Mets Squander Opportunities As Carlos Carrasco Struggles In 7-2 Loss
Carlos Carrasco. Photo by Ed Delany of Metsmerized
On Sunday afternoon at Citi Field, the New York Mets (5-5) were hoping for a three-game sweep over their divisional-foes, the Miami Marlins (4-6). However, thanks in large part to another woeful outing from Carlos Carrasco, the Mets fell behind early and were unable to take advantage of a multitude of opportunities (2-for-12 with runners in scoring position and 10 left on base). This resulting in a 7-2 series finale loss.
Carrasco’s first inning woes from the previous year struck again. After a leadoff single and walk, Bryan De La Cruz crushed a three-run home run to give the Marlins an early 3-0 lead. Early signs were not good for Carrasco, who was hoping to rebound after a woeful start last time out.
In the bottom of the first inning, Starling Marte was forced to leave the game after a head-first slide into the lower half of Jean Segura. The Mets announced that Marte has a neck strain and is day to day.
The Mets responded in the second inning. After hits by Mark Canha and Jeff McNeil, top prospect Francisco Álvarez made an early mark in the game as he tallied a two-strike, RBI single. New York now trailed by two, 3-1, after two innings.
After seemingly settling down, Carrasco was bombarded in the fifth inning. Jazz Chisholm Jr. singled home a run then Mets’ killer Garrett Cooper launched a two-run home run. Just like that, the Mets trailed 6-1 in the fifth inning.
Carrasco’s day ended in that woeful fifth. For the second-straight game, he struggled mightily posting a final line of 4 2/3 innings, six hits, six runs, three walks, and only one strikeout. He threw 83 pitches and his season ERA sits at 11.42 on the season.
New York was able to post another run in the bottom half of the inning. Pete Alonso dumped a single into center field for his 11th run batted in on the season. Though, New York left the bases loaded after Escobar grounded out which pushed the game total to eight left on base through five innings. The score read 6-2 after five.
Miami tagged another run in the seventh inning against Stephen Nogosek. After another Cooper extra-base hit, he was brought home via a sacrifice line out. Miami now led 7-2.
Overall, Nogosek did a great job giving the Mets length from the bullpen. He threw a career-high 52 pitches and allowed three hits and one run with five strikeouts over 3 1/3 innings. He was able to preserve a bullpen that will need to be fresh against a terrific Padres team.
Dennis Santana pitched a scoreless ninth inning and the Mets failed to tally anymore runs in the bottom half. They fell 7-2 and failed to sweep the series. New York left 10 runners on base and went 2-for-12 with runners in scoring position.
Mark Canha. Photo by Ed Delany of Metsmerized
Player of the Game: Mark Canha
There was really not much going for the Mets in this one. Though, Mark Canha – who has had an up-and-down beginning to the season – did register a multi-hit game. He had a single and a well-struck double as well as scored a run. Canha is now slashing .229/.357/.400 which is good for an OPS of .757.
On Deck
Starting Monday, the Mets will welcome in the San Diego Padres for a three-game set a Citi Field. The probable pitching matchup for game one of the series is Yu Darvish versus Max Scherzer. That game is scheduled for a 7:10 pm ET first pitch.
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