Astros Vs. Mets: Hunter Pence’s Late Homer Sinks New York Again At Citi Field

The New York Mets entered Wednesday’s game against the Houston Astros with a six-game home losing streak, and the Astros tried to be charitable -- a kind gesture from one beleaguered franchise to another. The Mets, though, are a proud franchise, and they declined any help the Astros offered, dropping the second game of the series at Citi Field, 4-3, despite chances in the late innings.

The Mets were able to get baserunners against Astros starter Bud Norris, but they weren’t able to do much with them until a sixth-inning, two-run homer from Daniel Murphy tied the game at 3-3. Murphy, Jose Reyes, and Carlos Beltran all went 3-for-4 in the game, but hitting right behind them were Josh Thole, Ike Davis, and Angel Pagan, who combined to leave a combined 14 men on base. New York had at least one baserunner in every inning except the second.

Mets knuckleballer R.A. Dickey ran into early trouble against the Astros, giving up three runs in the second inning, but he sailed through the middle innings and kept Houston off the board until the eighth inning, when Hunter Pence led off with a home run that went over the left-field fence quickly to give the Astros a 4-3 lead. Dickey finished eight innings, giving up all four earned runs.

In the eighth inning, the Mets had their best chance to tie the game or take a lead, with the speedy Pagan at third base and one out. Justin Turner struck out swinging on a sharp curve from Jose Valdez that got away from catcher J.R. Towles, and Pagan broke for the plate. Towles recovered the ball and quickly tossed it to Valdez, who was able to apply the tag to Pagan’s back foot before his front foot could cross the plate.

The ninth inning didn’t go any better for the Mets, with Reyes singling to lead off the inning, only to be doubled off on a pop-up bunt from Thole. Brandon Lyon then recorded his fourth save of the season by getting David Wright on a fly ball to right.

New York drops to 5-13 on the season, with Houston climbing to 7-11. The Mets will try to avoid the sweep tomorrow, with Chris Capuano going against the Astros’ J.A. Happ.