Francisco Rodriguez had more teeth removed last night, but this time without anesthetic.
Eric Hinske and Freddie Freeman played dentist for the Braves, bludgeoning K-Rod for three runs in the ninth inning, sending the Mets to a 6-3 loss at Citi Field.
Rodriguez, who had two teeth removed on Wednesday and admitted his mouth was still hurting after a shaky performance against the Pirates a day later — entered a tie game in the ninth last night. Rodriguez surrendered a home run to Hinske before Freeman gave the Braves breathing room with a two-run double later in the inning.
“[The teeth] shouldn’t affect me and my job out there. It shouldn’t be an excuse,” Rodriguez said. “I didn’t get it done, and I don’t want to put an excuse out there. I’m not really pleased with my outings recently.”
Rodriguez (1-2) lost seven days earlier, when he allowed three earned runs in two-thirds of an inning against the Phillies. But K-Rod wasn’t alone in the meltdown department last night. Jose Reyes and Jason Isringhausen also contributed.
Reyes’ error in the eighth allowed Dan Uggla to score the tying run and ruin Jon Niese’s shot at the victory. Isringhausen entered with two outs in the inning and walked Uggla before unloading a wild pitch. Alex Gonzalez then hit a grounder underneath Reyes’ glove that allowed Uggla to score, making it 3-3.
“It’s tough, because Niese threw an unbelievable game,” Reyes said. “In my situation there, I have to make that play there. I left my glove up. I need to make that play one way or the other. At least keep the ball in the infield. That changed the momentum of the game there.”
Chipper Jones smashed Niese’s 101st pitch of the night into the left-field seats leading off the eighth to pull the Braves within 3-2, but Niese recovered to retire the next two batters before Isringhausen was summoned to face Uggla.
Reyes’ triple leading off the fourth sparked a three-run inning that gave the Mets a 3-1 lead against Derek Lowe. With a contingent of fans aligned on the Shea Bridge behind the right-field fence — chanting “Jose” and “Don’t trade Reyes” — the speedy shortstop hit a shot to the gap in right center for his ninth triple of the season.