The Mets lost the final game of the four-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals after Dillon Gee provided yet another awesome start from a Met starting pitcher.
The Cardinals took the lead in the top of the fourth when Allen Craig singled past a drawn in Ike Davis to drive in Matt Holliday, but the Mets were quick to answer. With two out an nobody on in the bottom half of the fourth, Lucas Duda hit a ball that hasn’t landed yet.
Other than Duda though, the Mets struggled as a whole against Lohse, who allowed just the homer and a double to Omar Quintanilla through his first six innings. Luckily for the Amazin’s, Dillon Gee matched Lohse with his performance, as he took care of the Red Birds with rather ease through six as well.
It was in the seventh where Gee faced some serious adversity, as Allen Craig and David Freese led off with singles. After Daniel Descalso checked his swing and chopped one back to Gee, the Mets’ pitcher skipped a throw past Quintanilla and into center field to score a run. After an infield hit by Adron Chambers, Matt Adams struck out hitting for Kyle Lohse. Rafael Furcal then grounded into a fielder’s choice to score another run, and then Gee struck out Beltran to end the threat.
Marc Rzepczynski took over for the Cardinals, and David Wright responded with a single. After Lucas Duda and Daniel Murphy grounded out, Scott Hairston pinch hit for Ike Davis and blasted one to tie the game at 3-3.
Jon Rauch took over in the top of the eighth, and he promptly allowed a lead-off single to Matt Holliday. After a fly-out by Yadier Molina, Allen Craig crushed one to give the Cardinals their two-run lead right back. After he struck out the next batter, Rauch was pulled, and Tim Byrdak struck out Daniel Descalso.
Josh Thole lead off the home eighth with a single up the middle, and he was followed by a Vinny Rottino fly-out. Kirk Nieuenhuis followed with an opposite-field double, and then Torres hit a sacrifice fly to cut the lead to 5-4. Mike Matheney then went to his closer Jason Motte to face David Wright, and David lined out after a lengthy battle at the plate.
Adron Chambers walked off Byrdak to start the ninth, and Terry Collins went to Bobby Parnell, who induced a sacrifice. Rafael Furcal followed with a ground-out. Beltran flew out to end the frame.
In the home ninth, Lucas Duda lead off with a fly-out to left. Daniel Murphy followed by striking out. Jordany Valdespin pinch-hit next and struck out to end it.
Reaction: Although we want them to, the Mets can’t win every day.
Positives: Dillion Gee kept the Mets’ streak of exceptional starting pitching alive, and you could tell he had his good stuff in the very first inning. He worked effectively inside, and he made use of that change-up of his. Although he was saddled with a no-decision, this is definitely a positive start to build off of.
You gotta love the fight this team shows. Three times, the Cardinals took leads, and the Mets fought back. Terry Collins has these guys giving everything, each and every day.
Negatives: What’s up with Jon Rauch? Whenever he pitches recently, it seems like he’s throwing a beach ball underhanded. He has no command, and when you throw as slow as he does, his pitches are not going to fool anyone. This is someone Dan Warthen has to work with.
How about Ike Davis? How does it feel to be pinch hit for in a key spot, and your replacement comes up with a big hit? Davis seems like an extra pitcher hitting now, and I think the Mets would be naive to not at least explore the idea of sending him down to work on things.
Up Next: The Mets head down to Washington to face Jordan Zimmerman tomorrow night. Chris Young makes his return for the Mets. Game-time is 7:10 p.m.
