The New York Mets wrapped up a rough series at Citi Field on Sunday with a 5-1 loss to the Miami Marlins, dropping three of four and watching their Wild Card cushion shrink to just four games over the Cincinnati Reds. The starting pitching once again faltered and New York was unable to recover from another early deficit.
Kodai Senga’s struggles since coming back from injury showed up again as he did not give what the Mets needed by giving up five runs on seven hits in just 4 2/3 innings, including a two-run homer to AgustÃn RamÃrez in the third. Senga has now gone nine starts since coming off the injured list and has struggled by posting a 5.90 ERA in that span. The only real bright spot was Brandon Waddell, who steadied things out of the bullpen with 4 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing just three hits and striking out four.
On the offensive side, the Mets had an off day at the plate after hitting the cover off the ball the last few days, and only managed one run on five hits. They went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position and left seven men on base.
Jeff McNeil had the best day at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a double and scoring the team’s lone run on Cedric Mullins’ RBI groundout. Francisco Lindor stole his 26th base, and Juan Soto swiped his 26th as well, but Pete Alonso finished 0-for-4 with two men left on.
Things got slightly heated in the seventh when Marlins starter Sandy Alcantara nicked Mark Vientos. The disagreement was brief as both teams were ultimately issued a warning.
After seven strong innings from Alcantara (1 ER, 6 K), the Marlins’ bullpen kept the Mets completely in check. Calvin Faucher worked a scoreless eighth with two strikeouts, and Freddy Tarnok closed it out with a clean ninth to seal Miami’s third win of the series.
Player of the Game: Brandon Waddell
Fresh up from Triple-A Syracuse, Brandon Waddell once again delivered for the Mets. The left-handed long-man kept the game from getting out of hand, tossing 4 1/3 shutout innings while giving up only three hits and striking out four.
It’s become a bit of a pattern this year. Whenever the Mets need someone to stabilize things and eat innings, Waddell has quietly become that reliable arm.
On Deck
The Mets begin a three-game series in Detroit on Monday afternoon against the American League Central–leading Tigers. Sean Manaea (1-2, 5.01 ERA) will start for New York opposite Charlie Morton (9-10, 5.25 ERA). First pitch is set for 1:10 pm ET at Comerica Park. The game can be seen on SNY and heard on Audacy Mets Radio 880.
