The Mets trailed from the first inning, and while the game was never out of reach, the team made sure they didn’t stand much of a chance to make up the difference, either.
Steven Matz couldn’t retire the first five Rockies he faced, and by the time the first inning was complete, Matz had put his team down 3-1, having instantly erased the goodwill a Todd Frazier home run generated in the first frame.
When he sleeps tonight, Matz will no doubt have nightmares about Nolan Arenado. The Rockies third baseman was responsible for all five runs Matz surrendered, with a three-run home run in the fist and a two-run double in the second. Matz ended the day surrendering five runs over 5.2 innings. After an atrocious first two innings, the lefty settled down, but it proved too little too late, and his record falls to 3-5.
Denver native Kyle Freeman was efficient for his hometown team, allowing two runs over six innings, striking out four.
The Mets were not their normal anemic selves on offense, as they managed eleven hits and four runs; the difference, however, turned out to be the five double plays the team grounded into over the course of the afternoon. They brought the tying run to the plate in the bottom of the ninth with two out in the person of Brandon Nimmo, but the human ray of sunshine can only do so much, and struck out. The Mets were 1-3 in Colorado, and 3-7 over the course of the road trip.
Yoenis Cespedes might begin running soon. David Wright is somewhere. The Dodgers arrive in town today to face the Mets at Citi Field. Alex Wood (2-5, 4.22) will face Zach Wheeler (2-5, 4.82). First pitch is 7:10 p.m.
Photo credit: Isaiah J. Downing – USA Today Sports