The Mets trailed 11-4 in the bottom of the sixth inning, hope fading on a windy, cold afternoon.
Carlos Mendoza’s offense didn’t complete the comeback, but it did force the Royals to closer James McArthur for the final three outs after the Mets scored once in the sixth and twice in the eighth.
The Mets’ at-bats ultimately didn’t affect the outcome Saturday, but perhaps the Royals’ bullpen usage will be affected Sunday, a small win for the Mets in a loss.
“We could have easily gotten there towards the end of the game, but we fought,” Pete Alonso said after the 11-7 loss at Citi Field. “We scored a few more points and got closer in the game. So I hope that helps us (Sunday) and helps us get a ‘W’ series. »
Several Mets have contributed, but the biggest difference in the club’s offense of late is the fact that the Polar Bear has caught fire.
Alonso hit two solo homers in the third and sixth innings – his fourth straight multi-hit game – and added an RBI single on the day he reached base in all four plate appearances.
Alonso had started his season slowly and was hitting .167 with a .532 OPS as recently as Monday.
But a lot can change in such a small sample size, and four games later, Alonso’s OPS is .963, and he finished the game tied for the major league home run lead.
“I just did my best, staying as disciplined as possible and capitalizing on things in my zone,” said Alonso, who wasn’t the only one contributing.
Starling Marte (whose defensive mistake was costly) had three hits, including an eighth-inning home run, and DJ Stewart helped the cause with an RBI double.
The at-bats didn’t translate into a win — but maybe their work will count on Sunday.
“We are an all-out attack,” Alonso said. “We’re not just relying on those one or two big innings throughout the game.”
Kodai Senga threw 120 feet on flat ground as he begins to develop while rehabbing a shoulder strain.
Senga had to get on the mound, Mendoza said, even though the catcher wasn’t going to squat yet.
Senga, who was moved to the 60-day injured list, will not be able to return until May 27.
Sean Reid-Foley (right shoulder impingement) is expected to begin a rehab assignment Sunday with High-A Brooklyn, Mendoza said.
Reid-Foley, who was placed on the 15-day injured list early in the season, is expected to pitch one inning.
The Mets stacked their lineup with left-handed hitters against right-hander Alec Marsh, giving right-handed hitter Harrison Bader a day off as Brandon Nimmo moved to center, Jeff McNeil played left and Joey Wendle started at second.
Francisco Alvarez was out of the lineup after starting two consecutive days at catcher.
Alvarez has yet to make up three consecutive days, although Mendoza said he will at some point “very soon.”
“The southpaw will go tomorrow, day game after night game,” Mendoza said in explaining the day off. Omar Narvaez got the start and went 0 for 4.
New York Post
