As much as yesterday’s loss hurt, this one was euphoric.
The Mets rallied back from a two-run deficit to beat the Nationals, 8-5, and extend their lead in the National League East to five games and lowered the magic number to 21.
- On paper, it looked like the Nationals were in a great position to win this game. They entered on a big up note, having swept the Braves and on an 11-4 run. And the Mets were scuffling, having lost two of three against the lowly Marlins. Additionally, the Mets had Jon Niese going, who was their least effective starting pitching the past three weeks. And Washington countered with their $210 million man – Max Scherzer
- But the Mets used three solo homers to jump out to a 3-0 lead. Unfortunately, Niese continued his lousy pitching, as he allowed five runs in an inning for the fourth consecutive start. The big blast was a grand slam by Mets-killer Wilson Ramos, his 10th lifetime homer against the club.
- Once Niese was removed, the bullpen did an outstanding job. It finished with 5.2 scoreless innings, allowed just three hits and one walk, and registered nine strikeouts. Hansel Robles pitched two innings and deserved the win, which went to Dario Alvarez, who fanned Bryce Harper, the only batter he faced. Jeurys Familia fanned the side in the ninth for his 37th save.
- The Mets scored solo runs off Scherezer in the fifth and sixth innings to tie the game. The Nationals’ ace has now allowed 32 ER in his last 52 IP.
- As satisfying as it was to beat up on Scherzer, it was even more fun to score the go-ahead runs while the Nationals were doing their own version of matchup masturbation. They brought in a lefty to face Curtis Granderson, who walked to put the go-ahead run in scoring position. Then they brought in a righty to face David Wright, who drove in a run and put runners on the corners. Then they brought in a lefty to face Daniel Muphy, who hit a SF to extend the lead.
- Yoenis Cespedes had a great game. He had three hits — two doubles and a homer. Granderson had two doubles and two walks. Michael Conforto and Kelly Johnson each hit solo homers.
- The Mets moved to 28-14 this year in day games.
Five up and still in first place. Winning the first game of the series puts so much pressure on the Nats. Cespedes is a star on the verge of being considered a super star. Putting a team on your back and carrying them to a pennant will earn you that distinction. Robles was excellent in his Jeckyl and Hyde type of year. Conforto has the makings of a very special player. This team has been averaging 6 runs a game and combined with their stellar (although tired) pitching staff gives one confidence that a pennant is on the horizon. Winning the series will enrich this confidence more. Niese had another horrible game and has become a liability as a starter. We all realize that he needed to step it up and he didn’t. The Mets need to evaluate his rotation spot if the race tightens up.
Hansel Robles put on his best display of pitching since his debut against the Yankees. Two innings of much needed dominance that included a rising fastball and a successful quick-pitch. He has quite a future if he can figure out how to stay consistent.
My gut reaction?
Yeah baby!!!
Editor’s Note – C’mon Gus, you know better.
LOL, if we win the World Series may we capitalize?
TexasGus, you’re hysterical.
Brian, I had the same feeling how nice it was to beat up on their bullpen after every chess move.
Late in a tight game, I think bringing in a LHP against Granderson is a smart move. And likewise, I’d go after Wright with a RHP.
Assuming you have, you know, relatively decent options in the bullpen.
The numbers are clear.
And, I should note, Williams was correct in identifying those ABs as a critical point in the game.
He played the odds. Didn’t work.
His bigger mistake, IMO, was not lifting Scherzer for PH in the bottom of the 5th. But again, he didn’t trust his pen — for good reason.
Sometimes there’s no perfect choice.