Diamondbacks find some power, Montgomery struggles in loss to Mets

The Arizona Diamondbacks found their power swings to score nine runs against the New York Mets on Friday, matching their run output over the previous six games.

But the Mets held on for a 10-9 victory after tagging D-backs starter Jordan Montgomery with eight runs (six earned) at Citi Field — Arizona’s house of horrors.

New York (24-33) has won 21 of its past 25 versus the Diamondbacks, and 17 of the last 19 meetings at Citi Field.

The Diamondbacks (25-32) trailed 10-5 entering the ninth inning, and Joc Pederson blasted a three-run shot off reliever Reed Garrett. Christian Walker followed with another blast, the fourth time Arizona has had back-to-back home runs this season.

Garrett struck out Lourdes Gurriel Jr. swinging at a pitch well below the zone to end the ballgame. It was an Answerbacks-type comeback attempt, but the Diamondbacks dropped their fifth straight and fell a season-worst seven games under .500.

New York won back-to-back games for the first time since May 6-7 in St. Louis.

The Diamondbacks jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning off Mets starter Luis Severino. Pederson and Gurriel brought in the first two runs on singles.

Off to a quick start. ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/mMhjgFyRWW

— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) May 31, 2024

New York erased the deficit immediately, though, with four runs off Montgomery in the bottom half. Starling Marte tripled with the bases loaded to tie the game.

The Mets added three in the fourth inning to go up 8-4, two of which came after a shortstop Kevin Newman error with two outs.

Montgomery lasted four innings, giving up nine hits and three walks with four strikeouts. His ERA jumped to 5.48, impacted by a pair of six-run outings.

“I feel like my sinker’s just become (batting practice) right now,” starting pitcher Jordan Montgomery said. “So, just got to find a way to get it to move and be down in the zone. But, just wasted a good offensive night for the guys tonight and really stunk it up for ’em.”

Marte drove in four runs and J.D. Martinez homered for the second consecutive game. Martinez’s two-run shot off Logan Allen in the sixth inning proved to be critical insurance after he hit the game-winning homer on Thursday.

Francisco Lindor had two more hits Friday, including an RBI double that extended his hitting streak to 10 games. He went 4-for-4 with a homer Thursday night.

Eugenio Suarez ended Arizona’s home run drought with an opposite-field shot in the sixth inning, his fourth of the year and 250th of his career. He is the seventh Venezuela-born player to hit 250 big league homers.

El jonrón #250 de Eugenio Suárez en Las Mayores, el 7mo con más jonrones de por vida entre nacidos en Venezuela. 🇻🇪 pic.twitter.com/ElL6vlQmFh

— MLB Venezuela (@MLBVenezuela) June 1, 2024

Diamondbacks’ next game

First pitch between the D-backs and Mets on Saturday is at 1:10 p.m.

Arizona turns to right-hander Slade Cecconi, who was recalled on Friday from Triple-A Reno. Veteran left-hander Sean Manaea (3-1, 3.16) goes for New York.

In a pregame ceremony, the Mets will retire the No. 18 worn by outfielder Darryl Strawberry from 1983-90.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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