AGONY OF deFEAT
Jake can only watch flop after being pinch-hit for
Jacob deGrom did just about everything he could to beat the Rockies on Thursday in a 2-1 Mets loss at Citi Field.
He just had the misfortune of being removed for pinch-hitter Yoenis Cespedes in the bottom of the seventh with the Mets leading 1-0.
Since there were a pair of runners in scoring position, it’s understandable why deGrom didn’t get an atbat, but an argument could be made the Mets would have been better off leaving the right-hander in the game to pitch the eighth.
“They asked me [if I could go back out] and I said, ‘Yeah, I’m good to go,’ ’’ deGrom said after the Mets’ second straight disastrous home loss. “But with the situation of a couple runners on, they decided to pinch hit for me. But I was definitely ready to go more.”
Instead, the Rockies walked Cespedes intentionally to load the bases and the Mets failed to score.
Addison Reed and Jerry Blevins combined to toss a scoreless eighth before Jeurys Familia imploded for a second straight day in the ninth.
DeGrom’s 97-pitch performance was impressive. He gave up five hits, walked one and struck out six after rediscovering his changeup.
Despite how good he felt, deGrom understood why his afternoon ended when it did.
“We had a one-run lead and un- fortunately we weren’t able hold onto it,’’ deGrom said. “Our bullpen has been great. Normally, I come out of those games and seem to get a win.”
That’s not too much to ask, but the combination of the Mets’ continued inability to hit with runners in scoring position and Familia’s recent ineffectiveness prevented that from happening.
DeGrom managed to bounce back from a subpar outing in Miami in his previous start, when he surrendered five runs in 3 2/3 innings, by keeping his velocity up and making some adjustments.
“I would say that’s the best I’ve felt mechanically wise [this season],” said deGrom. “I threw off the mound twice between starts to figure things out.”
The extra work paid off — until he was forced to watch the final two innings from the clubhouse.
“It’s definitely tough,” deGrom said with a sly grin. “I guess I should be a better hitter if want to stay in there.”
Rene Rivera was disappointed for his battery-mate.
“He did a great job out there to keep us in the ballgame,’’ the catcher said. “It’s tough when you don’t get the win after that performance … [but] they have one job to do: pitch a good ballgame. They’ve been doing their job and we have to, as hitters, get some runs.”