The Mets (18-11) dropped the first game of a three game weekend series to the Philadelphia Phillies (11-19) by a score of 3-1.
Matt Harvey started for the Mets and did not have his A game working tonight, however he still only allowed three runs over six innings while scattering six hits and striking out four. He falls to 5-1 on the season.
The Phillies got on the scorecard early on against Harvey, after Freddy Galvis singled and stole second, then came all the way around to score on a Ryan Howard single.
In the fourth inning, Michael Cuddyer singled, and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Wilmer Flores then walked, and Kevin Plawecki hit a single to load the bases. After another wild pitch from Cole Hamels, Cuddyer scored to tie up the game.
The game would not remain tied for long, though, as Ryan Howard drove in his second run of the game by taking Matt Harvey deep in the bottom half of the frame.
The Phillies tacked on another run in the fifth inning, as Carlos Ruiz singled and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. Ben Revere drove him in with a single to left field.
The Mets never really had another huge scoring chance after this, as Cole Hamels pitched very well. He would go seven strong innings, allowing one run on four hits, while striking out eight and walking two, earning the win. Ken Giles and Jonathan Papelbon shut down the Mets in the eighth and ninth, sealing the win for Philadelphia.
One positive to take out of this loss, despite the Mets barren offense, was the performance of Hansel Robles, Erik Goeddel and Sean Gilmartin who pitched two scoreless innings out of the ‘pen.
Thoughts:
The Mets are not going to win every game. Matt Harvey is not going to win every game. He is mortal like the rest of us and is going to deal with adversity like every pitcher does. We as a fan base have built up such high expectations on Harvey that when he goes out there and let’s up even just three runs we panic. I know, I’m guilty of it to. Hamels outpitched Harvey tonight. simple as that. Though the Phillies are projected to finish with the worst record in baseball, they are still a professional team, and Hamels is and always has been a great pitcher and he got the best of us and our struggling offense tonight.
Let’s go out there and win tomorrow and Sunday. LGM.
On deck:
Jon Niese (2-2; 2.40 ERA) takes on Aaron Harang (3-2; 2.35 ERA) tomorrow night. First pitch is at 7:05 pm.
