PHOENIX — About the one Force that was with the Mets on Saturday was the one that got the Diamondbacks into it in the sixth inning.
On Star Wars night at Chase Field, manager Carlos Mendoza’s team paid tribute to the main character from the movie by producing a “Solo” performance in their 2-1 loss.
The Mets have a chance to win their third straight series on Sunday, when they end a nine-game hitting streak, but their offensive shortcomings have been an obstacle to putting together a crucial win.
A day after mustering just two hits in nine innings before striking out three in the 10th for the win, the Mets were once again challenged to put runners in position. They scored just three runs and the last 13 batters they sent to the plate were retired.
Clay Holmes had one bad inning, but overall he gave the Mets a decent performance. The right-hander allowed two earned runs on two hits, two walks and six strikeouts over 5 ²/₃ innings and retired 10 straight batters before the last batter he faced, Nolan Arenado, singled. Holmes’ 103 pitches were a season high.
It was Holmes’ eighth straight start of the season in which he allowed two earned runs or less. But he failed to complete his fourth straight start of at least six innings. Holmes’ ERA dropped from 1.69 to 1.86.
Brett Baty hit an RBI double in the second off Merrill Kelly to give the Mets a 1-0 lead. Marcus Semien singled with two outs before Baty delivered his 13th RBI of the season. But Baty was left in scoring position as Kelly retired Francisco Alvarez.
Holmes recorded two quick outs in the fourth but loaded the bases on a walk to Adrian Del Castillo after Corbin Carroll and Geraldo Perdomo singled. Ildemaro Vargas hit a single to left that gave the D’backs a 2-1 lead. Holmes left off Arenado to leave two runners stranded.
inning of the Mets’ loss to the Diamondbacks. Photos by Rick Scuteri-Imagn
Tyrone Taylor doubled with two outs in the fifth and Juan Soto was walked intentionally before Kelly retired Bo Bichette to end the threat.
Holmes couldn’t finish off Arenado in the sixth and gave up one out before Austin Warren made the final out, and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. he hit the mark.
Ketel Marte also took out Soto’s extended glove with a double in the seventh before Warren retired Carroll.
Craig Kimbrel, who hit a grand slam in his last appearance Thursday in Colorado, walked Perdomo and Del Castillo to start the bottom of the eighth before leading off a double and scoring Gurriel.
Paul Sewald led his former team into the ninth by striking out MJ Melendez before scoring Mark Vientos on a fly to deep center. Carson Benge tried to end it.
