Collins Reiterates That Familia Is Still Mets' Closer Despite Recent Struggles
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) — The 44-minute rain delay wasn't the problem for Jeurys Familia. The quality of his pitches was the issue.
Familia returned from the first of two ninth-inning rain delays adding up to almost four hours, taking the mound with two outs and a two-run lead. He gave up three straight hits, including Justin Upton's go-head home run that led the San Diego Padres to an 8-7 victory over the New York Mets on Thursday.
"I didn't feel different," Familia said of the delay. "I made a bad pitch, in the middle ... then the home run. I don't have an excuse."
Upton's three-run shot through a driving rain capped a most unusual 24 hours at Citi Field for the Mets, who wasted a six-run lead in their second straight loss to San Diego.
A night earlier, shortstop Wilmer Flores was left on the field in tears after hearing from fans he'd been traded — in a deal it turns out was prematurely announced by reporters on social media because it never happened.
Now, New York must regroup before opening a three-game set against the NL East-leading Washington Nationals, who have a three-game lead in the division.
"We're all humans out here. You know, we're not tigers in a circus jumping through rings of fire and get put in our cages afterwards," manager Terry Collins said.
With a darkening sky overhead, Familia entered with a 7-5 lead and got two quick outs in the ninth before a torrential downpour stopped play. Frustrated, the Mets closer stood on the mound as the other players cleared the field.
When play resumed, Derek Norris fell behind two strikes before singling for his career-high fifth hit. Matt Kemp singled as the rain began again and Upton, in what could be his final at-bat with the Padres, sent the first pitch soaring to right-center for San Diego's first lead.
"Bedlam. It was crazy," Padres manager Pat Murphy said of the mood in the dugout after the home run. "To have it happen against a pitcher of that quality is a testament to how good he is, how clutch he is."
After Yangervis Solarte grounded out, play was halted again, this time for 2:52. Craig Kimbrel then was perfect in a five-minute ninth for his 30th save, in front of just several hundred fans.
Marcos Mateo (1-0) pitched the eighth for the win.
Familia (2-1) dropped to 0 for 3 in save opportunities since the All-Star break. He was 27 of 29 before the four-day hiatus in mid-July.
"He is still going to be the closer," Collins said. "Hopefully get his confidence back and get him out there a little bit more often and we'll see what the results are."
With San Diego trailing 7-1 in the seventh inning, Norris hit his second grand slam of the season, off Hansel Robles, who was facing his first batter after Bobby Parnell loaded the bases. Kemp had an RBI single in the sixth off Jonathon Niese for San Diego, winners of 8 of 12.
The Mets had taken a 4-0 lead on Daniel Murphy's sacrifice fly and Curtis Granderson's three-run homer off Andrew Cashner. They upped it to 7-1 in the bottom of the sixth on Juan Uribe's first homer for New York, his ninth overall. Juan Lagares had a sacrifice fly and Ruben Tejada a run-scoring single after Clint Barmes' fielding error at shortstop.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Padres: RHP Brandon Morrow (shoulder inflammation) had his scheduled rehab start scratched because of soreness in his shoulder. He will return to San Diego to be examined by a team doctor. "Don't know how significant it is," Murphy said.
Mets: The Mets optioned C Anthony Recker to Triple-A Las Vegas to make room for Travis d'Arnaud, who will be activated off the DL Friday. ... RHP Rafael Montero (shoulder) saw a doctor in Florida. He will return to the mound in the next day or so.
UP NEXT
Padres: Ian Kennedy (6-9) is scheduled to start against Miami after the trade deadline passes, but the former 21-game winner's name has been included as someone San Diego might move.
Mets: Matt Harvey brings a 1.34 ERA over seven starts against the Nationals into the series opener. Bryce Harper is 0 for 14 against the Dark Knight. Ian Desmond is 5 for 17 (.294) with a double and homer against him.
HAND BALL
World Cup soccer champion Abby Wambach threw out the ceremonial first pitch. She made her toss from in front of the mound while wearing her medal from the U.S. team's recent victory.
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