Savvy Mets trade deadline pickup gets a blown save and a loss in his first appearance

Tyler Zuber wasn’t on anyone’s radar. The 29-year-old who began the year with the Long Island Ducks was traded to the New York Mets from the Tampa Bay Rays in a solid depth addition to the organization. Zuber had been pitching spectacularly well in Triple-A for the Rays. His 2.49 ERA, 2.5 walks per 9, and 12 strikeouts per 9 all left a large enough impression on the Mets to think he was worth trading away Paul Gervase to acquire.

Zuber is quintessential depth for a team that needed as much as possible. Limited to 3.1 innings in the majors this year with Tampa Bay, he immediately went to Syracuse to await the call to the Mets. Unfortunately, his debut wasn’t a strong one.

Mets trade deadline addition Tyler Zuber is off to a slow start with his new ball club

In a back-and-forth game against the Columbus Clippers, Zuber entered in the bottom of the seventh with a 5-4 lead. The first hitter he faced went yard. Two singles and a walk then followed before a sacrifice fly with the bases loaded scored a second run.

Luckily for Zuber, the sacrifice fly included a double play with the runner on first getting thrown out at second base. A second fly out helped him escape the inning.

Rain was in the forecast and the game would end in a wild double play in the top of the 8th. Drew Gilbert stood at second base with one out. Brett Baty grounded out and Gilbert went for home only to get doubled up and thrown out at home plate.

The game ended with Columbus leading 6-5, Zuber with a blown save and a loss, and a negative first impression.

It wasn’t all bad. Luke Ritter continued to hit well with 4 more RBI. His 77 leads the International League. He has been on an absolute tear of late, too.