Game 74 of 162
Astros 10 Mets 8 (Minute Maid Park, Houston, TX)
Mets record: 34-40
Mets streak: Lost 2
WP - Phil Maton (1-2)
LP - Dominic Leone (1-3)
SV - Ryan Pressly (14)
Seat on the Korner: Alex Bregman
We select the star of the game and virtually invite him to a Seat on the Korner, just as Ralph Kiner used to do for his studio postgame show on WOR-channel 9 broadcasts in the early decades of the Mets.
Bregman earned the seat on the Korner by continuing his hot hitting as he went 3 for 5 and drove in runs in today's game and in his last 4 games he has now gone 8 for 17 with a double, triple, home run, 5 RBI .
Need to Know
The Astros and Mets entered the NL together in 1962 and today was the 580th meeting between the two teams. the Astros now own the all-time advantage 318-261-1...the Astros are currently 57 games over .500 against the Mets, their most against any opponent, their winning percentage against the Mets is their best against any NL opponent.
Astros RHP Cristian Javier entered today’s start riding a club-long, five-game winning streak, which spanned his last seven outings...going back to Aug. 31 of last season, Javier had won 11 of his last 12 decisions, which spanned his last 20 regular season starts despite exiting in the 3rd inning trailing 4-2 the Astros rallied and are now 17-4 in his last 21 outings.
For all the talk about Francisco Alvarez's defensive struggles, Omar Narvaez had an awful day behind the plate and at it as he was called for catchers interference , 4 Astros stole bases, Megill had two wild pitches that looked to be blockable, and Navy was also called for a clock violation and called out on strikes and Buck called on Alvarez to pinch hit for him in the 9th.
The Mets and Astros pitchers combined to issue 16 free passes and 2 hit batters.
Today marked the 11th time in 74 games that the Mets ended up on the losing side despite scoring 6 or more runs, last season that happened 4 times in 162 games. Additionally the division leading Braves are 32-1 when they score 6 or more runs.
Turning Point
Take your pick of any innings that the Mets squandered bases loaded opportunities ( 2 times in the first inning) or Tylor Megill or Dominic Leone coughing up leads after the Mets rallied to pull ahead, or Cory Julks robbing Brett Baty of a game tying RBI single to end the sixth.
Bases loaded no one out in the first with Alonso up, anyone expect this result ?
Pete would make up for it pulling the Mets to within one with a 2 run blast in the 6th , His 23rd of the season.
Three Keys
It's the Pitching Stupid !
To borrow and modify James Carville's words.
Mets pitchers gave up 10 runs, 9 hits, 8 walks, and 2 home runs, The Mets scored 8 runs and still lost. Tylor Megill did not last 3 innings. Dominic Leone gave up 2 home runs in less than 2 innings worth of work, If the Mets stand any chance of turning their season around it begins with the starting pitching giving them length and not exposing role bullpen pitchers.
Vogey's Back
Buck Showalter has had Daniel Vogelbach's back all season long , He has insisted that he still is a vital cog in this teams lineup, after his week mental break Vogelback is now 7 for 17 batting .411 with three extra-base hits and 7 RBI .
Defending Home
For the second time in on week an opponent stole a run from the Mets, last Wednesday Isiah Kiner-Falefa stole home against Brooks Raley, today Martin Maldonado drove in Corey Julks with a safety squeeze for a key insurance run.
The Mets fall to season worst 6 games under .500.