The Mets continued their mastery over the Reds with a 7-2 win Thursday night in Citi Field.

So, which one was most surprising?

1. Matt Harvey going five innings and only allowing two earned runs to earn his first win since May.

2. Brandon Nimmo with three extra-base hits, including two homers.

3. Josh Smoker striking out the side in his only inning of work.

4. Jeurys Familia contributing two scoreless innings.

5. Travis Taijeron getting a pinch-hit single.

All excellent choices. And while not surprising enough to make the above list, Juan Lagares delivered a solo homer, too. Mets win back-to-back games for the first time in nearly a month. They haven’t won three games in a row since the third week in July.

9 comments on “Gut Reaction: Mets 7, Reds 2 (9/7/17)

  • Jimmy P

    2. The Nimmo HRs surprised me the most.

  • Dean Nelson

    Nimmo needs to play everyday so we can see what he can do!

  • TexasGusCC

    The top four don’t surprise me as I believe in our youth’s talent, but I’m not convinced they put in the overtime necessary to excel. Wonder who Cecchini pissed off. As for Taijeron, I don’t see a MLB player. Too stiff, too much “Rob Deer” without the walks.

    Most happy for Harvey. He needed this good feeling as its been a while. Hope his celebration is toned down.

    There are other offensive havens in the PCL besides Las Vegas, so when our guy wins the batting title, I’m tired of seeing this organization not promote it. If Alderson didn’t want Nimmo, he should have taken Fernandez. Nimmo two years ago was ranked in the top 50, I believe MLB #44, so he has gotten attention at least from others.

    Very happy for Lagares because he needs to put himself back on the map. If Conforto can come back in the early season, be it March, April, or even May, I like our outfield next year. It’s the infield corners that concern me much more.

    But the news of the night for me was hearing on the radio that Flores, who is out for the year, is expected to be the starting second baseman next year! Yabba Dabba Doo! Wilma!!!!! :-)))) Flores will be a beast and all of y’all will want to jump on, but the bandwagon will leave without you!

    • Chris F

      Flores starting at 2B is the most depressing news Ive ever heard. The flag of surrender is already blowing strong.

      It also reaffirms that this team will do almost nothing over the winter, hamstrung by owner finances. Looks like another 70 win season, but hey, perhaps 2 top drafts in a row!

      • Jimmy P

        I think even with a lame winter they can compete for 2nd WC. A lot of very good pieces to this team. I’m more disappointed they won’t go far enough. Meaningful games in September has never been an easier goal to reach.

        Today, 9/8, only 12 teams are beyond 4 games out. That means the fans of 18 teams are still holding out realistic hope. Two good weeks, three good weeks. This is why Bud Selig is in the HoF. The owners are making so much money! Fred is saying to Sandy, “I want to be one of those 18 teams in the mix in early September. Just get me competitive so I can sell tickets through the entire season.”

        Oh, and btw, they raised ticket prices for next year.

        • TexasGusCC

          Jimmy, Alderson’s exact quote was that he expects to be competitive next year.

          Most owners don’t “want to win” because that isn’t for sure and eats at profits, but rather just “want to be competitive” enough to sell tickets.

          You hit the nail on the head.

  • Eraff

    Harvey untangled his mechanics and looked ok…he threw “a few” good pitches, and also some promissing ones—a well snapped 90 mph slider out of the zone….a few moving fastballs. If he gains some stability and health, I believe he will be effective going forward.

    Nimmo–if Nimmo will combine his selectivity and identification with some aggression in hiting counts, he has a chance to be more than a Walking Man.

    • Jimmy P

      Yes, he does. The power is there.

      Fascinating player. I don’t think the standard comparisons will apply to this guy, who seems to be carving a unique path.

      And by “fascinating” I mean that he’s interesting to think about. In terms of watching him hit, hey, it’s not a bad time to go get that pretzel. Guy is dull unless you get jazzed up by big, goofy smiles.

  • Metsense

    Nimmo, in 99 at bats now has a 840 OPS and a 416 OBP.
    Harvey, never thought after the first two innings and the initial walk that he would find some rhythm and pitch five innings.
    Familia, finally some signs of regaining his form.
    The relief pitchers not giving up any walks.
    Plawecki with his 859 OPS since being called up and one heck of a slide.

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