Gut Punch

By Mike Rifkin

The New York Mets kicked off what is a massive 10 game road trip, just a mere two games back in the NL Wild Card race. They started this massive trip in San Diego, a team the Mets are chasing in the Wild Card race. Now if you asked any Met fan if how’d they feel about splitting four games with the Padres, I’m sure they’d be ok with that. But it’s the way the split was secured that’s frustrating to Met fans. 

Met fans got the result they wanted on Sunday as the Nationals beat the Braves, meaning a Mets win would move them to 1.5 games behind Atlanta for that last wild card spot. The Mets got an absolute gem from Jose Quintana, who had struggled over his last several starts. Quintana gave the Mets 6.1 shutout innings giving up four hits and two walks. The Mets also played some splendid defense behind Quintana. (Just watch Jose Iglesias play over and over) But this is the Mets and nothing comes easy. Jose Butto entered the game and struggled a bit but a caught stealing got him through the seventh. Entering the eighth, Butto walked the ninth place hitter Mason McCoy, after getting ahead 0-2, and then promptly gave up a two run homer to Jurickson Profar to tie the game. After giving up another hit, the Mets went to Phil Maton who got his only out on two pitches. Then to enter the ninth inning in a tied game the Mets went to Edwin Diaz, who had not pitched since Wednesday. Diaz gave up a walkoff homer to Jackson Merrill to gain a split of the series for San Diego, and kept the Mets 2.5 games behind the Braves for the last wild card. 

Look I get the fact that Carlos Mendoza wanted to get Diaz into the game because he hadn’t pitched since Wednesday, but this is twofold. One if Diaz throws an abundance of pitches, even with the off day Monday would he be available Tuesday? Also Phil Maton retired one hitter with two pitches, why take him out and save Diaz for a potential save opportunity in the 10th inning? The Mets offense was held in check by San Diego’s bullpen, the Mets left eight runners on base and were 0-3 with runners in scoring position. The Mets scored their two runs with solo homers by JD Martinez and Mark Vientos. 

The Mets had all the momentum and had they won this game could have jump started this important trip. Now they need to recover quickly because they now go play another team in the wild card chase, the Arizona Diamondbacks, who just happen to have the best record in baseball since the All Star break. This is a Mets team that has always responded when something bad has occurred, let’s see how they handle this latest gut punch.