After a promising three game win streak, the New York Mets have comeback to lose consecutive games against the Colorado Rockies. Both nights they lost 10-8 and did not receive any length from their starting pitchers. Even thought the Mets scored more than five runs in their fifth straight game, they left 12 men on base which came back to haunt them.
Struggles For Lugo
Seth Lugo failed to find any consistency on any of his pitches which led to six runs allowed in three innings. Pitchers seem to have trouble throwing their curveball in the Colorado altitude. Lugo fell victim to this trend and was unable to find the handle on his best pitch. It was clear when Nolan Arenado launched his 15th home run way back in left field.
Robert Gsellman also struggled in his outing last night as he allowed a three run home run to Ryan McMahon. The homer put the Rockies back in front and the rally came with two men already out in the fifth. Ian Desmond walked on an extremely close 3-2 pitch that could have easily been called strike three. His walk was followed up by a Tom Murphy single which set up the McMahon home run.
Mets Inability to Capitalize
The Mets had a chance to tie and take the lead in the following half of game. They loaded the bases with one out and Mickey Callaway decided to send up Kevin Plawecki to pinch hit for Gsellman instead of Amed Rosario. Plawecki ended up grounding into an inning ending double play and killed all of the Mets momentum for the rest of the game. Rosario does not have the patience Plawecki has, but is faster and does not hit groundballs to the left side of infield at a high rate. A fly ball or a groundball would still get a run in with the speed Rosario possesses.
On a positive note, Dom Smith had a breakout game. The new left fielder came within a home run of the cycle and seems very comfortable in his new position. Smith showed his ability to drive the ball to all fields and will continue to play everyday until Jay Bruce or Yoenis Cespedes return. The Mets hope to win the final game and get a split of the series. Steven Matz will get the “getaway day†start and hopefully give the Mets some much needed innings.