Mets fall to Angels as Zach Neto's three-run homer overcomes J.D. Martinez's grand slam
Mets relief pitcher Huascar Brazoban walks off the field after being replaced during the seventh inning of a game against the Angels on Saturday in Anaheim, Calif. Credit: AP/Ryan Sun
ANAHEIM, Calif. — In a 5-4 loss Saturday night, the Mets learned they have something in common with the Angels: Both clubs are trying to figure out their bullpens.
But only one is trying to make the playoffs.
With plenty of options he says he trusts but a dearth of proven, reliable late-inning relievers, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza went to newly acquired righthander Huascar Brazoban with a two-run lead in the bottom of the seventh. His 33rd pitch of the inning turned into Zach Neto’s go-ahead three-run home run.
After dealing two of their best relievers — closer Carlos Estevez to the Phillies and Luis Garcia to the Red Sox — before the trade deadline, the Angels and manager Ron Washington looked to the future, going with Ben Joyce. The 23-year-old righthander recorded the final four outs for his first career save.
“Any time we get the lead late in a game . . . we definitely think we’re going to hold [on],” J.D. Martinez said. “But it happens.”
Joyce threw a 104.7-mph fastball to get a swing and miss from Martinez — who had given the Mets a 4-2 lead with a grand slam in the seventh — to end the game. It was the fastest pitch in the majors this season.
“I’ve never seen a fastball like that,” Martinez said. “I laughed after he struck me out. I was kind of smiling. I was like, whoa. I had to look up at the radar. I was like, that was different.
“Kudos to him, man. He throws hard and goes right at you. He’s not sitting there flipping stuff. He’s power, power. Let’s go. I can put some respect on him because of that.”
Brazoban’s slow-motion meltdown came after he retired his first two batters, both on full-count strikeouts. Michael Stefanic poked a cutter to centerfield for a single and Nolan Schanuel worked a walk.
On Mendoza’s signal, lefthander Alex Young began to warm up, followed by righthander Ryne Stanek. Neither entered. Both would have been ready, Mendoza said, had the inning gotten to cleanup hitter Kevin Pillar or his pinch hitter. That was two batters after the game turned.
“It never got there,” Mendoza said, “because Neto got him.”
Brazoban fell behind 3-and-0 but got back to 3-and-2 before Neto fouled off the next two offerings. The eighth pitch of the at-bat — a cutter over the heart of the plate — sailed over the leftfield fence.
“He’s gotten big outs before and he’s got a big arm,” Mendoza said. “Obviously, we brought him in here to be in those situations.”
Brazoban only dabbled with such high-leverage spots with the Marlins. With the Mets, well, somebody has to set up for Edwin Diaz.
“Right now, we’re going through it. We gotta find out,” Mendoza said. “We got him in here and he will continue to get the ball, continue to get opportunities. As we get familiar with him and depending on the situation, we’ll make some decisions. But he’s going to get big outs for us.”
Brazoban said through an interpreter: “I don’t think there was any added pressure . . . There’s not really a difference, because you go out there with the same plan. It’s to attack the hitters, attack the zone.”
Through the middle innings, Mets lefthander David Peterson (six innings, two runs) and Angels righthander Jose Soriano (six innings, no runs) pitched effectively and efficiently, aided by strong defense.
For Peterson, the start served as a strong bounce-back from a poor effort against Atlanta.
For Soriano, a hard-throwing sinkerballer, it was the longest scoreless outing of his career.
The Mets stranded eight and went 1-for-7 with men in scoring position. That included leaving pinch runner Jose Iglesias on third base after Mark Vientos' leadoff double in the eighth.
“Joyce came in,” Martinez said, “and held us down.”
Tim Healey is the Mets beat writer for Newsday. Born on Long Island and raised in Connecticut, Tim has previously worked for the South Florida Sun Sentinel, the Boston Globe and MLB.com. He is also the author of “Hometown Hardball,” a book about minor league baseball in the northeast.
