Mets Game 160: Loss to Marlins

Marlins 3 Mets 2

So much for sweeping the Marlins in the final series of the season.

Mets Game Notes

Jeurys Familia’s first MLB start was … hmm … neutral? exiguous? indiffrent? inauspicious? Not sure how to describe it. He threw 75 pitches in four innings, which is a few too many but not Jenrry Mejia-bad. He allowed only one hit, which is good, but he walked six, which is bad. Only 33 of those 75 pitches were strikes (44%), and that’s bad. But, he didn’t allow a run, so that’s good — I guess?

Of course, we have to take into consideration the fact that Familia hasn’t made a start since August 30, and he’s only 22 years old. With that mind, he was, well, OK. Not great, just, eh. The velocity was there — he was humming at 96 MPH consistently — but, like Mejia, he has no command. Unlike Mejia, his mechanics are a bit more efficient to the plate. His flaw comes after release, as he usually does not incorporate the larger muscles of the body in deceleration; the brakes are put on mostly by the arm. Unfortunately, deceleration strain is just as dangerous and harmful as strain during the period before and at release. I’d like to see Familia let go of the ball a little further out in front of his face, and I’d like to see his upper body bend over more at and after release, and see his legs take more of the brunt of slowing down the arm.

Familia was saved in the second by two caught stealings, thanks to excellent throws by Kelly Shoppach. I think the first stolen base attempt — by Bryan Peterson — could have gone either way, and it was ruled an out. Familia’s line might’ve been worse had it not been for those assists.

The Mets had 11 hits, but only two runs. They were 5-for-15 with RISP — which is pretty good — but they left a dozen men on base, which isn’t so great. How do you get five hits with RISP and score only two runs? Ask the Mets.

We’ve seen Wade LeBlanc pitch a few times this year, and seeing him succeed makes me wonder why Pat Misch doesn’t have a job somewhere in MLB.

Jason Bay had two hits and missed out on a RBI when Ike Davis was thrown out at home. However, Bay is still hitting .165. I think that even if Bay finishes the year 10-for-10, he’ll still finish at .165.

Next Mets Game

The Mets and Marlins do it again on Tuesday night at 7:10 p.m. R.A. Dickey goes for his 21st win against Jacob Turner.