Kelly Shoppach misplays a foul ball fly hit by Kurt Suzuki for an error in the third inning that allowed Suzuki to hit a home run two pitches later, in the Mets’ 5-1 loss last night. (Paul J. Bereswill)
Kelly Shoppach can rip, but he still needs to get a grip.
The Mets catcher had an embarrassing moment last night, dropping a routine pop-up behind the plate in the third inning that helped the Nationals score three unearned runs against starting pitcher Collin McHugh.
“Nobody feels worse in that situation than me,” Shoppach said after the Mets’ 5-1 loss to the Nationals at Citi Field, which officially eliminated them (65-76) from the NL East race — they trail Washington by 22 games with 21 remaining.
The impact of Shoppach’s gaffe — his fourth error in 15 games since the Mets acquired him in a trade from the Red Sox — was immediate, as Kurt Suzuki homered later in the at-bat.
“That made me so mad,” Shoppach said. “I told Kurt, ‘Couldn’t you just hit a single?’ ”
Only adding to McHugh’s misery, Ryan Zimmerman unloaded for a two-run homer later in the inning.
The Mets lost their fourth straight and have scored three runs or fewer in 11 straight home games, tying a franchise record last established in September of 1979.
McHugh (0-2) allowed five runs, three of which were unearned, on five hits over four innings with three strikeouts and two walks.
“There are going to be drops behind you and errors behind you all the time,” McHugh said. “But that doesn’t take away from the fact I made a poor pitch to [Suzuki] and he hit it well.”
* Jenrry Mejia will start Saturday’s game at Milwaukee in Jeremy Hefner’s place, according to manager Terry Collins, and will remain in the rotation.
Mejia’s last major league start came in September 2010 with the Mets.
* The Mets will honor 9/11 first responders by wearing hats from the various city agencies during batting practice and the National Anthem before tonight’s game, on the 11th anniversary of the terror attacks. The hats will be autographed and auctioned off, with proceeds distributed by the Mets Foundation to 9/11 related organizations.