Games #147 & #148: Mets 0-3, Marlins 3-1

The Mets split a Saturday afternoon doubleheader with the Marlins, falling in the first game 3-0 while taking the second 3-1.

The Bad Stuff (Game 1):

• New York managed just four hits off Miami's Henderson Alvarez. Enough said.

The Good Stuff (Game 1):

• Carlos Torres turned in a quality start despite the loss, allowing two runs on three hits in six innings, walking two and striking out eight on 111 pitches.
• Matt den Dekker went 2-4 with a double, the Mets' only XBH of the first game.

The Good Stuff (Game 2):

• Daisuke Matsuzaka was vintage Dice-K, allowing a solo home run and one other single in a seven-inning win, his first W in over a year. Matsuzaka walked one and struck out three on 91 pitches and most impressively kept the game from going over the standard three hours.
• Daniel Murphy and Lucas Duda hit back-to-back home runs in the 3rd to add to the 1-0 lead already set up by Wilmer Flores.
• Murphy and Eric Young each had stolen bases.
• Pedro Feliciano and Vic Black combined to toss a scoreless 8th, while LaTroy Hawkins went into double digits in the save column by reeling the Fish in in the 9th.

The Bad Stuff (Game 2):

•  New York hit just 1-6 with RISP and stranded seven.

Final Analysis:
The loss in the first game gives the Mets 82 on the season, clinching them a fifth straight losing season. Deflating, yes, but it was nice to see the team come out with ample air in the nightcap to split the twin bill. That's all they can do over the final 14 matchups of the year. Here's hoping they end closer to 80-82 than 66-96.

MM