The New York Mets offense failed to show up again while Rafael Montero continues to have a dreadful season as the Mets lose, 5-1, to Texas.
- Texas Rangers 5 (54-59)
- New York Mets 1 (50-61)
- W: Martin Perez (6-10, 5.18 ERA)
- L: Rafael Montero (1-8, 6.06 ERA)
- NL, Final, Box Score
- Citi Field, Queens, NY
Rafael Montero threw 87 pitches in just three innings while giving up four runs, five hits, three walks, and five strikeouts. Things got off to a horrible start for Montero in the top of the first inning.
After a double by Shin-Soo Choo and a single by Nomar Mazara, Montero balked to bring in the first Texas run.
The next batter, Joey Gallo, hit a two-run bomb to right field to give the Rangers a 3-0 lead.
.@JoeyGallo24 keeps MASHING.
Make that 11 home runs in the last 18 games! pic.twitter.com/sgEsF0uxrQ
— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) August 9, 2017
One of the few highlights for the Mets came in the second inning when shortstop Amed Rosario made a gorgeous sliding stop behind second base, where he flipped to Jose Reyes to get the force out. That’s what Rosario was brought up to do.
However, the Rangers would still capitalize in the top of the second on some great base running by Elvis Andrus. The shortstop stole both second-and-third base. Then Nomar Mazara would ground into a fielders choice to bring him in.
Speed kills! @ElvisandrusSS1 steals second and third, scores on a groundball and we extend our lead to 4-0 in the 2nd. #LetsGoRangers pic.twitter.com/cNYlCQzcUh
— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) August 9, 2017
The Mets would finally get on the board in the fifth inning. Wilmer Flores hit a home run that barely made it over the wall in left field to cut the Rangers lead to 4-1.
Wilmer! Solo shot for Flo' after a quick review. pic.twitter.com/O6WgNUvBL9
— New York Mets (@Mets) August 9, 2017
In the top half of the sixth, Drew Robinson drew a bases loaded walk against Josh Smoker to get that run back for Texas, which took a 5-1 lead.
The Mets would be unable to generate any other offense against Martin Perez, who went eight innings, giving up a run on three hits with five strikeouts.
Lack of Depth Showing
Since so many of the Mets starters have been hurt, Montero has gotten a chance to play. He has been atrocious this season, going 1-8 with a 6.06 ERA.
However, they can’t take him out of the rotation because they really don’t have anyone else to put in in his place. On the other hand, not many pitchers can be much worse.
Rosario’s Two Highlight Plays
There isn’t much to talk about from the Mets perspective. However, Rosario did make a fantastic defensive play in the second inning, and lined a base hit up the middle in the eighth inning to snap a 0-for-13 stretch.
What’s Next
The Mets will travel to Philadelphia to take on the lowly Phillies with Jacob deGrom (12-5, 3.36 ERA) looking to snap his two-game losing streak against Vince Velasquez (2-6, 4.82 ERA). Game time is 7:05 p.m. ET.
