Your Thursday morning dose of Mets and Major League Baseball news, notes, and links.
Meet the Mets
In a surprise to absolutely no one Paul Blackburn against Chris Sale did not exactly go the Mets way. Ronald Acuña Jr. got the Braves on the board immediately and it was all downhill from there. One day after Francisco Alvarez actively hurt the team behind the plate, it was Luis Torrens’s turn when he fielded a ball with his mask that went for an error and led to two runs. The offense couldn’t figure out Chris Sale who pitched into the ninth and the team was lifelessly shut out as the losses continue to pile up. They now look to not get swept for the second straight series with Clay Holmes on the mound.
Choose your recap: Amazin’ Avenue, Daily News, Newsday, Post
When a ball got away from Torrens in the first inning, he illegally tried to field it with his mask which was ruled a balk and the runner on third was awarded home.
The Mets are still hopeful Francisco Alvarez will turn it around despite all evidence to the contrary with his recent play on both sides of the ball.
The catcher recently made a change to his swing but the results just aren’t there this season.
Francisco Lindor is finally getting All-Star votes and he is grateful to the fans for the recognition.
Frankie Montas struggled yet again in his rehab start in Triple-A.
Around the National League East
Chris Sale finished one out shy of a complete game shutout against the Mets.
The Phillies took down the Marlins by a score of 4-2.
The Nationals losing streak stands at 11 straight games after losing yet again to the Rockies.
Around Major League Baseball
Rays owner Stu Sternberg is in advanced talks to sell the team to a group led by Patrick Zalupski, a home builder from Jacksonville.
The Rays came back from being down 8-0 to defeat the Orioles 12-8.
The Yankees lost their sixth straight after Anthony Volpe committed a costly error in the eighth inning.
The Los Angeles Lakers will be sold to Dodgers controlling owner Mark Walter and TWG Global with the Lakers being valued at $10 billion.
Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll exited the game early after getting hit on the hand by a pitch but X-rays after the game did not reveal a fracture.
Yesterday at Amazin’ Avenue
Allison McCague wrote up her weekly pitcher player meter.
Brian Salvatore interviewed Art Shamsky about his new book that discusses the 1969 Mets.
This Date in Mets History
On this date in 1989 Doc Gooden earned his 100th career victory against the Expos.