deGrom shines, offense sputters, Familia blows it

Given the opportunity last night to rattle off a 5-1 stretch in their past two series and finish their home stand at 6-2, the Mets failed. And they did so in frustrating fashion, as a late one-nothing lead over the Marlins quickly turned into a one-run deficit that became the final score.

Jacob deGrom, as per usual, was brilliant. He went seven innings, struck out eight, walked two, gave up four hits, and—most importantly—did not allow any runs to score. He’s now leading the National League with a 1.54 ERA. He should undoubtedly be considered one of the leading contenders for the league’s Cy Young award at this point.

With the way he was pitching, it didn’t feel like the Mets needed much offense. And “not much offense” is exactly what they got. Brandon Nimmo got on base three times in four plate appearances, one of which resulted in a no-doubt solo home run into the second deck in right field. Unfortunately, that was the only run the Mets scored all night.

Nimmo wasn’t quite alone in having a good night at the plate, as Adrian Gonzalez—whose line for the season is now .265/.341/.425—had a pair of hits and a walk. But aside from a Jay Bruce single on a shallow fly ball to left field that was nearly caught, that was it for the Mets’ offensive performances on the night.

All of that set the stage for Jeurys Familia—who has been excellent this season—to give up two runs in the top of the ninth, blowing the save and allowing the Marlins to score the run that wound up being the difference in the game.

There have been some tough losses this year, and this one might not top the list. But it’s probably in the top five.

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What’s WPA?

Big winners: Jacob deGrom, +44.4% WPA, Brandon Nimmo, +18.4% WPA, Seth Lugo, +11.7% WPA, Adrian Gonzalez, +15.3% WPA
Big losers: Jeurys Familia, -65.6% WPA, Devin Mesoraco, -16.2% WPA, Luis Guillorme, -16.1% WPA, Wilmer Flores, -13.8% WPA
Teh aw3s0mest play: Brandon Nimmo hits a solo home run in the fifth, +16.0% WPA
Teh sux0rest play: Starlin Castro singles in the go-ahead run in the ninth, -36.1% WPA
Total pitcher WPA: -9.5% WPA
Total batter WPA: -40.5% WPA
GWRBI!: Starlin Castro