The Mets June swoon continued with a 9-1 loss to the lowly Pirates. David Peterson got bombed, Mitch Keller held the Met offense in-check, and the game was never particularly close. In other words, more of the same that we’ve watched over the last two weeks or so.
This is a game best summarized in brief. David Peterson, who has been fantastic on the whole this year, did not have it for a second straight start. The Pirates tattooed him four four runs in the sixth, tallying six batted balls at 100 MPH or higher. A fifth run allowed in the bottom of the fourth chased Peterson after only 4.2 innings. He’s now given up ten runs in just 8.2 innings over his last two starts (both against Pennsylvania teams).
The bullpen was not any better. Blade Tidwell – nominally the replacement for Griffin Canning in the rotation – allowed four more earned runs in his 3.1 innings of work, striking out only one, walking two, and allowing five hits as the Pirates consistently made solid contact. A serious playoff contender cannot plan on starting this quality of pitcher. Incidentally, both Jonah Tong and Nolan McLean pitched in the minors today; interpret that how you will.
As for the offense, it was more of the same. Another game of complete futility with RISP, an 0-for-9 line resulting in 8 LOB. Juan Soto hit an absolute nuke because he’s the best hitter on the planet right now, but that’s the only run the Mets managed.
WIth the loss, the Mets are now 48-35. That drops them into a tie with the Phillies atop the NL East, pending the result of Philadelphia’s game in Atlanta this evening. It’ll be Paul Blackburn against Bailey Falter tomorrow in game 2.
SB Nation GameThreads
Box scores
Win Probability Added
Big Mets winner: None
Big Mets loser: David Peterson, -25.7% WPA
Mets pitchers: -29.0% WPA
Mets hitters: -21.0% WPA
Teh aw3s0mest play: Juan Soto homers in the fourth, +6.3% WPA
Teh sux0rest play: Jared Triolo hits an RBI single in the second, -9.4% WPA