R.A. Dickey was the victim of a big second inning, the Mets bats were generally absent against the Phillies, and the defensive lapses up the middle sealed the loss. In the end, the Mets lost 7-2 against Philadelphia, but more importantly they lose another game in the wild card race, dropping to 8 ½ games behind the Braves.
The trouble came early for Dickey, as he could not throw strikes early in the count. He loaded the bases with one out in the second inning after two straight hits and a walk. John Mayberry Jr. then singled in two runs with a hit that skirted pass the infield. Vance Worley added an RBI groundout to push the Phillies lead to 3-0.
Although Dickey settled down after the three-run second inning, the Mets bats were still rusty from the All-Star break. Carlos Beltran spoiled an early chance in the bottom of the third inning when he chopped into an inning ending double play with two Mets aboard.
The Phillies bats would not relent however, as Ibanez added a solo homerun in the sixth; a half-inning after he robbed Ruben Tejada of an extra-base hit with an amazing diving catch in left field. The Mets managed to answer back in the bottom of the sixth when Beltran scored on a wild pitch. They had a chance at scoring more runs, but pinch-hitters Scott Hairston (for Lucas Duda) and Ronny Paulino (for Josh Thole) were retired to end a potentially game tying threat.
With the score 4-1, the Phillies did not stop scoring, and the Mets defense in the top of the eighth did nothing to hinder the Phillies efforts. With one out and Howard at second, Ibanez hit what would have been a tailor-made inning-ending double play, but Justin Turner booted it and only threw out Ibanez running to first. After a free pass to Carlos Ruiz, the Phllies load the bases when Tejada booted another inning ending groundball, this one hit by Dominic Brown. Mayberry then unloaded the bases after his three run double off of new reliever Ryota Igarashi. The Phillies were done scoring at that point, but their seven runs proved insurmountable.
The defensive miscues proved to be even more meaningful when Beltran made the game 7-2 after he blasted a homerun to center field, his 14th on the year. If the defense up the middle did their jobs, chances are the Mets would have had more of a shot late in the game with the score only 4-2.
The Mets will battle the Phillies again tomorrow afternoon in a nationally televised game. Two left-handers Jon Niese (8-7, 3.88) and Cole Hamels (11-4, 2.32) will take the mound for the two NL East clubs. The Mets absolutely need to overcome their tough schedule after the break if they hope to remain in the postseason hunt.
Game Notes:
With Beltran’s walk in the first inning, he extended his streak of consecutive games in which he reached base safely to 24.
After Francisco Rodriguez was traded, Ryota Igarashi was called up to take his place on the roster. Manager Terry Collins said that the closer’s role will be shared among Jason Isringhausen, Pedro Beato, and Bobby Parnell.
It was announced before the game that David Wright will play five innings for the St. Lucie Mets, his first rehab game while trying to comeback from a stress fracture in his lower back.
Ike Davis is on a three week timetable for improvement after receiving a cortisone shot on his leg. If he shows no progress, the Mets will end his season, and Davis will undergo ankle surgery.
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