If you were to look for one game to perfectly sum up the 2018 season for the New York Mets, you wouldn’t need to look beyond Sunday’s matchup with the Washington Nationals.
Steven Matz allowed 1 ER in 7 IP today… and the Mets trail 9-0 after 8.
Today would mark the 9th time this season a Mets pitcher goes 7+ IP and allows 1 run or fewer, but the team loses the game (would be most in MLB). pic.twitter.com/yHQDk7bSSs
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) August 26, 2018
Indeed, Steven Matz was fantastic. He went seven innings, allowing only one run on five hits and one walk while striking out seven. Despite that, he did end up taking the loss. The offense couldn’t give him any run support when he was out there and the bullpen couldn’t keep the game close in relief, ultimately surrendering a whopping 15 runs in the 15-0 loss.
Failing to support great outings from their starters has been a recurring theme for the Mets in 2018. Nobody knows this more than Cy Young candidate, Jacob deGrom.
At least we now know that deGrom’s teammates aren’t specifically picking on him. Hopefully he and Matz can take comfort in commiserating with each other.