Latest Bullpen Implosion Leads to Disheartening Loss vs. Pirates
Christian Scott (0-2, 4.15 ERA) exited Monday’s contest in a tie game with two outs and nobody on in the sixth inning. That turned out to be the inflection point of the game, as what followed was a disaster of an inning in which five straight batters reached to score five runs to put the Pirates […]
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Christian Scott (0-2, 4.15 ERA) exited Monday’s contest in a tie game with two outs and nobody on in the sixth inning. That turned out to be the inflection point of the game, as what followed was a disaster of an inning in which five straight batters reached to score five runs to put the Pirates (43-47) well over the Mets (44-45) late in the game. The Mets couldn’t recover as they lost 8-2 to split the series.
Scott’s opposite number in this game was Mitch Keller (10-5, 3.43 ERA), who has always given the Mets fits, entering Monday’s action with a 1.89 ERA in three starts against them. It was more of the same on Monday, as Keller allowed just two runs in eight innings pitched.
Both pitchers were extremely efficient early in the game. Keller needed 27 pitches to get through the first three innings, while Scott threw 32. Scott arguably outpitched Keller through three innings, with Keller needing impressive defense to keep runs off the board, while Scott didn’t allow a baserunner before recording his first nine outs.
It was a different story in the fourth inning, though, when Scott allowed a leadoff walk to Andrew McCutchen before Oneil Cruz blasted an opposite-field, two-run homer to put the Pirates in front 2-0. The Mets’ young rookie limited the damage by completing the rest of the inning, but the damage was done.
Cruz’s home run was the only blemish allowed by Scott, whose day ended after 5 2/3 innings and 77 pitches. Scott allowed just one hit, one walk and two earned runs while striking out three. His ERA through seven career starts is now 4.15.
Mitch Keller kept rolling through the Mets’ lineup until the sixth inning when he experienced a near-identical inning to Scott’s fourth inning. Keller allowed a leadoff baserunner and then a two-run homer to Brandon Nimmo, who swung on a 3-0 count at a cutter down the middle. Like Scott, Keller was also able to limit the damage, but just like that, it was a new game.
Jul 8, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Mets pitcher Eric Orze (53) warms up before a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Following Scott’s departure, Eric Orze entered the game from the bullpen to make his major league debut. The 26-year-old draft pick from 2020 entered the sixth inning with two outs and nobody on but subsequently allowed a walk, a single, and then an infield single to put the Pirates right back in front 3-2. Those three batters were all Orze would get, making way for Adrian Houser.
Houser didn’t have any more luck, as he allowed a double, a wild pitch, and a home run to tack on four more runs in what turned out to be a nightmare inning. Scott was almost certainly on a pitch count, but his removal from the game with two outs and nobody on turned out to be a game-losing decision. When the inning was all said and done, Orze was charged with three runs while recording no outs, and Houser was charged with two runs in one-third of an inning.
Houser remained on through the eighth inning and allowed another run to put the Pirates ahead 8-2. In all, Houser allowed three runs on five hits in 2 1/3 innings to raise his ERA from 5.43 to 5.65.
The Mets recorded a hit in the ninth inning but otherwise showed little fight against Brent Honeywell Jr. That secured them an 8-2 loss in what was yet another loss as a direct result of the bullpen. The Mets are back below .500 at 44-45 and return home after a 4-4 road trip.
Statistic of the Game: 3-0 Swinging
Brandon Nimmo’s home run on a 3-0 pitch in the sixth inning was the first time in his career that Nimmo put a ball in play in that count. Nimmo is known for his patience at the plate and his ability to record walks, but he picked the perfect spot to swing 3-0. A cutter right down the middle turned a 2-0 Mets deficit into a 2-2 tie game.
Player of the Game
Like his last start, Christian Scott had a great start except for one pitch. His home run to Oneil Cruz was the only hit allowed, and even though it was costly, it shouldn’t overshadow an otherwise brilliant performance. Scott was perfect through three innings and retired seven straight to finish his outing. His 4.15 ERA doesn’t reflect how great he’s been, but when he’s pitched, he’s been very effective.
On Deck
The Mets travel home to start another series with the Nationals on Tuesday. Jose Quintana (3-5, 4.22) will be on the mound for New York, while Washington will send out Jake Irvin (7-6, 2.80). It’s a rematch of the July 4 matchup when the Nationals won 1-0 on a Jesse Winker solo shot in the eighth. Quintana threw seven shutout innings and looked elite, but Irvin looked like a true ace with eight shutout innings and one hit allowed.
The game will air on SNY, with the first pitch scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET.
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