D-Backs 1, Mets 2: The Search for a Series Equalizer Squeaks Away

Sometimes it’s just not your night - and it definitely wasn’t Andrew Chafin’s.Even in my short time sports writing, I’ve discovered that so much of these recaps involves finding the central “narrative” of the game. That can be easier said than done as I’m sure my fellow recappers can attest. Today’s wasn’t as difficult to find - you pit one of the young, scrappy, upstart ball clubs against the most expensive roster in the majors with expectations and stars aplenty along with emblematic starting pitchers for their respective teams - it makes it much easier. To say the least, the expectations were higher than sky-high for this Mets team going into the season and they have not been able to match them to this point as we approach the All-Star Break. There are plenty of culprits for that disappointing start including underwhelming or inconsistent performances from a variety of free agent sources. Meanwhile, the NL-West-leading D-Backs are riding a youth movement on both sides of the plate to their best performance through 86 games since 2017 when they were 52-34 en route to an NLDS defeat that October. Through eight and 2⁄3 innings, this was a story of youth overcoming talent - except for that pesky 27th out and the top of the ninth.

…