4/23 Game Recap: Niese Leaves After Bruising Leg as Mets Fall to Dodgers 7-2

Robert Carson scored a run…what else do you need to know?

Apr 23, 2013; Flushing, NY,USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Jonathon Niese (49) leaves the game after being hit by the ball during the third inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

What started out as a matchup against two young southpaws turned very wacky very quickly.  After walking three and allowing a bloop single in the second as the Dodgers took a 1-0 lead, Jonathon Niese left the game in the fourth after being struck in the leg by a ball up the middle (X-Rays were negative, he’s day to day), leading to an emergency appearance from Robert Carson.

Carson held his own for a while as the Mets attempted to get to Clayton Kershaw.  They ended up doing so with Carson’s help in the bottom of the third.  After Carson and Ruben Tejada walked, the Mets took a 2-1 lead on back to back singles from Daniel Murphy and David Wright.  The Dodgers tied things at 2 in the fifth when Mark Ellis hit a solo homer off Carson.

The game remained tied until the seventh, when Brandon Lyon gave up a two out, three run homer to Mark Ellis as the Dodgers went ahead 5-2.  Los Angeles tagged on two more runs against Josh Edgin in the eighth to extend their lead to 7-2 and close out the scoring.

Highlights:

• It was scary to see Jonathon Niese sitting on the grass after being struck in the lower leg by that bouncer up the middle.  Fortunately, the X-Rays were negative and the extent of the injury appears to be a bruise.  It’s unknown whether Niese will make his next start, but I doubt we’re looking at a DL stint here.

• Daniel Murphy continues to rake.  He’s hitting .357 on the season.

• Josh Edgin struggled again, giving up two runs in the eighth.

• Jeurys Familia looked great tonight in his inning and a third of work.  He allowed one hit, walked none, and struck out three.

• After being called up earlier in the day, Juan Lagares made his major league debut when he was double switched into the game in the top of the fifth.  He delivered his first big league hit with a line drive single to left in the seventh.

Thoughts:

This was an extremely strange game.  After Niese was knocked out and with Kershaw on the mound, it seemed that the Mets were in for a long night.  Still, they were right there in the seventh before the game slipped away.

Someone will have to be optioned to AAA when Shaun Marcum is activated on Saturday.  Right now, the even money should be on Josh Edgin.  With his continued struggles and with three lefties currently in the bullpen, it makes sense for Edgin to be the one who gets sent down.

Next Up:

The Mets take on the Dodgers tomorrow night at 7:10.  Matt Harvey will be on the hill, opposed by Ted Lilly.

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