The New York Mets entered Thursday’s series finale against the Arizona Diamondbacks off a near-dramatic comeback. Down 4-1 in the 9th, they cut the lead to two runs and loaded the bases with no outs. They failed to hit the ball out of the infield and fell short 4-3. They failed in the clutch, going 0 for 10 and leaving 13 runners on base.
Would the Mets bounce back on Thursday? They faced another strong pitcher, Zac Gallen. He struggled going into the game with a record of 1-4 and an ERA over 5. He has historically been one of MLB’s most consistent pitchers, with double-digit wins and an ERA of 3.65 or lower the last three seasons.
Kodai Senga came into Thursday on a tear, winning three of his last four starts and holding his opponent scoreless three times. He has been the ace New York needed, and they sought a lengthy start from him. Bullpen injuries have played havoc on the relief corps; the Mets need more innings from their starters.
Unfortunately, Senga became ill a few days before the start, and his availability was uncertain. Manager Carlos Mendoza and Senga decided he was good to go; the effects were clear. He did not have his recent command, and he lacked the stamina to lock down hitters.
Senga went four innings, throwing 87 pitches. He allowed five hits and three walks while striking out six. Despite having ample base runners per inning, he limited the runs scored, only allowing one. He couldn’t go deep into his start, though, and that meant the reshuffled bullpen needed to step up.
New York has had a devastating week with bullpen injuries; they have lost left-handed pitchers A.J. Minter and Danny Young within a week. Both are likely out for the season, and general manager David Stearns almost certainly will look to a trade.
The injuries have forced Mendoza to remake the relief corps on the fly. The Mets will have to enter a transition stage until they can see who can perform well in adjusted roles. Thursday, the bullpen scramble didn’t go smoothly.
New York’s relief arms went five innings, allowing four hits, three runs, two walks, and striking out five. They gave up two home runs and seemingly were in trouble throughout the afternoon. To their credit, they limited the damage, but it wasn’t enough on a day when Gallen looked sharp.
Mendoza used two pitchers, Genesis Cabrera and Ty Adcock, who would not be on the roster if not for the injuries. Both labored throughout, intensifying the bullpen depth concerns. Do the Mets have enough to hold down leads late, especially if their starters aren’t going regularly past five innings?
Gallen was due a terrific performance; he got it Thursday. He controlled New York’s lineup, going six innings, allowing two hits, three walks, and striking out eight. The Mets didn’t threaten until the 6th as Soto finally got to him with a monster home run over left center.
Soto entered the series finale hitting .241 with a .752 on-base plus slugging percentage. He hit three HR’s and 12 runs batted in, power stats that had him on a pace for 18 HR’s and 72 RBI’s by season’s end. This is not what fans expected from the $765 million superstar.
Soto’s 6th inning HR was his first as a Met at Citi Field; it likely will serve as getting a monkey off his back. He received increasing scrutiny for failing to dominate at home, and he especially struggled on Wednesday. Three times, the batter before him reached, and each occasion, he got out.
Soto immediately responded to his first Met Citi Field HR with another blast in the 8th inning, which also went over left center. He is a hitter who, once hot, can carry a team for weeks. New York needs increased hitting production to help the pitching staff in flux.
The Mets lost two difficult games to the Diamondbacks; they had ample opportunity to win both. They now face a six-game road trip, which includes a series against Arizona. They are beat up, having dealt with seemingly an injury a day over the last week. Baseball is a humbling game, and New York has taken ample hits since its series sweep over the Philadelphia Phillies.
Fortitude has been the Mets’ calling card under Mendoza. He has crafted an environment that cultivates positivity; New York doesn’t stay long in the pain of a loss. They move quickly to the next day and usually play their best under adversity.
The road trip starting in St. Louis will likely allow the Mets to refocus. They have shown signs of the bats breaking out, but haven’t been able to get Francisco Lindor, Pete Alonso, and Soto all going together. Soto’s dramatics on Thursday may modify that.
Soto getting hot will make it more difficult for teams to pitch to Lindor and Alonso. They have performed well, but getting Soto going will elevate them to another level.
If the top of the order dominates, it will trickle down to the rest of the lineup. Brandon Nimmo and Mark Vientos have been inconsistent; getting the big three of Lindor, Alonso, and Soto all hitting in sync will help change that.
It stings to lose a series to a likely playoff spot competitor in the Diamondbacks, but New York may be on the verge of something great. Soto getting his power stroke back bodes well for what may be coming around the corner.
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