Collin McHugh Brilliant in Debut, Mets Still Lose
Collin McHugh made his major league debut with the Mets Thursday afternoon and he was absolutely brilliant. He didn’t allow a run over seven innings, but the Mets offense couldn’t manage to score any runs, either, so he walked away with a no decision. And then of course the Rockies were able to score against the bullpen, and they swept the four game series from the Mets.
The Rockies showed in the first inning why they are one of the worst teams in baseball (yet they were still able to sweep the Mets. What does that say?). Charlie Blackmon led off the game with a double against a surely nervous McHugh. Instead of continuing to apply pressure, the Rockies decided to sacrifice Blackmon over to third. A sacrifice bunt, with a runner in scoring position, with no outs, in the FIRST INNING?! Just idiotic. After getting his first major league out on a gift, McHugh went on to get his first two strikeouts to end the inning. Thanks, Rockies.
Over his seven innings McHugh allowed just two hits. He walked one and struck out nine. In Mets history only Matt Harvey struck out more in his debut (11, last month). The 25-year-old McHugh showed an impressive curveball and looked poised on the mound. McHugh has been the forgotten man in the Mets organization, taking a back seat to the more highly touted pitching prospects. But he might have changed the conversation with his performance on Thursday.
Bobby Parnell came on to relieve McHugh, and Tyler Colvin greeted him with a liner to center that Jordany Valdespin misjudged. It went over his head for a triple. Valdespin is not an outfielder, it is just that simple. Chris Nelson then hit a grounder past the drawn-in infield to score Colvin and give the Rockies a 1-0 lead.
Justin Turner led off the ninth with a single. Andres Torres pinch ran for him. Terry Collins then ordered Valdespin to sacrifice (don’t get me started). Torres to second with one out. Daniel Murphy flew out to center for the second out. David Wright lined out to right to end the game. Excellent idea to give away an out in the ninth inning when you’re down.
The Mets certainly had their chances to score — they stranded 12 runners on base. They just couldn’t get the key hit when they needed it.
So the Mets lose 1-0, their fifth straight loss. The Astros come to town next. They are the worst team in all of baseball, so maybe the Mets can win a couple of games. Then again, the Rockies have the second worst record, so…