LOS ANGELES — Mickey Callaway obliterated the grass between the Mets dugout and the pitcher’s mound Tuesday night with a steady pounding of steps and the invariable signal for a reliever.
The Mets probably were due a clunker from a starting pitcher after so many brilliant outings lately, and Jason Vargas’ early misfire meant plenty of action for an expanded September bullpen in an 11-4 loss to the Dodgers at Chavez Ravine.
In their previous 16 games, dating to Aug. 18, Mets starting pitchers had posted a 1.60 ERA, which included solid contributions from Vargas. But this dangerous Dodgers lineup wasn’t about to be contained for a second straight game, following Jacob deGrom’s two-hit gem over six innings that yielded one run a night earlier.