Trevor Williams Struggles in 5-2 Loss Against Arizona

The New York Mets (11-5) lost to the Arizona Diamondbacks (6-9) by a score of 5-2 Saturday night at Chase Field. The Mets found themselves down early and were unable to claw their way back into the game. This despite the best efforts of the bullpen, who kept the team in spitting distance with six strong innings.

Trevor Williams made a spot start in the game, his first of the season and just his fourth in a Mets’ uniform. This since being acquired from the Chicago Cubs in the Javier Báez trade last season. Williams struggled mightily against a Diamondbacks team that was hitting just .180 as a team before tonight. He allowed seven hits and four runs in just two innings of work. Williams allowed a run in all three innings that he threw a pitch, as he struggled to put batters away. He didn’t walk any hitters, but he also did not record any strikeouts.

Sean Reid-Foley came on in relief in the third inning and allowed the first two batters he faced to reach base, letting an inherited runner score in the process. He settled down from there, retiring seven straight batters at one point. However, he was pulled in the fifth inning with left leg cramping. Adam Ottavino did a good job of limiting the damage across the fifth and sixth innings. Then Joely Rodriguez pitched a relatively clean seventh inning, allowing just a single batter to reach base.

Adonis Medina, who was called up prior to Saturday night’s game, came on in the eighth inning to make his Mets’ debut. Medina made the most of his opportunity, striking out the side in an impressive showing. David Peterson was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse to make room for Medina. This a move that was likely made with an eye towards Taijuan Walker returning from injury to take back his spot in the rotation.

The Mets’ bats were stifled by Humberto Castellanos through the first four innings. However, they finally got to him in the fifth via a run-scoring triple from Jeff McNeil. This was followed by a run-scoring infield single from Tomás Nido. The rally ended when Brandon Nimmo hit a liner right at Diamondbacks’ shortstop Geraldo Perdomo, who doubled up Nido at first.

The Mets had cut the Diamondbacks’ lead to just two runs at that point, but they failed to muster any further offense. Dominic Smith had the only other extra-base hit for the Mets, a double down the first base line to start that fifth inning rally. Francisco Lindor reached base twice but also struck out twice, while Pete Alonso went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts.

Player of the Game: Jeff McNeil

McNeil was the only Mets batter to record multiple hits. His triple in the fifth inning scored the team’s first run of the game. So far, McNeil is putting together a very solid year at the plate. His .807 OPS has him looking way more like the McNeil from 2018-2020 than the McNeil from 2021. The final line for McNeil: 2-for-3, 3B, RBI, R.

On Deck:

The Mets will look to secure a series victory against the Diamondbacks on Sunday at Chase Field. First pitch is set for 4:10PM ET with the game being broadcast on PIX11. The Mets will run out Tylor Megill, while the Diamondbacks will start with Madison Bumgarner on the mound.