Marcus Stroman took the mound for the Mets on Sunday night at Citizens Bank Park with the team looking to sweep the divisional rival Phillies, and attempting to make up ground lost in the Wild Card race after being swept by the Braves and Cubs at home earlier this week.
The twenty-eight-year-old put the team in position for a win, allowing two runs with six strikeouts in six innings, but he would get a no-decision as the offense was only able to muster up four hits that evening.
“I felt like I competed, battled all night, and made some good pitches when I needed to,” he commented, per SNY.
Despite some control issues coming out of the gate, Stroman recovered swiftly and tossed his first quality outing in his sixth start as a Met. The right-hander gave up seven hits, but was able to limit the damage to just a pair of Philadelphia runs in the second inning.
Brad Miller kicked off the bottom half of the frame with a solo home run to center field. Then, with one out, Scott Kingery singled, and Adam Haseley was walked to put runners on first and second.
After getting pitcher Zach Eflin to line out, Stroman committed a throwing error on a pickoff attempt to second base when he threw the ball past Amed Rosario into center field, moving runners to second and third. Corey Dickerson added an RBI single to give Philly the 2-1 lead, but with runners on the corners, the starter was able to escape the jam, and seemingly found his groove cruising through his final four innings pitched.
The outing was Stroman’s most successful performance as a Met thus far. In 27 starts this season between New York and Toronto, the righty holds a 7-12 record with a 3.28 ERA, 3.83 FIP, and a 1.31 WHIP to go along with a career-high 7.5 K/9.
As the Mets continue their push for a playoff spot, opening up a three-game series with the Nationals in D.C. this afternoon, Stroman’s fighting presence in the rotation will be much needed- as will some run support from the offense.
