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PHILADELPHIA – If Luis Rojas starts to feel his seat heat up, he’s not ready to admit it.
After the Mets lost 5-3 to the Phillies on Saturday in their 14th loss in 23 games since the all-star break, 1-1.5 games behind Philadelphia in the NL East race, the manager was asked if he was concerned about his work. Security.
“I will never do that,” Rojas said. “I will always focus on the team and nothing more. We have to win games. If I don’t focus on that, I disrespect everyone who wears this uniform. There it is, there is nothing more than that.
The Mets have not replaced a manager in season since Willie Randolph in 2008. The Rojas’ two-year contract ends this season.
“I am focused on what I need to do,” Rojas said. “I have to prepare to help the guys for tomorrow. We’re up against Zack Wheeler, one of the best pitchers in the National League, so we have to put together a roster and come in and we have to win. We have to win tomorrow.
The Mets moved all in with a right-handed team on Saturday.
In an attempt to revive the attack against left-hander Ranger Suarez, Rojas placed Michael Conforto, Dominic Smith and Jeff McNeil on the bench and inserted Brandon Drury, Kevin Pillar and Jonathan Villar.
The tactic did not pay dividends, as the Mets went without a hitting against Suarez in 2 ² / ₃ innings.
Two days earlier, Rojas had suggested McNeil was on the bench in Miami so he was cool enough to start all three games against the Phillies, but the manager said the plan had changed.
“Mac gets away a bit against lefties, almost trying to shoot the ball and got a little defensive against lefties if you check his last strikes against them,” Rojas said before the game.
Smith has been a better hitter against lefties than righties this season, but Rojas said it wasn’t enough to get him into the lineup. The quality of Suarez’s stuff suggested Villar should start.
“Even though a guy like Dom hit left-handed people particularly well, we still wanted the game against the right-handed people to start the game,” Rojas said.
Jacob deGrom returned home to Florida on a family affair, according to Rojas. The Mets ace – who has yet to start pitching despite being on the injured list following discomfort and swelling in his elbow – will join the team in New York.
Rojas, from the Dominican Republic, said he was proud of his homeland’s performance (a bronze medal) in baseball at the Tokyo Olympics.
“I have a lot of friends who are part of this team and players that I have also managed and have coached in the past,” said Rojas. “For the country, it’s huge. It’s the No.1 game in my country and I know everyone is proud right now.
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