Mets’ Bats Come To Life, Dominate 10-4, More To Come?
The NY Mets played their best game of the season on Monday night, exploding for seven runs in the fifth inning and dominating the Marlins 10-4. They hit with men on base, and they hit with power. Would this carry forward?
The answer was a resounding “NO!” Last night, the Mets played yet another maddeningly frustrating game where they let victory slip through their grasp. Terrible fielding, poor execution, and laboring pitching all conspired against the Mets.
The first two batters to face Senga, Xavier Edwards and Kyle Stowers, doubled and homered. Before the blink of an eye, the Mets were in a 2-0 hole. Senga’s command, especially early, has been an issue. Last night was no different.
Senga settled down after the first, throwing 49 strikes out of 77 pitches. He displayed a wide repertoire of pitches, tossing 22 forkballs and four-seam fastballs apiece, 17 cutters, nine sweepers, five sliders, and two curves. He struck out eight, and six of those came via the fork.
Senga’s teammates didn’t help him in the field. The culprit was a surprising source, usually sure-handed Francisco Lindor. Lindor made not one but two errors, and the second led to two runs in the fourth inning to break a 2-2 tie.
The Mets’ offense continues to stumble. After scoring five runs in three games against the Houston Astros, then teasing Mets fans with the Monday night score, they went back to poor clutch hitting. The Mets’ bats went 1 for 5 with men in scoring position, and they collected only five hits from four players.
The Mets’ lineup is one of the deepest and versatile, at least on paper. They have two MVP candidates, Lindor and Juan Soto. Mark Vientos broke out last year and became a playoff star. Pete Alonso is one of the game’s best sluggers. Brando Nimmo is a steady pro.
In the early season, though, the Mets’ lineup has looked like a version of the Bad News Bears. They aren’t getting many men on base, and when they do, they don’t execute to get them home. Every game this season has been winnable. The Mets’ poor hitting has led to all three losses.
The Mets’ bullpen excelled in Houston, throwing 9 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings. Spring sensation Max Kranick continued those efforts last night, dominating the last three innings by retiring all nine batters.
Bullpen excellence is essential as the Mets’ rotation continues to get bad news. Ace Sean Manaea’s oblique is still acting up and will be shut down for throwing for two weeks, likely keeping him out until late May.
The Mets should be one of the top-scoring teams in the game. The career statistics indicate as such. It needs to start now, though. The rotation is missing its ace. Senga, after missing most of last season, and reliever-turned-starter Clay Holmes are likely going to need lengthy adjustment periods.
The Mets’ top players must play like it. Lindor has been God awful in the early going. He started the season 0 for 11, and his two errors last night cost the game.
It is early, yes, but the Mets battle against the Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies for the top of the division. They have been fortunate that the Braves have stumbled so far, but Atlanta will be getting ace Spencer Strider and MVP candidate Ronald Acuna Jr. back soon.
The Mets need to string together early-season wins. That won’t happen with horrible clutch hitting, iron gloves in the field, and early-inning pitching marathons. The execution in all aspects has been terrible. It’s time to wake up!
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