deGROM’S RUN ENDS AT 8
Mariners clear off deGrom's eight-game winning stretch one short of Mets record
SEATTLE — Jacob deGrom’s eight-start winning streak was built mostly on performances stronger than this, but the Mets could have cut him some slack Saturday.
It wasn’t to be. The Mets had chances, particularly in the middle innings, but couldn’t deliver to rescue their ace right-hander.
So for the first time since June 6, deGrom was something other than a winning pitcher. In the end he was the loser, sunk by a shaky second inning in a 3-2 loss to the Mariners at Safeco Field.
DeGrom (12-4) ended one victory short of Frank Viola’s franchise record of nine straight starts with a win, set in 1989-90.
“I got myself in trouble in the second inning,” deGrom said, referring to the two runs he allowed on Jarrod Dyson’s bases-loaded single. “I felt like my stuff was good, I just wasn’t able to get out of that bases-loaded jam.”
Over six innings deGrom allowed three runs, one of which was unearned, on five hits with one walk and 10 strikeouts. It marked the eighth time this season deGrom reached double digits in strikeouts.
Dyson’s two-run single came immediately after deGrom had drilled Mitch Haniger in the face with a 95 mph fastball. Haniger crumpled the ground and left the game with a mouth contusion.
DeGrom admitted he was rattled by the events.
“You never want to hit anybody in the face, it’s not easy to pitch after you do that,” deGrom said. “I was trying to go inside there and it just sailed on me. It was not easy to stay out there and re-concentrate.”
The Mets (48-54) lost for the third time in four games, but can still salvage a series victory Sunday, when Seth Lugo is scheduled to face James Paxton.
Wilmer Flores drew a basesloaded walk in the sixth inning that gave the Mets their only run until the ninth on a day they managed eight hits against Yovani Gallardo (5-7) and the Mariners bullpen. Michael Conforto’s RBI single with two outs in the ninth put the tying run at first base before Asdrubal Cabrera struck out.
Even so, the Mets left the bases loaded in the sixth and then put two runners aboard to open the seventh, before Cabrera hit into a double play.
DeGrom faced the minimum nine batters over his final three innings and was removed after throwing 109 pitches. During his winning streak, deGrom had pitched to a 1.61 ERA and only once surrendered more than two earned runs.
“Really the worst pitch he threw was the hanging slider to Dyson,” Collins said. “He comes off and gets himself ready for the next inning and doesn’t do it again. He doesn’t get too down about it. He goes about his job and he kept us in the game.”
Conforto’s lunging catch in left center on Kyle Seager’s line drive helped prevent the Mariners from having a big third inning. As it was, the Mariners scored an unearned run to take a 3-0 lead after Neil Walker’s throwing error on Robinson Cano’s grounder put runners on the corners.
“It’s definitely rewarding to have [offseason] work show up in the field, being able to play centerfield, too,” Conforto said. “I’m more flexible and it helps me stay on the field. I can play all three outfield positions. That’s really what the idea was this offseason. I think my jumps are better, it’s kind of straight to the ball.”