Mets Morning News: Mets fail to complete sweep, move on to DC

Meet the Mets

After winning the first three games of the series, the Mets failed to put up any runs against Kyle Hendricks and the Cubs, and a first inning two-run homer by Javier Baez off Marcus Stroman (who was otherwise stellar in seven innings of work) was enough to doom the Amazins to a 2-0 loss. The team now gets ready to begin a four-game series against the Nationals.

Choose your recap: Amazin’ Avenue short and long, NY Post, Daily News, Newsday, MLB.com, North Jersey

Once again, the Mets got some tentative good news on the subject of Jacob deGrom’s health.

Despite the optimism that deGrom and the Mets expressed, it may still be a risk to let the ace pitcher make his next scheduled start.

The Mets will soon be getting some offensive reinforcements, as Luis Rojas expects Jeff McNeil to be back with the team by either Sunday or Monday.

Pete Alonso is back on Instagram, and his first post back revealed the illusive Donnie Stevenson.

The Mets made a pitching signing yesterday, inking independent league pitcher Connor Grey to a minor league deal.

Around the National League East

Charlie Morton pitched 7.2 shutout innings, leading the Braves to a much-needed 4-0 victory in their series opener against the Cardinals.

The Nationals have been hot recently, and they will need to keep it up if they want to salvage their 2021 season.

The Good Phight expressed some concern about Bryce Harper’s nagging injuries and how they might impact his performance over the rest of his lengthy contract with the Phillies.

Fish Stripes put together a whole roster of NL East players currently on the injured list, and it is an impressive squad.

Around Major League Baseball

The league has decided to loosen restrictions for all players and coaches who have been fully vaccinated.

Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: the Diamondbacks lost on the road again.

The Astros have placed third baseman Alex Bregman on the 10-day IL after injuring his quad while running out a ground ball on Wednesday night.

The Rays pulled off a rare interdivision trade, acquiring first baseman Mike Ford from the Yankees for cash considerations and a player to be named later.

Speaking of the Yankees, they pulled off a rather unusual triple play last night.

MLB.com contemplated which prospects in each team’s farm system could profile as future leadoff hitters.

While bunting is usually bad, there have been a few solid ones so far this year.

Yesterday at Amazin’ Avenue

Chris McShane and Brian Salvatore chatted with drummer and huge Mets fan Josh Eppard in the latest episode of Amazin’ Avenue in Conversation.

Brian also provided updates on the closely watched -illar of the Day sweepstakes.

This Date in Mets History

In perhaps his most impressive accomplishment of his Cy Young season, R.A. Dickey pitched his second straight one-hitter on this date in 2012.