Mets Lose to Dodgers 4-3 After Offense and Bullpen Struggle

Mets 1B Pete Alonso (Photo Credits to Charles Wenzelberg-N.Y. Post)

 The New York Mets lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers 4-3 tonight at Citi Field for their second consecutive loss and dropped their record to 82-48.

RHP Taijuan Walker started out well with two scoreless innings, but ran into trouble in the top of the third after he gave up a lead-off single to catcher Austin Barnes and then a double to the following hitter RF Mookie Betts.

Walker then struck out SS Trea Turner and retired 1B Freddie Freeman on a pop-out, but then walked 3B Max Muncy to load the bases.

Walker then hit DH Joey Gallo to bring in the first run of the game and then gave up a two-run single to 2B Gavin Lux.

Walker was able to settle down after that with scoreless innings in the top of the fourth and fifth.

He gave up a one-out double to LF Trayce Thompson in the top of the sixth and was then taken out.

His final line was 5.1 innings, five hits, three runs, three walks and five strikeouts.

RHP Seth Lugo followed and got the last two outs in the top of the sixth.

LHP Joely Rodriguez came in next in the top of the seventh and gave up a lead-off double to Freeman and then two batters later walked pinch-hitter Will Smith intentionally.

Rodriguez then gave up an infield hit to Lux later in the inning which brought home the game-winning run.

RHP Tommy Hunter had to come in to get the last two outs in the top of the seventh.

In the bottom of the first, CF Brandon Nimmo led off with a single and then RF Starling Marte followd with a bunt single and then LH Andrew Heaney made a poor throw to 1B which allowed Nimmo to advance to third and Marte to second.

SS Francisco Lindor was then hit by a pitch to load the bases, but then 1B Pete Alonso struck out and Lindor was thrown out trying to steal second.

DH Darrin Ruf struck out to end the inning.

In the bottom of the third, RF Starling Marte hit a solo homer.

In the following inning, LF Mark Canha continued his power surge with a solo homer which was his 100th career homer.

The bats did not much after that and were 0-4 with runners in scoring position (RISP) and left seven runners on base.

The Mets next game is tomorrow night, Wednesday August 31st at home against the Dodgers at 7:10 p.m.