In a strange, but very rewarding game, the Mets rode the shoulders of a hard-working bullpen to gut out a 2-1 win over the World Series champion Royals at Citi Field. In a slight rejuggling of the rotation, Bartolo Colon switched places with Noah Syndergaard to make tonight’s start. The burly right hander was knocked out of the game after recording just one out when a ball was hit off his hand. Thankfully, x-rays were negative and it’s been diagnosed as a right thumb contusion.
Hansel Robles was the first of five relievers used to get through this game and they were all terrific. Robles threw a career high 65 pitches over 3 2/3 innings, allowing just one run and striking out six. Erik Goeddel pitched two scoreless innings, followed by Jerry Blevins, Addison Reed and, finally, Jeurys Familia, who each contributed a scoreless frame.
The Mets mustered the only two runs they’d need on solo homers from Yoenis Cespedes and Asdrubal Cabrera. Travis d’Arnaud returned to the lineup going 0 for 3, but he threw out a base runner and did give one ball a long ride to the warning track. However, the bullpen was the story in this galvanizing win that will hopefully be the start of a winning streak.
The relentless Royals were 1-10 with Runners in Scoring Position
…and lost the game…
nice job to you (and Gus) on the radio!
LOL, thanks Chris. It was fun, and enjoyable to hear Brian’s voice. As he said on the air, we don’t get to actually talk to each other. We are always writing our thoughts to each other, so we know each other’s ideas, but never get to hear the actual voice related.
When Brian said that the Mets could offer Nimmo and Gilmartin to get Valencia, I was not going to debate on the air, but I’m thinking Beane would tell them, “and who”?
How on earth, did we pull that win out last night? I’m dumbfounded.
Let me refer you to Brian’s comment!!!
One of the best played games this season against top notch competition under difficult circumstances. They were facing a possible four game losing streak and an injured starter after just one batter. Robles really stepped up.
Henderson went on the DL and Blevins pitched the 7th against right handed batters. TC, Blevins is a relief pitcher not a LOOGY.
Marlins and Nats lost and Noah Way should the Mets lose today.
Metsense, from your keyboard to TC’s brain!
Goeddel’s offspeed stuff was effective, which of course made his fastball more effective. But curves and changeups increase the chances for weak contact that the pitcher must field, and if Goeddel wants to get off the Las Vegas shuttle permanently he should, among other things, work on improving his throws to first base. He made two bad, low throws to first, one of which Loney was able to catch, the other going for an error. It’s bad to see him negating his efforts that way.
Great to see d’Arnaud rise to the test the Royals gave him in the first. Nice to see him drive a ball, too; I expect him to turn around his season.
After watching the Mets bullpen come through strong for so long, I’ll raise an old question: is it really so smart to limit the relievers’ repertoire to a couple of pitches each? I get the idea: develop a pitcher to have two, hopefully, plus pitches; when he comes into the game, have him bring only plus stuff. But does it really benefit, to make your relievers so predictable? Last night those guys had to show some other pitches, and, what do you know, it seemed to work.
I always thought that limiting Aaron Heilman’s pitch selection played a large part in why he wasn’t more effective. Hell, I seem to remember that Jason Isringhausen once threw a knuckle curve. It’s just another example of baseball experts copying some successful pitching coach, rather than thinking through a process for themselves.
It’s about Command for the relievers…it;’s tough to keep more than 2 pitches “trained” . A starter goes into a game with a 3-5 Pitch Mix…alters it based on that day’s “feel”— maybe he finds his slider in the 4th inning…. a Reliever needs to deliver in high leverage from the very first pitch…always.