Drew Gagnon surrendered a pair of homers in his Major League debut as the Mets lost to the Phillies, 7-3, on Tuesday night at Citi Field.
For a full box score of the game, click here.
Things you should know about tonight's game...
1) Gagnon worked a perfect first, but surrendered a three-run homer to Maikel Franco in the second inning and two more runs in the third. Odubel Herrera slugged a solo shot against the right-hander in the fifth. Gagnon (0-1) was charged with six runs on seven hits and a walk with three strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings.
2) Amed Rosario tripled twice, scored two runs and collected an RBI while notching three hits for the third time this season. Michael Conforto had an RBI groundout and Gagnon delivered his first big league RBI with a sacrifice fly. Dominic Smith snapped an 0-for-16 stretch with an eighth-inning single. Wilmer Flores doubled and walked in three at-bats.
3) Tyler Bashlor and P.J. Conlon combined to allow one run over 4 1/3 innings of relief.
Michael Avallone, SNY.tv | Twitter |
Another night, another listless performance from the Mets -- Amed Rosario notwithstanding. To be fair, falling behind by five runs in the third inning would be detrimental for any team, but for New York, it's about as close to a loss as you can get. Drew Gagnon's Major League debut started out well enough with a perfect first inning, but it crumbled in the second when Maikel Franco clubbed a three-run homer. It was the second time in as many games a Mets' rookie allowed a three-spot with one swing of the bat, but unlike Corey Oswalt's otherwise strong effort Monday night, Gagnon looked very much like a pitcher who isn't ready for prime time.
The only bright spot for the Mets was a strong game by the aforementioned Rosario. Three hits, including two triples, an RBI and two runs scored was something to smile about, at the very least. With a sell-off forthcoming and the Mets continuing to lose at a prodigious, and not to mention ridiculous rate, the performances of Rosario and Michael Conforto will be two key things to watch the remainder of the year.
For Conforto...what is he? The player who blossomed into an All-Star last season? Or is he the 2016 and 2018 version, with the added proviso he is coming off a shoulder surgery that is basically unheard of for a hitter. As for Rosario, fans can claim all they want that he's a bust ... and he may turn out to be just that. But he was widely regarded as one of the top prospects in the sport by virtually all of those "in the know" and he's still just 22 years old. He needs quite a bit of refining and polishing to be sure, but the worst thing to happen to Rosario is Gleyber Torres turning into the star people predicted he would be for the Yankees.
News and notes...
New York dropped to a season-worst 17 games below .500 (36-53) on the strength of a 9-27 stretch in its last 36 games.
Tuesday night's loss guaranteed the Mets will go a 15th consecutive series without a win. New York has won two of its last 25 series since beginning the year with five straight series victories.
Gagnon was 2-4 with a 4.40 ERA in 18 starts with Double-A Binghamton and Triple-A Las Vegas. His 106 strikeouts lead the Pacific Coast League.
Rosario became the 14th Met to triple twice in the same game. Jose Reyes (eight times), Lance Johnson (twice) and Doug Flynn (twice) are the other Mets to do so more than once.
Enyel De Los Santos became the third opposing start to beat the Mets in his Major League debut this season. The Braves' Mike Soroka and Marlins' Sandy Alcantara also defeated New York.
Prior to the game, the Mets optioned Jacob Rhame (yesterday's 26th man) and Paul Sewald to Triple-A Las Vegas to make room on the roster for Gagnon.
What's next...
The Mets (36-53) wrap up their series with the Phillies (51-39) on Wednesday night at Citi Field at 7 p.m. on SNY.
Jacob deGrom (5-4, 1.79 ERA/2.33 FIP, 142 K, 0.988 WHIP) comes into his 19th start with one win in his last eight outings despite a 1.83 ERA. The Majors' ERA leader surrendered one run over eight innings of a no-decision against the Rays last Friday, the 13th time in 18 starts he has allowed one earned run or fewer. DeGrom pitched one scoreless inning against the Phillies in his return from the disabled list on May 13. He is 6-1 with a 2.74 ERA in 12 career starts against Philadelphia.
Vince Velasquez (5-8, 4.69 ERA/3.84 FIP, 107 Ks, 1.291 WHIP) is tentatively scheduled to return from a stint on the disabled list with a right forearm contusion. The injury forced him from his June 30 start against the Nationals after two innings. Vasquez followed up a strong May (2.30 ERA) by posting a 5.81 mark in six starts last month, largely skewed by his June 8 outing where he allowed 10 runs in 3 2/3 innings. The 26-year-old is 1-3 with a 4.61 ERA in six career starts against the Mets.