Jacob deGrom tossed seven strong innings against the Phillies Friday night and left the game with the score tied at 2.
The Mets did not win the game.
It has become an all too familiar story for deGrom, which dates back to last season when he won the National League Cy Young award despite a 10-9 record.
This year he is 4-7 with a 3.27 ERA -- not quite the Cy Young numbers he posted in 2018 but still good enough to earn a spot on the NL All-Star team. He has just one win in his last 10 starts and in his last 46 starts, the Mets are 16-30 while deGrom has an ERA of 2.15 -- the best mark in the majors over that span.
In contrast, Max Scherzer of the Nationals is second behind deGrom in that span with a 2.61 ERA and the Nationals are 26-20 in those games -- a 10-game difference.
"He's handled it just like he did last year, like a pro," Mets manager Mickey Callaway said after Friday's game. "He understands what his job is. He can't do other people's jobs."
Last year it was the lineup, which averaged 3.49 runs per game in deGrom's starts. This year the bats are slightly better, averaging 3.81 runs per game, but it has been the bullpen that has really hurt deGrom.
Per Jayson Stark of The Athletic, the Mets' bullpen has allowed 51 runs in 49.1 innings for a 9.30 ERA in games deGrom has started this year.
Five times deGrom has left the game with the Mets leading or tied this season, only to have the bullpen take the loss. That happened six times all of last season, although five of those came before the All-Star break.
"Everybody in here has a job to do, and everybody is giving 100 percent," deGrom said after the game. "Unfortunately tonight we just weren't able to keep the game tied and give ourselves a chance to win it. Those guys are out there trying, and it's not easy. But anytime I come out of a game, I feel comfortable handling the ball over to them."
DeGrom is the Mets' bonafide ace. They gave him a $135 million contract extension prior to the season and while he got off to a rocky start, he has delivered of late. He has rattled off nine consecutive quality starts, but has just one win to show for it and the Mets are just 2-7.
Dating back to last season, the Mets have lost 24 games in which deGrom has delivered a quality start, including nine this year.
"When your ace is out there, you got to win games," Callaway said. "Especially when he pitches like an ace and a Cy Young winner."