Despite trotting out a parade of no-name pitchers, the Mets managed to outscore the Phillies 10-5 at Citi Field. This was a game of old friends returning to the fold. Michael Conforto seemed to find his long-missing stroke, ripping a three-run home run and a double. Lucas Duda and Travis d’Arnaud also contributed doubles and Juan Lagares added a key bunt and a terrific catch in centerfield. The 10 runs the Mets scored almost didn’t seem like they’d be enough in support of six pitchers only diehard Mets fans are familiar with.
Hansel Robles, the only Met to take the hill who was on the opening day roster, pitched a critical scoreless two and two thirds innings to close out the game. Leading up to that we went from Gabriel Ynoa to Logan Verrett to Josh Smoker to Erik Goeddel to Josh Edgin. Terry Collins again had a field day swapping out relievers and pinch hitters like he was playing a game of speed checkers. For the most part, his moves seemed to pan out tonight. One questionable one, taking out Conforto after two big hits in favor of Eric Campbell to face a lefty, worked out as Campbell laced a line drive for an RBI single.
The Cardinals lost today and the Giants were losing at last check so the Mets are currently in the wild card lead. Stay tuned for game three of this series tomorrow when Sean Gilmartin – gulp – fills in for Noah Syndergaard (strep throat!). The Phillies will counter with the rookie right hander Alec Asher. Buckle your seat belts.
I agree that some moves that were made may not have been too popular – like leaving Verrett in there after he loaded the bases with two walks and an infield single – but tonight they worked. Fine.
My takeaways from this win besides the all important gaining a game on the Giants and Cardinals are:
– Duda looked great! I mean he looked locked in. He has to play everyday.
– Big night for Conforto. He also looked locked in. Matt, I think there’s a clause in Collins’ contract that says lefty hitters must only face righties in clutch situations, unless of course they are “veterans”.
– The crowd tonight was loud and it seemed the players enjoyed it, fed off it. They looked pumped up.
Terry Collins can go to a crap table with me anytime. He is one lucky son of a gun. All three producing players (Conforto, Duda, d’Arnaud) were removed from the game and the three replacements produced. What are the odds of that? What are the odds that a team with a senior citiizen and no name rookie pitchers are leading in the wild card race? Collins is doing a real good job with this M*A*S*H unit of replace-Mets . He has them in a place that can’t be explained and I am enjoying every minute of it.
Robles pitched well last night. I knew he would eventually become a closer! One more win takes the series. Lets Go Mets!
I know the Phillies aren’t very good and their SP last night was one against whom the Mets have had great success.
Still, with Duda back in the lineup and Conforto producing, it was a reminder of what this offense might have been all year There were 10 hits, five for extra bases and one homer. And 5-13 with a SH and SF and 4 BB with RISP.