The New York Mets had won four straight games including the series opener before dropping the final two games and the series to the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The New York Mets offense was starting to heat up during its four-game winning streak but were outscored 14-3 by the Arizona Diamondbacks during the final two games of their three-game series.
The Mets fell 7-1 to the Diamondbacks on Thursday after left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez outdueled rookie sensation righty Nolan McLean in a rematch of the World Baseball Classic final. Rodriguez pitched six innings on one-run ball on five hits and two walks with three strikeouts while McLean allowed two runs on three hits and two walks with eight strikeouts through 6.1 innings.
To be fair to McLean, right-hander Luke Weaver came in and allowed those runs to score as well as two of his own during a four-run seventh. Veteran right-hander Luis Garcia allowed three runs on three hits and a walk in the eighth inning to seal the deal for the Snakes.
The Mets had just six hits in the contest, but four of the six came from the team’s big-name players/acquisitions. Shortstop Francisco Lindor, third baseman Bo Bichette, center fielder Luis Robert Jr. and second baseman Marcus Semien all tallied a hit while right fielder Brett Baty and left fielder Tyrone Taylor got knocks as well.
Robert’s lone hit was a solo home run to put the Mets on the board in the first inning and the early return on him has been excellent. Robert is hitting .333 with an on-base percentage of .480 and slugging percentage of .487 (.967 OPS) with two home runs and seven RBI. He also has two stolen bases and has walked as many times as he has struck out (11 times), which is impressive for a guy who strikes out a ton.
He will look to stay hot in the opener of a three-game home series against the Athletics on Friday. The probable pitching matchup is Athletics right-hander J.T. Ginn and Mets righty Clay Holmes.
Ginn will face the following lineup from Mets manager Carlos Mendoza:
1. Lindor (SS)
2. Bichette (DH)
3. Jared Young (1B)
4. Robert (CF)
5. Baty (RF)
6. Semien (2B)
7. Ronny Mauricio (3B)
8. Francisco Alvarez (C)
9. Carson Benge (LF)
Ginn gets his first start of the year after serving as a long-reliever in three appearances this season. In seven innings of work, Ginn has allowed four runs on six hits and two walks while striking out four. He faces the team that drafted and traded him away for right-hander Chris Bassitt in 2022.
Holmes is 2-0 with a 1.42 ERA and 0.95 WHIP after allowing two runs on four hits and three walks with five strikeouts against the St. Louis Cardinals and shutting out the San Francisco Giants over seven innings of three-hit ball with two walks and four punchouts. He will take on an A’s lineup that will certainly feel the loss of power-hitting designated hitter Brent Rooker, who was injured swinging at a pitch in yesterday’s 1-0 win over the New York Yankees.
Here is how manager Mark Kotsay will send the A’s out for the opener:
1. Lawrence Butler (RF)
2. Nick Kurtz (1B)
3. Shea Langeliers (C)
4. Tyler Soderstrom (LF)
5. Jacob Wilson (SS)
6. Jeff McNeil (2B)
7. Max Muncy (3B)
8. Carlos Cortes (DH)
9. Denzel Clarke (CF)
McNeil is facing the Mets and the Mets faithful for the first time since being traded in the offseason.
First pitch is at 6:10 p.m. EST on MLB.TV and regional sports networks.