Despite Eighth Consecutive Loss, Brandon Sproat Impresses Again
Silver linings are all the New York Mets have had for eight consecutive games and on Saturday it was Brandon Sproat who fired six scoreless innings against the Texas Rangers in his first career start at Citi Field.
He was at 70 pitches (53 thrown for strikes) through six, but manager Carlos Mendoza went to the bullpen with the Mets leading 1-0.
“Even though there was only 70 pitches, when you looked up in that sixth inning there was a big time velo drop,” Mendoza told reporters after the 3-2 loss. “We’re talking about like, five, six miles per hour there from 97-98 to 93 and there was some hard-hit balls there. He got through that inning and I checked with him physically, ‘Are you fine?’ and he’s like ‘Yes.’ ‘Alright, so I’m going to the bullpen here.’”
“My goal,” Sproat said, “is to go out there and just pitch as long as I can, compete for as long as I can until they take the ball from me. I respect their call. It’s his call. And I also trust our bullpen behind me.”
The bullpen, however, let Sproat down. Tyler Rogers allowed a Wyatt Langford double and a Joc Pederson sacrifice fly. Edwin Díaz was brought in to try for a four-out save, but Rowdy Tellez tied the game in the eighth with a double and Langford singled home the winning run in the ninth.
Sproat, who allowed six hits, struck out three and didn’t walk a batter, was deprived of his first career win five days before his 25th birthday. The Mets, of course, have bigger problems. The last time New York (76-73) was three games over .500 was on April 6 when they were 6-3.
“It’s not easy right now,” Mendoza said. “Especially when you’re not able to finish the job. In a game where you felt like you had it and then before you know it you’re behind. Continue to come back the next day and bring the same attitude here.
The Mets will look to salvage a game and snap their losing skid Sunday afternoon.
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