Mets Struggle Against Rockies
The situation for the Mets is at an all-time low.
Any glimmer of hope that surfaced over the weekend evaporated quickly. After snapping a 12-game losing streak, they lost two straight to the Rockies on Sunday.
Despite putting in a solid performance over 18 innings—allowing just one run—the Mets fell short in both games at Citi Field. They lost the first match 3-1 and couldn’t recover in the nightcap, losing 3-0.
With Monday off, questions about Coach Carlos Mendoza’s job security are only intensifying. It’s a tough spot; Mendoza isn’t the one swinging at weak pitches, but letting go of everyone is not feasible for owner Steve Cohen.
Chase Drander brought the heat in the second game, which contrasted sharply with Jose Quintana’s lackluster performance in the first game.
In the nightcap, Kodai Senga struggled immensely, managing just two-thirds of an inning and giving up three earned runs on three hits and three walks. This marks his third consecutive year of failing to pitch even four innings as a starter.
Hunter Goodman launched a two-run homer in the third inning, leaving fans concerned that Chiga might not be getting enough action. After Chiga walked two batters, Mendoza made the decision to pull him from the game.
Making his debut, Carl Edwards Jr. stepped up, pitching 3⅓ scoreless innings in relief. He struck out five and didn’t allow any hits, though he did walk three batters.
The Mets had a solid chance in the fifth inning with consecutive singles from Carson Benge and Ronnie Mauricio, but their efforts fizzled when Tyrone Taylor’s line drive turned into a double play.
In Game 1, a mid-game rally fell flat during the eighth inning. After Juan Soto walked and the bases were loaded, Luis Robert Jr. popped out and Mark Vientos struck out, igniting boos from the crowd.
Nolan McLean pitched five innings, allowing five hits and two walks while striking out seven. He surrendered two runs, one of which was earned, marking his shortest outing of the season. He had managed only five innings in his first encounter with the Pirates, too.
McLean gave up an RBI single to Troy Johnston in the fourth, but it could’ve been worse. He struck out Kyle Karros and then turned a soft ground ball into a 1-2-3 double play despite the bases being loaded.
In a moment of excitement, Taylor tied the game at 1-1 in the fifth inning, launching his second homer of the season over the left-field fence after Quintana had retired 11 batters in a row.
A throwing error from Vientos in the sixth gave the Rockies an unearned run. Attempting to throw to second after fielding a grounder, Vientos hit Mickey Moniak, leading to more trouble with the bases loaded. Huascar Brazoban, replacing McLean, managed to induce a grounder into a double play, but the Rockies scored.
In the seventh inning, Brazovan hit an RBI single off Jake McCarthy, lifting the Mets’ lead to 3-1 after a rally sparked by Sullivan’s double. They faced a pitch clock violation before finally retiring Edouard Julien for the final out.
