Brooks Raley Struggles in Mets’ 11-9 Loss to Mariners
The New York Mets faced off against the Seattle Mariners in a thrilling game that culminated in an 11-9 loss. A standout from this match was Brooks Raley, who has been a reliable lefty in the bullpen since his return from the injured list in July. However, he encountered his first challenges of the season during Friday’s contest.
Raley’s Rocky Outing
After an impressive streak of 10 consecutive scoreless appearances following his recovery from a Tommy John surgery, Raley found himself on the wrong side of the scoreline. He was charged with three earned runs in the game’s pivotal seventh inning:
- Inherited Runner: Raley allowed one inherited runner from Ryan Helsley to score.
- Mariners’ Surge: Seattle scored five runs in the seventh, leading to Raley’s removal.
Raley reflected on his performance, stating:
“Guys are working hard, there’s no doubt about that. All of us want the ball with the game on the line. Just not really executing and gotta make better pitches. Everything gets magnified in the kind of a stretch that we’re in.”
Breakdown of the Seventh Inning
The inning began with Helsley giving up the lead:
- RBI Hits: Raley surrendered singles to Dominic Canzone and Donovan Solano.
- Two-Run Double: Cole Young contributed with a two-run double, pushing the Mariners’ lead to 10-6.
Raley noted:
“I thought I executed pretty well. Got a ground ball from the first guy that just didn’t find a glove, and then made some good pitches but walked a guy, a ball off the wall in the middle of it.”
Francisco Lindor’s Stellar Performance
Despite the loss, Francisco Lindor shone brightly for the Mets. He hit two home runs against Seattle starter Luis Castillo, concluding the night with a 3-for-5 performance and four RBIs. Lindor emphasized the importance of execution, stating:
“Executing. It comes down to execution… the whole hitting department has been talking to me, and [Carlos] Mendoza, just helping me out.”
Notable Highlights from Lindor
- Historic Leadoff Homer: Lindor’s first homer of the night marked his seventh leadoff homer of the year, tying the franchise record previously set by Curtis Granderson in 2015 and 2016.
- Recent Hot Streak: With eight hits in his last ten games, Lindor appears to be regaining his form.
Fan Experience: A Tribute to The Beatles
Adding some excitement to the game, the Mets honored the 60th anniversary of The Beatles’ 1965 concert at Shea Stadium with a pregame concert by a tribute band. Fans were treated to photoshopped images of current players in 60s-era Beatles attire displayed on the scoreboard throughout the game.
Summary
Though Brooks Raley had a challenging outing, he remains a vital player in the Mets’ lineup. Meanwhile, Francisco Lindor’s resurgence offers encouragement as the team continues to push through a competitive season.
