Lucchesi’s Debut an Unfortunate Walk in the Park

Oh, those base on balls.

In his season debut Wednesday, Joey Lucchesi walked Edmundo Sosa to lead off the fifth inning. Then Cristian Pache. A batter later, with the bases loaded, he walked Kyle Schwarber to force in a run. This, maddeningly, has become a recurring theme for Met pitchers all season, the starters in particular.

The New York pitching staff leads the majors in walks allowed with 192 in 378 innings. Second worst is the Miami Marlins at 179 in 399 innings. The Mets are running away with the walking lead.

The Phillies would score four runs in the fifth, with everyone who received a free pass later crossing the plate. Philadelphia turned a 2-1 deficit into a 5-2 lead and won 10-5.

Lucchesi’s final line: 4 1/3 innings, four walks, five hits, five earned runs and two strikeouts.

What makes the walks even more frustrating is that Met pitchers are fourth-best in hits allowed, right between the Atlanta Braves (26-14) and the New York Yankees (29-15). Limiting walks wouldn’t turn the season around – the Mets are 19-23 – but it would help.

Mets starters (6-16, 4.42 ERA) have given up 111 walks in 218 innings, the worst in the majors. New York relievers (13-7, 2.98 ERA) aren’t much better regarding walks, surrendering 81 in 160 innings, tied for fourth worst. But it seems from the big difference in ERA that the relievers are better at keeping the men they put on from coming around to score.

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