This game will forever be known as “Zack Wheeler Night.” The righty not only delivered the best pitching performance of the season, but he also hit his first career home run and a double. Wheeler never gave the Phillies a chance, striking out seven batters in a row at one point en route to a 7-inning, 11-strikeout, 0-walk, 5-hit, 0-run performance. He looked like the Wheeler we saw in the second half of 2018, humming along with power, control, and a great mix of pitches. And this time, he brought his bat.

Wheeler’s two-run double put the Mets on the board in the second inning and his fourth inning home run extended the lead to 4-0 and knocked Phillies starter Zack Eflin out of the game. In the bottom of the fifth, Todd Frazier stepped to the plate with the bases loaded. After reliever Drew Anderson fell behind 3-0, Frazier reluctantly took a fastball right down the middle to put the count at 3-1. When Anderson threw the exact same pitch, Frazier’s eyes lit up and he belted the ball over the left field wall for a grand slam to put the game out of reach. This was the first grand slam for the Mets this year. Wilson Ramos drove in an insurance run in the sixth to bring the score to 9-0.

Luis Avilan and Jacob Rhame took over in mop-up duty and preserved the shutout. For once, the Mets didn’t have to burn the meat of their bullpen. Good thing, because they’re going to need it tomorrow with Jason Vargas scheduled to make the start.

12 comments on “Gut reaction: Mets 9, Phillies 0 – 4/23/19

  • Chris B

    Todd Frazier, playing for his job, takes the pressure off Lowrie’s return. Hopefully the Mets use this opportunity to properly rehab Lowrie and build up Frazier’s trade value.

  • Eraff

    Wheeler pumping 99 Octane is some of the easiest Gas I’ve ever seen—the ball just will not stay in His Hand!!

  • José

    “Sticks and stones can break my bones,
    But Kimbrel and Keuchel would only make me happy!”

  • BVac

    Nights like this are why it’s great to be a baseball fan. Great to see a guy like Wheeler struggle through injury and failure to succeed and be able to enjoy a fun night like tonight.

  • TexasGusCC

    Obviously a fun game, but what got my attention are the batting averages! Last year, no one could get close to .300 (except for Mighty Squirrel) and most were closer to .200. This year, Conforto is .302, Ramos was .294, Alonso is at .310, Mighty Squirrel is at it again… the bench guys Davis and Smith are producing consistently… that’s awesome! Just waiting on Nimmo, Cano and Rosario to get started.

  • footballhead

    I know I’m being picky, but why didn’t Calloway send Avilan back out in the ninth after a clean 12 pitch eight inning?

    • Metsense

      Because it was an opportunity to get another pitcher in the game. Rhames would not pitch today because the bullpen is rested and Thursday is an off-day. Then again, Rhames almost incited a riot and also pissed off our beloved Brian.

  • Metsense

    Gut reaction : this game could be a tone-setter for the season. Wheeler was remarkable and dominant. Wheeler and the Mets beat their closest rival, (at this point of the season) catapulted them into first place and dominated them.
    Frazier, who is playing for his Major League Baseball relevance, rose to the occasion. He is a good guy so I’m happy for him.
    Tonight Vargas pitches and the bullpen is rested. Can we get the sweep?
    I like the way Callaway uses everyone and rests people and gets them involved in the game. Last night Broxton caught the last out so even he was a part of the victory.
    Matt, I’m going to argue with you and it is an argument that we both will enjoy. April 3rd 2019 was the best pitched game of the season. Degrom pitched 7 innings gave up three hits and struck out 14 batters. The icing on the cake was his home run. That night he had no hit stuff. I sat behind the plate for that game. But this is an argument that I will enjoy with you.

    • MattyMets

      Metsense – either of. Both magnificent starts. Hope we see many more of them from our rotation

  • Eraff

    The Depth and Professionalism that a Guy like Frazier provides can be a big plus for a Lineup with with young players. As a comp, Yank fans have speculated for several years about a guy like Gardner—and he keeps being valuable.

    The reality is that is will be Young and Cheap players who are traded for Missing Pieces…not expiring Vets like Todd. Yes…he could be part of a Trade, but it’s more likely that Dom Smith or JD Davis is the type of guy who’s adding trade value…. in addition to minor leaguers

    The first thing to determine is whether you’re trading into the present year’s race, or trading into a future year’s race— i’m hoping we’re in 2019, and that means losing young players you like for established finishing roster pieces.

    • Charles Hangley

      Frazier to this team could be what Michael Cuddyer was to the 2015 pennant winners. Just a thought.

      • MattyMets

        A sweep would be amazing but Philly is gonna show up angry and ready to pounce. We should be able to hit Velasquez as hard as they hit Vargas. And then it comes down to the bullpens. Get your popcorn ready.

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