Category: Major League Baseball
Final Recap: Marlins 10 – Mets 3
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 11: Steven Matz #32 of the New York Mets walks off the mound after giving up 7-runs in the second inning against the Miami Marlins at Citi Field on April 11, 2016. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
The Miami Marlins (2-3) defeated the New York Mets (2-4) this evening by the final score of 10-3 at Citi Field. For a full boxscore recap follow the link below…
Game Notes:
- Steven Matz was rocked for 7 runs on 6 hits in 1.2 innings pitched tonight. Matz also walked 2 and only struck out 1.
- Hansel Robles followed Matz in relief pitching 2.1 innings allowing 1 run on 4 hits, with 1 walk and 3 strikeouts.
- Antonio Bastardo pitched 1.1 innings and his lone mistake came off the bat of Marcell Ozuna for a 2-run homer. He allowed 4 hits, walked 1, and struck out 2.
- Addison Reed, Jeurys Familia, and Jerry Blevins pitched 3.2 scoreless innings.
- David Wright was 2-4 with a double and a run scored.
- Yoenis Cespedes was 2-4 with an RBI and a run scored.
- Curtis Granderson is now 1-24 to start the season after going 0-4.
- Matz’s outing was the shortest outing by a Mets starting pitcher since Jon Niese on July 4, 2014 against the Texas Rangers.
“Well that escalated quickly,” as the infamous Ron Burgundy would say. This game was simply ugly any way you spin it. Last season the Mets were used to beating on teams in the NL East and the tables have now been turned on them to begin the season, after suffering brutal losses the last three days to the Phillies and Marlins. The Mets certainly had their opportunities to inch back into the game but left eight runners on base, and were 1-7 tonight with runners in scoring position. The Mets hitters collectively need to find a way to get out of the mini-slump they are in at the plate. The slate does not get any easier for the offense as they face Marlins ace Jose Fernandez tomorrow night, and they travel to face the Cleveland Indians this weekend who arguably have the best pitching staff in the American League. Many of these guys are veterans so they are bound to figure it out eventually but lets not wait too much longer please.
The Mets haven’t had a bad pitching performance yet this season, but it couldn’t have come at worse time with Jacob deGrom leaving to Florida this afternoon to be with his wife and newborn baby. With deGrom gone, Logan Verrett is already expected to make Wednesday’s start in place of deGrom due to his lat injury, which made him unavailable to pitch tonight. Due to those circumstances the bullpen was overworked tonight, and they still have two more games before an off-day Thursday. The only logical option at this point is to place deGrom on paternity leave and recall Sean Gilmartin for bullpen depth. Unfortunately if this move is made deGrom will have to serve a full 15 day DL stint if his right lat has not improved upon return, and he and will not get time served for sitting out his next start. It’s tough to fault Matz for tonight’s start as he is still a rookie and he had not pitched in ten days. Hopefully Matz comes back better on regular rest and his confidence isn’t shaken after tonight’s rough outing. In his last start back on March 31st he did no-hit the Cubs over five innings which displayed the kind of pitcher he can be when he is on his game. Ugly loss with a capital U, and I doubt the Mets continue down this path for too much longer, the same way I doubt Daniel Murphy continuing to hit .471 this season. Hopefully we can get back in the win column tomorrow night in what is sure to be a pitching duel.
- The Mets play the Marlins in the second game of their three game series tomorrow evening with first pitch slated for 7:10 pm et. Tomorrow night’s game can be seen on SNY.
- The Mets will send the flamethrower Noah Syndergaard (1-0, 0.00 ERA) to the mound to face Marlins ace Jose Fernandez (0-1, 7.94 ERA).
Lineups: Marlins vs. Mets 7:10 pm
Marlins:
1. Dee Gordon (L) 2B
2. Marcell Ozuna (R) CF
3. Christian Yelich (L) LF
4. Giancarlo Stanton (R) RF
5. Martin Prado (R) 3B
6. Chris Johnson (R) 1B
7. J.T. Realmuto (R) C
8. Adeiny Hechavarria (R) SS
9. Jarred Cosart (R) P
SP: Jarred Cosart RHP (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
Mets:
1. Curtis Granderson (L) RF
2. David Wright (R) 3B
3. Yoenis Cespedes (R) CF
4. Lucas Duda (L) 1B
5. Neil Walker (S) 2B
6. Michael Conforto (L) LF
7. Asdrubal Cabrera (S) SS
8. Travis d’Arnaud (R) C
9. Steven Matz (R) P
SP: Steven Matz LHP (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
Tonight’s game can be seen on SNY & ESPN.
Game Notes:
VS. MIAMI: The Mets close out their opening homestand with three games vs. the Marlins…The Mets are 22-16 vs. Miami the last two years, including going 11-8 in 2015…New York has won six straight home season series vs. the Marlins dating to 2010…The Mets are 37-27 all-time vs. Miami at Citi Field, including going 24-13 since 2012.
STEVEN MATZ: Is making his 2016 regular season debut…Went 4-0 with a 2.27 ERA (nine earned runs/35.2 innings) in six starts in 2015…New York is 5-1 when he starts…No Mets pitcher has ever won his first career five decisions…Matz and Jason Jacome were the only two pitchers in team history to win four of their first five career games…Matz became the first pitcher in franchise history to allow two runs or fewer in each of his first five career starts…He was the third pitcher since 1901 to finish 4-0 or better after making at least six starts…Also done by Kirk Reuter (8-0, 1993 with Montreal) and Pat Combs (4-0, 1989 with Philadelphia).
MATZ VS. THE FISH: Matz is making his second career start against Miami…It will be his first start against the Marlins at Citi Field…On September 6, 2015, Matz returned from the Disabled List to face Miami at Marlins Park…Received a no-decision in the Mets’ 4-3 loss…Tossed 5.1 innings, allowed two runs, earned, on four hits…Struck out six and walked two.
JIM HENDERSON: Struck out the side yesterday vs. Philadelphia…Henderson has thrown 3.0 perfect innings this season with seven strikeouts…He is tied for fifth in the majors with two holds…Prior to this season, Henderson’s last major league appearance was May 1, 2014…He became the eighth Canadian-born player to appear in a game for the Mets.
DAVID WRIGHT: After going 0-4 on Opening Day, Wright is hitting .364 (4-11) with two doubles, three walks and two runs scored…He has reached base safely in 14 straight games dating to September 20, 2015…He has a .397 on-base percentage during that span…Wright has 121 career RBI vs. the Marlins, his most vs. any team…He is also hitting .327 (228-697) in 178 career games vs. Miami.
FOUR IS THE MAGIC NUMBER: The Mets are 1-0 when they score four or more runs this year and 1-3 when they plate three runs or less…The Mets were 70-12 (.854) when scoring four or more runs last year…The .854 winning percentage was the best in the majors.
WHERE IS THE OFFENSE: The Mets are hitting .180 after five games, ranking last in the majors…New York has scored 14 runs, ranking 28th in the majors.
METS PITCHING: The Mets lead the NL and rank second in the majors with a 2.05 ERA…Baltimore is first with a 1.80 ERA.
BULLPEN FLEXING ITS MUSCLES: Has allowed two earned runs in 14.1 innings this season…The pen’s 1.26 ERA is the second-best in the majors…The Yankees are first (1.04 ERA)…Mets relievers have issued two walks and struck out 16.
GOLD GLOVE PRESENTATION: Prior to tonight’s game, Yoenis Cespedes will be presented with his 2015 American League Rawlings Gold Glove Award…Cespedes led all AL leftfielders with 11 defensive runs saved and a 15 Ultimate Zone Rating and finished second with nine outfield assists last season…Since making his debut in 2012, Cespedes’ 48 outfield assists, including four with the Mets, are the most in the majors during that span.
METS VS. COSART: Cosart has a record of 0-0 in 4 games started in his career against the Mets… He holds a 3.00 ERA in 24 innings pitched with a 15/7 strikeout to walk ratio…Notable Mets numbers against Cosart are provided below…
- Wilmer Flores: .400 (4-10, 1 HR, 5 RBI)
- Yoenis Cespedes: .333 (2-6, 1 HR, 3 RBI)
- Asdrubal Cabrera: .333 (3-9, 2 3B, 3 RBI)
- Michael Conforto: 1.o00 (2-2, 2 2B)
- Juan Lagares: .429 (3-7, 1 BB, 1 K)
Josh Edgin begins rehab assignment.
Left-handed reliever Josh Edgin made a significant step in his return from last year’s Tommy John operation by making his first rehab appearance with the St. Lucie Mets yesterday and recording two outs.
Edgin had allowed one run on one hit, with a strikeout, and a walk. The results don’t matter as much as Edgin proving he is healthy, and that he could get his velocity up to the mid-90’s again. Edgin is expected back with the ball club on May 1st, which leaves him pitching on a rehab assignment for the next three weeks.
Edgin would be a valuable asset to the Mets bullpen if he is healthy and able to regain his velocity. In 2014 Edgin had posted a 1.32 ERA in 47 relief appearances, and was beginning to emerge as one of the Mets most reliable relievers in their bullpen.
Final Recap: Phillies 5 – Mets 2
The Philadelphia Phillies (2-4) defeated the New York Mets (2-3) this afternoon by the final score of 5-2, to take the 3-game series at Citi Field. For a full boxscore recap follow the link below…
Game Notes:
- Matt Harvey was charged with the loss this afternoon. Harvey pitched 6 innings, while allowing 3 runs on 6 hits. Harvey walked 2 and struck out 3.
- Yoenis Cespedes was 2-4 with a 2-run home run.
- David Wright was 2-4 with a double and a run scored.
- Jim Henderson pitched a perfect 7th inning, striking out the side.
- The Mets only had 4 hits this afternoon.
- The Phillies surpassed their win total at Citi Field from last year, with today’s victory. Last year at Citi Field the Phillies were 1-8, this season they are now 2-1.
It was a real struggle again this afternoon with the Mets bats going mostly silent. Yoenis Cespedes hit a 2-run bomb in the bottom of the 6th to cut the Phillies lead to 3-2, but that would be the only offense the Mets would muster this afternoon. It’s tough to point out exactly what is wrong with the Mets offense, as collectively they came into the game with the league’s 28th ranked batting average. It is a major contrast to the pitching, as they came into today with the best team ERA in the Majors at 1.29. The only place I could start to look at would be Curtis Granderson at the top of the lineup starting the season 1-20. If Granderson is not getting on base it will be tough for the Mets to manufacture runs, as he was an on-base machine last year. To Granderson’s credit he had some hard hit balls this afternoon, so maybe he’s on the verge of turning his bad fortunes around. Harvey had another uneven start with his biggest mistake coming in the top of the 6th when he allowed a 2-run home run to Odubel Herrera. Harvey has innings where he looks crisp and the ball is coming out nicely, and other innings where he has been running into trouble with elevated pitch counts. However this was a much better start than his Opening Night start against the Royals. There is plenty of time for Harvey to right the ship, and get back on track to his dominant self as I predicted him as my Cy Young award winner this season.
- The Mets return to action tomorrow night when the Miami Marlins come to Citi Field for a 3-game series. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 pm et. Tomorrow’s game can be seen on SNY and ESPN.
- Rookie Steven Matz (0-0, 0.00 ERA) makes his first start of the 2016 season against Marlins right-hander Jared Cosart (0-0, 0.00 ERA) who will be making his 2016 debut as well.
Jacob deGrom to miss next start.
It was announced this morning that Jacob deGrom will be scratched from his next scheduled start on Wednesday against the Marlins. Manager Terry Collins stated that deGrom’s right lat has “improved, but not enough.” It seems the Mets will take a day-to- day approach with deGrom before they consider placing him on the disabled list.
Right-hander Logan Verrett will start in deGrom’s place on Wednesday.
Lineups: Mets vs. Phillies 1:10 pm et
Phillies:
1. Freddy Galvis (S) SS
2. Cesar Hernandez (S) 2B
3. Odubel Herrera (L) CF
4. Maikel Franco (R) 3B
5. Ryan Howard (L) 1B
6. Carlos Ruiz (R) C
7. Cedric Hunter (L) LF
8. Peter Bourjos (R) RF
9. Jeremy Hellickson (R) P
SP: Jeremy Hellickson RHP (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
Mets:
1. Curtis Granderson (L) RF
2. David Wright (R) 3B
3. Yoenis Cespedes (R) CF
4. Lucas Duda (L) 1B
5. Neil Walker (S) 2B
6. Michael Conforto (L) LF
7. Asdrubal Cabrera (S) SS
8. Kevin Plawecki (R) C
9. Matt Harvey (R) P
SP: Matt Harvey RHP (0-1, 4.76 ERA)
Today’s game can be seen on SNY and MLB Network.
Game Notes:
SERIES NOTES: The Mets will play their first rubber game of the season today…New York went 7-10 in rubber games in 2015, including 3-4 at home…The Mets have won eight on their last nine series vs. the Phillies.
VS. PHILADELPHIA: The Mets are 10-2 vs. the Phillies in their last 12 games at Citi Field dating to August 31, 2014… New York went 14-5 vs. the Phillies (8-1 at home) last year… The 14 wins were the most in team history in a single-season vs. the Phillies…New York had a franchise high-tying 10-game winning streak vs. the Phillies from May 9-August 31, 2015… The Mets are 28-12 vs. Philadelphia over the last three years (including 2016).
METS PITCHING: The Mets lead the majors with a 1.29 ERA… The staff has allowed three runs, two earned, in its last 29.0 innings (0.62 ERA) dating to the eighth inning of their first game on April 3 at Kansas City.
THE BULLPEN: Has not allowed an earned run in 11.1 innings this season…The Mets are the only team in the majors whose bullpen has not permitted an earned run…The pen has not issued a walk and struck out 12.
HARVEY AT HOME: Since 1950, Matt Harvey has the third- best home ERA (2.05; 54 earned runs/237.0 innings) of any starter in his first three major league seasons (min. home 30 starts)…In Matt Harvey’s last 11 home regular season starts dating to June 16, 2015, he is 5-1 with a 1.25 ERA (10 earned runs/72.0 innings)…Harvey has allowed more than two earned runs in just one of his last 11 home starts…Last year he was 8-3 with a 2.23 ERA (28 earned runs/113.0 innings) at Citi Field.
1986 JERSEYS: Every Sunday home game this season, the Mets will wear replica 1986 jerseys in honor of the 30th Anniversary World Series championship team.
NOTABLE METS VS HELLICKSON:
- Curtis Granderson: .176 (3-17, 1 2B, 1 HR)
- Neil Walker: .400 (2-5, 1 2B, 2 RBI)
- Yoenis Cespedes: .333 (2-6, 1 2B, 1 K)
- Alejandro De Aza: .267 (4-15, 3 2B, 1 RBI)
- Asdrubal Cabrera: .250 (2-8, 1 BB, 1 K)
- David Wright: 1.000 (2-2, 1 2B, 1 BB)
Final Recap: Phillies 1 – Mets 0
The Philadelphia Phillies (1-4) shutout the New York Mets (2-2) this evening by the final score of 1-0. For a full postgame recap follow the link below…
Game Notes:
- Bartolo Colon pitched 6 solid innings with his lone mistake coming on a Ryan Howard home run in the bottom of the 5th. He allowed 5 hits, allowed no walks, and struck out 7. Colon also made a beautiful over the shoulder catch on a Freddy Galvis bunt attempt in the top of the 6th inning.
- Asdrubal Cabrera was 2-3 with a double.
- Lucas Duda was 1-4 with a single.
- Hansel Robles, Antonio Bastardo, and Jeurys Familia combined for 3 scoreless innings.
- The Mets only had 3 hits tonight and were 0-5 with RISP.
- Ryan Howard now has 45 career home runs against the Mets, which is the most among all active players in baseball.
It was a pretty ho-hum night at a cold and wet Citi Field. The Mets were unable to get anything going on offense, despite the pitching doing a great job of keeping them in the game. Hopefully with better weather expected tomorrow, the Mets offense will come alive and put some runs on the board. I can’t believe Mets fans already are beginning to boo Yoenis Cespedes. Yes I understand he has started the season 2-12 at the plate, but lets not start those shenanigans this early on a proven commodity in Cespedes. I also provided the beautiful Willie Mays-esque catch that Colon made below, as it is the only Mets play worth highlighting tonight.
- The Mets and Phillies will play the rubber game of their 3-game series tomorrow afternoon with a 1:10 pm et start time. The game can be seen on SNY and MLB Network. The Mets will also be debuting their 1986 throwback uniforms tomorrow that they will wear on all Sunday home games at Citi Field.
- The Mets will send Matt Harvey (0-1, 4.76 ERA) to the mound to oppose Phillies right-hander Jeremy Hellickson (0-0, 0.00 ERA).
Wheeler to have minor procedure on elbow…
ESPN New York’s Adam Rubin is reporting that Zack Wheeler is expected undergo a minor procedure on his elbow to remove an undissolved stitch from last year’s Tommy John Surgery. This operation is considered minor in nature and he will resume his normal pitching activities within two weeks after the wound is healed.
Both Wheeler and Edgin had been examined in New York yesterday, and besides the stitch problem, Wheeler’s MRI came back clean and Edgin was given a clean bill of health.
A huge sigh of relief for Mets fans as any surgery involving the elbow is never good, but this is simply to remove a stitch off of the surgically repaired elbow of Wheeler’s. It is about as minor of a surgery any baseball player could have on their elbow. Wheeler is still expected to make his debut on July 1st, although there is a slim chance that may be pushed back to mid-July with the procedure. He will also be on hand this afternoon, along with Edgin for the Mets pre-game NL Championship ceremony.
Phillies vs. Mets Lineups 1:10 pm et.
Phillies:
1. Freddy Galvis (S) SS
2. Cesar Hernandez (S) 2B
3. Odubel Herrera (L) CF
4. Ryan Howard (L) 1B
5. Andres Blanco (S) 3B
6. Cedric Hunter (L) RF
7. Cameron Rupp (R) C
8. Emmanuel Burriss (S) LF
9. Jerad Eickhoff (R) P
SP: Jerad Eickhoff RHP (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
Mets:
1. Curtis Granderson (L) RF
2. David Wright (R) 3B
3. Yoenis Cespedes (R) CF
4. Lucas Duda (L) 1B
5. Neil Walker (S) 2B
6. Michael Conforto (L) LF
7. Asdrubal Cabrera (S) SS
8. Travis d’Arnaud (R) C
9. Jacob deGrom (L) P
SP: Jacob deGrom RHP (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
Today’s game can be seen on SNY and MLB Network.
Game Notes:
HOME OPENERS: The Mets are 34-20 (.630) in Home Openers, including 4-3 at Citi Field.
WRIGHT IN HOME OPENERS: David Wright has at least one hit in every home opener since making his first Opening Day roster in 2005…Wright is hitting .386 (17-44) in 11 home openers.
deGROM deOPENER: For the second straight season Jacob deGrom will start the Home Opener vs. the Phillies…Last year, deGrom fired 6.1 scoreless innings and picked up the win in a 2-0 victory over Philadelphia in the Home Opener on April 13.
FIRST TIME SINCE: The Mets will play the Phillies in their Home Opener for the second straight year…The last time the club played the same team in consecutive Home Openers was also vs. Philadelphia (2007-2008).
PHILLIES-METS NOTES: The Mets have won double-digit games vs. the Phillies the last four years, going 47-28 during that span. The Mets went 14-5 vs. the Phillies (8-1 at home) last year…The 14 wins were the most in team history in a single-season vs. the Phillies…New York had a franchise high-tying 10-game winning streak vs. the Phillies from May 9-August 31, 2015.
NEIL WALKER: Hit his first home run with the Mets on Tuesday, a two-run shot…Walker has 70 home runs since 2012, the most among NL second basemen.
WRIGHT ON THE BASES: Wright swiped two bases Tuesday in Kansas City…He had two stolen bases in 38 games last year…His last game with two stolen bases was June 25, 2013 at Chicago White Sox.
HOME OPENER DETAILS: Prior to today’s game, the Mets will raise the National League Pennant banner…Former NL Champions Rusty Staub (1973), John Franco (2000) and Edgardo Alfonzo (2000) will hoist the flag.
- Michael Conforto: .500 (4-8, 1 HR, 2 RBI)
- Yoenis Cespedes: .167 (1-6, 2 K)
- Curtis Granderson: .200 (1-5, 1 HR, 2 RBI)
- Wilmer Flores .167 (1-6, 1 K)
Where the Mets top 30 prospects will start 2016.
With the New York Mets full season affiliates celebrating Opening Day today, MLB.com has rolled out a list of where each player on the Mets top 30 prospect list will be opening the season. Click the jump to see where each player will be opening the 2016 season. Continue reading
Above The Mendoza 