The New York Mets’ skid hit seven games Friday night as rookie starter Jonah Tong endured a nightmare first inning in an 8-3 series-opening loss to the Texas Rangers at Citi Field.
Making just his third major league start, Tong failed to escape the opening frame, surrendering six runs on four hits and three walk while throwing 40 pitches. It marked the shortest outing by a Mets starter since September 2022 and spiked Tong’s ERA to 8.49.
Jacob deGrom, making his return to Queens, retired the Mets on six pitches in the first inning and cruised through most of his seven-inning outing. New York showed brief life in the third when Francisco Álvarez homered and Juan Soto and Pete Alonso added sacrifice flies to cut the deficit to 6-3, but deGrom quickly settled back in. He retired the final 13 batters he faced, earning the win.
Dylan Moore’s two-run pinch-hit homer off Gregory Soto in the seventh put the game out of reach.
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The Mets (76-72) look to end the losing streak on Saturday at 4:10 p.m. when Brandon Sproat takes the hill for his second Major League start against lefty Patrick Corbin.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].