8/25 Game Recap: Tigers Drill Mets 11-3, Sweep Series

The Detroit Tigers completed a 3-game sweep of the Mets at Citi Field today, beating New York by the score of 11-3. The game wasn’t as bad as the final score might indicate, as Detroit scored 7 runs in the top of the 9th to open up what had been a 4-3 game. LaTroy Hawkins took the brunt of the Tigers’ wrath in the 9th, pitching 1/3 of an inning, allowing 5 earned runs on 4 hits. Dillon Gee started for the Mets and pitched credibly if not efficiently, going 6 innings and allowing 4 earned runs on 10 hits. The Mets actually took the lead in this game in the bottom of the 4th (their first of the series) on a 2-run home run by Travis d’Arnaud, his first in the major leagues. However, the lead was short-lived, as Gee surrendered a 2-run home run in the top of the 6th to Andy Dirks. The game remained close until Detroit erupted in the top of the 9th.

Aug 25, 2013; New York, NY, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Dillon Gee (35) pitches during the first inning against the Detroit Tigers at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

The Tigers took an early lead on a 2-run home run by Miguel Cabrera in the top of the first. The Mets trimmed that lead to 2-1 when Daniel Murphy singled in Omar Quintanilla, who had walked. David Aardsma and Scott Rice kept the game close until the 9th, when Detroit put the game out of reach.

Thoughts:

The Mets were out hit the last 2 days by the count of 31-7. Let that sink in for a moment, then you’ll realize why they were swept. No amount of effective pitching will help when a team cannot muster any offense. The Tigers showed the Mets the level to which the Mets must aspire if they intend to be competitive. Detroit throws good pitching on the field daily, and has a deep and balanced offense, highlighted by Cabrera, Prince Fielder, Austin Jackson, Victor Martinez, and a host of steady role players.

Highlights:

• Dillon Gee pitched reasonably well against a tough lineup, continuing his stretch of good pitching since late May.
• D’Arnaud must feel like there’s a monkey off his back, having hit his first home run.
• The bullpen, until the Hawkins outing, was effective today.

Up Next:

The Mets welcome the Phillies to Citi for 4 games, with Zack Wheeler starting on Monday.

Thanks for reading! Be sure to follow@RisingAppleBlog on Twitter and Instagram, and Like Rising Apple’s Facebook page to keep up with the latest news, rumors, and opinion.