The Mets’ speed proved more deadly than the Diamondbacks’ power, as they survived losing a 4-run lead before winning in extra innings, 6-5, in the opener Friday night in Arizona.
Brandon Nimmo gave the speed boost early, as he reached base on a hustle double and scored on a bloop from Pete Alonso. Nimmo then used his speed to go first-to-third on a single to left field before scoring on a sac fly. The final speed play came in the 10th inning, as Starling Marte, on review, beat out an infield single to third base, allowing the zombie runner in Jeff McNeil to score with the winning run.
The Mets’ bullpen, which was so good in the series against the Giants, didn’t fare so well today. Chasen Shreve gave up a run in the seventh inning, Trevor May gave up a two-run homer in the eighth and Edwin Diaz allowed a solo homer in the ninth to blow the save. Seth Lugo saved the day, both for the bullpen and the Mets, as he surrendered a walk but did not allow anything else to the D’Backs in the bottom of the 10th.
Lugo is now scoreless in four innings when he comes in at the start of the inning while he’s allowed 4 ER in 1.1 innings when brought in mid-inning.
One of the important things for a manager and a club to decide is: How are we going to win the game? It doesn’t have to be the same answer every game of the 162-game season. But we’ve now reached the point where starters are stretched out enough that the answer should no longer regularly be – We’re going to win the game with the bullpen.
David Peterson started and was pitching a great game. But Buck Showalter decided to play matchups in the sixth inning, even though Peterson didn’t remotely seem like he was out of gas. The only batter to hit the ball hard against him was lefty Pavin Smith. But Showalter yanked him to bring in righty Drew Smith to retire that well-known Mets killer … checks notes … Christian Walker. Smith retired Walker to end the sixth.
But because Showalter went to the pen early, he played catchup the rest of the night with his pen. He could have used Smith in the seventh inning, May in the eighth and Diaz in the ninth. But Smith didn’t come back in the seventh because the leadoff batter was a lefty. So, one of the club’s top relievers so far was limited to a one-batter appearance so that we could remove a starting pitcher who was cruising.
After Shreve didn’t get the job done in the seventh inning, Showalter brought on May to clean up the mess. May did that in just two pitches. It was seemingly a no-brainer to bring him back in the eighth. But just like the previous time that May gave up runs when asked to come back out for a second inning, he didn’t survive this one unscathed, either.
If Smith and May do their jobs in a regular outing in the seventh and eighth innings, the Mets have no problem surviving the solo homer in the ninth. Shoot, in a non-save situation and a four-run lead, Diaz probably isn’t even in the game in the ninth to allow the gopher ball.
By and large, the Mets have made a tremendous improvement in the dugout going from Luis Rojas to Showalter. But Showalter really needs to examine his bullpen deployment, especially the eagerness to go to the pen to play matchups against non-elite hitters.
But let’s close on a positive note. James McCann hit the ball hard multiple times tonight, with two of those being balls he pulled. The first one was an out to medium left center. But the second ball he pulled went 452 feet for a two-run homer. More of that, please.
McCann’s HR was extra special because there was a man on first and two outs. So, two runs in that fashion are huge.
Peter Alonso with the defensive gem of the night!
Buck talking post-game about how hard of a job Diaz has and he is one of the best in the game.
The other day when they lost to the Giants there was the usual social media attacks on the makeup of this team. Not sure why fans don’t realize that other teams have their Sherzer, or Alonso or Lindor type players and we need to expect to be out pitched and out hit at times. That’s why a very successful year might include losing 62-75 times. Also that a batter failing 7 of 10 times is considered a star player. The Mets return to small ball is refreshing with speed, some bunts and stolen bases. And their off-season pickups are solid players and not bargain basement picks with the prayer that we can squeeze one more productive year out of them. And winning attitudes are contagious.
Kudos to Marte for beating out a hard hit ball to 3B. His speed is one of the reasons we are where we are. Kudos for Lugo for looking like the pitcher we always hope he will be. No Kudo’s for Diaz who threw the fastball so far over the plate that the average player could hit it out. Where the hell was the slider down? As far as the pen, Buck will adapt his choices as the season goes on but you give the ball to someone who is supposed to know how to pitch and hope it works out. May’s stats from last year were good overall, but from time to time you need to reach for the Tums.
I know we spent 100 days in first place last year, but this team is so much better. If we win today we guarantee another series win. That’s what it is all about winnnig the series not depending on long winning streaks. And yes if we win this year I will revise my user name to include 22 – been waiting years to do so.
It was a hanging slider Diaz threw for the homerun.
Thought the bullpen usage was out of sync. Let Peterson finish the 6th he was under 70 pitches. But if you do bring in drew Smith there…bring him back out for the 7th.
Fortunately this team has the ability to overcome.
Cano looks completely overmatched and its impacting Smith and Davis.
When they won last year, it was with smoke & mirrors. We were all thrilled & delighted — but also surprised & suspicious. Could it possibly last? It wasn’t an impressive collection of players.
This year, this team, you can *see* why they win. The talent is visible. The strengths, the overall solidity of the roster, is evident.
And we have a *great* manager, perfect for this team, this time.
Buck will probably make some adjustments when he has enough evidence on his bullpen and on Smith and Cano.
May looked good, as his locations and velocity were fine, and as Ron and Gary said, the pitch that went for the homer was a good one, up and in.
Lugo looked great, snapping off curves and I liked that his velocity was up to 96-95 again!
Diaz missed badly on the gopher pitch that was set up to be inside, but went over the heart of the plate. It happens.