Mets vs Mariners Recap: Trade ‘em all

The Mets dropped the rubber game of their series with the Seattle Mariners this afternoon, losing 9-1 at Safeco Field. The loss represents the first series the team has lost since the All-Star Break and, paired with the looming trade deadline, looks like a line in the sand for the team.

Seth Lugo struggled from the first inning, where Jean Segura and Robinson Cano singled ahead of Nelson Cruz, who smashed a three-run shot to left-center field, putting the Mariners up 3-0. This would be all the offense the M’s would need, but they tacked on throughout the game.

In the second inning, Leonys Martin hit a solo home run, which was followed up by a Ben Gamel triple and a Cano double, bringing the score to 5-0. James Paxton started for Seattle, and went six strong innings, striking out eight, walking none, and surrendering only six singles. Only one Met made it to second base against Paxton.

Lugo settled in after the second inning, and looked much better in hi final three innings of work. Eventually, Lugo struck out five, walked none, and gave up eight hits and five runs over five innings of work.

In the top of the fifth, Jose Reyes was hit by a pitch in the wrist. He left the game, and was replaced by Asdrubal Cabrera. X-rays eventually came back negative.

The Mets bullpen has had better days than today. Fernando Salas pitched a clean sixth inning, but after him, it all went downhill. One inning later, Josh Smoker entered, and walked Cruz, gave up a double to Kyle Seager, and a sacrifice fly by Danny Valencia, led to another run.

Brand new Met AJ Ramos pitched the eighth, and did not look great in his debut. Mike Zunino walked to lead off the inning, and then Martin singled, moving Zunino to second. Gamel then hit into what looked like a double play ball, but after recording the out at second, Neil Walker made an errant throw to first, allowing Zunino to score and Gamel to take second. Ramos then threw a wild pitch to pinch hitter Danny Espinosa, which allowed Gamel to reach third. Espinosa then singled, driving in Gamel, bringing the score to 9-1.

With two outs in the ninth, Curtis Granderson, Travis d’Arnaud, and Matt Reynolds hit back to back to back singles, leading to the Mets’ first and only run of the game.

The Mets have an off-day tomorrow, before traveling to Colorado to begin a three-game series with the Rockies. Steven Matz hopes to put his past few starts behind him as he faces Jeff Hoffman on Tuesday evening.

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What’s WPA?

Big winners: None
Big losers: Seth Lugo, -30.7% WPA
Teh aw3s0mest play: Neil Walker’s hit by pitch in the second inning
Teh sux0rest play: Nelson Cruz’s three-run home run in the first inning
Total pitcher WPA: -31.8% WPA
Total batter WPA: -18.2% WPA
GWRBI!: Nelson Cruz