The Mets had terrible pitching performances that cost them in an 11-7 loss to the Braves Saturday night. >> Box score
Six things to know about Saturday's game...
1) The calls from fans for the Mets to sign Dallas Keuchel will only grow louder if Jason Vargas keeps this up. Vargas faced just six batters before Mickey Callaway had no choice but to pull him from the game. It went like this for Vargas, who was charged with four earned runs: Single, walk, flyout, single, walk, walk. Vargas threw 36 pitches, 19 of which were balls. He was replaced by Corey Oswalt with the Mets down 2-0, and Oswalt allowed two inherited runners to score before inducing an inning-ending double play. Vargas has now allowed 10 earned runs in 6.1 innings this season across two starts and one relief appearance. With an off day coming up on Thursday, Vargas likely will have his next turn skipped. Callaway, meanwhile, was ejected after yanking Vargas, presumably for arguing balls and strikes.
2) Oswalt was no better in his season debut after being called up earlier this week. After the Mets got Vargas off the hook by scoring four runs in the top of the second, Oswalt promptly gave up four runs in the bottom of the second. He then gave up a solo homer to Nick Markakis in the fourth. In 3.2 innings, Oswalt allowed five runs on six hits and four walks while striking out two. To Oswalt's credit, he did record a sac fly in the second for his first career RBI and laid down a sac bunt in the fourth.
3) As if that all wasn't bad enough, the Mets' pitching woes continued. Luis Avilan went two innings and gave up an RBI single to Dansby Swanson in the sixth inning. The southpaw has allowed at least one run in four of his six appearances this season, though he actually lowered his ERA from 17.18 to 12.71. Robert Gsellman then served up a solo homer to Josh Donaldson in the seventh.
4) Looking for some good news? Brandon Nimmo, who didn't start, had an RBI single in the ninth inning which gave the Mets their sixth run. That gave the Mets at least six runs for the seventh straight game, which is a new franchise record.
5) Jeff McNeil was one of the few bright spots for the Mets. Leading off and starting at second with Robinson Cano getting his first day off of the season, McNeil went 2-for-5 with an RBI, driving in the tying run in the second with a first-pitch single to center. McNeil is hitting .364 thus far.
6) Juan Lagares started in center and had his best offensive game of the season, going 2-for-4 with two RBI. His two-run double got the Mets on the board in the second, cutting the deficit to 4-2.
Highlights
This team fights back. #LGM pic.twitter.com/9NtyTkgtHf
- New York Mets (@Mets) April 14, 2019
What's Next
The Mets look to win this four-game series Sunday in Atlanta at 7:05 p.m. Jacob deGrom returns to the mound for Sunday Night Baseball and his counterpart will be RHP Julio Teheran.