DIAMOND' WHACKED
Lugo, offense sputter as Mets’ slide grows
PHOENIX — The lone positive during this Mets freefall has been strong starting pitching. But Friday night even Seth Lugo wandered aimlessly through the desert to get devoured by coyotes.
Lugo has been the team’s best pitcher not named Jacob deGrom. On this night he presented few if any mysteries to the Diamondbacks in the Mets’ 7-3 loss at Chase Field.
The Mets lost for the 12th time in 13 games to fall 10 games below .500. As almost could be expected the lineup hardly purred, marking the 11th straight game in which the Mets scored three runs or fewer. It tied the franchise record for such futility, set in 1981.
Lugo was finished after five innings in which he allowed five earned runs on eight hits and one walk with seven strikeouts. It was by far the worst of the right-hander’s three starts this season and a rare misstep, factoring in his relief appearances.
Entering play Mets starting pitchers had posted a 2.70 ERA over their last 24 games, the lowest mark in the major leagues over that stretch.
The Mets have missed Lugo’s arm in the bullpen, but until Noah Syndergaard can return from the disabled list, the Mets have no choice but to continue on this course.
“Looking at it on the surface, sure he should be in the rotation, and you really can’t argue that point,” pitching coach Dave Eiland said before the game. “But we’re a better pitching staff with him in the bullpen in my opinion, because he can impact two or three games a week rather than just one.
“Is he a solid major league starter? No question about it. But what role does he fit in that makes us the best team? That is the debate. But until Syndergaard comes back it’s a non-issue.”
Daniel Descalso launched Lugo’s 99th pitch of the night, a full-count changeup, for a two-run homer in the fifth that gave the Diamondbacks a 5-2 lead. Lugo had recorded two quick outs in the inning before David Peralta singled and Descalso hit Arizona’s fifth homer of the series.
Dominic Smith’s homer leading off the fourth against Zack Godley had sliced the Mets’ deficit to 3-2. The blast, which hit the right-field foul pole, was Smith’s first since returning from Triple-A Las Vegas earlier this week.
Lugo had a rough third inning in which he allowed three straight singles and watched Arizona score twice to take a 3-1 lead. Jake Lamb delivered an RBI single in the inning before Descalso’s sacrifice fly brought in another.
Todd Frazier’s RBI double in the third tied it 1-1, but the Mets missed a big opportunity for further damage. With runners on second and third and nobody out, Godley struck out Brandon Nimmo and Asdrubal Cabrera before Jose Bautista was caught looking at strike three on 3-2. Bautista had started toward first base on the pitch and exchanged words with plate umpire Chad Fairchild.
Bautista’s troubles on the bases came in the second inning, after he reached third on Smith’s double with nobody out. First, Kevin Plawecki hit a slow grounder to third, on which Bautista retreated to the base. The inning ended with Bautista thrown out at the plate by Jarrod Dyson attempting to score on Amed Rosario’s fly to medium center.
Paul Goldschmidt’s second homer in as many nights put the Mets in a 1-0 hole in the first. The blast was Goldschmidt’s sixth in his last 10 games.
PHOENIX — Wilmer Flores is back with the Mets, perhaps with new opportunities for playing time.
The Mets activated Flores from the disabled list Friday, and manager Mickey Callaway said the versatile infielder could be headed toward increased playing time at first base.
He went 1 for 2 as a pinch hitter with an RBI double in the ninth inning of the Mets’ 7-3 loss to the Diamondbacks at Chase Field.
Flores, who missed the past three weeks with back soreness, was playing first base against lefty pitchers before hitting the DL.
But with Dominic Smith now the first baseman following veteran Adrian Gonzalez’s release, Flores may have additional chances to contribute,
“I think [Flores] can handle both righties and lefties,” Callaway said. “He’s got that short, quick, swing that is able to cover [the plate], especially against guys who make mistakes.”
Flores entered play batting just .174 against lefties. He was batting .299 against righties.
Ty Kelly was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas to clear roster space for Flores.
Jay Bruce was given a second straight night off to rest his sore hip/upper buttocks. Callaway said Bruce would not be used to pinch hit. If the Mets needed a fourth outfielder, Flores and Smith were the options. Bruce’s discomfort is a muscle injury, according to Callaway.
Noah Syndergaard remains inactive as he rests his sore right index finger. The right-hander has been told not to throw until he is asymptomatic. He will then most likely need a minor league rehab start before rejoining the team. Friday marked three weeks since Syndergaard’s last appearance for the Mets.