Throughout this stretch that the New York Mets have been on, the team has been led by their offense. The starting pitching, meanwhile, has quietly lagged behind for the most part and has failed to contribute in regard to innings. The innings struggle continued in an 8-1 blowout loss to the Chicago Cubs on Saturday. Mets’ starters this season have been getting roughed up early and often. The Mets were down 6-0 by the end of the 3rd inning and, unlike this past Tuesday’s comeback against the Texas Rangers, couldn’t dig themselves out of the early hole.
Jun 22, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; New York Mets pitcher Tylor Megill (38) throws the ball against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
With the Mets still having trouble with starting pitching due to the absences of Kodai Senga (injury), Christian Scott (Triple-A), and José Buttó (Triple-A), players like Megill have been given an opportunity. Megill was tasked to continue the Mets current stretch against the Cubs after New York’s 11-1 win on Friday. However, a 5-run Chicago first inning dampened the afternoon for Megill and the Mets.
A walk to Cody Bellinger set up an RBI single by Seiya Suzuki, followed by an RBI groundout by Ian Happ, and then an RBI single by Christopher Morel plated a 3-0 lead for the Cubs. Dansby Swanson doubled to drive in Morel, and Pete Crow-Armstrong would drive in Swanson on an RBI triple down to cap off the frame. Morel would homer off Megill in the bottom of the 3rd inning to essentially end his day. Megill left pitches up in the zone, and his control was off again. He went 3.0 innings, allowing 5 hits, 6 earned runs, 6 strikeouts, and 3 walks. His ERA went up to 4.81. Saturday was the fourth consecutive outing Megill failed to get past the fifth inning.
With Megill having another short day, the Mets called on Danny Young for the bottom of the 4th inning. Young pitched a scoreless frame with three consecutive ground outs. He also got the first out of the fifth inning before being taken out for Adrian Houser. Young threw 19 pitches. 15 went for strikes. He lowered his ERA to 0.87 on the season. Young will look to force the Mets to make another decision if he continues to impress, and this time, he hopes to stay with the big league club.
Starling Marte, one of the more consistent hitters in the Mets lineup this season, has been battling a knee injury lately, and it looked to have flared up on Saturday. Marte, who left the game in the second inning after a ground out, showed noticeable discomfort while running to first base. The Mets announced that Marte left the game due to right knee soreness. After the game, manager Carlos Mendoza said Marte will go for testing on Monday. Marte said postgame that his knee had been bothering him for a few weeks.
Francisco Alvarez accounted for the Mets’ only run, homering in the top of the fifth for a second consecutive day. Alvarez has been on fire in the month of June, slashing .333/.375/.467 with one homer coming into Saturday’s matchup.
Young continues to show the Mets what he can bring to the bullpen. He’s been sharp in his appearances, including on Saturday.
It’s the rubber matchup at Wrigley Field on Sunday night, as the Mets will send Luis Severino to the mound. Javier Assad will pitch for the Cubs. The game will be televised nationally on ESPN at 7:10 p.m. EDT.
The post Megill Roughed Up In 8-1 Loss To Cubs appeared first on Metsmerized Online.
