Mets vs. Marlins Recap: McHugh's poor start hardly matters as Mets score just one run

Coming into this weekend's series with the Mets, the Marlins won just thirteen games and had won just one series: the Mets' previous visit to the mostly-domed ballpark in Miami. With the Mets' putrid performance at the plate today and bad outings from Collin McHugh and Robert Carson—both of whom look like they might not be suited for roster spots—Miami won for the second time in as many days against the Mets, securing its second series victory of the year.

The Mets have quite the history of coming up short on the road in the National League East, particularly in Atlanta and Miami, and they weren't exactly on track to certain playoff contention after a five-game winning streak that included a four-game sweep of the Yankees. Still, another loss to the lowly Marlins, who were on pace for 123 losses on Friday morning, is about as discouraging as it gets.

McHugh has struggled in the big leagues in the past, too, but if there figured to be an ideal matchup for him, it was the Marlins and their minor league lineup playing major league baseball. But he gave up a run in the first on a single by Chris Coghlan, and he might have given up more in the inning if Rick Ankiel hadn't thrown out a runner at third base on the play to end the inning.

In the second, Marlins starter Jose Fernandez singled in a run to put the Marlins ahead 2-0. McHugh managed a flawless third inning, but he got into trouble again in the fourth. After singles by Coghlan and the ever-irritating Greg Dobbs, Adeiny Hechavarria hit a sacrifice fly to plate Coghlan from third. Jeff Mathis then tripled—something he had done just once in 1,611 career plate appearances—to score Dobbs. The Mets were down 4-0, and the game felt like it was over.

McHugh gave up a single to start the fifth inning, which ended his outing as Terry Collins turned to Robert Carson. Despite allowing a single of his own, Carson got through the inning without allowing the Marlins to score.

The Mets, however, weren't doing much of anything at the plate against Fernandez, who notched 8 strikeouts, issued just 1 walk, and needed only 87 pitches to keep the Mets scoreless through seven.

In the bottom of the seventh, a game that already seemed over got twice as bad. Carson and Greg Burke combined to allow four more runs to score in the inning, the first three of which were charged to Carson.

The Mets managed to score a pity run in the top of the eighth inning on a Justin Turner double, but it was far too little, much too late.

The series concludes tomorrow, also known as Harvey Day, at 1:10 pm. Kevin Slowey gets the start for the Marlins.

SB Nation Coverage

* Amazin' Avenue Gamethread
* Fish Stipes Gamethread

Win Probability Added

(What's this?)

Big winners: Omar Quintanilla, +3.5% WPA
Big losers: Collin McHugh, -21.5% WPA
Teh aw3s0mest play: Marcell Ozuna strikes out with two men on in the first, +4.3% WPA
Teh sux0rest play: Jose Fernandez's run-scoring single in the second, -10.1% WPA
Total pitcher WPA: -21.2% WPA
Total batter WPA: -28.8% WPA
GWRBI!: Jose Fernandez