The Mets knew they’d have little margin for error Sunday in opposition to one of the crucial dominant beginning pitchers within the Nationwide League, solely to see an error result in the decisive margin.
Taijuan Walker and Miami workhorse Sandy Alcantara carried dueling shutouts by means of the seventh inning, however the Mets couldn’t provide you with a well timed hit all day and the Marlins ultimately pulled out a 2-0 victory in 10 innings for a cut up of a four-game collection at Citi Area.
In the future after the Mets had taken benefit of Miami’s sloppy protection to publish a 10-inning victory on Keith Hernandez Day, a throwing error previous third base by catcher Tomas Nido on a stolen-base try allowed computerized runner Billy Hamilton to attain the go-ahead run. Tommy Hunter allowed a second run to attain within the tenth on Luke Williams’ RBI single.
“Clearly, that’s the place the run scored, that was the distinction. However there was numerous issues in there,” stated Buck Showalter, whose staff went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring place. “We had a few pops at their starter however simply couldn’t money in. That’s why he's who he's.”
Francisco Lindor struck out in opposition to Tanner Scott with runners on the corners to finish the sport for the Mets (53-33) forward of their pivotal three-game divisional showdown in opposition to the Braves in Atlanta starting Monday. The defending World Collection champs have closed what was as soon as a ten ½-game deficit within the NL East to 1 ½ with Sunday’s 12-inning win over the Nationals.
“Atlanta, whether or not it’s the primary day of the yr, or tomorrow, it’s gonna be a problem,” stated Lindor, whose 60 RBIs weren’t sufficient for him to affix 4 teammates on the preliminary NL All-Star roster. “They’re the World Collection champs. … In the end, it doesn’t matter who’s on the opposite facet. We have now to exit and provides our greatest.”
Sunday’s loss squandered one other gem by Walker, who accomplished seven scoreless innings and allowed simply three hits with seven strikeouts and one stroll over 99 pitches, reducing his ERA to 2.63 over 15 begins.
Showalter believes the 29-year-old Walker — who's slated to make another begin, Friday in Chicago, earlier than the All-Star break — ought to be thought of to be added to interchange anybody unable to pitch within the Midsummer Traditional on July 19 in Los Angeles.
Walker equally had been named to the NL squad final summer time as an harm alternative for Mets teammate Jacob deGrom. He began the 2021 season with a 7-3 document and a 2.66 ERA earlier than enduring a horrible second half, closing the yr 0-8 with a 6.79 ERA over 13 begins after the break.
“I don’t actually keep in mind final yr, however I simply really feel like currently I’ve been going on the market and attempting to provide our staff the perfect probability to win,” Walker stated. “Hopefully I get in [the All-Star Game], but when not, having the 4 days off will probably be good, too.”
Alcantara, who simply leads the majors this season in innings pitched with 130 ¹/₃, will probably be headed to LA after reducing his ERA to 1.73. He scattered six hits over seven shutout frames — his twelfth consecutive outing with at the very least that many innings pitched.
“I don’t need to say I've a man-crush or something. … However you go on the market and you end up watching him,” Showalter stated. “You’ve bought to get an actual high quality begin out of your starter and the alternatives you often get from him you higher money in.”
Walker was reached for simply three hits — all by Jon Berti — in matching zeroes with Alcantara by means of seven, ending that body with a full-count strikeout of Brian Anderson with two runners aboard.
The Mets acquired consecutive two-out singles from Eduardo Escobar and Luis Guillorme (3-for-4) in opposition to Alcantara within the backside half of the seventh, however Nido grounded out to finish the inning. In addition they had two runners on with none out within the fourth, however Alcantara bought Lindor to bounce right into a double play.
“I confronted him final time in Miami, and even going through [Houston’s Justin Verlander], these are enjoyable video games,” Walker stated. “You need to be just a bit bit higher. He’s top-of-the-line, if not the perfect pitcher proper now in baseball.
“It’s baseball, and we’re gonna lose some video games.”
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