9/26 Game Recap: Mets Lose Series Opener 4-2

Thursday night the Mets opened up a series with the Milwaukee Brewers as Dillon Gee took the hill to face Johnny Hellweg of the Brewers. After a rough start to the season, Gee has since bounced back with a 12-10 record and a 3.54 ERA. Hellweg carried in 1-4 record with a high 7.43 ERA. With a bad second inning from Gee, the Brewers were able to beat the Mets 4-2.

Sep 26, 2013; New York, NY, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher

(35) delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

Gee was able to post a relatively easy first inning getting the Brewers out in order. Eric Young, Jr. was able to start the Mets’ half with a single and then followed with a steal of second. The steal was his 43rd of the season, good for second in the league. Despite being able to move up to third with just one out, the Mets were not able to cash in the early opportunity.

In the second the Brewers grabbed the lead with a Juan Francisco single up the middle. Daniel Murphy looked like he had a play on it, but it bounced off of his glove into center field for a hit and a run. With a runner in motion on 3-and-2 the Brewers brought in a second run on a bloop single to center by Jeff Bianchi, giving the “Brew Crew” a 2-0 lead. Scooter Gennett with two down laced a single to left driving in a pair making the game 4-0, but was nabbed at second on a throw by Travis d’Arnaud. Gee had command issues and did not seem to have his best stuff during the frame.

In the third inning Young walked with one out for the Mets and stole second and made it to third on a throwing error. His 44th steal of the season tied him for the league lead in that category. Murphy grounded out to shortstop, but it allowed Young to score the first Met run.

A very scary moment happened in the next at-bat when David Wright was hit on the side of the helmet on a fastball and he was immediately taken out immediately. Justin Turner came in to run for Wright.  Hellweg incredibly hit Lucas Duda on the very next pitch putting runners on first and second. Mike Baxter next walked on four pitches against a clearly-shaken Hellweg.

Gee pitched a 1-2-3 fourth but it was notable that he did not retaliate after Wright getting hit. Hellweg was up third and was not even backed off the plate.

Despite the early trouble from Gee, he worked through six innings not giving up any more runs. He was lifted for a pinch hitter in the six in Zach Lutz although the move did not help the Mets push across another run and it remained 4-1.

In the seventh the Mets got a lead-off double from Murphy and runners at the corners with just one out. Although a golden chance, the Mets could not convert as Baxter hit into an inning-ending double play.

David Aardsma entered in the eight and proceeded to plunk Brewers’ catcher Jonathon Lucroy on the first pitch of the at-bat, possibly some revenge for Wright. Aardsma was able to work around his hit batter and pitched a scoreless frame, getting one punch-out.

Frank Francisco came on for the top of the ninth and had a relatively quiet inning and did not allow a run.

To start the bottom of the ninth against closer Jim Henderson, Josh Satin came up as a pinch hitter and hit a homer to left, which had to be video reviewed. Henderson was able to strike out Young and Murphy for the next two outs. Turner, who replaced Wright, drove a deep double to center, bringing Lucas Duda up as the tying run.

Notes

• Dillon Gee did not have his best stuff, most notably in the second inning, and was charged with three runs in his six innings of work. While he stuggled in that second, he managed to weave out of trouble and make it all the way to six innings. With his six innings pitched his season inning total stands at 199.
• Eric Young, Jr. had one of the only bright spots of the game, swiping two bases as well as scoring the game’s only run for the Mets.
• The Mets bullpen came in after Gee and was lock-down with three shutout innings from Aardsma, Tim Byrdak and Francisco.
• The offense had some opportunities but squandered the few chances they had. The team left a total of 19 on base in the game.
• The Mets went 0-14 with runners in scoring position during the game.

Thoughts

After Dillon Gee has had such a bounce-back year, it seemed kind of fitting for him to struggle early on and then recover and finish strong. Even with his best stuff alluding him, it was good to see him work through six. I kind of wish Collins let him bat and get one more inning for 200.

Even at the end of the season Young continues to be a spark plug on the bases with his two tonight. The Mets haven’t had this base-running ability since Jose Reyes, so seeing someone run around like this is always a joy to see.

Josh Satin continues to be good as a role player, something that he might be next season. Although he didn’t realize it at first, he did indeed hit a pinch-hit homer, his third home run of the season.

It was not good to see Wright get drilled in the head and it gave many flashbacks to the 2009 Matt Cain incident. According to the beat reporters Wright passed his concussion tests and was brought out for precautionary reasons. It could have been much worse, so thankfully he seems to be okay.

Next Up 

Tomorrow’s game sees the Mets’ swing man Carlos Torres pitch against the former ace for the Brewers in Yovani Gallardo. Torres who has been used between the bullpen and rotation goes for his fifth win at 7:10 p.m. at Citi Field.

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