Mets Morning News: Bullpen implosion

Meet the Mets

Yesterday’s game unraveled quite quickly for the Mets, thanks to a dreadful effort from the bullpen. Steven Matz left the game with the Mets down just one run, but they lost 15-0, as the Nationals put up eight runs in the eighth and six runs in the ninth. That said, it was a good outing from Matz—one of his better starts of the year.

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

As if the score wasn’t bad enough, Jeff McNeil also exited yesterday’s game due to quad tightness. McNeil called it “nothing too major” and hopes not to miss much time.

Despite it being a bad day for the Mets, it was a good day for Steven Matz, who hopes to build upon yesterday’s start moving forward to inspire confidence that he can be counted on next season.

Before the mood was soured by the result of the game, the Mets warmed up at Citi Field with the Staten Island Little League team.

Bill Madden thinks that Cardinals player development director and former Mets VP of scouting Gary LaRocque may be a good fit for the Mets’ GM job.

Could David Wright be heading to Vegas? Rumor has it he is leaving Port St. Lucie for “greener pastures.”

Around the National League East

Dave Martinez may be looking to get Juan Soto days off on occasion down the stretch, but Soto’s play has made it hard to take him out of the lineup.

Wilson Ramos went 3-for-4 with a home run in the Phillies’ 8-3 win over the Blue Jays.

The Mets weren’t the only NL East team to be shut out yesterday. The Marlins were blanked by the Braves 4-0, thanks to a strong start from Kevin Gausman, who has been stellar since going to Atlanta.

Lewis Brinson and Martin Prado are both close to returning from the disabled list and should be back with the Marlins when rosters expand.

Around Major League Baseball

The American team from Honolulu, Hawaii beat South Korea 3-0 in the Little League World Series championship game.

The A’s have placed Sean Manaea on the disabled list with a shoulder impingement.

Yesterday at Amazin’ Avenue

In a new episode of Amazin’ Avenue Audio, Brian Salvatore and I chat about how fun Players’ Weekend is and how the Mets—and baseball at large—should be embracing fun.

Matthew Mackenzie brought us the daily prospect report.

This Date in Mets History

On this date in 1974, Benny Ayala became the first Met rookie to ever homer in his first major league at-bat.