In a series that began with Dodgers catcher Will Smith hitting a game-winning and game-tying home run in the first two games, the lack of production from the Mets’ catching tandem has only become more glaring.
As Smith provided the difference in two extra-inning games entering Sunday’s series finale at Citi Field, James McCann and Tomas Nido had combined to go 1-for-9 with five strikeouts while coming up empty in big spots. It continued a rough stretch with both catchers in slumps during a season in which the Mets have gotten a .607 OPS from that position, good for 24th in the league coming into Sunday.
“Both of those guys are not catching more so for their hitting, they’re catching because we feel they’re really good defensive catchers,” manager Luis Rojas said Sunday before the series wrapped up. “And they are going to contribute with their hitting when some situation arises. They didn’t deliver in some key at-bats. … But we are very pleased with the other work they’ve done for us. I think they’ve helped us a lot to be in a good position for the most part this season.”
The Mets’ pitching staff — one of the biggest reasons the club spent much of the season atop the NL East — has lauded McCann and Nido’s work this season. Nido entered Sunday ninth in defensive runs saved (five) while McCann was 35th (minus-one) among catchers who have caught at least 300 innings this season.
But McCann had a costly error Friday night on an errant throw back to reliever Drew Smith. It allowed Cody Bellinger to take third and eventually score on a sacrifice fly for the Dodgers’ fourth run in a game that went to extra innings tied 4-4. Later that night, Nido flew out with the tying run at second base in the 10th inning to finish a 6-5 loss.
Saturday, in a 1-1 game in the seventh inning, Nido came up with no outs and runners on first and second and failed to get down a bunt. McCann later pinch hit for him in the 10th inning and struck out in a 2-1 loss.
McCann was back behind the plate Sunday, but was just 4-for-33 (.121) in his last 10 games. Nido was in the midst of a 5-for-35 (.143) skid over his last 14 games.
“Both guys have been great for us the whole season — I’m talking more so on the defensive end,” Rojas said. “But they’ve been clutch at times too. They’ve won us games. … But I think what they’ve brought to us the most is handling the pitching, controlling the running game, they’ve both been outstanding.”
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