Jose Quintana started strong, hoping to help lessen the bullpen’s load by working through the seventh inning. However, this has been a rare occurrence not only in the Mets’ rotation but also in MLB in general. Mets starters have struggled to finish six innings, averaging less than 5 ⅓ innings per start. Despite facing the minimum batters through five innings, Quintana allowed three hits in the sixth, resulting in three runs for the Guardians, with Andres Gimenez’s three-run homer being the pivotal hit of the game.
Quintana’s outing of at least six innings was only the second in 10 starts this season. Despite throwing just 70 pitches, the fewest in a start of at least six innings in his career, he was unable to maintain his shutout as the game progressed. After Quintana surrendered runs in the sixth, manager Carlos Mendoza decided to reach into the bullpen for the seventh, with Reed Garrett allowing one run and Adam Ottavino giving up two more runs in the eighth. Quintana expressed frustration at being swept in the series and acknowledged the team’s missed opportunity to win the game.
In previous games, Quintana had mixed performances, with one notable strong outing against the Cardinals where he allowed only one earned run over eight innings to secure a win. However, his recent performances have been inconsistent, with subpar showings against the Rays and Braves following his standout game against the Cardinals. Despite feeling like he is close to achieving better results, Quintana expressed a desire to finish games in the best way possible and help the team win. He emphasized the importance of getting results and overcoming the challenges faced during this tough time with the team.
The Mets have been struggling to get quality starts from their rotation, with the starting pitchers failing to pitch deep into games. This has put more pressure on the bullpen, resulting in increased reliance on relief pitchers to finish games. Despite the team’s efforts to improve their pitching performances, consistency remains a challenge for the starting rotation. Quintana’s start against the Guardians highlighted the ongoing issues faced by the Mets’ pitching staff and the need for the starters to step up and deliver stronger outings to give the team a better chance to win games.
Manager Carlos Mendoza expressed confidence in Quintana’s ability to go deep into games based on his performance in the middle innings. However, the sixth inning proved to be challenging for Quintana, as he allowed a three-run homer that changed the course of the game. The early success of facing the minimum batters through five innings was overshadowed by the struggles in the sixth inning, leading to the Mets’ loss. Quintana’s performance reflected the broader pitching issues faced by the team, highlighting the need for improvements in the starting rotation to compete effectively in the upcoming games.
