PHOENIX — About the only Force that was with the Mets on Saturday was the one they got the Diamondbacks to ground into in the sixth inning.
On Star Wars Night at Chase Field, manager Carlos Mendoza’s crew honored a main character from the movie by producing a “Solo” run in their 2-1 loss.
The Mets still have a shot at a third straight series victory Sunday, when they complete this nine-game road trip, but their offensive shortcomings have mostly been the obstacle in assembling a significant winning streak.
A day after totaling only two hits over nine innings before getting three in the 10th to rally for a victory, the Mets were again challenged to put runners on base. They managed only three hits and the final 13 batters they sent to the plate were retired.
Clay Holmes had one ragged inning, but overall gave the Mets a respectable performance. The right-hander allowed two earned runs on four hits with two walks and six strikeouts over 5 ²/₃ innings and retired 10 straight batters before the final batter he faced, Nolan Arenado, singled. Holmes’ 103 pitches were a season high.
It was Holmes’ eighth straight start to begin the season in which he allowed two earned runs or fewer. But he fell an out short of completing a fourth straight start of at least six innings. Holmes’ ERA crept from 1.69 to 1.86.
Brett Baty stroked an RBI double in the second against Merrill Kelly that gave the Mets a 1-0 lead. Marcus Semien singled with two outs before Baty delivered for his 13th RBI this season. But Baty was left in scoring position as Kelly retired Francisco Alvarez.
Holmes recorded two quick outs in the fourth but loaded the bases on a walk to Adrian Del Castillo after Corbin Carroll and Geraldo Perdomo singled. Ildemaro Vargas grounded a single to left field that gave the D’backs a 2-1 lead. Holmes retired Arenado to leave two runners stranded.
Tyrone Taylor doubled with two outs in the fifth and Juan Soto was intentionally walked before Kelly retired Bo Bichette to conclude the threat.
Holmes couldn’t finish off Arenado in the sixth and surrendered a single before Austin Warren got the final out, with Lourdes Gurriel Jr. hitting into a fielder’s choice.
Ketel Marte doubled off Soto’s outstretched glove with two outs in the seventh before Warren retired Carroll.
Craig Kimbrel, who got torched for a grand slam in his previous appearance Thursday in Colorado, walked Perdomo and Del Castillo to begin the bottom of the eighth before getting two outs and striking out Gurriel.
Paul Sewald handled his former team in the ninth by striking out MJ Melendez before getting Mark Vientos on a fly to deep center. Carson Benge struck out to end it.
