The New York Mets finally resumed play after a five-day layoff due to COVID-19 precautions but did not show any excitement to be on the field. After the extended time off, the Mets looked like they were sleepwalking on the field. No play symbolized how awful the Mets looked when Jon Berti turned into Ricky Henderson on the base paths.
After a walk in the sixth inning of game two, he stole all three bases to give the Marlins an insurance run. It was partly due to the inexperience catcher Ali Sanchez and the lack of awareness from the Mets infielders. Berti stole third and home with a delayed steal, showing what an extended layoff does to a team. The Mets lost both games of the doubleheader (4-0, 3-0) and failed to score in either game.
Jon Berti stole second, third and then home this inning ? pic.twitter.com/51R2LOAGnG
— SNY (@SNYtv) August 26, 2020
The offense that was red hot prior to the cancellation of Thursday’s game and failed to show up in either game. The Mets left 19 men on base and went hitless in 15 plate appearances in the doubleheader. It was worse than any box score could show as the Mets looked like a careless team, completely going through the motions.
Lugo Dominant
Despite the failures at the plate, Seth Lugo came out firing in his first start since the 2018 season. He threw three perfect innings and struck out five batters. Manager Luis Rojas said Lugo could throw about 50-60 pitches but yanked him after 39 for Jared Hughes. Like most of the moves Rojas has made this season, it blew up in his face. Hughes allowed two runs and it was all the Marlins needed in game two.
As for game one, Rick Porcello allowed four runs over three innings. The Marlins got him for three two-out hits to bring home their opening runs against the Mets starter. Luckily, a rain delay allowed Corey Oswalt to shine in relief with four shutout innings. Oswalt has put together two good outings since his return to the big leagues and puts himself in line to earn a start over the weekend.
The Mets have been conservative with their starters all season, and Seth Lugo appears to be no exception. Granted a pitch limit of 50-60, he is lifted after merely 39.
Lugo's final line:
3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K.
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) August 26, 2020
Hopefully, the inexcusable performance is just due to the five-day layoff. After the Marlins leave, the competition gets tougher with the New York Yankees come into town. If they cannot compete against a group of major league journeymen and minor league call-ups, they will be lucky to win another game this month.
Jacob deGrom hopes to right the ship on Wednesday night against Elieser Hernandez at Citi Field. Unlike game two, the Mets will be the home team in their own ballpark at 7:10 p.m. ET.