The Mets lost 6-2 to the Miami Marlins on Saturday at Citi Field, falling to 47-65 for the season and 7-8 since the All-Star break.
They try for a split of the four-game series with the Marlins on Sunday.
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Here are the top takeaways…
-Offense continues to be the Mets‘ biggest problem. They’ve scored only eight runs in their last four games, losing three of them, as the absence of Juan Soto is showing.
On Saturday, other than Tyrone Taylor‘s two-run home run in the second inning, the Mets had no extra-base hits to go with six singles and put only one runner into scoring position.
–Zac Thornton had his least effective outing since becoming a regular in the starting rotation a month ago, as he allowed four runs, three earned, over 4.2 innings. He allowed nine baserunners, six with hits, three by walks, while getting two strikeouts.
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Thornton was hurt early by his defense when Francisco Lindor made an error on the first play of the game, mishandling a routine ball to short.
That led to a run and then Thornton gave up a two-run home run in the second inning to right-handed-hitting Javier Sanoja, who pulled a cutter over the wall in left to give the Marlins a 3-0 lead.
Thornton wasn’t as sharp as he has been in his recent handful of starts, as his pitch count elevated quickly and he was pulled after throwing 94 pitches.
Despite the poor start, the lefthander still has an impressive 2.88 ERA in his six starts this season.
-Taylor’s two-run home run in the second inning continued his hot-hitting over the last month, increasing the intrigue as to whether he’ll be traded by Monday’s deadline.
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Since his return from the Injured List on June 26, Taylor is hitting .354 with seven home runs, four doubles, and 14 RBI. He entered Saturday’s game leading the majors in OPS since June 28, at 1.287.
Taylor figures to be valuable to a contender because of his excellent outfield defense, speed on the bases, and his hot bat of late. He can be a free agent after the season so even if he’s in demand, he probably won’t bring back blue-chip prospects in a trade.
-Marlins starter Tyler Phillips, who picked up the win by allowing two runs over five innings, has become a bit of a Mets’ killer in his two seasons with Miami.
In eight appearances against the Mets, including three starts, Phillips has posted a 1.94 ERA over a total of 20 1/3 innings.
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-Right-handed reliever Daniel Duarte, who has been a pleasant surprise of late for the Mets, gave up his first runs of the season, touched up for two runs in 1.1 innings, including a home run by Griffin Conine.
Duarte had pitched 11.1 scoreless innings in seven previous appearances over four separate stints with the Mets this season.
-Besides his first-inning error, Lindor misplayed Esteury Ruiz‘s ground ball toward second base in the eighth inning, having to double-pump before throwing as he had trouble getting a grip on the ball out of the glove.
The play was ruled a hit, but Lindor would have had the out if he’d played the ball cleanly. Lindor continues to have a below-par season for him defensively.
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GAME MVP: Javier Sanoja.
Not a lot to choose from in this game, but Sanoja’s two-run home run in the
second inning of Thornton gave the Marlins a 3-0 lead. It was only Sanoja’s fourth long
ball of the season.
Highlights
What’s next
The Mets and Marlins complete their four-game series on Sunday afternoon. First pitch is set for 1:40 p.m.
New York has yet to announce a starter after pulling Clay Holmes from his potential start. The Marlins will send Sandy Alcantara (11-6, 3.82 ERA) to the bump.
