It got ugly early yesterday for Zack Wheeler and the Mets, as the Nationals scored four runs in the second inning en route to a 13-2 victory. Wheeler gave up five total runs in 4.2 innings of work, striking out five, walking two, and surrendering two home runs. It wasn't a good performance, but it was also just his third big-league start, so no reason to freak out or anything. Go get'em next time, Zack! Brandon Lyon gave up six runs in an awful relief outing and reserve catcher Anthony Recker pitched the ninth inning, allowing a two-run home run to Ian Desmond.
Choose Your Recap: Amazin' Avenue, MLB.com, ESPN New York, Daily News, Post, Star-Ledger, Newsday
After dropping two of three to the Nationals this weekend, the Mets start a four-game home series tonight against the Diamondbacks. Here are the pitching matchups:
Monday, July 1st: RHP Shaun Marcum vs LHP Wade Miley
Tuesday, July 2nd: RHP Jeremy Hefner vs LHP Patrick Corbin
Wednesday, July 3rd: RHP Matt Harvey vs RHP Randall Delgado
Thursday, July 4th: RHP Dillon Gee vs RHP Ian Kennedy
The Mets gave out David Wright bobbleheads to the first 25,000 fans to show up at Citi Field yesterday. Unfortunately, the joyous giveaway wasn't without its problems:
Just opened my @Mets David Wright bobblehead, and the head fell off immediately. Kind of sums things up, I suppose.
— Chris McShane (@chrismcshane) July 1, 2013
LOLMets.
Mark Simon of ESPN New York presented his regular "Series in Metrics" post.
Brian Costa writes that Wheeler's Sunday struggles emphasize what a rarity Matt Harvey is.
Metstradamus was pleased that David Aardsma plunked a Nationals batter yesterday.
Mike Puma spoke with an anonymous Mets official, who said the following about the possibility of the Mets making a big acquisition at the trade deadline:
"I don’t think that’s something [for] right now," a club official said yesterday. "That’s probably something more for the offseason."
This is shaping up to be one big offseason. Sandy Alderson, don't let us down.
Matt den Dekker, who broke his wrist in March, is slated to join Triple-A Vegas today.
Yesterday At AA
Eric provided the GIFs of the Game. The highlight here is "dude wiping a table."
Brock Mahan presented This Date in Mets History, featuring that awesome Fireworks Night comeback against the Braves in 2000.
Around the NL East
The Braves slugged three home runs in a 6-2 win over the Diamondbacks, completing a three-game sweep.
Yasiel Puig's four hits helped the Dodgers take down the Phillies, 6-1.
Jeff Mathis hit a game-winning grand slam as the Marlins beat the Padres 6-2. Mathis now has a career OPS of .567.
The Mets are now 13 games back of the first-place Braves. Here are the current NL East standings (click to embiggen):
Around the Majors
Grant Brisbee watched every Yasiel Puig hit and had some thoughts on the young phenom.
Rob Neyer asked why the Twins' pitchers hate strikeouts.
Michael Cuddyer extended his hitting streak to 27 games.
The Red Sox beat the Blue Jays 5-4 thanks to a Buckner-esque error by Jays first baseman Josh Thole. Yes, Thole was playing first after Adam Lind left the game with an injury. Jose Reyes hit a solo home run in the game.
Jeff Francoeur was DFA'd by the Royals after posting a .208/.249/.322 slash line in 193 plate appearances this season. Semper Failcoeur.
Finally, Matt Welch wrote about when Jackie Robinson fought back.
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