“It’s very disappointing. We’re not happy with the way things have gone the last 10 days and we got to buckle down, get after it and get back over. We got a tough three games coming up, we got to pick ourselves up and get ready for them.”  ~  Terry Collins

Despite another great outing by Niese, and a valiant rally in the ninth, Ramon Ramirez let up five runs in the 12th and the offense failed to capatalize on multiple opportunities as the Mets dip under for .500 for the first time this season, falling to the Dodgers 8-3.

Man do I hate writing about games like these. In the midst of this awful, AWFUL stretch to start the second half, the Mets lose another by one end of the Mets pitching coming up short, this time the bullpen.

Jon Niese had himself a great outing for the second straight start, and for the second time in a row, it went to waste. Niese had good command of his cutter today as he went seven frames allowing three runs on eight hits while walking none and punching out three. The southpaw needed just 97 pitches to get through those seven innings of work, but left on the hook, in danger of falling to 7-5 on the year. That was, until the ninth.

Down 3-2 in the bottom of the ninth, the Mets came up with Javy Guerra on to close it out. Tejada singled, Valdespin dragged an excellent bunt to move him into scoring position, and Wright hit an infield single on a slow roller to make it a first and third situation with just one dead. Ike Davis stepped up, and grounded one softly to the first baseman James Loney, who bobbled the ball but tossed it to Mark Ellis and it reached his glove about half a step after Ike touched first, but was called out by first base umpire Mike DiMuro. Despite the blown call, Tejada scored and the game was sent into extras.

Bobby Parnell held down the fort throwing up goose eggs in the ninth and tenth and Ramon Ramirez worked around a leadoff walk to Andre Ethier in the 11th before the the top of the 12th did him in. Ramirez allowed five hits and an intentional pass to hand the Dodgers a five run lead going into the bottom half of the inning.

Josh Lindblom came in and made quick work of the Mets in the bottom of the 12th, securing the sweep for the Dodgers, and a losing season for the Amazin’s for the first time all year long. Despite many chances for the lineup throughout the game to score, they failed to capatalize and now sit at 1-8 since the All-Star Break.

Goat Of The Game:

Ramon Ramirez, for his five run 12th, however the goat could have just as easily belonged to Terry Collins for leaving him in. I’m all for preserving arms and all but you’re nearly five hours into a game, wouldn’t you want to do all you can to at least come out of it with a win?

Notes:

  • The Mets have announced that Matt Harvey will start Thursday in Arizona to face the Diamondbacks!!!
  • Daniel Murphy had yet another great day at the plate, collecting a four-hit game including two doubles, an RBI and a walk.
  • Every position player had a hit today, including Wright who had a three-hit game and Tejada, Nieuwenhuis and Thole who each had themselves a pair in the loss.
  • Jon Niese took another no decision but now has a 3.59 ERA on the year.

Up Next:

The Mets open up a three-game set against the division leading Nationals tomorrow at home with Chris Young on the hill starting at 7:00 pm.