The New York Mets broadcast booth on SNY has never been shy about criticizing its own players when they deserve it. Luis Severino gave them something to talk about on Wednesday.
The veteran starting pitcher was solid against the Washington Nationals with 6 1/3 innings pitched, two earned runs, four hits, three walks and four strikeouts in a 6-2 victory, but one of those earned runs was avoidable.
With two men on and two outs in the fourth inning, Severino gave up a single to Juan Yepez in right field. Scoring a run in that situation was natural, as Mets right fielder Tyrone Taylor’s throw to the plate was late and wide.
Unfortunately for the Mets, Taylor’s throw was just wide enough that catcher Francisco Alvarez couldn’t catch it. Normally, the pitcher backs up the catcher on these types of throws to prevent further damage to the bases. The problem was that Severino didn’t move from the mound until the throw bounced into foul territory.
The lapse set up a second run for the Nationals, giving them a 2-1 lead.
“This is inexcusable… 100% of the time, when you give up a hit that could mean a run or a play on third, 100% of the time, you have to back off.”
Ron Darling criticizes Luis Severino for not stepping back to the plate, allowing a run to score.
Part 1. image.twitter.com/xMumIAXfPC
— Horrible announcement (@awfulannouncing) July 11, 2024
Darling was not happy with what he saw.
“This is inexcusable,” Darling said. “All it takes is a little effort on the part of the pitcher. 100 percent of the time, when you give up a hit that can score a run or a play is at third, 100 percent of the time, you have to back off.”
With that said, you can probably guess how Darling felt after Severino refused to back home on the next play, a single to left field. Fortunately, the Nationals didn’t try to score.
Part 2:
One move later.
Gary Cohen: Once again, Severino didn’t go to the bench. He stayed standing on the mound.
Ron Darling: It’s one of those plays you can make for three seasons and it won’t affect you… You have to back off. It’s the professional way to play the game. image.twitter.com/0XQrpziK7x
— Horrible announcement (@awfulannouncing) July 11, 2024
“You just have to do it,” Darling said. “It’s one of those plays that can go three seasons without it affecting you, that the catcher blocks it every single time or it never gets to third base. Literally, three years. … It’s thrown her off her game and that’s a shame. You have to back off. It’s the professional way to play the game.”
The plays were the talk of the game for the rest of the game, though the Mets scored four runs in the sixth inning to cover the runs allowed. Darling described not making the backup play just once as “excessive” at the entrance.
And you can probably guess it. What the Mets booth had to say when Nationals starter Patrick Corbin prevented the tying run from scoring in the fourth inning by doing exactly what Severino didn’t do.
As far as the game goes, Severino’s defensive effort ended up being a moot point. Of course, you never know what can happen down the road.
