The New York Mets opened their series against the Seattle Mariners with a 3-2 loss in 10 innings on Monday night, a defeat that dropped them to 26-34 on the season. The game featured six total hits and four home runs, with both clubs trading power throughout the night before Seattle ended it with a walk-off single from second baseman Cole Young.
Seattle got on the board first when third baseman Colt Emerson homered to right field in the third inning. The Mets responded in the fifth, as first baseman Jared Young launched his second home run of the season to center field to tie the game. In the sixth, Mets second baseman Marcus Semien continued his recent surge by hitting his second homer in as many games, giving New York a 2-1 lead. The Mariners answered again, this time with a solo blast from first baseman Josh Naylor to even the score at 2-2. Young’s run-scoring single in the 10th inning was the only scoring play of the game that did not come via the home run.
Despite the loss, New York received a strong pitching performance. Left-hander Sean Manaea worked five innings in bulk relief and allowed just one run, the solo homer to Emerson, while striking out four. Seattle starter Emerson Hancock was equally effective, pitching six innings and allowing two runs with no walks and seven strikeouts.
The Mets entered the series looking to build on a strong finish to May, when they went 16-12 and put together a four-game winning streak to close the month. A series win against the American League West-leading Mariners would carry added value for a Mets team trying to stay close in the National League East, where they currently trail the Miami Marlins by half a game.
New York will turn to 22-year-old right-hander Jonah Tong in the next game against Seattle. Tong was recalled by the Mets after the club designated veteran closer Craig Kimbrel for assignment on May 22. Although Tong had been working through control and mechanical issues in Triple-A Syracuse, his strikeout ability earned him another opportunity in the majors.
Tong impressed in his first appearance after the recall, throwing three scoreless, hitless innings against the Marlins while allowing one walk and striking out two. He later earned his first win of the season against the Cincinnati Reds, giving up one unearned run over 3.2 innings on three hits and four walks with one strikeout.
Seattle will counter with right-hander Logan Gilbert, who has been steady this season with a 3-4 record, a 3.69 ERA, a 1.11 WHIP and 69 strikeouts across 68.1 innings in 12 starts. Gilbert has shown strong recent form, allowing no runs in three of his last four outings. In his most recent start against the Athletics, he threw six innings, gave up five hits, walked two and struck out six.
First pitch for the next game is scheduled for 9:40 p.m. EDT on MLB.TV and regional sports networks.
