Kimbrel Blows Up Big Late, Gives Up a Grand Slam As Mets Lose To Rockies, 6-2

That cut the lead in half, and Scott started fading in the fifth. He was replaced by Huascar Brazoban as he wound up pitching 4-2/3 and giving up just one run. Colorado starter Carlos Quintana was nearly as good, as he went 5-2/3 innings and gave up two runs on just five hits.

The Rockies scratched out a run off Brazoban to tie the game in the sixth, as he walked a pair of hitters and Jake McCarthy hit what became a hustle double into shallow center. That tied the score at 2-2, and it stayed that way until the top of the eighth.

The goat in this one was Craig Kimbrel, who fell apart when he was thrown into the breach with the Mets working with a short bullpen. A pair of singles by TJ Rumfield and Troy Johnston put runners at the corners, and Kimbrel walked Willi Castro to load the bases with nobody out. He then gave up a grand slam to Jake McCarthy down the right field line to make it 6-2.

The Mets' lack of available challenges was also a factor, as Kimbrel almost had Castro struck out, plus the grand slam was right down the line, but the only option available was a crew chief review that failed.

This was a very winnable game, but the Mets lost this game for two reasons: (1) they didn’t hit after getting the early lead, and (2) Kimbrel is still struggling with wildness, plus he no longer has the velocity to overcome that shortcoming. Kimbrel’s ERA rose to 7.56 after the outing, and it’s fair to wonder if his roster spot will remain safe if he can’t at least conquer his wildness.

Rockies reliever Antonio Senzatela got the win for Colorado, and the Mets will head to Arizona to meet the Diamondbacks having won back-to-back series but knowing they could have done better.