Earl Weaver would have been proud of the Mets’ effort in this game. New York combined power — seemingly as seldom seen as a Triple Crown winner — and outstanding starting pitching to save a split of this four-game series.
After Curtis Granderson led off the game with a home run, Jacob deGrom took the mound for the Mets and one of his statistical Everests crumbled right away. deGrom hadn’t allowed an extra-base bit in 33.3 consecutive innings, so of course, Ender Inciarte cracked a double to start the home half. That helped deGrom cough up the lead straight away. But for once, the Mets wasted no time in making up for it. With Juan Lagares on base in the top of the second, Eric Campbell blasted one 408 feet to left field, restoring the lead the Mets would never relinquish. In the fifth, Granderson homered again. In the sixth, Wilmer Flores parked one to left center. Another scarce breed was spotted, too, as the Mets plated an “add-on” run in the top of the ninth.
While deGrom wasn’t “deGominating,” he did pitch into the seventh, surrendering five hits, walking three and striking out 10.
That power/pitching combo will win you a lot of ballgames. Too bad it’s such a rarity around here.
If only we got to hit against Josh Collmenter every game.
Hansel Robles came on and handled the heart of the order in the eighth. The Mets have some decisions to make when injured relievers return but even with the high ERA, it doesn’t seem like Robles is going anywhere.
Leathersich will make way for Parnell, that i’m quite certain.
The decision will be who to exchange for Black. The only two guys who are fungible are either Robles or Goeddel.
TC seems to trust Robles more, having given him a lot more recent high leverage appearances, but we have seen Sandy cut guys that TC likes, such as Farnsworth.
My thought, too: what the Mets need is a series of soft tossers to hit against. Glad to take the win, but there’s not much to learn here.
Missing is the tailor made double play ball that Campbell threw into right field to give them an opportunity to take the 2-1 lead in the first.
Also missing were two nice diving plays by Flores and a great play by deGrom on a bullet back at him to squelch a looming threat in the sixth in which there were two men on and one out. If deGrom doesn’t make that play, a run is in and there are still two men on when the next guy Chris Owings bunts for a single. As it was they scored one run on the bunt, but deGrom saved a bigger inning there.
Of course the Mets stranded the bases loaded and various base runners all game, scoring on only home runs until their last run in the ninth; and it was a thing of beauty. Campbell leads off with a single. Steals second. After Flores pops out he steals third off a snoozing J. C. Ramirez. With the infield in, Ceciliani squeezes a grounder through for the last run. Then he steals second, LOL!
First Place on June 7th, the latest date that the Mets have been in first during the Alderson/Collins era.
When the Met game concluded, I switched over to watch the Cubs finish off the Nats. That was fun!
The pitching has got us there and will keep us there with a little more offensive support. We need another offensive piece via trade besides TdA.
deGrom, Robles and Familia carried the game and the homeruns were a real nice bonus.
I still maintain that the Mets should seriously consider — or at least experiment with — dropping Curtis Granderson into a 5/6 spot in the order.
If at the end of the season he hits 20-25 HRs, will batting him leadoff have been the optimal use.
I know, I know, the walks. But we are looking at an offense that has, in a word, failed.
Michael Conforto remains the best hitting outfielder in the entire Mets system. That includes Flushing. I’m glad to see him get 150-200 ABs in AA, but after that, it’s time to bring him up if we care about the 2015 season at all. The kid (who isn’t a kid) could help.
I am sick and tired of these idiots on these various blog sites whining about how badly the Mets are playing or how bad a job Sandy Alderson is doing when all the while this team has either been in first of second place the entire seaon. Oh yes and this has been done without their third baseman, their catcher and both their first and second string second basemen. Let us not forget that Zack Wheeler is missing as well. Instant gratification is for infants, so grow up and wait your turn.