Matz Mediocre Start Gives First Mets Loss of 2018
The Mets were handed their first loss of the 2018 season today with a 5-1 defeat to the St. Louis Cardinals. Sreven Matz looked very shaky today in taking the loss. Matz only went 4 innings and allowed 3 runs, 4 hits and 3 walks. Matz drops to 0-1 with a 6.75 ERA and a 1.75 WHIP. Meanwhile, Luke Weaver of the Cardinals got the victory in his 5 inning pitched allowing only 1 run despite allowing 5 hits and 3 walks.
Even the Mets bullpen was a bit off today. Paul Sewald pitched 2 innings in relief and allowed a run on 3 hits and a walk despite striking out 2. Jacob Rahme also gave up a run on 1 2/3 innings allowing a walk and 2 hits. Jerry Blevins and AJ Ramos were able to keep the Cardinals off the scoreboard in the final 1 1/3.
The big hitters of the game for each side were Paul DeJong for the Cardinals and Juan Lagares for the Mets. DeJong went 2-3 with 2 home runs in this one. Meanwhile, Lagares went 3-4 as the lone bright spot for the Mets.
In the top of the 2nd on a full count, DeJong launched a solo home run to left off the Fanatics sign to give the Cardinals a 1-0 lead. In the bottom of the 2nd, Kevin Plawecki drew a lead off four pitch walk. After Lagares flies out to center, Matz bunted the ball down the first baseline which allowed Plawecki to go to second on the sacrifice. Amed Rosario then grounded a ball past the second baseman's glove to the right side which scored Plawecki to tie the game 1-1.
In the top of the 3rd with one out, Tommy Pham grounded a single through the first and second base hole. On a 1-0 count to Matt Carpenter, Pham stole second after Plawecki's throw went into center field. After Carpenter grounded out to the right side to Rosario who held Pham, Marcell Ozuna drilled a double to left which scored Pham and gave the Cardinals a 2-1 lead after falling behind 0-2.
In the top of the 4th on a 1-2 count, Yadir Molina hit a solo home run to left center field into the M&M seats. This put the Cardinals up 3-1. In the top of the 5th, Sewald relieved Matz. With one out, Pham hit a liner to left in which the ball popped out of Yoenis Cespedes' glove for a single. After Carpenter walked, Ozuna lined a single past Frazier's glove between the hole which scored Pham to extend the Cards lead to 4-1. Jose Martinez was then hit by a pitch off his pinkie finger. The Mets tried to challenge the call, but the play was upheld to load the bases with one out. However, Molina grounded a ball right to second baseman Asdrubal Cabrera who threw to second for one and then thrown back to first for the double play to end anymore damage.
In the top of the 8th, the Mets had Jacob Rhame pitching in his second inning of relief. After Molina to foul out to first, DeJong, on an 0-1 count, hit a home run that barely cleared the left field wall above the W.B. Mason sign to extend the Cardinals lead to 5-1. Neither team scored after that, and the Mets were handed their first loss of the season.
Some Mets notes, Michael Conforto flew back to New York today and will rejoin the team on Thursday once his 10-day DL stint is over. Brandon Nimmo was supposed to start today, but had the flu in which Lagares did a nice job filling in for him. Relief pitcher Anthony Swarzak will get an MRI Monday on his sore left oblique despite his soreness improving. Jason Vargas threw a light bullpen session on Saturday, and will throw a simulated game Monday. Vargas is rehabbing from surgery after a fracture to his non-pitching hand.
On Monday, the Mets begin a three game series with NL East rivals the Philadelphia Phillies. Matt Harvey will get his first start of the season being opposed by Ben Lively. The Mets will play their first night game as first pitch will be at 7:10pm on SNY. The game be heard on 710am WOR or 1050am ESPN Deportes. Fans going to the game can bring their dogs to the game as it's Bark at the Park night at Citi Field.
