The New York Mets supplied plenty of hype going into Friday night’s opener against the Cincinnati Reds. Carlos Carrasco was making his Mets debut, Javier Baez was officially traded to the Mets and it was the return of the black jerseys. Jonathan India could not care less about the energy in the building as he deposited the first pitch of the game over the left field fence.
After India’s leadoff bomb, the Mets responded with a first inning run and loaded the bases with no outs against Sonny Gray. Michael Conforto struck out and Jonathan Villar grounded into an inning ending double play to let Gray off the ropes. Gray ended up settling in for six terrific innings, allowing just the first inning run and striking out seven. As Gray settled in, he began a streak of 15 consecutuve retired hitters which lasted through the eighth inning.
Carrasco’s Debut
Carrasco also rebounded after India’s homer to allow just one run over four innings with four strikeouts. The Reds took advantage of the Mets bullpen by getting at least one run off all three relievers. Their onslaught included a Joey Votto homer for the seventh consecutive game and India’s second home run of the night.
In the ninth, the Mets were down by five but ended up getting the tying run on the on deck circle. Unfortunately, Amir Garrett struckout James McCann to end the game and the two out rally. Conforto’s 0-for-4 and three strikeout game dropped his average below .200 and the fans let him know how they felt. As the game continued, the boos and jeers grew louder towards Conforto, who embodied the struggles of the Mets offense.
Baez makes his Mets debut for Saturday’s game as the Mets hope to avoid a three game losing streak. Rich Hill takes the mound against Wade Miley in the middle game of the series. The first pitch from Citi Field is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET, but the Mets Hall of Fame ceremony may push the game back.
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