Rosario's 2 triples can't rescue Mets, Gagnon

NEW YORK -- The development of Amed Rosario has been a huge focus for the Mets' organization, and his awakening at the plate provided a positive in a 7-3 loss to the Phillies on Tuesday night at Citi Field.
Rosario went 3-for-4 with two triples and one RBI after going just 3-for-28 over his last 14 games entering the contest. With the three hits, Rosario tied his career high for the third time this season and fifth time overall.
Hours before the game, Mets manager Mickey Callaway talked about the development of the shortstop and how the team has been happy with his progression in the field. Callaway touched on Rosario's offense and said though it isn't coming along as quickly as his fielding, he is making advancements.
"The hitting coaches really feel like he's making some improvements from day to day, week to week," Callaway said. "I think since the three days we gave him off [in late June], we have seen improvement."

The work that Rosario has been putting in paid off on Tuesday night. The 22-year old belted a triple in his first at-bat in the third against Phillies prospect Enyel De Los Santos, who was making his Major League debut. Mets starter Drew Gagnon drove in Rosario with a sacrifice fly to put the Mets on the board.
Gagnon, also making his Major League debut for the Mets, went three up, three down in the first inning, but it only went downhill from there. He finished after 4 2/3 innings, giving up six runs on seven hits with three strikeouts.

In the second inning, Gagnon gave up a two-out three run home run to Phillies third baseman Maikel Franco. A two-run single from Nick Williams in the third, a solo home run from Odúbel Herrera in the fifth and a Franco RBI single in the sixth extended the Phillies' lead.
Rosario's second triple plated José Reyes in the seventh, and he came home on Michael Conforto's pinch-hit groundout for the Mets' third run.

Rosario thinks a large part of his development is due to the fact that he is seeing the strike zone differently and he is using his right leg more to stay balanced and take a better approach to the ball.
SOUND SMART
Rosario set the Mets' fastest home-to third-time in Statcast™ history again. His rounded the bases in 11.11 seconds on his seventh-inning triple, and he now owns six of the Mets' top eight home-to-third times since Statcast™ launched in 2015.
YOU GOTTA SEE THIS
Wilmer Flores made an over-the-shoulder catch on a shallow fly ball to right field and turned to fire the ball home and nab Carlos Santana tagging up for a double play in the third inning.

HE SAID IT
"We played a doubleheader yesterday, and he brought that kind of energy today. That's what young players do, and he's a guy that comes to play every day. He's doing a great job with his development, and I think it's going to pay dividends in the end."-- Callaway, on Rosario
UP NEXT
Recently named All-Star Jacob deGrom will take the mound on Wednesday at 7:10 p.m. ET for the final game of the four-game series against the Phillies. It will be his last appearance before heading to Washington for the 2018 All-Star Game presented by Mastercard. deGrom is 6-1 with a 2.74 ERA in 12 career games started against Philadelphia, and he will oppose right-hander Vince Velasquez.