Down 10-0, Mets Comeback Falls Short

The Mets attempt to label themselves “the comeback kids” fell a bit short Saturday night, as they learned there are some deficits that cannot be overcome. But they got pretty close.

That would be 10 runs. Starter Sean Gilmartin allowed five runs in just two-thirds of an inning before Terry Collins saw enough. Rafael Montero allowed another five in 3.1 innings. On the plus side, seven of his 10 outs were by strikeout.

The Mets tried to dig out of the very deep hole with their minor leaguers, taking over for the regulars in the apparent blowout. They scored four runs in the fifth, helped by two errors that made all of the runs unearned for Phillies starter Alec Asher. They scored two more in the sixth, highlighted by a run-scoring double by Gavin Cecchini — the first hit and RBI of his major league career — to cut the deficit to 10-6.

With runners on first and second with one out in the eighth, Cecchini doubled again off the wall in left, just missing a home run. One run scored to make it 10-7. So with runners on second and third, the potential tying run was at the plate in the form of T.J Rivera. He flied out to shallow center. Brandon Nimmo popped out to right, the shortstop avoiding a near-collision with the outfielder, to end the inning.

The struggling Jay Bruce pinch hit with one out in the ninth, and he launched one into the Coke Corner to make it a 10-8 game. Eric Campbell walked. Again, the potential tying run came to the plate. Michael Conforto walked, so Lucas Duda represented the potential winning run. He popped up to short for the second out. So it was up to Travis d’Arnaud. He hit a comebacker to finally end the game.

Mets lose 10-8. With the Giants attempting to hold onto a once big lead in San Diego at press time (does the Internet even have press time?), the Mets will be tied with San Francisco, with the Cardinals a half game behind in the Wild Card chase.