And now the Captain joins the act. If it’s a Monday, David Wright will get the big hit.
Wright’s ground-rule double with two on in the bottom of the seventh gave the Mets a 4-3 win over Miami, their eighth straight.
Logan Verrett took Matt Harvey’s start and made the most of it. He retired the first nine Marlins in order, until Dee Gordon’s infield single leading off the fourth. No damage was done, though, as Christian Yelich — who looks like the kid put in the trunk of the car next to John Cusack in Sixteen Candles — hit into a double play. By that time, though, Yoenis Cespedes had struck again, launching a shot into the third row of the second deck off Miami starter Justin Nicolino in the bottom of the third.
The Marlins got even in the fifth. With one out, Derek Dietrich hit a single to left and J.T. Realmuto followed with a safety of his own. The venerable Ichiro Suzuki drew a four-pitch walk to load the bases. Miguel Rojas’s RBI groundout to Wilmer Flores at short tied the game.
It came untied in the sixth.
Sean Gilmartin came on in relief of Verrett and Dee Gordon greeted him with a bunt single that got scarily tossed into right field. Luckily, Gordon had to stay put. Yelich then hit a liner to left. Gordon stole second. Terry Collins, his hunches paying off handsomely lately, elected to intentionally walk Martin Prado and have Gilmartin face the powerful lefty Justin Bour — who looks like a beefier version of the banjo kid from Deliverance. It appeared Collins’s gamble paid off when Bour skied one to right for the second out. Not this time, though. Derek Dietrich singled to bring Gordon home and Realmuto hit a dunk single to plate Prado and put the Fish up 3-1.
That deficit didn’t last long though. With two out in the bottom of the inning, Juan Uribe shot a double down the left field line. Travis d’Arnaud then sent a rocket into the right centerfield stands to tie the game again.
In the seventh, Lucas Duda struck out leading off, but Flores worked out a walk. Eric Young, Jr. pinch ran for him. Curtis Granderson pinch hit for the pitcher and drew a walk of his own. Michael Conforto then pinch hit for Juan Lagares, but he could only manage and infield fly. That set the stage for Wright’s heroics. He launched a shot to deepest center field, well over the head of Yelich. The ball — and the ballgame — bounced into the seats in right center as Young trotted home.
The magic number is down to ten, pending the result of the Nationals/Phillies tilt in Pennsylvania.
Wow, just wow. Logan Verrett; remember those days in 2007 when September rolled around and the Mets had virtually nobody to take the ball? Glavine, Maine, Perez; El Duque essentially unavailable, Pedro long gone. I took a quick scroll through Baseball-Ref; Glavine’s ERA in September was over 6.00, Perez was issuing over 5 walks per nine, Maine, ERA about 5.50. At least Maine pitched a couple of good games.
What a difference. Hey, developing a pitching staff might be worth the wait, can I get a witness?
It is great that David Wright has come back from his injury and is able to participate and contribute to the pennant winning season. He has a 359/406/765 split since his return with some pop in the bat and adequate fielding. Not bad for a guy who hasn’t played for four months. David is going to have to be honest with himself and sit when he feels those twinges and not push the issue. He should be pulled in all blow outs and rested often enough so as never to be fatigued. The Mets should sign an inexpensive and versatile Kelly Johnson as an insurance policy for 2016. Hopefully we will get many more good years from the Captain.
Was it necessary to pull Verrett after 63 pitches?
Gilmartin was rusty and has been handled pecularily this season. He seems like he could be counted on as a second tier reliever in 2016 if his use waas better defined.
Right now free agents Clippard and arb eligble Reed are locking down the back end of the bullpen. Robles and Goedell have had good years which should make
one of Clippard/Reed expendable to save money.
Cespedes chant of MVP is well deserved.
Eight in a row and on cruise control.
I admit that I was wrong about Wright. He seems to be playing at the right speed now (that liner he snagged did not show any signs of rust or age) and he was able to get around on the high heat to drive in the GW run. He’s showing a good presence and leadership. I only wish that he’d learn (or decide) to hit the outside curve to right field. If I were pitching him, I’d throw high and tight and then outside curve. But he’s contributing and is far from the liability that I feared that he’d be.
If 11 pitchers in postseason, I’m seeing the Mets having to make a bullpen choice between Gilmartin and Niese.
I favor Gilmartin. The use of Gilmartin makes you wonder where he fits in the plan, but perhaps that’s the lot in life for the long man. You need the guy who can survive and thrive under inconsistent use. Niese as LHP has reverse splits, so that’s another strike against him.
Or is Alvarez in the conversation? I think someone has to go on DL for him to be eligible.
Every time I go down this road, it comes back to the choices for the four starters. Colon in pen would serve as long man; Matz would be a lefty guy; Syndergaard, I think, has to start, because there’s not as much need for another late-inning pitcher.
Relievers: Familia, Clippard, Reed, Robles, Goeddel, Colon, Gilmartin.
Niese over Gilmartin because he is a better pitcher with a proven track record.
Carlos Torres (if 100% healthy) over Goeddel because he has pitched well many times over the years and deserves the shot.
The offdays in the playoffs should “auto pilot” the bullpen to Reed-Clippard-Familia on most “close game” days. It is when the team is in extra innings that a Colon and Niese could put up extended innings and TC would never have to worry about running out of pitchers.
Or if a starter in a particular game is appearing to struggle. Colon could take the “Sid Fernandez ’86” role and thrive, I think.
Forgot about Torres. Yes, over Goeddel.
My heart says Niese over Gilmartin. But . . . then there’s Goeddel to consider.
Not an easy decision. I guess it would be very, very difficult to leave Jon Niese off this team. I wonder how he stands in that clubhouse.
They changed the rule a couple of years ago. Now, anyone on the 40-man roster at the end of the day on 8/31 is eligible. Anyone in the org EOD on 8/31 is eligible for injury replacement.
Sadly, I believe we will see both Niese and Parnell on the post season roster. Neither belong IMO.
I dont like Colon much, and his recent success is against lousy teams, but he can throw strikes and change speeds. Niese is a slow throwing nibbler that just cant get the job done in a big situation.
I think it is TC’s job to boost & support & believe in Parnell.
I think it’s the GM’s job to keep him off the postseason roster.