Mets Struggle in Narrow Loss to Diamondbacks

PHOENIX — The Mets faced tough challenges on Saturday, with the only force being the grounding out of the Diamondbacks in the sixth inning.

During Star Wars Night at Chase Field, the team’s homage to the franchise culminated in a “solo” performance leading to a 2-1 defeat.

With the opportunity to secure their third consecutive series win on Sunday to wrap up a nine-game road trip, the Mets’ offensive woes have significantly hindered their chance for a substantial winning streak.

After a game where they allowed just two hits in the ninth and three in the tenth to clinch a victory, the Mets struggled again with keeping runners off the bases. They managed only three hits and retired the last 13 batters in a row.

Clay Holmes had one shaky inning but still put forward a solid showing for the Mets. He pitched five innings, allowing two earned runs on four hits, issuing two walks, and recording six strikeouts. Notably, he retired ten batters consecutively until Nolan Arenado broke the streak with a single. Holmes hit a season-high of 103 pitches.

This marks the eighth straight year Holmes has begun the season allowing two earned runs or fewer. Yet, he fell short of completing four consecutive starts with at least six innings pitched, watching his ERA climb from 1.69 to 1.86.

Brett Batty secured an RBI double in the second inning against Merrill Kelly, giving the Mets a short-lived 1-0 lead. Marcus Semien followed up with a two-out single, bringing Batty to 13 RBIs for the season. However, Batty remained stranded as Kelly managed to retire Francisco Alvarez.

During the fourth inning, Holmes quickly recorded two outs, but singles from Corbin Carroll and Gerardo Perdomo, along with a walk from Adrian del Castillo, loaded the bases. Ildemaro Vargas then hit a grounder to left field, putting the D’backs ahead 2-1. Holmes managed to retire Arenado, leaving two runners stranded.

In the fifth inning, Tyron Taylor hit a double, and Juan Soto received an intentional walk before Kelly managed to retire Bo Bichette, averting further danger.

Holmes couldn’t complete his outing against Arenado in the sixth inning after allowing a single, leading to Austin Warren capturing the final out as Lourdes Gurriel Jr. hit into a fielder’s choice.

With two outs in the seventh, Ketel Marte hit a double, narrowly missing Soto’s glove, and Warren retired Carroll to quell the threat.

In the eighth, Craig Kimbrel, who previously hit a grand slam against Colorado, walked Perdomo and del Castillo, but then secured two outs and struck out Gurriel.

Paul Swald, facing his former team in the ninth inning, struck out MJ Melendez and induced a fly out from Mark Vientos before Carson Benge struck out, sealing the game’s outcome.