With a huge series against the Nats coming, the New York Mets took the field looking to take the rubber match of their set vs. the Phillies.
After a quick first inning, Noah Syndergaard ran into trouble in the top of the second, surrendering four consecutive hits, coupled with a wild pitch and a throwing error, leading to an early 3-0 deficit for the New York Mets.The error sandwiched between the four hits was charged to Jay Bruce, who was forced into unfamiliar territory having to play first base due to a slew of freak injuries to Lucas Duda and Travis d’Arnaud, along with a knee infection for Wilmer Flores.
New York was able to manufacture a run in response, as Jose Reyes singled with two outs, promptly stole second base and was able to come around on a Rene Rivera single.
However, the momentum quickly shifted back to Philadelphia in the following inning.
On what appeared to be a routine double play, Asdrubal Cabrera allowed an Odubel Herrera grounder to trickle under his glove for the Mets second error of the evening, in what turned out to be a sloppy defensive game.
Following the error, Maikel Franco was able to capitalize on the opportunity, as he lined a double off the left field wall, putting the Phillies up 4-1.
But the scoring didn’t stop there, as three pitches later Aaron Altherr provided a quality at-bat grounding out to the right side of the infield to drive in the Phillies second run of the inning, padding their lead to 5-1.
As the Mets did in the previous inning, they responded to the Phillies’ scoring with a few of their own. Cabrera, coming off his error on the defensive end, singled to get the inning started. Following a Yoenis Cespedes flyout and a Bruce base-on-balls, Neil Walker deposited an 0-2 pitch deep over the center field fence, drawing the Mets within a run.
When you let the crew down and drop the #Mets home run ball (hit by Neil Walker) pic.twitter.com/wT9sskB6lF
— Alex B. (@KnicksCentral) April 21, 2017
Neither team was able to muster anything until the top of the eighth when the Phillies tacked on an insurance with a Franco long ball. Aside from a Michael Conforto single in the eighth, they were unable to pull any closer, as the Phillies took the series overall with a 6-4 final score.
Syndergaard was the hard-luck loser, going seven innings, allowing seven hits, five runs — three of which were earned — while racking up 10 strikeouts.
Along with the recent health concerns with d’Arnaud, Duda and Flores, the team also saw Yoenis Cespedes leave the game with an apparent hamstring issue, and he was sent for an MRI.
Prior to the game, the Mets announced that David Wright has been transferred to the 60-day disabled list, allowing the team to clear a 40-man roster spot for Jeurys Familia, who was activated after having served his 15-game suspension.
In other roster move news, the Mets also optioned pitchers Sean Gilmartin and Rafael Montero to clear 25-man roster room for Familia, along with the recalling of catcher Kevin Plawecki.
At 8-8 after 16 games, the Mets will next welcome in their division nemesis Washington Nationals for a crucial early season three-game weekend series.
Taking the mound in game one will be Tanner Roark (2-0, 3.50 ERA) for the Nats, as he opposes Jacob deGrom (0-0, 1.89 ERA) at the 7:10pm game time.
