The Mets have one more win this season than last when trailing after eight innings, but that isn’t saying much.
Last year’s number was 0-70 in such instances. It was 1-31 this season entering Saturday, and even with the middle of the Mets lineup front and center for the team’s final at-bat, that wasn’t about to change.
Juan Soto doubled leading off against Raisel Iglesias, but the Mets were still left empty-handed in a 3-1 loss to the Braves at Citi Field.
Soto’s shot to left field was originally ruled a homer, but got changed to a double after a replay review determined the ball caromed back into play off the top of the left-field fence. Francisco Alvarez’s double-play grounder ended it, after Mark Vientos was retired and Marcus Semien walked.
The Mets received a solid performance from Sean Manaea, in his first start this season. The left-hander, who has been used in various relief roles, pitched a season-high six innings and allowed two earned runs on four hits with six strikeouts. He threw 84 pitches.
Eli White’s RBI double in the second delivered the game’s first run. Manaea allowed a leadoff single to Matt Olson before White’s shot (he took third on the throw) brought in the run. Manaea recovered to get the next two outs without an additional run scoring.
White cleared the left-field fence with two outs in the fourth to extend the Mets’ deficit to 2-0. The homer was the third allowed by Manaea in his last three appearances.
Mark Vientos stroked an RBI single in the sixth that brought in the Mets’ initial run. Bo Bichette doubled and Vientos delivered after Juan Soto was retired by reliever Dylan Lee. Vientos snapped an 0-for-17 skid with the hit.
The scuffling Vientos began the day hitless in June with strikeouts in six of his 12 at-bats. Vientos’ chase rate of 37.5 percent for this season – placing him in MLB’s 13th percentile – is a strong indicator of where he needs improvement.
MEts merch shop
New York Post receives revenue from affiliate and advertising partnerships for sharing this content and when you make a purchase.
“I don’t think we’re at a level where people need to boost your spirits,” Vientos said before the game. “This is either perform, or don’t. I don’t think any type of ‘go get them,’ out there is going to fix anything. It’s just either you do it or you don’t.”
Austin Warren allowed a solo homer to Michael Harris II in the eighth that gave the Braves a 3-1 lead. It was a third straight appearance in which Warren allowed at least one run. The right-hander surrendered a go-ahead, two-run homer in San Diego on the Mets’ last road trip and followed that with a shaky inning (two earned runs allowed) against the Cardinals as an opener.
