Mets Game 53: Loss To Marlins

Marlins 8 Mets 1

Marlins win only their second series of the year. The other one also was against the Mets.

Mets Game Notes

The Marlins really have the Mets’ number. One-third of their victories are against the Mets, their only two series wins are against the Mets, and they are hitting over .300 against Mets pitching.

Collin McHugh works quickly, throws strikes (for the most part), and has a big, loopy, 12-6 curve. Unfortunately, he doesn’t fool anyone — it looks like the hitters can see the ball very well and are able to recognize his pitches immediately out of his hand (if not sooner; maybe he’s tipping his pitches?). McHugh was finished after four innings; he allowed four runs on six hits and three walks.

Jose Fernandez was impressive again vs. the Mets — he looks like the real deal, and not just because he was facing a feeble Mets lineup. Not the real deal in the same, dominating way Matt Harvey is the real deal, but close. He has a pretty clean motion, works quickly, pounds a 94-97 MPH in all four quadrants of the strike zone, and mixes in a nasty, plus curveball.

Marcell Ozuna is an exciting young player. He reminds me, a little, of a young Vladimir Guerrero or a righthanded Dave Parker, with his overall athleticism, strong arm, above-average speed, wicked bat speed, and all-out, passionate play. I don’t think he’ll ever hit for the high averages Vlad or Cobra used to, but he looks like he’ll be a future All-Star. I think what I like best about him is he looks like he’s having a great time playing — redolent of Jose Reyes‘ infectious enthusiasm.

Robert Carson picked off Ozuna with a slick, snap throw from off the rubber. Why that move worked was that in addition to Carson’s execution, Ike Davis was playing a few steps off the bag. When the first baseman is not holding the runner in typical fashion — i.e., with his right foot affixed to the bag, showing his glove as a target — the baserunner tends to be more relaxed and not expecting the pitcher to throw over. Kids and coaches, learn from this, from both sides. Use it to your advantage and don’t get caught napping!

Daniel Murphy made a few no-so-noticeable mistakes in the field, then made a very noticeable one in the 7th, dropping a throw from John Buck that allowed Juan Pierre to reach safely and spark a four-run rally that put the game away for the Fish.

Greg Burke needs to work on his mechanics again; his arm angle has moved back up to more sidearm and less submarine. It’s funny that the overhand pitchers struggle to keep their arms at a high angle, and the submariners have trouble keeping their arms low — right?

Next Mets Game

The final game of the series begins at 1:10 p.m. on Sunday afternoon. Matt Harvey takes the hill against Kevin Slowey.