Schwei: Falling Below .500, A Lack Of Hits, Walk-Off Grand Slams And More Mets Notes
By John Schweibacher
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The Mets went just 3-6 on their nine-game homestand, dropping two of three to the Dodgers and getting swept by the Phillies after taking two of three last weekend from the Nationals.
The Mets fell below .500 for the first time this season after Friday night's loss in the series opener with the Phillies. In 2012, the Mets did not drop below the .500 mark until July 22, when they were 47-48.
The Phillies' Kyle Kendrick threw a three-hit shutout against the Mets last Friday night. It was the sixth time that an opposing pitcher has thrown a shutout while allowing four hits or fewer against New York at Citi Field.
LOW-HIT GAMES BY OPPONENTS AT CITI FIELD
•Carl Pavano: MIN, 6/26/10 -- 3
•Paul Maholm: ATL, 8/10/12 -- 3
•Kyle Kendrick: PHI, 4/26/13 -- 3
•Bronson Arroyo: CIN, 7/10/09 -- 4
•Roy Oswalt: PHI, 9/12/10 -- 4
Ryan Howard's three-run home run was the decisive blow in Philadelphia's 4-0 win over the Mets last Friday. Howard is the all-time leader in homers by a Mets opponent at Citi Field:
MOST HOME RUNS BY OPPONENT AT CITI FIELD
•Ryan Howard: 8
•Adam LaRoche: 7
•Dan Uggla: 7
•Raul Ibanez: 6
•Brian McCann: 6
•Chase Utley: 6
Jordany Valdespin's 10th-inning grand slam gave the Mets a 7-3 win over the Dodgers last Wednesday. It was the sixth game-ending grand slam in club history.
METS WALK-OFF GRAND SLAMS
•Tim Harkness, 6/26/63 vs. Chi -- Jim Brewer
•Jim Hickman, 8/9/63 vs. Chi, -- Lindy McDaniel
•Mike Jorgensen, 6/11/80 vs. LA -- Rick Sutcliffe
•Tim Teufel, 6/10/86 vs. PHI, -- Tom Hume
•Kevin McReynolds, 6/25/91 vs. MTL -- Scott Ruskin
•Jordany Valdespin, 4/24/13 vs. LA -- Josh Wall
The Dodgers' Mark Ellis had four hits, including two home runs in L.A.'s win over the Mets last Tuesday. Ellis was the first Dodgers hitter since Maury Wills back on May 30, 1962, to have a four-hit, two-homer game on the road against the Mets.
Two other players -- Albert Pujols (8/4/09) and Giancarlo Stanton (8/8/12) have had four-hit, two-home run games against the Mets at Citi Field.
Micah Hoffpauir of the Cubs had the last such game at Shea Stadium, with five hits and two homers back on September 25, 2008.
11 Mets have had a four-hit, two-homer game at home, all of which occurred at Shea Stadium.
FOUR-HIT, TWO-HOME RUN GAMES BY METS AT HOME
•David Wright: 9/14/08 vs. ATL
•Benny Agbayani: 5/20/99 vs MIL
•John Olerud: 7/11/98 vs. MTL
•Todd Hundley: 7/20/97 vs. CIN
•Todd Hundley: 6/10/96 vs. ATL
•Rico Brogna: 5/11/96 vs. CHI
•Gregg Jefferies: 9/7/89 vs. STL
•Darryl Strawberry: 7/3/86 vs. HOU
•Tommie Agee: 6/23/70 vs. CIN
•Tommie Agee: 6/12/70 vs. ATL
•Hawk Taylor: 6/20/64 vs. PHI
David Wright's consecutive-game errorless streak came to an end on Sunday with his first-inning misplay on Carlos Ruiz's grounder. It was Wright's first error since August 1, 2012 in San Francisco, ending a string of
77 games. Here are the longest errorless game streaks by Mets third basemen:
•David Wright: 77 games -- 2012-13
•Lenny Randle: 54 games -- 1978
•Ray Knight: 52 games -- 1985-86
•Robin Ventura: 44 games -- 1999
Wright was 22 games short of the all-time record of 77 held by both Jeff Cirillo and John Wehner. Rey Ordonez (101 from 1999-2000) and Ken Boswell (85 in 1970), each once held the consecutive-game errorless records at shortstop and second base while with the New York Mets.
The Mets have a six-game road trip this week with a three-game series in Miami and another in Atlanta.
Last season, the Mets went 5-4 on the road against the Marlins in their new park. It was the first time since 2008 that New York won their road season series against the Marlins, also going 5-4.
The Mets went 2-7 against the Braves at Turner Field in 2012. It was their worst season record on the road vs. the Braves since 2008, when the Mets went 1-8.
Happy Recap: The Mets are 5-0 this season in games started by Matt Harvey.
Nine Miles of Rough Road: The Mets are 5-13 in games started by any other pitcher.
