Mets can’t find the run column, shutout in three straight games

David S. Landsman

@mtlattherink

For the first time since June 7, 2022 against the Padres, the defending World Series

champion Mets found themselves swept in a slate, this time at the hands of the

expansion Expos squad. The TBR Wiffle Ball’s newest franchise looked like a group of

veterans on the field at Orne Park in Marblehead, Massachusetts, both on the mound

and at the plate, more about that later.

With the slate sweep against them, the Mets now find themselves in a bit of a hole,

dropping to 2-4, but have lost four in a row. The Expos, who were only able to squeeze

one victory in their last slate, now jump up in the standings with a 4-2 record.

EXPOS 6

METS 0

The Mets as visitors took to the batters box first in the afternoon tilt. After captain Seth

Helman walked to lead off the ball game, both next batters Jackson Hart and Will

Tessmer were sat down on strikes.

The bottom half of the first saw a shaky Jackson Hart on the mound, walking the first

four batters he faced, and quickly finding him and the rest of the Mets down 1-0 early.

Derek Metro then struck out swinging. However the threat wasn’t over just yet, as recent

waiver call up Ryan Davies, making his season debut, launched a monster shot that

cleared the left center field for a grand slam, and his first round-tripper of the season.

End of the first the Mets already found themselves down a five-spot.

And unfortunate for them, they ran into the super hot hand of pitcher/captain Dom Metro

of the Expos who was on a tear, and sat down both Helman and Hart to make quick

work in the top of two.

Trying to keep the lead contained proved too much for Hart in the bottom half of two.

With one away, Davies launched another home run, this time just a solo shot that was a

no doubter, and increased the Expos lead to 6-0.

The Mets had a chance to cut the lead in the top of three as Metro showed his only

wobbly part of his day, walking three straight. He then quickly regrouped himself and

wound up striking the final two batters.

EXPOS 2

METS 0

Looking to rebound after their tough opening loss in the second game, the Mets were

already behind the eight-ball before they could even get an at-bat in. Hart walked Dom

to start the game, and then his brother Derek launched his first dinger of the season,

and giving them an early 2-0 lead just two batters into the contest.

Hart was able to rebound with a couple more punchouts in the inning, despite loading

the bases after the homerun by Derek.

The Mets’ bats started strong in the top of two when after Helman’s single that

advanced him to second on the throw, and Hart’s single gave them running on the

corners, Dom just continued mowing down the Mets with his wicked pitch, striking out

Tessmer and Helman’s second at-bat of the inning.

Hart rebounded well on the plate in the top of two when after walking Derek, he sat

down both Davies and Dom, and no further damage was inflicted to the scoreboard.

In the bottom of the second, the Mets were able to load the bases with only one out, but

Tessmer, who missed the team’s first slate match up, wound up looking down a strike

down the middle, and ending their missed opportunity.

Top of three saw yet another chance for the Expos to add to their lead, loading up the

bases, but Hart, who despite the three losses, still managed to get his own share of

strikeouts, struck out Davies looking.

Though, the Mets were unable to equalize in the top of three despite bringing the tying

run to the plate. Dom’s performance on the mound could not be matched, sitting down

Hart and Tessmer swinging, and ending the ball game.

EXPOS 1

METS 0

The final game of the series saw the weather shift from a light rain to a torrential

downpour, but it didn’t stop the boys from taking to the field and finishing the slate.

In the top of the first the Mets were able to load the bases, but as many times prior in

the afternoon, whenever that would happen, Dom would then bring out his secret

weapon, and then struck out back-to-back batters. No runs scored and another two K’s.

In the bottom of the first, Dom led with a walk, followed by Derek walking. Davies, who

already had five runs batted in on the day, singled a comebacker to the mound, which

couldn’t be handled by the Mets defense. One run scored, but that was all they needed.

Dom struck out another two in the top of the second, and then after the Expos couldn’t

muster anything in the bottom half, it went to the top of the third in a do-or-die situation

for the Mets.

Just down a run seemed like something so easy, but Dom continued his Cy Young-

esque performance, with another pair of strikeouts.

At the end of the day, Dom who had 14 strikeouts in his team’s first slate, played nine

innings, allowed five hits, walked eight, but struck out 18 – essentially every out he

recorded was via the strikeout – so at the end of the three-game set, it was no surprise

he was named the Wears Woody Player of the Series.

“This really showcases what we’re capable of, the other teams should be scared of us,”

said Dom following the game. “I’m also really proud of guys’ hitting today.”

For what’s its worth Jackson Hart also had a great performance on the mound, and in

eight innings allowed just seven hits, but wound up walking 15 and striking out 14. He

was proud of his games, but also gave a nod post-game to his rival pitcher.

“It’s one of those performances where no matter how well I perform, I’m always going to

be outbeaten,” said Hart. “I do hope that we play them [Expos] again, now that we know

what we’re up against.

Ryan Davies, a waiver claim by the Expos after the first beginnings of the season was

pleased with his vision at the plate, knocking in five with two home runs, including the

grand slam.

“It was a lot of fun, I’m really excited to be a part of this team,” said Davies. “It was a

great first day!”