After a frustrating weekend against the Pirates, the Mets had a good game tonight, as they were able to take advantage of some sloppy Orioles baseball and win the game 5-1.
- Jacob deGrom continues to show why he is the ace in the rotation, as he pitched 7.2 innings and only allowed one run, which lowered his ERA to 1.98. He played the role of stopper tonight, as he kept the Orioles in check throughout his start.
- Have a game Curtis Granderson! Two solo homers, including another leadoff homer, and a great catch in right field to rob Gerardo Parra of extra bases in the bottom of the eighth. Granderson has played some great baseball this season, and the Mets are going to need his power as the season winds down.
- Daniel Murphy had two doubles tonight, and drove in two runs, including an RBI sac fly with the bases loaded in the top of the ninth inning.
- The Mets defense was solid tonight, as Wilmer Flores made a nice play up the middle to rob Parra of a hit, and Michael Conforto threw J.J. Hardy out at the plate. The Orioles defense struggled tonight, as Jonathan Schoop committed two errors and dropped a relay throw that could have prevented a run from scoring.
- The Orioles made it interesting in the ninth, as Lucas Duda had a defensive miscue at first base which extended the inning. Jeurys Familia struggled with command, as he walked in two runs, and closed the game with the go-ahead run on first.
Noah Syndergaard is scheduled to start for the Mets tomorrow against Ubaldo Jimenez, as the team looks to sweep the O’s in this two-game series.
Yikes, I’m afraid to look out from under the rock. Familia….
Chris, can I breathe again? Did we win?
Too afraid to actually look Gus…I think so?!?!?
I had hoped that when Bobby Parnell went on the DL he had taken his gas can with him but apparently other members of the pen are capable of throwing a scare into us too. Alas.
Nice to see some tack on runs because this game would have been lost without them.
Really, the Mets win belongs to Schoop, who single handedly keeps us afloat!
Yes, I thought with the demotion of the “arsonist” to DL we might have seen the worst of the self immolation gone, but wow, that 9th was hard to witness. When Mejia doesn’t have it, he really just doesn’t have it. If I was Showalter I would have not let them swing until he could throw a strike, which by my count would have been this morning some time. Familia scares the bejesus out of me.
Mejia = Familia
Managing the bullpen has got to be the toughest, most visible aspect of the job. Land mines everywhere. So my first thought is that I sympathize with TC about last night’s game, and I don’t know that he can really be faulted.
That said, a few thoughts ran through my mind . . .
1) When the Mets ditched Parnell for Verrett, my hope was that it was to strengthen the pen — not to add another long man, spot starter. Because he spent time with the O’s this season, and because the score was 5-1, I thought Verrett might have made an interesting choice last night in the 9th.
2) I have never loved the “not a save situation” rationale for sitting down a closer who has already warmed up. 4-1, 5-1, same difference. Also, day off on Monday, day off on Thursday, so no real worry about the burnout factor. That TC decided to (try to) rest Familia was understandable; the reasoning behind it, the save situation aspect, was less so.
3) Once he decided to stay with Clippard, I think TC panicked a little bit after the bloop hit. The guy had given up 1 run so far during his time with the Mets, exhibiting some real mental toughness (if also some slightly diminished stuff from his peak years). But, again, okay, I get it. I did not mind bringing in Familia at that point. But not because it was now a “save situation” — but because it was time to shut the door. Still: Our closer warms up, sits down, warms up again, comes into the game. The rhythm is off, the routine screwed up a little. Not ideal. Arguably, last night presented an opportunity to rest Clippard too, after he (barely) got the one big out in the 8th.
4) Had this discussion elsewhere recently, but Steve Trachsel taught me to always watch a pitcher very closely after an error. Niese has some of that same quality, a momentary loss of focus. After that ridiculous misplay at 1B, Familia appeared calm and unflustered. Then he walked two batters in a row with the bases loaded. To his credit, he got the big out the Mets needed, and that’s the ultimate definition of closer.
5) I worry when it becomes clear that TC doesn’t trust his bullpen. It leads to burnout issues and an overall tight feeling. I’d like to see Gilmartin get used more in late innings. I don’t know what’s going on with Torres, but 5-1 was not a bad spot for him either.
And to be fair, it looked like Familia was getting squeezed a bit vs. JJ Hardy
Met fans have invaded Baltimore. Many, many Met hats and shirts worn at the zoo, aquarium and inner harbor. The hotel I am in is all Met fans with groups sharing a cab to the game and back.The 7th Line had a whole section in left field. The concourse and Eutaw St were a wave of blue and orange. Loud chants of Lets Go Mets all night long. An electric atmosphere and proud to be a Met fan.
DeGrom was sensational. He has an effortless flow to his pitching. Granderson was awesome and Murphy’s two doubles were textbook Murphy. Conforto’s throw took the house down. A very nervous ninth but a victory in the end.
A side note: a new 10 year old Met fan who I met on this trip, returned to the hotel sporting his Met hat and a brand new Wilmer Flores autograph on the bill. He had a night to remember and so did this older Met fan.
Glad you enjoyed Camden. Now, if you haven’t been there yet, plan a trip for next year to PNC. Pittsburgh is not the Pittsburgh of yore. It’s a nice city and the ballpark is great!