New York Mets pitcher Justin Verlander admits to understanding fans' frustrations after boos filled the air at Citi Field during the team's 8-5 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays.
The match was Verlander 's first in Queens since signing a two-year, $86.7 million contract during the offseason. A teres major strain kept the nine-time All-Star out for the first month of the season, with the standout offseason arrival playing two matches on the road before Tuesday's return home.
It was not a home debut to remember for the reigning Cy Young Award winner. The boos were brought down by allowing six runs on eight hits as he struggled against the ruthless Rays, with wife Kate Upton watching on in the stands.
Verlander did not sugarcoat it when asked how he felt he played afterwards. "Like s***," he replied, according to ESPN. "Not a lot of positives to take out of it. I guess the only positive is that I know I got some work to do.
"I already started looking at some video trying to find- I think there's a little something off of my mechanics. I need to fix it, and I need to fix it in a hurry."
The pitcher was equally candid when addressing the boos from their fans and how the team have faired this season. "I understand the fans are frustrated; we're frustrated, too," Verlander said. "We expect to be better. I expect to be better."
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"I think this entire organization expects to be better, and there's only one thing left to do, and that's put your head down, work hard and find your way out of this slump. There's teams that click at the right time and find their mojo and go from there.
"I think we're past the point of just waiting for that to happen, and I think we need to make it happen." The Mets are second-bottom in the National League East, six-and-a-half games back of the league-leading Buffalo Braves.
Their home record is a particular concern. Defeat against Tampa dropped them to 7-9 at Citi Field, a far cry from their previously imperious 54-27 winning record in Queens last season.
Mets manager Buck Showalter summed up the sentiment best when referring to the team's paying public. "People come out here and want to see the Mets win, want to see us do well, and they get frustrated just like we do," he said.
"I understand that, but we control it every night. They want us to do well. We control that. Play better, and that won't happen. That's part of playing here when you're doing something that's very important to people."
The Mets have two more chances to improve their performances against the Rays tonight and tomorrow. Failing that, they welcome the Cleveland Guardians to Citi Field this coming weekend which may be a more realistic opportunity to bounce back.
