Zach Lee, Dodgers obliterated by Mets

Zach Lee had a major league debut to forget, and the Mets walloped the Dodgers 15-2 on Saturday night at Citi Field in New York.

The 15 runs and 21 hits allowed were the most allowed by the Dodgers all season, in a game that was decided quite early.

Lee had the kind of first inning that would make someone want to crawl in a hole somewhere and hide, which would have been a preferred spot for Lee on Michael Conforto's ground ball. The one-out grounder that was headed for shortstop Jimmy Rollins for an inning-ending double play was instead deflected by a well-meaning Lee for an infield single and the Mets' second run. A potential one-run inning became four when Kirk Nieuwenhuis, the next batter, singled home two runs to punctuate the inning.

Lee was the first Dodgers starting pitcher to allow four runs in the first inning of his major league debut since Frank Wurm on Sept. 4, 1944. Wurm's night was much worse than Lee's, walking five of his seven batters faced, allowing a double and recording one out.

Lee's night ended with two outs in the fifth inning. He allowed seven runs on 11 hits, the first Dodgers starting pitcher to allow seven runs in his major league debut since Johnny Babich on June 19, 1934.

Chin-hui Tsao relieved Lee but the Mets didn't stop hitting. Tsao allowed six runs on seven hits and a walk. He recorded two outs.

Michael Conforto and Kirk Nieuwenhuis each went 4-for-4 with a walk for the Mets, with Conforto doubling twice and Nieuwenhuis once. Lucas Duda homered twice, two of four New York home runs on the night.

Matt Harvey, in addition to pitching seven strong innings for the Mets, was 2-for-4 with two RBI at the plate.

The Dodgers offense came in the form of two home runs, by Jimmy Rollins and Joc Pederson.

Rollins became the first Dodgers shortstop to hit a home run in three consecutive games since Glenn Wright on July 26-27, 1930.

For Pederson, it was his first home run since June 29, snapping a string of 20 games and 88 plate appearances without.

Up next

Zack Greinke gets the call on Sunday morning as the Dodgers go for a series win. Jacob deGrom starts for the Mets in the series finale, and the finale of the Dodgers' 10-game road trip.

Saturday particulars

Home runs: Jimmy Rollins (11), Joc Pederson (21); Lucas Duda 2 (14), Kelly Johnson (10), Daniel Murphy (6)

WP - Matt Harvey (9-7): 7 IP, 6 hits, 2 runs, 1 walk, 4 strikeouts

LP - Zach Lee (0-1): 4⅔ IP, 11 hits, 7 runs, 1 walk, 3 strikeouts