Happy 4th of July, Mets fans! What a weekend we had. As if the four-game sweep over the league-leading Cubs wasn’t enough, the Mets won a dramatic comeback game against the pesky Marlins.
Matt Harvey continued to struggle and left in the top of the 4th inning with the Mets down 6-0. While the former ace didn’t walk anyone and struck out four in 3 2/3 innings, he surrendered 11 hits and five earned runs. Ouch. Hopefully you didn’t turn off your TV or radio just yet. The Mets bullpen held the Marlins scoreless for the last five innings while the Mets chipped away at the lead, scoring a run each in the 4th and 5th inning, followed by two runs each in the 6th, 7th, and 8th innings to take the lead 8-6, capped off by a big two run double from Yoenis Cespedes. Jeurys Familia locked it down for his league-leading 29th save.
The Mets got home runs from Curtis Granderson and Travis d’Arnaud and two doubles from Cespedes. With five wins in a row, the surging Mets gained a game on the Nationals, who lost today, and now sit just four games out of first. Let’s go Mets!
– With the score 6-3 and the bases loaded with no outs, Kelly Johnson went up there to pinch hit and promptly hit a double play killing that rally. In that situation, you must, must, must, must lift the ball. You could say, “what if it was a base hit”? I would say it would be lucky because since the defense is looking for a ground ball and you give them that, you played into their hands.
– Much props to Walker, Flores and Cespedes for getting home base runners when they had to bring them in with productive outs and in Cespedes’ case, a clutch hit. The Mets have struggled getting runners home with less than two outs and that has to be reversed. Nice to see the last six runs without a homer but through heady play and fundamental sound at bats.
– James Loney has been sensational defensively and offensively. That DP in the eighth on the bunt attempt was so Hernandez-like that the Marlins had to be stunned. Really don’t know how else to say this, but if Duda were to come back tomorrow, I’d ask him to go get a left fielder’s glove. He has earned nothing with his inconsistent play and the Mets need to get away from all or nothing productivity.
You’d put Duda in LF?
That was a great play by Loney.
On Kelly Johnson, baseball is harder than it looks.
Blevins got the out of the game against Yelich (who is such a wonderful player, love that guy) with a huge strikeout and the game tied. So important to have an effective LHP to go after certain hitters with the game on the line. Nice weapon to have.
No, I was trying to be sarcastic while making a point: That Loney has been better than Duda has been when you factor the glove. Duda’s inconsistencies and whiff rates will cost you as many games as he wins you. Loney is steadier, much more contact, and if Loney gives half the home runs, you’re ahead.
On the Kelly Johnson play, I just went back to look and it was a 1-2 pitch. So, understandably he needed to make contact and yes baseball is hard. You’re right.
Blevins has done a fine job all year and should be facing more hitters. Bastardo has been worse than Alex Torres ever was.
I mentioned earlier that it is at least open to debate whether Duda — if healthy today — should get the nod over Loney. That’s pretty remarkable righ there.
It wasn’t long ago that Duda rejected a nice extension. Now there’s a debate over whether the Mets might be better off with a waiver guy.
Duda won’t be back for at least 3-4 weeks, so there will be more time to compile evidence and make a decision.
I do believe that Duda’s upside is greater. But the disappearing acts are problematic.
Time will tell. But if Reyes sticks, could be that Kelly Johnson changes teams again & Mets keep both Duda and Loney in a semi-fluid platoon.
Johnson can play 2B and 3B, so Duda isn’t a good fit. Besides, they gave up Akeel Morris for this guy. Shame that TJ Rivera didn’t even get a look.
Wow!
Without Cespedes, where would the Mets be?
Without Familia, where would the Mets be?
The Mets are finally hitting with RISP. TDA is finally hitting. He has an .897 OPS during the past two weeks. He is a power bat that should be moved up in the order. Walker has a .780 OPS in the shadow of Murphy. Walker is a solid professional.Loney has been a great find and a major contributor. My point is that the team is finally jelling. They are a playoff team.
So many great moments in that game, particularly for fans of little ball, i.e., “playing the game right.”
Lagares lays down perfect sac.
Wilmer’s sacrifice fly. Huge.
Production out of the catcher position, instead of outs, a clear difference in the outcome.
Loney’s defense.
Loney’s ground out to the right side, driving in a run, advancing a runner to 3B (setting up Wilmer’s sac fly). Accomplished against a strikeout pitcher.
Walker taking three walks. Solid, professional. I really like him in this two-spot, finally, and I’m afraid that TC might shift him off of it to accommodate Reyes.
Just about everything the bullpen did, and every decision that TC made regarding that bullpen.
And so on, and so on. What a game.
Lineups not available yet. Very curious to see what Collins goes with tonight. I assume Reyes leads off. I’d keep Walker in the 2-hole. Against a lefty pitcher it would be good to have Lagares in there but sit Grandy or Nimmo? Assuming Grandy over Nimmo, I’d go with this:
Reyes
Walker
Cespedes
Granderson
d’Arnaud
Loney
Cabrera
Lagares
Matz
I’d probably bat Lagares 7 or 6….. “2nd leadoff”….. keep some speed and pressure in front of bigger slower foot ab’s.
My first choice was for Reyes to sit tonight vs. the LHP.
Second choice, I guess, was giving Flores time at 1B vs. LHP.
Third choice, I guess, give Walker a blow if he needs it.
Importantly, I thought it was essential that Wilmer starts today. And TC tried to send him a little message by batting him 4th.
Glad to have Reyes bat. His upside is light year’s beyond what Reynolds offers. If he fails, no one will let it sink the ship.
I’m cautiously optimistic.