Flores is not a shortstop. With David Wright and Daniel Murphy sidelined, wouldn’t you have Flores man third, while Ruben Tejada plays his natural position at short, and keep Dilson Herrera at second?
And why would you take deGrom out with only 97 pitches, when the runners reached base on blunders from the infield? Give the man the respect he deserves and leave him in the game.
I realize Sean Gilmartin has been good, but you do not bring him in in a high leverage situation like tonight, even if it is a lefty/lefty matchup.
Apart from that, the Mets need bats. I don’t know how many times it needs to be reiterated. The pitching is 100% fine, and I don’t know what they are waiting for to improve the problem that is the Mets offense. They just do not have that impact bat they need, and guys like Curtis Granderson and Michael Cuddyer are just not getting it done.
It is a miracle we are in first place, but it isn’t going to last for long if we do not do something. (I’m looking at you, Mets brain trust).
On deck:
Noah Syndergaard (2-4, 3.76 ERA) takes the mound for the Mets, and opposes Williams Perez (3-0, 2.29 ERA). First pitch is at 7:10 PM.
