Mets’ bats go cold in loss 4-2 to Padres – The Denver Post

It was a big moment for a big rookie. The Mets were down two runs in the bottom of the ninth with runners on second and third and rookie catcher Francisco Alvarez at the plate facing San Diego Padres closer Josh Hader.

It was a favorable matchup for the 21-year-old Alvarez, the Mets’ top organizational prospect and a power-hitting catcher known for crushing left-handed pitching. But the comeback fell short when Alvarez swung through a high cutter for strike three to end the game.

He had been looking for a fastball.

The Mets fell 4-2 on Tuesday night at Citi Field, evening the series at 1-1.

“He’s got good pitches,” Alvarez said through a translator.

The focus of this game will be on Alvarez and his 0-for-3 performance because he’s one of the top prospects in baseball….