Now that’s more like it! The Mets came storming back from an unpleasant visit to the Bronx last night. This time the Mets offense was on display, as they hit three home runs and tallied a dozen hits. Kevin Plawecki had a nice offensive game by driving in the first three runs of his career, two of which came via his first career home run. Lucas Duda started the scoring with a shot off of left-hander C.C. Sabathia in the first inning. Duda’s first home run against lefties this year is half of his total from last year, and he is now collecting hits off of lefties close to half of his at-bats in 2015. Eric Campbell added a home run while Juan Lagares came back with a 4-4 night after having his 10-game hit streak interrupted. He’s now hitting .296 for the year.
On the other side of things, Matt Harvey pitched beautifully in revenge of last night’s loss. Despite a pitch count of 91 after eight innings, Terry Collins allowed the young hot head the chance to get the complete game. Harvey couldn’t put the kibosh on Mark Teixeira’s torrid series and allowed another home run, and finally another hit in the ninth that helped end Harvey’s night. But the ace scattered four other hits for just one run, and struck out seven while walking two over 8.2 innings. That puts Harvey’s K/BB ratio at a fantastic 11/1. The Yankees threatened late as that Teixeira single, and a Brian McCann walk forced Collins’ hand, and he brought in Carlos Torres to finish things off. And of course the game had to end on a challenged call that involved the Mets middle infielders, and much maligned former outfielder Chris Young.
It was another wacky night of baseball for Mets fans, but this one ended correctly. Jon Niese will take the mound in the rubber match Sunday. Hopefully he won’t get ejected again like he did last night for arguing balls and strikes.
Gut reaction: Daniel Murphy has something that’s bothering him on his mind.
Like Dilson Herrera mashing the ball in the hitter’s haven that is Vegas?
I watched the post-game coverage and I still don’t understand why TC left Harvey in for the ninth. Tell him good job and call in a Torres. That .2 inning could be better served in a close and late affair come July.
Neither could Ron Darling.
Mike, to answer your earlier comment about Herrera, I do wonder if the fact that he’s basically being thrown out without even an offer after his efforts all these years to change positions; to come back from injuries; to never complain but do the right thing; wondering if that is going through Murphy’s mind… Or, is it a personal issue. Something is not right with Murphy on the field.
+1 Mike! Keep Harvey fresh and well rested for his next start and try to think about the Whole season not just one game!
I actually hope that Murphy starts hitting consistently this year, because then he has a better return value for a trade.
He knows, the front office knows, hell, even the rest of the team knows that Dilson Herrera is the future at second base.
Murphy was a good soldier in Queens for years, but he is going to be pushed out, and for a good reason.