Mets’ Pitching Woes Lead to Doubleheader Sweep
After David Peterson finished seven spectacular innings of one-run ball in Game 1 of Thursday’s doubleheader, it was only a matter of time before everything fell apart.
Charlie Morton had shut down a Mets lineup that had scored a combined 23 runs over their past three games. He was untouchable, and though Peterson matched him inning-for-inning, the Mets showed no spark. Twice, runners were stranded at second with nobody out, snuffing out any chance of a rally.
Baltimore scored three runs off Ryne Stanek in the eighth, including a two-run homer by pinch-hitter Gunnar Henderson. A rattled Stanek then walked four of the next six batters, which was the last straw. New York went down in order in the ninth, falling 3-1 in the first game of the doubleheader.
Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images
Losing Game 1 was far from ideal given the Mets’ doubleheader pitching setup, as Brandon Waddell was set to start Game 2. Waddell had been solid this year, but mostly in low-leverage innings as the bulk man. Thursday marked his first real test, and the Orioles took full advantage of the tall southpaw.
Waddell was pulled after just three innings and 57 pitches. He usually commands his pitches well, but when he threw strikes, Orioles hitters just kept on making solid contact. Even the ground balls he induced were hit hard, prompting Carlos Mendoza and the Mets to quickly turn to Justin Hagenman.
Unfortunately, Hagenman suffered a similar fate. He pitched a clean fourth but struggled in the fifth, both with limiting hard contact and a somewhat hitter-friendly strike zone. He ended up giving up two runs (one earned) that inning.
With the Orioles leading 5-3 in the sixth and the game still within reach, catcher Alex Jackson smashed a double that chased Hagenman from the mound. The newly summoned Richard Lovelady fared no better, allowing Hagenman’s runner to score along with an additional run.
The Mets called on flamethrower Rico Garcia to pitch the final 2 2/3 innings, and he looked sharp. Garcia retired all eight batters he faced, but the damage was already done. New York fell 7-3, suffering the dreaded doubleheader sweep.
New York’s downfall came from poor pitching performances outside of Peterson and Garcia — but help may be on the way. Kodai Senga and Sean Manaea are both slated to return this weekend, and they are reportedly at full strength. It’s a major relief for a rotation currently leaning on just Clay Holmes, Frankie Montas and Peterson.
Manaea, 33, was a rotation stalwart for New York last season, throwing 181 2/3 innings. That kind of workload might not be realistic anymore, but it suggests he’s not inherently fragile, just a bit unlucky. His minor league rehab results have been so-so, but he’s worked his way back to full health, which, at this point, is all that matters.
Senga, on the other hand, has begun taking frequent trips to the injured list. Just two years ago, he made it through a full season without getting on the IL once, but it’s been anything but smooth sailing since. However, unlike many of today’s pitchers who fight arm injuries, it’s his lower half that keeps breaking down – often on routine baseball movements. Still, before the hamstring injury, Senga had been fantastic, posting a 1.47 ERA over 13 starts and 73 2/3 innings.
Alongside the returns of Manaea and Senga, it’s likely David Stearns eventually explores the trade market for more arms. Pitching injuries are inevitable, and the Mets have already been linked to starters like Zac Gallen and Edward Cabrera. While those two in particular are higher-end targets, it’s also realistic for the Mets to pursue mid-tier, innings-eating arms — ideally ones who could be just slightly better than the options they’re currently relying on.
In any case, reinforcements are on the way. There will be arms ready to take innings away from the likes of Waddell and Hagenman. If all goes according to plan, the Mets won’t have to rely on their depth pieces much longer. And after a disappointing doubleheader performance, that alone is something to look forward to.
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