Mets Game 48: Loss to Marlins

Marlins 7 Mets 3

This one was over before it started.

Jerry Manuel threw up the white flag during the pre-game lineup exchange at home plate, handing over a card left over from a split-squad Grapefruit League game. Carlos Beltran in the third spot was the only recognizable part of the lineup.

Similar to his last start, Tim Redding struggled in the first inning, allowing two runs. Unlike his last start, Redding didn’t get any better from there. By the time he hit the showers, the Fish touched him for 7 runs on 8 hits and 2 walks in 4 frames.

The fatal blow came off the bat of Jeremy Hermida, who hit a 3-run homer in the fourth to put the game away.

Meantime, Marlins starter Josh Johnson continued his dominance of the Mets, going 7 innings and allowing just two runs on five hits.

The B-Mets staged a mini-rally in the ninth off “closer” Matt Lindstrom, but it was too little, too late.

Notes

Not only is Wilson Valdez the best-fielding shortstop since Ozzie Smith retired, but he has a sweet short stroke, as evidenced by his base hit off flamethrower Matt Lindstrom in the ninth inning. His presence could push Jose Reyes to the bench — or AAA — when he comes off the DL.

Fernandog Martinez collected his first MLB hit in the third, a ground ball to the right of second base. He also collected his second later in the game. He and leadoff hitter Angel Pagan went a combined 4-for-8 with a walk, a run scored, and 2 RBI.

Hermida, a career .500 hitter vs. Redding, had three hits and five RBI on the afternoon.

It can’t be fun to be Fredi Gonzalez. Even with a five-run lead in the ninth inning against a Mets club that is playing its second team, AND has the bottom of the lineup coming to the plate, he has to go to his closer to insure a victory — and even then, the closer can’t get three outs!

Next Mets Game

The rubber match takes place at 1:10 PM on Sunday. John Maine pitches (really, he does this time) against Chris Volstad.