The Mets had a plethora of opportunities to score, but could not get a hit with runners in scoring position. They fell to Seattle 3-2.
- Seattle Mariners 3 (52-53)
- New York Mets 1 (48-54)
- W: Yovani Gallardo (5-7, 5.34 ERA)
- L: Jacob deGrom (12-4, 3.29 ERA)
- IL, Final, 9, Box Score
- Safeco Field, Seattle, WA
Yovani Gallardo looked like he was in his prime back when he was in Milwaukee, tossing 5.2 innings of one-run ball, scattering five hits with two walks and two strikeouts.
With the bases loaded in the bottom half of the second inning, Jarrod Dyson lined a single to center field to give Seattle a 2-0 lead.
The Mariners get on the board first! @mrzoombiya with a two-run bases-loaded single and it's 2-0. pic.twitter.com/3uQyhuxmPM
— Mariners (@Mariners) July 29, 2017
This was right after Mets starter Jacob deGrom hit Mitch Haniger in the face with a steaming fastball. He was taken out of the game right afterward and was diagnosed with a mouth contusion.
Mitch Haniger left today's game with a mouth contusion. He is fully alert. Haniger will undergo further testing. #Mariners
— MarinersPR (@MarinersPR) July 29, 2017
In the third, Nelson Cruz hit a sac fly to left field after Neil Walker committed an error to allow Ben Gamel to get to third. The M’s would take a 3-0 lead.
Nellie gets it done! Gamel races home on the sac-fly and it's 3-0 Mariners in the third. pic.twitter.com/y9llwDis5N
— Mariners (@Mariners) July 29, 2017
The Mets had at least two runners on in the fifth, sixth, and seventh innings, but could only muster one run in the sixth on a walk by Wilmer Flores to cut the lead to 3-1.
Bases loaded walk. We are on the board. #LGM pic.twitter.com/5LXWijHpEg
— New York Mets (@Mets) July 29, 2017
The Mets would trim the lead to one on a two out single by Michael Conforto in the top of the ninth.
.@mconforto8 drives in Flores! It's a one run game! #LGM pic.twitter.com/tV1zHliHHC
— New York Mets (@Mets) July 29, 2017
However, just like most of the season has gone, they failed to get the big hit and fell to the Mariners, 3-2.
Glass Half Full
deGrom saw his nine-game winning streak come to an end but persevered through six innings to keep the Mets in the game. He finished the day giving up three runs (two earned), five hits, one walk, and 10 strikeouts. This is his eighth double-digit strikeout game of the year, which is the most in team history since David Cone in 1992.
.@JdeGrom19 racked up his 10th K in 6th. That's his 8th double-digit strikeout game of the year. The last Met to do that, @dcone36 in 1992. pic.twitter.com/p6vjeqqA8Y
— New York Mets (@Mets) July 29, 2017
Cespedes’ Power Struggle
Last year, Yoenis Cespedes had one homer every 15 plate appearances and 31 on the season. This year, he has just 10 on the year, including one in the month of July.
He just does not look the same at the plate. Whether his injuries are hindering him or he is simply struggling, he is going to have to find his power in order for the Mets to win games.
What’s Next
The Mets will look to take the series from the Mariners Sunday afternoon when Seth Lugo (5-2, 4.10 ERA) goes against James Paxton (10-3, 2.84 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 4:10 p.m. ET.
