Mets Series Review The Downfall Begins
The Mets have lost their second series of the season, but it is clear that more losses are coming as the brutal 22-game stretch that could destroy their season has begun. The loss of Max Scherzer is now being felt as Thomas Szapucki has joined the rotation, giving the Mets a pitcher that has zero chance of winning every fifth day. Szapucki could be the worst pitcher in MLB history, and his presence will tax the bullpen, as Chris Bassitt and the other four starters are sure to be exposed.
The series in San Francisco started well as the Mets won a laugher 13-3. The Mets bats clicked, and David Peterson pitched well. It was the type of game you wish happened more often. The Giants had the early lead on a home run by Brandon Crawford, but the Mets quickly answered back, scoring five runs in the third with two outs. The rally started slowly as Brandon Nimmo and Starling Marte had infield hits to load the bases with two outs. Francisco Lindor followed with a game-tying double, while Pete Alonso hit a three-run home run to put the Mets in front.
David Peterson buckled down after getting the lead. The Giants got the first two runners on in the third, but after a double play, Peterson did not allow another man to reach base. He finished the game allowing two runs on three hits with six strikeouts in six innings. Collin Holderman gave the Mets two strong innings out of the pen, as the Mets, who scored one run in the sixth, broke the game open in the eighth, scoring four runs with back-to-back homers from Jeff McNeil and Mark Canha.
The Mets added three runs in the ninth as Luis Gonzalez, a position player, took the mound for the Giants, silencing an annoying heckler, while Chase Shreve allowed one run in the ninth for the Mets' 13-3 victory.
The Mets reached their high-water mark at 29-15 on Monday. It was Tuesday that the season began to unravel. When the postmortem is written, the 13-12 loss at Oracle Park will be viewed as the turning point. Chris Bassitt was terrible. It was the second time that Bassitt, who is now tasked with being the ace, was raked on the coals by San Francisco. He allowed eight runs on eight hits in four and one-third innings. Bassitt allowed three home runs, including two to Joc Pederson, as the Giants built an 8-2 lead.
Stephen Nogosek was strong out of the pen, allowing two hits in two and two-thirds. Francisco Lindor hit a two-run homer in the seventh as the Mets appeared to be on their way to a quiet loss. However, the Mets scored seven runs in the eighth to take a stunning 11-8 lead, with Francisco Lindor providing the big hit with a bases-loaded triple.
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Suddenly, the Mets were going to have an uplifting win when reality set in and the Mets bubble on the 2022 season burst, ensuring the pain is here, and the Mets will soon be tumbling under .500. Drew Smith, who has been awful lately, got the first two out in the eighth before Mike Yastrzemski and Darrin Ruff got on base for Joc Pederson, who hit his third home run to tie it 11-11. Dom Smith had a triple and scored to give the Mets the lead again, but Edwin Diaz's trumpets ended up being the trumpets of doom, as Edwin, the good reliever, vanished and Edlose returned, blowing the game with Joc Pederson getting a two-out game-tying single while Brando Crawford drove in the winning run as the Giants won 13-12.
The Mets needed that win Tuesday, as Thomas Szapucki, the worst pitcher in the history of baseball, made the start for the Mets on Wednesday. Szapucki was horrendous, allowing four home runs, seven hits, and nine runs in one and one-third innings, with the Giants building a 9-0 lead.
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The Mets would not fight back, and Jeff McNeil playing hard suffered a bruised knee that will likely linger as the Mets' injuries are compiling. The Mets come home for six games against the Phillies and Nationals before a ten-game road trip to Southern California that is sure to be their waterloo as the season falls into the abyss with Szapucki now in the rotation and Diaz reverting to being Edlose, the Mets are doomed.