The New York Mets were defeated by the Kansas City Royals by a score of 4-3 in the opener of the 2016 season. The Mets battled back from a 4-0 deficit to get within one but failed to complete the comeback against the team who defeated them in the 2015 World Series.
Pitching:
Matt Harvey (0-1, 4.76 ERA) took the loss for the Metropolitans on opening night. He pitched 5.2 innings while surrendering four runs, three of which were earned. Harvey also allowed eight hits, while walking two and striking out the same.
After a first inning that saw the Royals gain a 1-0 lead due to a misplayed ball in left field by Yoenis Cespedes, Harvey was able to stabilize himself and cruise through the majority of the game until he hit the sixth inning.
The “keep the line moving” offense of the Royals took charge in the sixth with a leadoff walk by Lorenzo Cain, followed by an Eric Hosmer single. Harvey almost got out of the jam, getting Kendrys Morales to hit into a double play, but pesky Alex Gordon and Salvador Perez followed with two out hits to break the game open, chasing Harvey.
Bartolo Colon and Jerry Blevins provided 2.1 innings of fine relief. Colon allowed just one hit in his time, which allowed inherited runner, Gordon to score. Blevins followed with a perfect eighth inning, keeping the Mets in the game.
Offense:
Royals pitcher, Edinson Volquez kept this Mets lineup at bay for his six inning stint, giving up no runs in the process and only two hits. It was not until the eighth inning that the club was able to break through and get some runs on the board.
Joakim Soria came in to pitch the eighth for the Royals and struggled against the Mets’ bats. Juan Lagares led off the inning with a single to center, and was followed by a walk to Curtis Granderson, giving the team a prime opportunity to strike. With one out, Cespedes walked, loading the bases for Lucas Duda, who singled, knocking in Lagares and Granderson. Neil Walker in his first big plate appearance in a New York uniform, grounded into a force out, plating the third run and the Mets would do no more in the inning or the game.
Michael Conforto notably went 2-for-2 on the night, with a double and a single. He also picked up two walks, providing a very productive night at the plate.
Notes:
The Royals offense did what it did best and that was being infuriatingly effective. The team seems to do everything right when they need to and are quite a pesky team. At times the game almost seemed just like a continuation of the World Series we had watched months prior.
The Mets had to watch as the Royals raised their World Series champions flag from the foul line prior to tonight’s game. The Royals again will hold another ceremony prior to Tuesday’s game as the championship rings will be handed out on that night.
On Deck:
The Mets will wrap up their short two game series against Kansas City this Tuesday night after a day off on Monday.
The Metropolitans will send RHP Noah Syndergaard (9-7 3.23 ERA in 2015) to the mound, as he is opposed by former Met, RHP Chris Young (11-6, 3.04 ERA in 2015).
