With the Mets bullpen depleted and the heat across Cape Cod bordering on oppressive this week, it was little surprise that the boys in blue found themselves struggling.

On Monday night the Mets fell to Orleans 8-1 as their pitchers grappled with a formidable Orleans offense. 

The Cardinals came out swinging, garnering three quick runs in the first inning against starter Steve Porlier, who lasted just one inning due to stiffness in his shoulder.

After a two-run single by Cardinal Joe Mahoney, Orleans tacked on two more runs in each of the next two innings, putting the Mets behind 7-1.

David Macias had the solo run for the Mets in the top of the first inning. After cracking the first of three singles, Macias took second on a sacrifice by Jared McGuire and third on a grounder from Matt Mangini. When Jackson Williams sent a single past the Cardinals’ first baseman, Macias crossed the plate. 

On Tuesday night the Mets didn’t fare much better against Harwich, falling to the Mariners 4-1.

Jared McGuire, returning to the field where he played ball for Harwich High School, thought he’d hit a home run in the third. Unfortunately, after an umpire conference the ball was said to have one-hopped the fence rather than clearing it, leaving McGuire with a double.

Tension became the name of the game then, as the situation in the Met’ dugout grew more heated than the air over the field, particularly when an ump singled out closing pitcher Daniel Latham for ejection, further taxing the lacking bullpen. 

Aaron Brown did his best to regain control and only allowed one unearned run in six innings. However, in the seventh things began to unravel. Sergio Miranda and Josh Horton of the Mariners netted RBIs against Brown, and Josh Donaldson singled in Harwich’s final run against Mets reliever Adam Riefer.

Sean O’Brien doubled home the only run for Hyannis in the eighth, but no one else was able to cross the plate. 

Hyannis faces Bourne at home tonight and will play a final game against Cotuit tomorrow night at Lowell Field. 

By Kathleen Szmit Manwaring
kmanwaring@barnstablepatriot.com