It was bizarro night, as the Mets came through with runners on base, while the Braves couldn’t buy a hit with runners in scoring position. Combined with excellent starting pitching by David Peterson, the Mets emerged with a 7-2 win over the Braves on Saturday night.
In the second inning, the Braves had runners on second and third and no outs and didn’t score.
In the seventh inning, they had bases loaded with one out and did not score.
In the ninth inning they had runners on second and third with one out and came up empty.
In the last two threats, Freddie Freeman came to the plate. He hit into an inning-ending double play in the seventh and he struck out in the ninth to end the game. Freeman finished 0-5 with 4 Ks.
Meanwhile, Peterson gave just what the doctor ordered. After three straight starts where the Mets had to go to the bullpen by the third inning, Peterson gave the team six innings and allowed just one run. He also set a career-high with 10 Ks as he out-dueled fellow former first-round pick Ian Anderson.
The Mets loaded the bases in the first inning and cashed in two runs when Robinson Cano dribbled a single to the opposite field. In the fourth inning, Robinson Chirinos smacked an RBI double and in the eighth Brandon Nimmo drove in two runs with a single to right.
But the Mets also brought the longball on Saturday. Dominic Smith and Cano each homered in the eighth inning after the Braves had cut the lead to one run in the top of the frame.
Nice game all the way around. If we had a full season I think this team could have made a splash.
So, there’s a pulse.
If they don’t win tomorrow, this means nothing. Bunching wins is a must. Winning two of three from the Braves is a must. I don’t really like Porcello and never did, but tomorrow he needs to grow a set as far as his brief Mets career is concerned.
Gus, you are right on the money. We need to string wins now. Only a game and a half behind the Reds. We haven’t been able to do that all season because the starting pitching has been terrible. I saw a stat on the game last night. All starters not named deGrom have an ERA north of 6.50 this year. That hurts. In ten days we will take our first flush. Porcello, Wacha and a few more will be down the drain. Tonight is a must win.
Couldn’t agree more. Matz needs a new home as does Familia as does Rosario. We can’t wait any longer for the potential they once showed. Add to that the merry go round of inadequate catchers. Waiting on owner’s approval of Cohen and some free agent splashes. Quicker fix to a strong base of hitters than trading whatever is left of our decimated farm system.
We also couldn’t wait a little more for TDA’s potential. We couldn’t wait for Murphy any more because he also took too long. We gave up on Turner because he didn’t run out grounders hard enough for someone’s liking.
Not looking to be a smart-ass, but we need to remember that talent wins. It’s one thing to give up on a 34-35 year old and quite a different thing to give up on a 24-25 year old. Players have bad years, or bad streaks during 60 game seasons. I’d keep the younger guys and maybe reevaluate my coaching staff. Regan last year did a nice job right away, and I’m not impressed with Hefner.
Gut Reaction: Good pitching is necessary to compete. Peterson had a quality start, 6 innings with 3 or less runs. In 2021 the Mets need two more starting pitchers that can consistently get them quality starts.
Cano is having a good year.
1.5 games back.If they keep winning and there is hope.