The Mets’ slide kept rolling in the opener against Houston, and it looked a lot like the kind of night that’s been following them around lately. New York scraped together just one run, getting that on a Carson Benge RBI double, while Christian Scott did his part early by keeping the Astros off the board through five innings.
But the sixth inning changed everything. Houston broke through for three runs, and that was enough to send the Mets to another loss.
There was at least some roster movement behind the scenes. Chris Devenski is back with the Mets after a series of transactions that also sent Jorge Polanco to the 60-man IL.
Elsewhere in the organization, Andy Green’s name has been floated by some as a possible manager to keep beyond this season, but he said his focus is on his family instead.
AJ Ewing has hit a rough patch lately, though his manager still believes the at-bats are there.
This weekend’s matchup with Yordan Alvarez is also worth watching closely, given the way the Mets are expected to approach him.
Devin Williams also spoke about his return from injury, the uneven season he’s been through, and the way the bullpen has handled things while he’s been out.
Even with the team not playing for much, Citi Field has had a better feel to it lately.
Nolan McLean’s year has gone well even though he’s not leaning on his famous sweeper as much.
And the Mets are still being careful with Jonah Tong as he continues his development in the minors.
Around the National League East, the Braves backed up a 14-hit night with a 6-4 win over the Rockies, though they also got bad news on the injury front with several pitchers. The Phillies pulled off one of the wildest finishes of the night, getting a go-ahead grand slam from Edmundo Sosa with their final out against the Angels to win 5-3. The Nationals also had a bright spot, as rookie Jackson Kent earned his first major league win after seven solid innings in Washington’s 9-2 victory over the Marlins.
Around the rest of baseball, the Rays’ future ballpark situation appears to be settled after a successful vote yesterday. Justin Verlander says he’ll retire after the season, but he still plans to pitch for the Tigers again before it’s over.
Tarik Skubal’s return to Detroit went well and carried an emotional charge. MLB.com identified five teams that could surprise in October if they get there.
Max Fried is set to come off the injured list for the Yankees today. And Major League Baseball suspended a Dominican prospect who had a deal with the Guardians after finding that he falsified his age and identity.
In Other News...
Mets Prospect Sammy Stafura Is Suddenly On A Fast Track
Sammy Stafuras path to Queens has moved quickly since the Mets acquired him on Aug. 3 in the deal that sent reliever Luke Weaver and cash to Cincinnati. The 2023 Panas graduate and Gatorade New York Baseball Player of the Year was already familiar with a fast-moving career arc after being drafted by the Reds and bouncing through multiple minor league stops, and he has now landed at High-A Brooklyn with a new organization that clearly sees more than just a depth piece.
Eduardo Nunez is among those who think Stafura could rise fast through the system, with the Mets manager saying the infielder has a chance to keep climbing quickly and even put himself in position for a big league debut as soon as next season. For a prospect still settling in with his new club, that kind of timetable raises the stakes immediately, especially for a player whose stock has climbed from local standout to someone the Mets are already talking about in the near future. [Read more 🡒]
Former Mets Pitcher Protected His Team In A Frightening Hotel Incident
Kevin Lomon spent part of his baseball life in the Mets orbit as a former major league pitcher, and now he is making an impact far from a big league mound as the head coach at Cameron High School. In Shawnee, Oklahoma, that role suddenly came with a far more serious responsibility when a hotel stay turned alarming and one of his players was confronted by a man with a knife.
Lomon stepped in, confronted the man identified as Christopher Stevens and held him until police got there, helping prevent the situation from getting worse. Stevens was arrested on charges of assault with a deadly weapon and public intoxication, and none of the players were hurt, a grim reminder that sometimes the people who have spent their lives around competition are the ones who have to protect it off the field. [Read more 🡒]
Jarred Kelenic May Need A Route Mets Fans Know Well
Jarred Kelenics path has already taken plenty of turns for a player who entered pro baseball with top-prospect expectations, and the latest one leaves him at another crossroads. After being traded by the Mariners and then moving through brief stops with the Braves, White Sox and Rangers, he was recently released by Texas, a reminder that his major league footing has never quite matched the talent evaluators once projected.
For Mets fans, the relevant part of this story is the familiar comeback route that has worked for others. Jared Young found his way back to MLB after rebuilding his game in the Korean Baseball Organization, and that kind of reset may be the clearest path available now for Kelenic as he tries to rediscover the version of himself that made him such a coveted name in the first place. [Read more 🡒]