Even though Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Spencer Strider didn’t even make it through three innings before he was pulled after surrendering four runs and six hits, the rookie pitcher was still unimpressed by what he saw against the New York Mets.
In a postgame interview, Strider seemed to blame the team’s 5-2 loss on luck.
“A lot of weird hits,” Strider said of the outing according to Justin Toscano. “They seem to be having a lot of luck right now offensively. That’s great. It’s August. (We’ll) see what things are like in October.”
One “weird” hit Strider might be referring to came in the second inning when Mets hitter Pete Alonso hit a grounder down the third-base line that ricocheted off the bag and darted over the head of Braves third baseman Austin Riley’s into left field, bringing in two runs from first and second base.
But according to Strider, luck isn’t the only reason the Mets offense is performing so well. The rookie pitcher also attributes the team’s success to the umpire behind the plate.
“It helps when they’re getting calls and 1-1 counts turn to 2-1 counts instead of 1-2 counts, and stuff like that,” Strider said after the game. “When your BABIP is .330, .340 as a team, it’s tough to get quick innings and get quick outs.”
Strider has had a strong rookie season, making some Major League Baseball history in the process. But he hasn’t had much success against the Mets, and that seems to be leading to some frustration.
[Justin Toscano, New York Post]