It was fitting for the New York Mets to lose 16-4 when the found out Marcus Stroman was opting out for the rest of the 2020 season. To make matters worse, the scoring outbreak came against the worse scoring team in baseball, the Washington Nationals.
14-0 Nats. Mets' only hope at this point involves recovering an onside kick.
— Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) August 11, 2020
Steven Matz had nothing against the Nationals for the second straight start. He was lit up for eight runs in 4.1 innings, allowing three home runs on the night. After pitching a terrific first inning, it was all downhill after that. Matz consistently left his pitches up and over the plate and rarely threw inside with any success.
The issue is not Matz failing to pitch inside enough; it is missing inside in the wrong spot. If he misses inside off the plate or low, then no one can hit the ball solidly. Matz’s starts in the rotation are numbered as he continues to struggle.
7-Run Fifth
Matz and Paul Sewald combined for an eight-hit, seven-run fifth inning, which put the game out of reach. Believe it or not, Sewald pitched worse than Matz, allowing six runs and six hits in this two-out stint. At least Drew Smith and infielder Luis Guillorme were the only relievers to record a 1-2-3 inning.
Jeff McNeil was a bright spot for the Mets offense recording three hits and a double. Brandon Nimmo also recorded a homer in the ninth off Sean Doolittle. The home run off a left-hander is an encouraging sign for Nimmo. He has been struggling both in the power department and against lefties.
The Mets attempt to allow less than 16 runs on Tuesday as Rick Porcello attempts to outduel a healthy Max Scherzer, who is coming back from a hamstring injury. The first pitch from Citi Field is at 7:10 p.m. ET.