Game Recap: Mets Lose in Extra Innings, Get Swept by Dodgers

Terry Collins called on Jonathon Niese to give him a solid start for the Mets in an attempt to avoid getting swept, this time by the Dodgers. Ike Davis helped force the game into extra innings with a game-tying RBI in the ninth inning, but after numerous successful outings by the Mets bullpen today, Ramon Ramirez crumbled in the 12th, giving up five runs to secure the sweep for Los Angeles.

Mets Offensive Highlights:

New York didn’t put any runs across until the fourth inning against Nathan Eovaldi. Daniel Murphy got things started with a double, then moved to third base after Lucas Duda singled to left field. With two outs, it was Josh Thole who singled to center to plate Murphy, cutting their margin of deficit to one run. After giving up another run, the Mets were at it again in the seventh, as Ike Davis started the rally with two outs by doubling to right center field. Immediately following that, Daniel Murphy drove him in with an RBI single to once again cut the deficit to one. Ruben Tejada led the charge to send the game into extras in the ninth as he led off the inning with a single, then moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Jordany Valdespin. David Wrightsingled, but couldn’t score Tejada, leaving it up to Davis, who hit a slow roller to first that was just slow enough to score Tejada and tie the ballgame. The Mets got at least one runner on base in each of the extra frames, but couldn’t get anything across, as they ended up leaving 14 men on base and going 4-for-19 with runners in scoring position.

Dodgers Offensive Highlights:

As they did most of the series, Los Angeles jumped out to an early lead, but didn’t break through against Niese until the fourth inning. Matt Kemp led it off with a single and scored on Juan Rivera‘s fifth home run of the season. They were only able to score upon the Mets’ southpaw once more, as Andre Ethier drove in Mark Ellis with a single to left fieldin the sixth inning. Once Niese made his exit, the bullpen kept the Dodger bats silent, until Ramon Ramirez‘s second inning of work. James Loney and Tony Gwynn both singled to lead off the 12th inning, and the bases eventually became loaded after an intentional walk to Ethier. Then, Matt Treanor provided the go-ahead hit with a two-run single to center field. However, they weren’t done yet, as Luis Cruz singled in the third run of the inning, then Adam Kennedy twisted the knife after it was already in the back of the Mets with a two-run double.

Pitching Highlights:

Nathan Eovaldi only gave up one run in his 4.1 innings pitched, but he gave up 7 hits, 1 walk, and struck out 7 en route to his 96 pitch afternoon. After Mattingly’s starter made his exit, the LA manager used six relievers to get the job done, with each of them pitching at least one inning. The only reliever to pitch two innings was Javy Guerra, who blew the save opportunity in the ninth. Josh Wall worked a scoreless inning in extras for his first MLB win.

New York once again needed Jonathon Niese to have a solid outing, and that’s exactly what he did. The lefty threw 7 strong innings, gave up 3 runs on 8 hits, no walks, and 3 strikeouts. After he made his way to the showers, Tim Byrdak, Jon Rauch, and Bobby Parnell combined for three scoreless innings, and only giving up one hit between them. Ramon Ramirez threw a scoreless inning before the debacle that was the 12th inning, giving way to freshly called up Elvin Ramirez to get the final out of the inning.

Worth Noting:

Daniel Murphy continues his recent tear, having another four hit game, his second of the series. David Wright, Jordany Valdespin, Kirk Nieuwenhuis, and Josh Thole also enjoyed multi-hit games. The Mets have now lost eight of nine games since coming back from the All-Star break, and have fallen below .500 for the first time in 2012. Before the All-Star break, the team ERA was a respectable 3.96. After the break, it’s a horrendous 6.36.

Probable Pitchers Monday:

The Mets need to have a real short memory, as the NL East leading Nationals come to Citi Field to face the Amazins for the second time in less than a week. Jordan Zimmermann (7-6, 2.35 ERA) will look to continue his 12-inning scoreless streak against Chris Young (2-4, 4.11 ERA). First pitch is scheduled in Flushing for 7:10pm.