Mets Morning News: Valar Thorgulis

Meet the Mets

The Mets lost to the Brewers 8-6 in the second game of a three game set at Citi Field. The Brewers opened up a 5-1 lead against Noah Syndergaard, who struggled again, lasting just five innings. The Mets pulled within a run in the seventh, thanks to home runs by Amed Rosario and Pete Alonso, but Jeurys Familia yielded two more runs in the eighth inning and the Mets’ comeback campaign fell short.

Choose your recap: Amazin Avenue short and long, Post, Daily News, Newsday, MLB.com, Faith and Fear in Flushing.

Mickey Callaway says that Jacob deGrom is “leaving the rubber a little quick,” which may be the mechanical source behind his struggles on the mound.

Meanwhile, he believes Noah Syndergaard needs to set up his curveball more effectively and use all four quadrants of the plate. Walks are also killing the Mets’ staff. The 17 batters they have walked in the first inning leads the National League.

But Syndergaard said after last night’s game that he “doesn’t have any trust” in his slider or curveball right now, saying, “Every time I get a new baseball out there, it feels like I’m holding an ice cube.” It could be that changes to the baseball are affecting Syndergaard’s ability to be effective on the mound.

Justin Wilson began a throwing program on Friday and was able to play catch on flat ground without discomfort in his elbow.

Terry Collins has signed a deal with Fox Sports to work on its baseball studio shows. He will continue to also serve in his advisory role with the Mets.

The two-game suspension handed down to Jacob Rhame is in line with recent MLB precedent, writes David Lennon.

“The Mets were in there but they have such a great rotation. The Brewers met my expectations and needs,” Gio Gonzalez said, confirming rumors that the Mets were the other club pursuing him. “Either way, it was a win-win for me. Two great teams were coming at you. It came down to wants and needs with Milwaukee. I played with them last year so I had the feel for what they’re trying to do.”

Around the National League East

The Phillies beat the Marlins 12-9, after almost squandering a 10-1 lead. There was a scary moment in the game where Jean Segura was hit in the helmet by a Trevor Richards fastball. But he left the field under his own power and is showing no signs of concussion.

Mike Foltynewicz made his return from the injured list for the Braves, but the bullpen blew the game in the ninth inning, as they fell to the Rockies 9-5.

Adding to their bullpen woes, the Braves placed lefty reliever Jesse Biddle, who had been struggling mightily of late, on the injured list with a right thigh bruise and a right calf strain.

The Nationals had another bullpen disaster as well, as they lost to the Padres 8-3 in extra innings. “We got a problem in our bullpen, and we got to fix it,” Davey Martinez said after the game.

Around Major League Baseball

Brock Holt felt he could see just fine after his young son scratched his right eye on Opening Day. It was only after he stepped into the batter’s box that he noticed how his scratched cornea was affecting his ability to pick up spin on the ball. Chad Jennings writes about how important vision is to the game of baseball for The Athletic, citing a study that showed that the average MLB player has 20/12.5 vision.

Former Met Mike Cameron has accepted a job with the Mariners in an advisory role, working with the major league and minor league teams on outfield defense and base running.

The Blue Jays signed Ben Revere to a minor league contract.

Yesterday at Amazin’ Avenue

Ken Lavin brought us the Daily Prospect Report, in which there were even more rainouts.

This Date in Mets History

On this date in the Mets’ inaugural season, Frank Thomas and Charlie Neal because the first players in franchise history to hit back-to-back home runs.