Mets Morning News: Cespedes suffers setback, Mets outclassed by the Yanks again

Meet the Mets

The Mets put up a three spot in the first inning against Domingo Germen, thanks to home runs from Todd Frazier and Asdrubal Cabrera. But predictably, the Bronx Bombers out-bombed the Mets, hitting three home runs of their own, including a go-ahead shot from Aaron Judge in the eighth inning off Anthony Swarzak that put the Yankees ahead for good.

Choose your recap: Amazin Avenue short and long, Bergen Record, Daily News, MLB.com, Newsday, Post, Times

John Harper points out that Mickey Callaway’s bullpen management blunders may have been the difference in last night’s contest.

However, the one positive during this losing streak has been the starting pitching. And Steven Matz’s improvement continued last night, as he reached 100 pitches in consecutive starts for the first time in almost a year.

In a truly head scratching move, the Mets are reportedly considering a minor league stint for Michael Conforto when Yoenis Cespedes returns from the disabled list.

Wilmer Flores is expected to be activated from the disabled list soon.

Seth Lugo believes he can give the Mets a bit more length in his upcoming start.

After Masahiro Tanaka went down with an injury while running the bases, both Aaron Boone and Mickey Callaway expressed lukewarm sentiments about the idea of pitchers hitting.

There are teams in Major League Baseball who have gone far longer than the Mets without a World Series title. But every season that goes by, the Mets move closer to the front of the line.

Around the National League East

Gio Gonzalez lasted just 3 ¹⁄₃ innings, but the Nationals bested the Giants 7-5 with a strong offensive performance and solid work from the bullpen.

Dampening the spirit of the victory was the news that the Nationals will place Stephen Strasburg on the disabled list with shoulder inflammation.

The Padres staged a late-inning rally to beat the Marlins 5-4.

Jake Arrieta had a poor outing and the Brewers piled it on against the Phillies bullpen, to the tune of a 12-3 final.

The Phillies reportedly have a “genuine interest” in Manny Machado.

Freddie Freeman and Nick Markakis continue to lead the Braves’ offense, as Anibal Sanchez earns the win in their 5-3 victory over the Dodgers.

Around Major League Baseball

Jay Jaffe wrote a beautiful tribute to Anthony Bourdain, including many videos that show his passion for the game of baseball and how he shared it with the world.

Chris Davis is on pace for a historically bad season. And yet he remains a fixture in the Orioles lineup.

Walker Beuhler, who has been very successful with the Dodgers this season, left last night’s game due to a rib issue that he is calling “bruised ribs.” There is no word yet on when he could return. The Dodgers also received some bad news about Justin Turner, whose performance could be impacted all season by the fractured wrist he suffered in spring training.

Charlie Morton had two infamous career-highs in last night’s game: he hit four batters with a pitch and walked six. He lasted just 3 ²⁄₃ innings, but the Astros won anyway.

Yesterday at Amazin’ Avenue

Kory Powell gave us the daily prospect report, where Yoenis Cespedes went 0-2 in his first rehab game.

However, Vasilis Drimalitis covered the unfortunate news that Cespedes left his second rehab game with tightness in his right quad.

This Date in Mets History

In the 1980s the Mets played two extra inning games on this date—one in 1983 and one in 1986—and actually won them both.