Game Recap August 22: Nothing to see here

Mets News

So this happened

The Captain is in the lineup! #STLMets #Mets #LGM pic.twitter.com/GXrS7mNRlW

— St. Lucie Mets (@stluciemets) August 22, 2017

And also this happened

Mets gonna have a new lineup. Conforto has a thumb issue of some kind.

— Marc Carig (@MarcCarig) August 22, 2017

All in all, a typical Mets news day — every silver lining comes with a dull gray cloud.

MEANWHILE, thanks to Tommy Milone, the Mets were down half a dozen runs before they scored their first. They’re now 1-6 on the current homestand. Diamondbacks 7, Mets 4.

Punditry

What is there to say? Nobody wants to see Tommy Milone and Hansel Robles pitch in a split-squad spring training game, let alone on a Tuesday night in August. A lineup with Matt Reynolds in right, Wilmer Flores at first and Gavin Cecchini at second isn’t trying to be competitive as much as it is filling space and time until the season expires. Terry Collins double-switched twice to get Kevin Plawecki and Brandon Nimmo into the game, resulting in Matt Reynolds, major-league first baseman.

Twenty-five-year-old Kevin McGowan made his major-league debut in the top of the fifth against Paul Goldschmidt. He threw a first-pitch slider for strike one. The Mets took the ball out of play to authenticate McGowan’s first-ever MLB pitch. That was the highlight of the at-bat. Goldschmidt doubled to drive home the sixth run of the night charged to Milone. The Mets did not remove the ball to commemorate the first hit allowed in McGowan’s career.

Home team scoring commenced in the bottom of the fifth inning, when Amed Rosario lifted his third home run, a parabola that hugged the left field line. Say a silent prayer that Rosario will not forever be hitting solo homers with his team down 6-0 in the fifth. Dom Smith’s first major-league double drove home the Mets’ second run in the bottom of the ninth. That same inning, Rosario “tripled” on a bloop to left field that bounced past a sliding David Peralta. Rosario and Smith sure look like they’ll be more than roster filler. As ever, it’s a small bit of good Mets news in an otherwise dismal day.

Social Media

David Wright was 0-for-4 with two K's for the single-A Port St. Lucie squad tonight. If he can play tomorrow, tonight was a success. #Mets

— Scott D. Simon (@scottdsimon) August 23, 2017

GKR-isms

This is a meritocracy. — Ron, discussing Amed Rosario and ignoring the team’s season-long refusal to promote him over Jose Reyes and his .223/.286/.375 slash line.

I’m still not interested in finding out what a fidget spinner is or having one in my hands. — Ron, appealing to millennials.

You have to give [McGowan] one thing: He’s got the hair. — Gary, crediting the pitcher’s dark, curly locks.

Forecast

The Mets will continue to be bad and hurt and uninspiring. Chris Flexen and his 6.55 ERA take on Arizona’s Zach Godley (3.13 ERA) tonight at Citi Field.

Photo Credit: Brad Penner – USA Today Sports