The Mets (52-50) were defeated by the San Diego Padres (49-53) by a score of 8-7 today at Citi Field, and in the process, dropping the rubber game.
Jon Niese had a bounce back outing today, after he got lit up by the Dodgers his last time out. The southpaw pitched much better today, as he went six innings, allowing just one run on six hits, while walking one and striking out six.
The Mets got on the board early, as in the first inning, Curtis Granderson hit a double to left field. He would advance to third on a line out from Ruben Tejada, and then score on a sacrifice fly from Daniel Murphy.
In the fifth inning, Kevin Plawecki singled, and moved over to second on a sacrifice bunt from Jon Niese.
Juan Lagares then walked, and Curtis Granderson promptly cleared the bases, as he launched his sixteenth home run of the year to right center field.
After five solid innings, Jon Niese hit a bit of a wall in the sixth inning and surrendered his first run, but was able to get out of the inning, and leave the game on a high note.
In the bottom of the sixth, Juan Uribe hit his first home run in blue and orange that banked off the railing of the Party City Deck.
Later in the inning, Michael Conforto walked, and Kevin Plawecki reached first on an error. Jon Niese bunted them both over, and Juan Lagares hit a sacrifice fly.
Ruben Tejada then gave the Mets a 7-1 lead, by hitting a single up the middle after Curtis Granderson was intentionally walked to load the bases.
Bobby Parnell‘s struggles continued this afternoon, as he was brought in for the seventh inning. After loading the bases, the former closer was removed in favor of Hansel Robles, who served up a grand slam to Derek Norris, to cut the deficit 7-5.
Robles regained his composure, and got out of the seventh inning. Tyler Clippard then came on in the eighth, and despite letting up a double, he kept the game within two runs, due in part to two fine defensive plays from Curtis Granderson.
In the ninth inning, Jeurys Familia looked to record his 28th save of the year, but after getting the first two batters of the inning out, the game was delayed due to some biblical rain falling at Citi Field.
Upon returning, Derek Norris hit a bloop single to right field, and Matt Kemp singled past Ruben Tejada to put runners at first and second with two outs and rain pouring again.
Justin Upton then hit a three-run home run to give the Padres an 8-7 lead, as Familia blew his third save of the second half. He was able to get the next batter out, but the game was forced into a second rain delay which lasted three hours.
Craig Kimbrel came on for the Friars for the bottom of the ninth, and pitched a 1,2,3 inning.
No words. There are just no words. The Mets blow a six run lead for the first time in 45 years. Unbelievable. What a wacky 24 hours it has been. It can only get better from here, right?
Anyway….
With the Nationals winning 1-0 over the Marlins this afternoon, the Mets fall to 3.0 games out of first place, so this upcoming series with Washington is crucial. But, with our big guns – Matt Harvey, Jacob deGrom and Noah Syndergaard – taking the hill for the Amazin’s, we have to really make the Nats pay. The time to win is now, boys.
On deck:
The aforementioned Matt Harvey (9-7, 3.16 ERA) takes on Gio Gonzalez (8-4, 3.83 ERA) tomorrow night at Citi Field. First pitch is at 7:10 PM.
