Mets Series Review Old Timers and Rockies

Jim McIsaac. Getty Images.

On a weekend in which the Mets welcomed back fan favorites of the past with Old Timer's Day, they did what they needed to do by taking three of four against the Rockies. However, the bats were often feeble, as they suffered a 1-0 loss in the finale, spoiling a solid outing by Max Scherzer. The most glaring start was Francisco Lindor, who has gone hitless in his last 19 at-bats, as the dog days of August appear to be taking their toll.

The Mets began a ten-game homestand with a four-game series with the last-place Colorado Rockies. This was after a rough ten-game road trip in which the Mets went 4-6 against the Braves, Phillies, and Yankees, losing the last two games in the Bronx. Jacob deGrom made the start in the opener and was dominant, not allowing a hit until the fifth inning. The Mets gave deGrom three runs in the third inning, as Francisco Lindor had an RBI grounder and Pete Alonso hit a two-run home run off Ryan Felter. Ryan McMahon hit a home run in the sixth inning, as Jacob deGrom pitched six innings, allowing one run on three hits with nine strikeouts. 

The Mets' offense sputtered the remainder of the game, as it became reliant on the bullpen to win the game. The Rockies loaded the bases against Seth Lugo with two hits and a walk, but Lugo struck out McMahon to end the inning.  With the heart of the order up in the eighth, the Mets went to Edwin Diaz early. Diaz gave up a single and a walk but struck out Randall Grichuk to end the inning. Adam Ottavino would get the ninth and recorded his first save of the season. 

On Friday night, Chris Bassitt took the mound for the Mets. The Mets got their first run in the third inning, as Brett Baty hit his first home run at Citi Field. In the fifth inning, the Mets added two runs on a triple by Starling Marte. Bassitt had been cruising but faltered in the sixth, giving up three runs to tie the game, as Brendan Rodgers narrowly missed a three-run homer, doubling home two runs, scoring on a C.J. Cron single.

After the Rockies tied the game, the Mets regained the lead in the bottom of the sixth as Mark Canha hit a double that scored Darin Ruf, while Jeff McNeil was thrown out at home. Chris Bassitt would get through the seventh and came back for the eighth, getting the first out before an infield hit by Charlie Blackmon. At that point, the bullpen was called up, with Mychal Givens entering. Bassitt gave the Mets the length they needed, but Mychal Givens was about to give up the lead and nearly the game as the Rockies loaded the bases and took the lead on a double by Elias Diaz. 

Advertisement

In the bottom of the eighth, Carlos Estevez got the first two batters out, striking out Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso. Darin Ruf would reach on an error by McMahon at third, giving the Mets new life. Jeff McNeil followed with a single, as both runners scored on a double by Mark Canha that went down the left field line. Edwin Diaz pitched with the score tied 6-6 in the ninth; he gave up a fluke double that went off his leg and rolled past Alonso at first but retired the next two hitters to send the game to the bottom of the ninth, where Pete Alonso on an 0-2 count had the walk-off hit, scoring Brandon Nimmo to give the Mets a 7-6 win. 

Newsday LLC. Getty Images.

Old Timer's Day was as good as advertised as players who had not been in a Mets uniform for decades were given a tremendous ovation from the sold-out crowd. The big surprise came at the end of the introductions when the Mets announced they would retire #24 in honor of Willie Mays. This was a promise made by original owner Joan Payson nearly 50 years ago. Mrs. Payson passed away before the number was retired, and the Wilpons ignored the Mets' original owner's legacy. The number was issued three times since, once by accident to Kelvin Torve in 1989 and Rickey Henderson when he was with the Mets in 1999. The number was also worn by Robinson Cano, who was released earlier this season. You may not feel that Willie Mays, who played only two seasons with the Mets, is worthy of this honor. However, Mays is among the best that ever played baseball, and retiring #24 honors not only Willie Mays but also Joan Payson, as he was her favorite player, whom she tried to get to New York for a decade. Hopefully, one day Joan Payson will get a plaque in Cooperstown. 

Advertisement

After the Old Timer's Game, David Peterson took the mound for the Mets. Peterson pitched around two hits in the first, as Brandon Nimmo gave the Mets the lead with a leadoff home run. The Mets added a second run on an RBI double by Nimmo in the second inning, but again their offense faltered as several long drives died on the warning track. Peterson, meanwhile, was strong, allowing four hits, with seven strikeouts, and most importantly, no walks, as the game went into the bullpen with the Mets leading 2-0. 

In the seventh inning, the Mets extended the lead to 3-0 as Brandon Nimmo scored on a double by Starling Marte. The Mets bullpen, meanwhile, was nearly perfect, with Seth Lugo getting the seventh and Trevor May getting the eighth. With Edwin Diaz not available, Adam Ottavino got his second save in three days by allowing one hit in the ninth, as the Mets won 3-0. At the same time, the Braves had a bullpen meltdown by Kenley Jansen as the Mets' lead increased to three games. 

In the finale, looking for the sweep, the Mets had Max Scherzer on the mound. Scherzer was dominant, allowing just four hits in seven innings. However, German Marquez was even better for the Rockies, as the Mets managed just one hit over seven innings. The Rockies also were being one hit as the seventh began but started their rally on a hit by C.J. Cron. Jose Iglesias followed with a perfect bunt single that Brett Baty could not field. Randal Grichuk loaded the bases with a swinging bunt as the Rockies had the bases loaded and no outs. Scherzer struck out Sam Hilliard, but Brian Severen had a sac-fly to make it 1-0.

Advertisement

Max Scherzer ended his day with seven innings, allowing one run on four hits, with 11 strikeouts, but suffered his second loss of the week as the Rockies won 1-0. The Mets had their chances with hits in the eighth and ninth but could not get the big hit when it was needed as they had their second 1-0 loss of the season; coincidently, that game was also started by Max Scherzer. The Braves also lost, marking the first time since the All-Star Game that the top two teams in the NL East lost on the same day. 

The Mets now begin a three-game series against the juggernaut Dodgers, as the Braves have a relaxing series against the Rockies, who will roll over; unlike they did at Citi Field, the pain and suffering never end.