So, no one really thought the good times would roll on forever, right?
After stringing together consecutive wins against Minnesota, the Mets faced reality again on Friday, losing the series opener to Colorado 4-3 at Citi Field.
For those keeping track, the Mets have dropped 13 of their last 15 games and now seem to be in a bit of a peculiar contest with the Phillies for the last spot in the NL East.
There was a little drama toward the end of this game. The Mets managed to score two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning, narrowing the gap, but with two runners on and one out, Mark Vientos grounded into a double play, which wrapped up their chances.
They just couldn’t capitalize against the Rockies, who currently hold a record of 10 wins and 16 losses.
The Mets’ ongoing struggles, now at 9-17 for the season, are still apparent. Juan Soto’s return doesn’t seem to be the fix they need for the lineup.
Once again, the Mets’ offense fell flat against right-hander Michael Lorenzen, who entered the game with a 7.48 ERA after allowing 10 runs in his previous game. Yet, the Mets could only muster one run in seven innings.
Interestingly, Lorenzen outperformed Freddy Peralta for his third consecutive start.
Peralta wasn’t terrible, giving up two runs in 5⅔ innings, but his performance couldn’t make up for the absent offensive spark.
In the bottom of the eighth, right-hander Jaden Hill took over for Lorenzen, adding more to the tension.
Things started off well with singles by Ronnie Mauricio and Bo Bichette in the first inning, but then Soto hit a ground ball to first base.
Francisco Alvarez got a single over left field, Brett Batty loaded the bases, and soon after, Batty hit a two-run homer to center field, bringing the score to 4-3.
But Vientos’ double play left them just a run short. They’ve only managed to score three or more runs three times in the last 15 games, and now they’ll have to cope without Francisco Lindor, who is out indefinitely due to a strained left calf.
The Mets found some momentum in the bottom of the second, taking the lead with a double down the right field line. Vientos’ infield hit advanced him to third base, setting up Marcus Semien to hit into a double play, which scored Batty, giving the Mets a 1-0 lead.
Colorado had its own chances in the third, with singles from former Yankees prospect TJ Rumfield and Tyler Freeman.
Troy Johnston then sent a fly ball to the left field line, and Carson Benge made an impressive sliding catch for the first out, saving at least one run.
This was the rookie’s second spectacular catch of the game, and Peralta managed to retire the next two batters.
The Rockies tied it up in the fifth, loading the bases with two singles and a walk, which allowed Rumfield to score Brenton Doyle with a slow roller.
The Mets fell behind in the sixth when Peralta issued a walk to Kyle Karros, allowing Ezequiel Tovar to reach third on a slow roller. Jake McCarthy then hit a double to right-center field, putting the Rockies ahead 2-1.
Though Peralta managed to strike out Doyle, Sean Manaea, and Mickey Moniak, he ended up giving up two runs to Johnston in the seventh, extending the Rockies’ lead to 4-1.
