Morning Briefing: Mets Fall to 2.5 Games Out

Good morning, Mets fans!

The Mets lost to the Orioles 9-5 Tuesday, and they fall to 65-61 overall, 2.5 games out of the third Wild Card spot. Southpaw José Quintana had another bad day, pitching five innings and giving up seven runs, including two homers. New York jumped veteran right hander Burch Smith for three runs in the eighth via a J.D. Martinez three-run homer to make the game close at 7-5. Still, Yennier Cano cleaned up Smith’s mess and the Orioles capitalized in the ninth, scoring another two runs on some defensive miscues.

In a game full of negatives, the one positive Mets fans can take is that Brandon Nimmo smacked, as Kingston the Kidcaster would say, a 111 mph double in his return to the starting lineup. Nimmo had been sat Monday due to shoulder discomfort.

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New York will face off against the Orioles again Wednesday at 1:10 p.m. ET. Sean Manaea (9-5, 3.46 ERA) will look to continue a strong August against Cole Irvin (6-5, 4.85 ERA) in a battle of two left-handers. Irvin was called up yesterday due to a shoulder injury. In two career starts against the O’s, Manaea has not pitched well, allowing 10 earned runs in 5 1/3 IP, albeit in 2017 and 2021. Irvin has also not been sharp against the Mets in the past, with an 8.22 ERA in four games pitched.

Mets rookie Christian Scott, 25, is ramping up his intensity, according to Carlos Mendoza. He’s currently throwing from 105 feet after beginning his throwing program 10 days ago. If all goes well, Scott could return during the September pennant race.

Right-handed reliever Kyle Crick began a rehab assignment in St. Lucie yesterday, pitching just a third of an inning while allowing a run on two walks and two hit batters.

Mets (now former) outfielder Ben Gamel was claimed off waivers by the Houston Astros Tuesday. The lefty, hitting .217/.400/.221 in 23 at-bats this season, will join Houston’s active roster once they make a corresponding move.

Dedniel Núñez pitched a scoreless inning while recording a strikeout in Triple-A Syracuse. Nuñez could return as soon as this homestand. The Dominican has been out since July 26 with a right pronator strain.

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Former Mets utility man Luis Guillorme signed a major league deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He’s slashing .218/.285/.290 on the year in time with the Braves and Angels. Guillorme, who posesses positional flexibility and above-average defense, provides depth to a team that recently lost star Ketel Marte.

The Oakland Athletics called up former Brooklyn Cyclone starting pitcher J.T. Ginn to the major league roster yesterday. Acquired as the centerpiece of the Chris Bassitt trade, the 25-year-old owns a 5.26 ERA in 20 starts across Double and Triple-A this year. Ginn is the second member of that trade to receive a call-up, following Adam Oller’s promotion to Miami earlier this week.

Just two weeks after returning from the injured list, where he had been since Opening Day, Texas pitcher Tyler Mahle is heading back to the IL. According to manager Bruce Bochy, Mahle is dealing with “shoulder stiffness.” This marks another setback for Mahle, who signed a two-year, $22 million deal with the Rangers before the 2024 season. As an accompanying move, Jon Gray was reinstated from the IL.

Colombian third baseman Gio Urshela signed a major league deal with the injury-plagued Atlanta Braves. Atlanta will owe him only a prorated portion of the league minimum, while the Tigers, who recently DFA’d him, are responsible for the remainder of his one-year, $1.5 million deal. AJ Minter was transferred to the 60-day IL to make room on the 40-man.

San Francisco Giants catcher Patrick Bailey has been placed on the 10-day injured list due to a right oblique strain. This is terrible news for the Giants, who still have an outside chance of making the playoffs via the Wild Card. Bailey is widely regarded as one of the best, if not the best, defensive catcher in the game, with his defensive metrics all in the 95th percentile or better, except for blocks. Catcher Jackson Reetz was called up, and Curt Casali should be the one to start while Bailey’s out.

Latest on MMO

Patrick Glynn analyzed potential September call-ups for the Mets.

Glynn also recapped David Peterson’s (finally) consistent 2024 season.

Chris Bello covered Francisco Alvarez’s walk-off and the ongoing struggles of El Troll.

David Melendi reviewed yesterday’s 9-5 loss against the Orioles.

On This Date in Mets History

1977: In a Mets-Reds game, Tom Seaver threw a complete game while striking out 11 — for the Reds. Nine weeks after the Mets traded The Franchise in the infamous Midnight Massacre, the Mets legend tossed a complete game against them.

2022: Mark Canha drove in five runs, leading the Mets to a 10-9 victory over the Phillies after trailing 7-4. Canha’s two home runs were pivotal in the comeback.

Birthdays: Eric Orze (27), Brandon Drury (32), Mason Williams (33), J.D. Martinez (37), Bruce Berenyi (70), John Stearns (73), Félix Millán (81)

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