Mets vs. Rays Game 54 Recap

Mets RHP Jacob deGrom (Credits to MetsMerizedOnline.com)

 The New York Mets lost to the Tampa Bay Rays 2-1 tonight for their second consecutive loss and dropped their record to 24-30. RHP Jacob deGrom had a spectacular top of the first inning striking out the side on 10 pitches, but ran into trouble in the top of the second inning. DeGrom gave up a lead-off walk to SS Willy Adames and two batters later a double to 3B Joey Wendle. He then gave up a sacrifice fly to the next hitter LF Manuel Margot, but came back to strike out CF Kevin Kiermaier and later struck out catcher Mike Zunino with the based loaded to end the inning. DeGrom struck out the side again in the top of the third and then gave up a solo homer to 1B Nate Lowe in the top of the fourth. He settled down after that with 1-2-3 top of the fifth inning and worked out around a lead-off double by 2B Brandon Lowe in the top of the sixth and didn't allow any runs. deGrom had a scoreless top of the seventh and was taken out after the inning. His final line was 7 innings, 2 runs, 4 hits and 14 strikeouts. It was the second time this season he has had a start with 14 strikeouts and joins RHP Tom Seaver and Dwight Gooden as the only other Met pitches to have multiple 14 strikeout games in one season.  It was the third consecutive game that a Met starter has has double strikeout games after LHP David Peterson and RHP Rick Porcello both had 10 strikeouts. RHP Miguel Castro came in next and threw a scoreless top of the eighth inning. RHP Edwin Diaz had a scoreless top of the ninth inning.

The offense was held scoreless for the first four innings until the bottom of the fifth inning after CF Guillermo Hernandez walked with two outs and catcher Wilson Ramos singled. RF Brandon Nimmo was hit by a pitch to load the bases and LF Jeff McNeil delivered with an infield single to bring home a run. 3B J.D. Davis then came to the plate, but lined out to end the inning. The bats went quiet after that for the next 4 innings and didn't produce any more runs.

The Mets next game is tomorrow night at home against the Rays at 7:10 p.m.