I’d like to think the Mets really wanted to end the first half on an up note. That they’d want to go out with their heads held high, ready to take on all comers in the second half; to make that second half more than garbage time. After all that had gone on this weekend — GM Brodie Van Waganen’s furniture-tossing histrionics, manager Mickey Callaway’s fiery ejection in the wake of Saturday’s mini-beanball war and the subsequent rousing comeback victory over Philadelphia — that today’s starter, Zack Wheeler, would come out smoking. I’d like to think that. After today’s pitiful performance, I can’t say for sure that they did want any of that at all.

Wheeler gave the Phillies a great boost right away. Leadoff man Scott Kingery hit the second pitch of the day, a broken-bat looper on which second baseman Robinson Cano tried and failed to make an over-the-shoulder basket catch. Jean Segura drove a ball to deep left that was run down by Dominic Smith. Bryce Harper then scaled a hard single to right center, Kingery crossing to third. Rhys Hoskins boomed a double to the right-center gap to bring him home. J. T. Realmuto followed with a mirror image of that, doubling to left center to score both Harper and Hoskins. Jay Bruce made it 4-0 with hard single to right. He’d advance to second on a terrible throw by Jeff McNeil on the play. That was all the Phils would need, as the Mets went out in order in the first, third, fourth and fifth — they garnered two walks in the second, to no avail. In fact, Philadelphia starter Aaron Nola took a no-hitter into the sixth inning. By that time, the lead had grown to 6-0. Relmuto walked leading off the sixth and Bruce continued the torture of his former mates, homering to center. That was it for Wheeler, having thrown five mainly desultory innings and probably lowering his trade value.

Nola got the first out in the sixth, but McNeil reached on an error by Hoskins and Pete Alonso finally got the Mets’ first hit, clubbing his 30th home run of the season. No wonder he was an obvious choice for the Home Run Derby tomorrow night! In any case, that closed the Mets’ offense for the inning, save a meaningless single by Cano. Bruce continued the toment in the eighth, homering again, this time to right center. For good measure, Hoskins homered in the top of the ninth. The Mets got that one back when Adeiny Hechavarria homered, pinch-hitting.

All-in-all, a fitting end to a miserable first half. Now we can enjoy Alonso, McNeil and Jacob deGrom in the All-Star game and rest assured the Mets absolutely will not lose until Friday, at the earliest.

6 comments on “Gut Reaction: Phillies 8, Mets 3 (7/7/19)

  • Mike Walczak

    Here we are at the break. Ten games under .500 and 13 1/2 games out. Time to sell.

    Let’s see what BVW can pull out of his magic hat. You know, the one that he showed the Wilpons in his interview.

    Realistically, good time for a half season Nido and JD Davis audition for 2020. Good time to plan for next year.

    I fear that unless we make some really good acquisitions, next year might look a lot like this year.

    We have to start somewhere. Catcher, short stop, center field, pitchers. Take your pick.

    We would get some decent prospects for Syndergaard and maybe we get lucky and somebody overpays for Wheeler.

    But, I am excited about Pete, Jeff and Jake on the all star team and Pete in the home run derby.

    Let’s hope that we make some good moves and play better in the second half.

    • Peter Hyatt

      Agree, Mike; especially JD Davis & Nido.

      Re: Joe Girardi— he did some sales work in his Fox broadcast booth, but would he accept a position knowing the GM phone’s it in?

      Re: the Callaway commentary on “the closer”—

      anyone old enough to remember competition over comfort?

    • Chris F

      Mike, the con job he pulled on the Wilpon’s is a much easier task – because they believe this is a different team than it is – than pulling a con job on the reality everyone else sees.

      My fear, like a rabid dog that lashes out at anything, BVW doubles down on this season and instead of working to make the team better in 2021 and beyond, he makes decisions aimed at trying to “go for it” this year, all of which hamstring the team for more years keeping us in the eternal damnation cycle.

      • Peter Hyatt

        Chris,

        your description is consistent with BVW’s passive – aggressive and deflection mode of deception.

        Rather than say, “I will keep that private”, he has to “normalize” things and he does so in the plural. “We meet often and we do not disclose….”

        He uses language consistent with financial exploitation and your point of the rapid dog? It is very dangerous in society at large… he was the perfect follow through for Madoff. He is very intelligent and his smoothness is well rehearsed. I’ve encouraged a few criminal analysts to pay attention to his language.

        Note to Broadie, don’t try to get nomination to the Supreme Court. The skeletons that would come out to greet us may have life left in them.

        I’d love to see a sample of his handwriting.

      • Mike Walczak

        I agree with you Chris. I dont mind a full or partial rebuild. I just want to see the team take some very good steps in the right direction.

        I believe that Callaway should be fired. The team is making the motions (except a handful of players) and they are playing very sloppy baseball. Best move may be to put Riggleman in for the rest of the year as interim and then have a search in the off season.

        Should be careful about that though, because BVW may want to bring in an agent as a manager.

        • Charles Hangley

          Scott Boras for MGR!

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