Although Zack Wheeler and Jesse Hahn had near-identical starts their last time on a major-league mound, their outings on Saturday couldn’t be any more different.
Hahn, who in his first MLB start lasted just 3 2/3 innings just 11 days ago, let up a single to his first batter of the game in Ruben Tejada. That would be the only hit the Mets would muster off of the 24-year-old as Hahn ended his day completing six shutout frames, allowing just three other base runners via walk while punching out seven, earning his first career win.
Wheeler, who also went a mere 3 2/3 frames in his last start, wasn’t much better this afternoon. The Mets prized young pitcher lacked command, surrendering two runs in the first inning, which ultimately proved to be all San Diego would need. Wheeler would last five innings, surrendering four runs on six hits while walking four and striking out three. The 24-year-old now falls to 2-7 on the season and has not collected a win at Citi Field since August 26, 2013.
The offense was nowhere to be found for New York. Chris Young was crowned with the golden sombrero, resulting in a bitterly negative reaction from the boo birds. Daniel Murphy, David Wright and Bobby Abreu went a combined 0-for-9. The Mets offense struck out a combined 13 times and managed just two hits.
Terry Collins said that when it comes to the Mets lineup poor contact rate, he has run the gamete on ways to correct the situation.
“I’ve pretty much have exhausted all the things that I have heard that work,” Collins said in his post-game press conference. “The main was you’ve got to let the ball get to the plate, let it deep in the strike zone, and therefore you are going to hit to the middle of the field. That is probably, mentally, the best approach you can take, in my opinion. Quit worrying about hitting the homer, think about making contact. And certainly, we didn’t do that.”
Dana Eveland had a solid outing in relief, delivering two shutout innings in relief. Gonzalez Germen also pitched two frames, surrendering a home run to Chase Headley, and walking four.
This is the sixth time this season the Mets have been shut out, the last time coming on May 15 against the Yankees.
The Mets (30-38) have now lost nine of their last 11 and have fallen to a season high-tying eight games under .500.
Daisuke Matsuzaka will take on Ian Kennedy and the Padres in the rubber match of this three-game set Sunday at 1:10 p.m.
(AP Photo/Jason DeCrow)
