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Try it freeExcept for one breakout game, the homestand was largely an icicle-inducing exercise for the Mets’ bats.
That point was underscored on Wednesday, when the Mets went hitless into the sixth inning and then managed only two harmless singles in a 5-0 loss to the Marlins at chilly Citi Field.
The Mets certainly aren’t going to complain about an opening homestand in which they won five of six games, but with a chance to sweep an underwhelming opponent they misfired.
Overall, the Mets (8-4) scored three runs or fewer in four of the six games. A dominant bullpen has saved the team from disappointment.
The Mets had their fun on Tuesday, when they scored 10 runs against the Marlins.
The offensive woes start with Brett Baty, who went 0-for-3 on this day with two strikeouts — hearing boos along the way — as his OPS sunk to .259.
But the Mets are also waiting for Mark Vientos to hit his stride and Juan Soto, while reaching base at a nice clip, is yet to put his stamp on this season.
The Mets didn’t get their first hit until the sixth inning, when Francisco Lindor delivered a one-out single against Max Meyer. But Soto grounded to an inning-ending double play before the Mets could gain momentum.
Tylor Megill slogged through four-plus innings in which the Marlins scored two unearned runs on six hits with seven strikeouts and three walks. Even so, the right-hander’s ERA dropped to 0.63 in his second straight start without an earned run permitted. Overall, he induced 16 swings and misses over 90 pitches, with his four-seam fastball accounting for nine.
Megill needed 33 pitches to get through the first inning after throwing eight straight balls to begin the game. Following a visit from pitching coach Jeremy Hefner he struck out the next two batters and allowed an infield single to Dane Myers. Griffin Conine struck out to end the weird inning.
Baty’s throwing error led to the Marlins scoring two unearned runs in the fifth to place the Mets in a 2-0 hole. Baty was attempting to get the lead runner at second base on Jonah Bride’s grounder, but threw wide of Lindor. The ensuing batter, Matt Mervis, delivered an RBI single. Max Kranick got two outs in the inning before Nick Fortes’ bloop single delivered the second run.
Vientos and Pete Alonso drew walks in the second and fourth innings, respectively, for the Mets’ only base runners until Lindor singled in the sixth.
Edwin Diaz got roughed up in the ninth, allowing a two-run homer to Mervis after Bride’s RBI single extended Miami’s lead to 3-0. Diaz walked Xavier Edwards leading off the inning before unloading a wild pitch. Diaz was removed with two outs in the inning.