CLEVELAND — Jon Niese’s homecoming was more like an ambush.
The Mets left-hander, who grew up 2¹/₂ hours from here in Defiance, Ohio, was lucky to escape Saturday night’s first inning against the Indians, and by the time he recovered, it was too late.
It has gotten to that point where the season can’t end quickly enough for the Mets, who stumbled 9-4 at Progressive Park for a fifth loss in six games.
Only adding to their sense of misery, the Mets will entrust Diasuke Matsuzaka with the ball for Sunday’s series finale. The veteran Matsuzaka has been awful in each of his first three starts for the team, pitching to a 10.95 ERA, and continues to frustrate the Mets with his slow pace.
The Indians seized control during a first inning in which they sent nine batters to the plate and took a 5-0 lead. Nick Swisher then homered in the second — a night after hitting a grand slam against Tim Byrdak — to give Corey Kluber a comfortable cushion.
“I kind of figured it out at the end, but wish I had that first inning back,” said Niese (6-7), who lasted six innings and allowed six runs, five earned, on nine hitsand two walks.
The Mets didn’t make noise until the sixth, when Justin Turner’s two-run double and Juan Lagares’ ensuing RBI single sliced the Indians’ lead to 6-4. But Asdrubal Cabrera’s three-run homer in the seventh against Scott Atchison put the Indians back in firm control.
Travis d’Arnaud continues to impress the Mets with his work behind the plate, but offensively he is a mess. The rookie catcher finished 0-for-4 and saw his average drop to .143 since his arrival from Triple-A Las Vegas three weeks ago.
D’Arnaud spends an “incredible” amount of time with the pitchers, according to catching instructor Bob Geren. It’s gotten to the point where d’Arnaud’s turn in the batting order will approach and Geren has to gently remind him that he can speak with the pitcher later and should get ready to hit.
Manager Terry Collins said d’Arnaud is among the best receivers he has seen, and the lack of offense from his young catcher isn’t yet a concern.
“This time of year, I don’t care where they play, they should be looking at 400 at-bats, and he’s a long way from that,” Collins said, referring to the broken left foot that kept d’Arnaud sidelined for three months. “I just think we have to reserve our judgement on where Travis is offensively.”
D’Arnaud said he’s pressing.
“I’ve got to stop over-thinking and get my hits,” he said. “They will come. I’m trying to hit everything instead of focusing on just one area.”
For now, the Mets will live with his slump and focus on his strengths.
“He’s made a lot of close pitches look good, which when you catch 140 or 150 pitches a night, four or five pitches can always go either way,” Geren said. “Sometimes the presentation makes a difference, so I think we’re getting a lot of close pitches because of his receiving skills.
“When you see him make an incredible block or incredible throw and some real good hands, you know that all the ability is there, it’s just a matter of being more consistent.”