5/21 Game Recap: Mets Blanked by Reds 4-0

Tonight at Citi Field, the Mets were done in by a sloppy first inning.  After recording the first two outs in the top of the first, Jonathon Niese walked Joey Votto before eventually loading the bases.  He got Todd Frazier to hit a hard grounder to third base that should’ve ended the inning, but it went through David Wright‘s legs to produce the first two runs of the game.  After Daniel Murphyfailed to charge a slow grounder (resulting in an infield single), Niese issued a bases loaded walk to make it 3-0 Cincinnati.

May 21, 2013; New York, NY, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Jonathon Niese (49) reacts after walking in a run during the first inning of a game against the Cincinnati Reds at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

After throwing a ridiculous 48 pitches in the first, Niese settled in and gave the Mets six innings.  Unfortunately, the Mets’ offense continued to be non-existent, making the three run first enough to do them in.  The Mets never put together a legitimate rally, and were eventually shut out 4-0.

Highlights:

• After a brutal opening inning, Jonathon Niese rebounded to give the Mets 6 innings.  He allowed 3 runs (all unearned) on 5 hits.  He walked 3 and struck out 7.  Niese’s season ERA dropped to 4.80.

• The key play of the game was David Wright’s error in the top of the 1st.  After Niese induced what should’ve been an inning ending grounder, Wright allowed the ball to go through his legs.  Two runs scored on the play and another run came in later in the inning.

Thoughts:

Tonight was a prime example of exactly what the Mets’ problem is right now.  They’re so offensively challenged that a 3-0 lead seems insurmountable.  Once the Reds took their lead in the opening frame, the game felt like it was over.  There’s something seriously wrong with that.

Next Up:

The Mets will look to salvage the final game of the series tomorrow afternoon at 1:10 PM.  Matt Harvey will be on the hill for New York.

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