Division race tightens as the Mets fall to the Marlins

NEW YORK – The good news for the Mets? Jacob deGrom is inching closer and closer.

The bad news? So are the Atlanta Braves.

Drew Smith allowed a home run for the third straight appearance and the race in the NL East tightened after the Mets' 5-2 loss to Miami on Friday night at Citi Field.

A division lead that once reached double-digits is back down to 2.5 games with the Braves beating Washington.

"We play the Braves a lot in the second half so a lot of things can change and you try not to look at that stuff," Smith said. "At least I don't. It'll all play out throughout the season."

The consolation came in the form of deGrom, who threw three scoreless innings in his second rehab start for Single-A St. Lucie.

DeGrom allowed three hits and struck out six batters. He was taken out after 36 pitches (29 for strikes) in his latest step back from a stress reaction in his right scapula.

There was so much anticipation for deGrom's start in Daytona Beach that it was streamed live on SNY's app. The proximity to his hometown DeLand allowed plenty of family to be on hand, including deGrom's wife and parents.

It's now been a full year since deGrom's last major league game, although he could be ticketed for a return later this month.

"I feel really good," deGrom told reporters. "It's step-by-step, but I have been following the process, how it was laid out and trying not to do too much. Everything feels good."

Speaking of returns

Rust didn't seem to be a factor for Chris Bassitt, who missed his last turn in the rotation after testing positive for COVID.

"I did a lot of cardio so I don't think that was really an issue," Bassitt said. "I felt really good."

The Mets right-hander scattered two runs and six hits over 6.1 innings. He's gone at least six innings in 12 of his 16 starts this year, and this one came with a new wrinkle.

For the first time in his career, Bassitt has made three straight starts against the same team.

"They completely know my routine and my pitch selection, basically everything, so I would say it's a lot harder to be efficient," Bassitt said. "But I think sometimes it's a blessing because you can really see what they're trying to do against you."

Smith was the first call out of the pen and ended the seventh with an inning-ending, 4-6-3 double play.

But Garrett Cooper took Smith deep an inning later with a two-run shot off the foul pole in right. That sent the Marlins to their third win in nine tries against the Mets and thinned out a crowd of 25,208 fans.

Smith still owns a 3.06 ERA, having thrown 13.1 straight scoreless innings to start the season.

"He'll be fine," manager Buck Showalter said. "He's got a good arm and a strong constitution. If you look at his numbers and things as a whole, he's having a good year."

Setting the table

Brandon Nimmo collected his eighth home run of the season – matching his total from each of the last three seasons – with a soaring shot into the upper deck in right.

This is shaping up to be one of the most productive seasons for the Mets' leadoff hitter, who keeps raising his value as an impending free agent.

Over his last 16 games, Nimmo has gone 22-for-67 with 12 runs, four home runs and 11 RBI. It doesn't hurt that he's finally been able to stay healthy as the everyday center fielder, aside from a brief stint on the COVID IL in April.

The Mets' only other run on Friday came in the eighth when Francisco Lindor awakened the crowd with a solo shot.

Marlins reliever Steven Okert then loaded the bases with two walks and a hit batter, but got Eduardo Escobar to fly out to end the inning.

"We knew that it was going to be a challenge with their pitching," Showalter said.

"We'll have that same challenge the next two days and we'll have it with Atlanta and we'll have it with the Cubs."

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Division race tightens as the Mets fall to the Marlins