Mets Drop Game 1 to Yankees

It was the biggest crowd ever to fill Citi Field — 42,020 (that’s pretty good for a stadium with a capacity of 41,800, according to the Mets website). They came to watch the Mets slaughter the Yankees the way they beat up on the other AL division leaders, the Rangers and Tigers. But it was not to be.

Jonathon Niese gave up three runs in the first inning, putting the Mets in an early hole. He would settle down and not allow any more runs over his next five innings, but the offense just couldn’t muster anything against seven Yankees pitchers, and they lost 5-1.

Highlights for the Mets were few and far between — Jose Reyes collected two more hits, Justin Turner had three. That was pretty much it.

A really bad call by the umpires ended one possible Mets rally. With the Mets down 3-1 in the seventh, Reyes on first and no outs, Turner lofted a fly ball to center for out number one. Reyes took off for second, perhaps an unwise move. He made it safely, but the cut-off throw was bobbled. Reyes sprinted for third and was called out on a swipe tag by Alex Rodriguez. One problem, though — replays showed A-Rod clearly missed the tag.

It was all the third base umpire’s fault. For some reason he had jogged out to right field, leaving the home plate umpire to make the call. He was out of position and was blocked by A-Rod, unable to see that he missed the tag.

Jose Reyes and Chip Hale immediately argued (below) as did Terry Collins, who got tossed for his efforts.

So instead of one out and Reyes at third with Carlos Beltran at the plate, it was two outs and the bases empty — a golden opportunity gone.

Hopefully the Mets can get even Saturday afternoon — Dillon Gee goes for his ninth win against Bartolo Colon.