Another series, another reminder of the issues that have increasingly weighed down the New York Mets as the season wears on. Inconsistent starting pitching, defensive miscues, and a quiet offense were all factors in a 12-4 loss to the San Francisco Giants in the series finale at Citi Field.
Frankie Montas took the mound but couldn’t give the Mets the innings they desperately needed, surrendering seven runs on seven hits across four innings. He walked two, struck out three, and allowed a home run, with his command slipping as his outing progressed, pushing his ERA to 6.68.
Defensive lapses didn’t help, Pete Alonso bobbled a grounder that led to a run scoring on a fielder’s choice, and Francisco Lindor’s long throw on a routine grounder was late, allowing another run to cross. Rafael Devers did the bulk of the damage off Montas, driving in four runs, including three on a towering home run to right.
Austin Warren came on in relief and stabilized things with four scoreless innings, giving up just two hits, walking one, and striking out five. A key outfield assist from Brandon Nimmo cut down Devers on the basepaths and helped keep the Giants from adding on, providing the taxed bullpen a much-needed breather.
On offense, Francisco Lindor and Francisco Alvarez supplied the only bright spots. Lindor launched his 21st homer of the year in the first and finished 1-for-3, continuing a recent hot streak. Alvarez doubled in the fifth, driving in a run with help from a throwing error in right field, which allowed Jeff McNeil, who had two of the Mets’ seven total hits, to score from third as well as a two-run single in the ninth.
Juan Soto‘s slump continued, though he managed a late single to go 1-for-4 with two groundouts and a pop-up. The rest of the group, Alonso, Nimmo, Starling Marte, Mark Vientos, and Cedric Mullins, combined for just two hits in 19 at-bats. Alonso’s strikeout with two on in the eighth inning was the dagger.
On the mound for San Francisco, Carson Whisenhunt delivered a strong outing, limiting the Mets to two runs (one earned) on three hits over 5 1/3 innings. He walked two, struck out four, and allowed a solo homer, dropping his ERA to 4.35 while keeping New York in check.
Former Mets José Buttó and Joey Lucchesi kept the Mets off the board for the Giants. Butto tossed 1 2/3 scoreless innings with three strikeouts, while Lucchesi pitched around two hits in a clean frame, striking out one to close the door on his old team. Another former Met, Dominic Smith, broke the game open with a bases-loaded two-run single off Ryne Stanek, and Casey Schmitt followed by dealing the final blow, a three-run homer that put the game out of reach and all but sealed the Mets’ fate.
Mandatory Credit: Tim Vizer-Imagn Images
Player of The Game: Austin Warren
Austin Warren came through in a big way for the Mets, stepping in after Montas’ rough start and tossing four shutout innings. He gave up just two hits, walked one, and struck out five, lowering his ERA to 0.96. On a night when the bullpen needed a breather, Warren delivered exactly that, keeping the game within reach and keeping the Mets in the game.
On Deck
The Mets are right back at it Monday, as they welcome the Cleveland Guardians to Citi Field. Sean Manaea (1-1, 2.08 ERA) will look to pick the Mets up on the mound while Slade Cecconi (5-4, 3.77 ERA) toes the slab for Cleveland. First pitch is at 7:10 pm ET and will be broadcast on SNY and Mets Radio 880 AM.
