The starting pitching was poor, the defense was worse and the hitting was the worst of all three.
The Mets didn’t look anything like a first-place team Sunday during a listless 5-1 loss to the Marlins in the rubber game of a series at loanDepot park. In fairness, the Mets also don’t look anything like the true Mets because 16 players on the injured list has created a collection of mostly journeymen and minor league replacements forced to extend beyond their capabilities.
“Little things happened, but they end up being big things,” manager Luis Rojas said. “We have to play well fundamentally if we want to contain the opposing team.”
Jordan Yamamoto, who was promoted from the taxi squad in a pinch, allowed five runs in the second inning when he was required to use his glove. The Marlins’ 5-0 lead might as well have been 50-0 as the Mets (21-19) managed just three singles and never advanced a runner to second base in seven scoreless innings as Cody Poteet cruised through his third career start.
“I ruined our chances of winning today,” Yamamoto said. “I let the team down by giving up five runs. There are no excuses for that except I have to be better.”
The Marlins (22-24) loaded the bases and Poteet chopped a one-out slow roller down the third-base line. Yamamoto cut off charging third baseman Brandon Drury and made an off-balance throw to the plate. It was too late, and the alternative could’ve been letting Drury throw to first base and trading an out for a run.
“My main objective was just trying to get an out,” Yamamoto said. “It was just a swinging bunt perfectly placed. I don’t think there’s any different outcome of what would have happened.”
Two batters later, Yamamoto’s fielding again became a factor when he couldn’t corral the back end of a would-be 3-6-1 double play that could’ve stopped the bleeding at 2-0. Shortstop Francisco Lindor was charged with an error allowing two runs to score, but Rojas thought Yamamoto should’ve made the catch on his hip. Jesus Aguilar added a RBI single before the rally ended.
Rojas was hoping that pitching against his former team might elevate Yamamoto’s performance. It didn’t, so does that hurt more?
“Ohhh yeah,” Yamamoto said. “At the end of the day, today was not the day to be friends with them. Today was a day to compete and give the team as many innings as I can to try to give the bullpen some rest. It just didn’t work out as planned.”
Yamamoto allowed six hits, walked two and struck out two in four innings. There was confusion over whether he was pulled because of right shoulder soreness — as the Mets indicated — or because the timing was right to make a double switch.
“I learned more of this later in the game,” Rojas said. “I wasn’t aware in the middle of it. Obviously he talked to the trainer after he came out, but the last inning he pitched was his last inning of work. We felt that four innings and the pitch count he had [73] was enough already.”
Yamamoto felt the soreness beginning in the third but didn’t seem overly concerned long term after icing his shoulder.
“I have positive vibes in me,” he said. “Hopefully, we’re good to go. We have to talk more with the trainers and the coaches.”
Poteet retired the final 14 batters he faced by mixing all his pitches early in the count. File under “too little, too late” the Mets’ eighth-inning breakthrough of Johneshwy Fargas’ double and Wilfredo Tovar’s RBI single.
“Everyone in the dugout was thinking we were going to build some momentum even when there are two outs and we are down four runs,” Rojas said. “I like the spirit of the guys who have joined us along the way.”
Spirit is good. Hard contact would be better. Injuries have forced the likes of Cameron Maybin into the heart of the lineup, and he is 0-for-16.
Perhaps the most discouraging part is there is no reason to think this was a one-off offensively. None of the six position players from the Opening Day lineup who are on the injured list are on the cusp of returning, based on Rojas’ pregame updates. The Mets finished 3-6 on their 11-day road trip.
“We have to move forward,” Rojas said. “That’s the message here.”
