The Mets went for their first sweep of the 2019 season full of confidence, and why not? They were sending Jacob deGrom out to take on Trevor Richards and the Marlins in Miami. One might say they were successful.
The Mets broke out early on Richards, when Keon Broxton shot a base hit into right field with one out in the second. Amed Rosario followed that up with a booming triple off the right field fence. If history was to be any indication, it was a safe bet deGrom would make that one run stand up. He didn’t have to, as it turned out, because he launched a long home run on the first pitch of the third. Brandon Nimmo walked and Pete Alonso hit a low tracer off the very top of the left field fence, barely missing a homer of his own — he’d settle for a double — as Nimmo skipped home with the Mets’ third run. Richards stemmed the tide, getting Robinson Cano to fly out, intentionally walking Michael Conforto, striking out J.D. Davis and getting Broxton on a grounder.
Meanwhile, deGrom continued to do deGrom things, striking out seven through the first four innings and surrendering but two hits. He would end up K-ing fourteen in seven innings. In thirteen innings so far in 2019, deGrom has allowed zero —
Z E R O — runs, let alone earned runs. The Mets, then, just kept on keepin’ on. With two outs in the seventh, Alonso scalded a base hit off to left — by way of third baseman Brian Anderson — and Cano dropped a double just off the left field line. In the eighth, Davis reached on an error leading off and crossed to second on Broxton’s ground out. After Rosario popped out, Dom Smith pinch hit for catcher Tomas Nido and hit a wiggly line drive that went through Starlin Castro at second, knocking Davis home. Smith would score when Wilson Ramos singled, pinch-hitting for deGrom.
With a large lead, Mickey Callaway took the opportunity to give the main bullpen cogs a much needed rest: Luis Avilan would take over in the eighth and gave up only a walk to ol’ pal Curtis Granderson. He also walked Neil Walker and Starlin Castro to start the ninth, though and then gave up a run-scoring single to Martin Prado. That was enough for Manager Mickey. Robert Gsellman came in to get the heck outta Dodge. Lewis Brinson hit a soft grounder to third that scored Castro. Gsellman then struck out pinch hitter Jorge Alfaro. Rosell Herrera made it a save situation with an RBI double. Callaway resisted the temptation to wave in Edwin Diaz and left Gsellman to face Miguel Rojas, who singled to center, plating another run. With Granderson due up as the tying run, Callaway bit the bullet and waved in Diaz for the last out. Granderson flied out to left to mercifully end it.
The first-place Mets open at home tomorrow, Noah Syndergaard taking on Stephen Strasburg and the Washington Nationals at 1:10.
That’s one fine BP we have. Good Lord can’t we have and easy game with a 6 run lead in the bottom of the 9th? That wasn’t Murders’ Row they were facing.
Bullpen has been a problem and part of it is the way Callaway is using it.
Today was a good day as the Mets won, Jake has proved he’s the best in baseball and the Philthies lost to the Nats! Lately I am very pleased with this team. We will find out just how good we are when we face some real talent in 2 weeks. I’m noticing the weakest part of this team is Calloway. Every day the radio stations like 101.9 the WFAN and 98.7 and ESPN all say that Calloway is pretty bad and his explanations on his decisions are moronic! I really hope the top brass are realizing it too and are considering making a change at HC within a reasonable time. Jake…. thank you for making us proud and I’m happy you’re finally getting some run support
Offense is fun! Jake was masterful!
Let’s forget – just for a moment – the brutal bullpen management and soak up the glory of a road sweep and deGrom sitting pretty with a 2-0 record.
I went to the game and my gut reaction is that deGrom might be the best pitcher that I have ever seen. The man is amazing.
The two hits that Alonzo had or both Rockets, I really mean Rockets. Seeing him live and hit the ball so hard put me in awe. The Mets might have something special here.
Rosario is very fast as witnessed when he ran out his triple.
I didn’t like Marlins Park the first time I visited. This time without that Goofy statue it looked like a ballpark and the scenic Miami Skyline could be seen over the left field fence. I actually found the stadium very nice on this visit.
5-1 and in first place. You have to love it.
I’m hoping Mickey is just dealing with an unsettled bullpen and a starting rotation that isn’t well stretched out yet. It’s hard to explain how he lets Lugo pitch this much with a bad arm and sick on top of it, when he could have gotten an extra inning out of Gsellman last night, and then he bring Gsellman back out tonight when Familia should be well rested.
Question: Why is Nimmo back out there the day after getting hit on the hand?
The good news is 5-1 and coming home with Thor, Wheels, and Matz against a team that just lost its spark plug for a month to a broken index finger.
Thrilled with the 5-1 start and that we swept the fish who often give us a hard time. Starting thinking how critical we can be when a player does not come up with the big hit or the purposeful pitch and then remembered that no team is filled with an all star at each position. Despite some strange managerial choices by Mickey, he actually believes that the player he brings in will do the job asked of him and does not expect the opposite happening. I’m sure they are working with Lugo, G-man and Avilan to figure out what went wrong and will no doubt make some adjustments.
It’s hard to remember that there are some pretty darn good opposing layers out there and as Thor and Wheels and Matz found out, getting too much of the plate translates into balls leaving the yard even if it hits upper 90’s on the radar gun. All that being said, we are scoring runs, getting our starters to go 5-6-7 innings and sitting atop the division. It’s one day at a time and the key has always been to take a series. Winning 2 of 3 or 3 of 4 makes the playoffs every time. Oh, and we have Jake!
Great road win. Great sweep great first week where we had a chance to be 6-0.
Mickey finally used Avilan last night and inthe right spot too (when familia was warming up I was shaking my head) but then he erred sending him back out for the 9th after previously only pitching to 1 batter. It may be anecdotal but I’m pretty sure Gsellman has always been better in relief when he starts an inning. And he should have started the 9th. Either way he didnt get it done.