Mets Fall Flat as Orioles Sweep Doubleheader

The New York Mets looked like they were back on track after winning a pair of series against the Milwaukee Brewers and New York Yankees. On Tuesday, they had their best comeback win of the season in Baltimore. However, after losing Game 1 of the doubleheader in Baltimore, the Mets lost Game 2 to the Orioles 7-3. New York threw a bullpen game and saw struggles from their bullpen. Plus, the offense was again held in check, along with some spotty infield defense.

Bullpen Struggles

Brandon Waddell took the mound for the Mets in Game 2 and pitched three innings, and it was the second inning that gave him trouble. New York gave Waddell a quick 2-0 lead, but he allowed back-to-back doubles to make it 2-1, followed by a two-run home run to Jordan Westburg to give Baltimore a 3-2 lead. Justin Hagenman and Richard Lovelady also struggled and allowed a combined three earned runs and five hits. 

Bad Defense Leads To Runs

Infield defense has been a bit of an issue for the Mets this season. Francisco Lindor and Brett Baty‘s mistakes allowed runs to score. Baty had a hard liner that he should’ve caught off his glove, which resulted in a run. Lindor had two bad mistakes. A grounder with 2-outs in the first inning that he underhanded slowly to Luisangel Acuña. That didn’t result in a run. However, later in the game, a ground ball by Ramón Laureano that could’ve been a double play had Lindor not underhanded to Acuña again.

Mets Offense Held At Bay Again

In Game 1, the Mets’ offense went 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position. In Game 2, they started by driving runs in the first inning with an RBI ground out by Juan Soto and a sacrifice fly by Pete Alonso. However, as has been the case with this offense, they got shut down. After Brett Baty hit a game-tying single in the top of the fourth inning, the Mets’ offense was held to two hits the rest of the way. In Game 2, the offense went 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position and 2-for-19 in the doubleheader.

Player of the Game: Rico Garcia

One positive from the Mets bullpen as of late has been Rico Garcia. Garcia pitched well in his last outing Sunday against the Yankees. On Thursday in Game 2 of the doubleheader, Garcia pitched 2 2/3 shutout innings with a strikeout. 

On Deck

The Mets head to Kansas City for a three-game series before closing out the first half of the season. Kodai Senga (7-3, 1.47 ERA) will get the start for the Mets as the team plans to activate him from the injured list. Former Met Michael Wacha (4-9, 3.83) gets the ball for Kansas City. First pitch is scheduled for 8:10 PM ET and will air on SNY.

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