Mets Morning News: Mets drop series finale, are looking for pitching help

Meet the Mets

The Mets dropped the final game of a series against the Cubs 6-2. Bartolo Colon struggled, allowing six runs over the course of his 4.1 innings. Anthony Rizzo led the Cubs with two home runs. Wilmer Flores hit a two-run home run in the eighth, but the Mets’ offense was unable to get anything else despite nine total hits. The Mets are off Thursday, and begin a series against the Marlins on Friday.

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The Mets are reportedly looking to acquire help for the pitching staff at the trade deadline. It will likely be in the form of a reliever to bolster the middle innings before Addison Reed and Jeurys Familia.

Yoenis Cespedes sat yesterday in order to give him two consecutive days off heading into an important series against Miami. Terry Collins insisted that it was prudent, as Cespedes is not 100% recovered from an injured quadriceps.

Left-handed pitching prospect Thomas Szapucki was profiled by Josh Norris for Baseball America. The 2015 draft pick is off to a dominant start, with 47 strikeouts and just nine walks over 29 innings with the Kingsport Mets.

Mets second-round pick Peter Alonso was profiled over at ESPN. Alonso is off to a solid start with the Cyclones, having hit two home runs in his first 11 games.

In the wake of his dramatic save against the Cubs on Tuesday night, Jeurys Familia was written up by Claire McNear at The Ringer. Familia is in the midst of a streak of 49 consecutive regular season saves converted.

Around the NL East

The Braves were defeated by the Reds 6-3. Lucas Harrell got off to a good start, but unraveled in the sixth inning, allowing four runs. Freddie Freeman hit his 17th home of the season.

The Phillies beat the Marlins 4-1. Jeremy Hellickson was dominant over eight innings, allowing just the one run and striking out eight. Tyler Goeddel hit a two-run home run, and drove in another run with a single. Chris Johnson had two hits for Miami. Read recaps at The Good Phight and Fish Stripes.

The Nationals won big against the Dodgers by a score of 8-1. Gio Gonzalez allowed one run over six innings for Washington. The Nationals got home runs from Bryce Harper, Ben Revere, Jayson Werth, and Anthony Rendon.

Around MLB

The Dodgers pitching staff is in bad shape, as Clayton Kershaw remains out with a back injury that could require surgery, and Alex Wood is set to undergo arthroscopic elbow debridement surgery. As a result, Los Angeles is expected to look to land a top-of-the-rotation starter at the deadline.

The Mariners and Cubs completed a trade on Wednesday. The main pieces in the trade are prospect Dan Vogelbach who will head to Seattle, and reliever Mike Montgomery who will go to Chicago.

The Rangers and White Sox also executed a trade. The Rangers acquired minor league pitcher Scott Carroll in exchange for cash considerations.

The Rangers placed Prince Fielder and Shin-Soo Choo on the disabled list. Fielder is dealing with neck discomfort, while Choo has inflammation in his lower back.

Rich Hill is unlikely to make his next start due to a blister on his hand. The Marlins, Orioles, Red Sox, Royals, and Blue Jays are all reportedly interested in the left-hander.

The Giants are looking to acquire a reliever. They have reportedly been scouting Phillies’ pitchers Jeanmar Gomez and David Hernandez.

Eno Sarris discussed Daniel Mengden’s unorthodox delivery with the Athletics’ pitcher.

Yesterday at AA

Steve Sypa profiled the Mets 36th round draft pick Garrison Bryant. The right-handed pitcher was drafted out of Clearwater High School in Florida, and elected to sign with the Mets rather than attend college.

This Date in Mets History

In 2004, David Wright made his debut as the Mets’ third baseman. He finished with no hits in four at-bats as part of a 5-4 win against the Expos.