The Mets trailed 11-4 in the bottom of the sixth inning, and their hopes were dashed on a windy, chilly afternoon.
Carlos Mendoza’s offense was unable to make a complete turnaround, but after the Mets scored one run in the sixth inning and two in the eighth, the Royals brought in closer James MacArthur for the final three outs. I had no choice but to do it.
While the Mets’ batting lineup ultimately had no impact on Saturday’s outcome, perhaps the Royals’ bullpen usage will have an impact Sunday with a small win that brought the Mets within one loss.
“We could have easily come back towards the end of the game, but we fought,” Pete Alonso said after the 11-7 loss at Citi Field. “We got some extra points and we were able to get the opponent’s closer in the game. So I hope that helps us. [Sunday] Helps you get the series “W”. ”
There were several Mets who contributed, but the biggest difference in the club’s offense lately is the fact that the Polar Bears are on fire.
Alonso hit two solo home runs in the third and sixth innings, completing his four-game multi-hit streak and adding an RBI on a day in which he reached base in all four at-bats.
Alonso has had a slow start to the season, hitting .167 with a .532 OPS as of Monday.
But a lot can change in such a small sample size, and after four games, Alonso finished tied for the Major League home run leader with a .963 OPS.
“I’ve been doing the best I can, being as disciplined as possible and making the most of what’s in my zone,” said Alonso, who was not the only contributor.
Starling Marte (who had a major defensive error) had three hits, including an eighth-inning home run, and DJ Stewart contributed with an RBI double.
Their at-bats didn’t translate into wins, but their work on Sunday could be important.
“We’re all offense,” Alonso said. “We’re not just relying on one or two big innings throughout the game.”
Kodai Chiga began building his strength while rehabilitating a shoulder injury and threw from a height of 120 feet on the flat field.
Coach Mendoza said Chiga was expected to take the mound, but the catcher had no intention of squatting yet.
Chiga was placed on the 60-day disabled list and is not eligible to return until May 27th.
Sean Reid-Foley (right shoulder impingement) will begin rehab at High-A Brooklyn on Sunday, Mendoza said.
Reed Foley, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list at the start of the season, is expected to pitch one inning.
The Mets solidified their lineup with left-handed hitters against right-handed hitter Alec Marsh, Brandon Nimmo moved to center field, Jeff McNeil playing left, and Joey Wendle starting at second, so right-handed hitter Harrison – Gave Vader a day off.
Francisco Alvarez started as a catcher for the second consecutive day, but was sidelined.
Alvarez has yet to make a catch for the third day in a row, but Mendoza said at one point that he expects to do so “pretty soon.”
“Tomorrow is a lefty, a day game after a night game,” Mendoza said in his off-season briefing. Omar Narváez started and went 0-for-4.
