The Arizona Diamondbacks (46-66) defeated the New York Mets (57-55) by the final score of 5-3 tonight at Citi Field. For a full boxscore recap follow the link below…

http://m.mlb.com/gameday/d-backs-vs-mets/2016/08/09/448541?#game=448541,game_state=final,game_tab=

Game Notes:

• Steven Matz was brilliant tonight in the no-decision going 6 innings while only allowing 2 runs on 5 hits while striking out 9.
• Hansel Robles was charged with the loss after allowing 3 runs in 0.2 of an inning.
• Neil Walker stayed red hot going 3-4 with a 2-run HR.
• James Loney was 0-4 with a RBI groundout.

It was a disappointing loss tonight for the Mets which just seems to be the common theme over the past month. The Mets who have not won back-to-back games since July 6-7, certainly put themselves in position to finally post back-to-back wins but ultimately choked it away in the 7th inning. 

In what was a tightly contested pitchers duel between Steven Matz and Zack Greinke, the Mets took a one-run lead in the bottom of the sixth inning on a Neil Walker home run to right center field. That however would be all for naught, as Hansel Robles had a complete off night and allowed three runs in the top of the seventh inning, before departing with runners on first and second base. Matz who had a career nine strikeouts was unable to pick up a victory after the seventh inning meltdown, and he is now winless since May 25th. 

Neil Walker who is 26 for his last 53 (.491) seems to be the only player showing a pulse offensively for the Mets. Walker who has been the subject of extension rumors lately certainly deserves one with the way he has preformed for the team this season. It would most likely be in Alderson’s best interests to hammer something out with Walker and his representatives soon, before he prices himself out of the Mets budget. It’s hard to see where this team would’ve been this season without the contributions of both Walker and Yoenis Cespedes this season. The Mets will need to find a way to keep both players next season, as it will be tough to imagine the offense being much better without them. 

Going on vacation for the next week before fall semester gets underway, I hope to come back to a Mets team firmly in contention. Unfortunately that may be asking a little much at this point and I would easily settle for back-to-back wins as well at this point. The next eight games are the best opportunity for the Mets to put together a win streak and build some momentum, but they can’t afford to play as they did tonight or this could be the moment we look back that the season was lost.  

• The Mets and Diamondbacks will play the second game of their three game series tomorrow night with first pitch scheduled for 7:10 pm et. You can catch tomorrow night’s game on SNY.

• Bartolo Colon (10-6, 3.46 ERA) will look to beat the Diamondbacks for the first time in his career and face off against D-backs left hander Robbie Ray (5-11, 4.83 ERA)

Arizona Diamondbacks (45-66):

1. Jean Segura (R) 2B
2. Michael Bourn (L) CF
3. Paul Goldschmidt (R) 1B
4. Rickie Weeks Jr. (R) LF
5. Yasmany Tomas (R) RF
6. Jake Lamb (L) 3B
7. Chris Owings (R) SS
8. Tuffy Gosewisch (R) C
9. Zack Greinke (R) P

SP: Zack Greinke RHP (10-3, 3.62 ERA)

New York Mets (57-54):

1. Curtis Granderson (L) CF
2. Neil Walker (S) 2B
3. Jay Bruce (L) RF
4. James Loney (L) 1B
5. Wilmer Flores (R) 3B
6. Michael Conforto (L) LF
7. Travis d’Arnaud (R) C
8. Matt Reynolds (R) SS
9. Steven Matz (R) P

SP: Steven Matz LHP (8-8, 3.63 ERA)

Tonight’s game can be seen on SNY.

The New York Mets and Arizona Diamondbacks will do battle for a three-game series beginning on Tuesday night at Citi Field. I highlighted some things below to check out before play gets underway!

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