On a night that promised to be dominated by the starting pitchers, it instead belonged to Rene Rivera. And an extra piece of pie goes to Jeurys Familia, too.
Jake Arrieta and Noah Syndergaard squared off in a marquee match up that did not disappoint. Syndergaard kept pitching himself into and out of trouble, seemingly having to deal with a runner in scoring position in every one of his tougher-than-tough five and two-thirds innings. The lone blemish on his record came in the third when Willson Contreras hit a two-out double past Michael Conforto in right field. On a 1-2 pitch to Jason Heyward, Syndergaard threw a 59-foot sinker that Rivera boxed around for a minute, then threw into left field trying to get Contreras, who, instead, came home with the game’s first run. The Cubs could have done some more damage, but a terrific throw by Conforto nailed Arrieta at the plate for the final out of the fourth — confirmed by replay, yet.
For his part, Arrieta was mainly untouchable, unlike his previous two appearances against the New Yorks. He gave up a single to Yoenis Cespedes in the first, then nothing for the next three innings. The Mets put a couple of men aboard in the fifth — including a single by Rivera, the Mets’ second safety of the game — but stranded them there, as is their wont. Leading off the sixth, Jose Reyes brought back memories with a triple into right field. Curtis Granderson brought him home with a sacrifice fly to deep center. Syndergaard went five and two-thirds, giving up seven hits walking two, striking out eight and surrendering one unearned run. Arrieta went seven, gave up five hits, walked one, also struck out eight and let up one run, but his was earned.
The pitching was as good as advertised, but this game was just getting started.
Hansel Robles pitched two terrific innings to keep the game tied. On the Chicago side, Pedro Strop pitched a perfect eighth and Hector Rondon came on to shut down the ninth. He didn’t do that. James Loney led off with a single to left. Neil Walker hit a grounder to Anthony Rizzo which could have been a double play, but replay showed that Walker beat the throw by a substantial amount. Asdrubal Cabrera followed with a base hit. Conforto struck out, dishearteningly, but Rivera came through with a huge single into right field and the Mets had a most improbable lead.
Familia entered to pitch the ninth, trying for his 49th consecutive regular season save. He had leadoff hitter Addison Russel down 0-2, and threw a waste ball. He then threw strike three, but the home plate umpire seemed to think it was ball two and called it that way. This seemed to unnerve Familia, who threw his next seven pitches out of the strike zone. That left Russell on second and Miguel Montero on first. Javier Baez then bunted down the third base line, but Reyes inexpleciably bare-handed the ball rather than letting it roll foul. He made a strong throw, but had no chance to get Baez. Bases loaded, nobody out, with the teeth of the fierce Cubs’ lineup looming. Matt Szczur batted for Rondon and hit a chopper to first that James Loney threw home for the force. Familia got the count to 1-1 on the murderous Kris Bryant, who hit a hard bouncer to Reyes, who threw to Walker, who made a low throw to first that Loney was able to scoop out of the dirt for the double play and the ballgame.
Really a terrific win for the Blue & Orange.
I was going to nominate Familia as ruler of Heart Attack City, but I remembered the king, John Franco, and his prince, Armando Benitez. So, I guess he can’t be higher than bishop for now.
At worst he can be a guest in “Now You See It, Now You Don’t 3”. That was some escape trick tonight!
Amazing game and what a finish. How about thay tag Rivera put on at the play at the plate? He’s a heck of a catcher. And who knew he had a 3-hit game in him? And Reyes with a vintage triple!
For anyone who missed the game be sure to catch Gary Cohen’s call to end it.
The Mets won a game even though they did not hit a home run and did not score more than four runs. They only went 1-5 with RISP. That “1” was the difference. If they could start getting 2 or 3 hits with RISP then their offense would be supporting thier stellar pitching and a winning streak will ensue.
Last night with Loney on 1st, I was thinking Pinch Runner!!! When he was on second, I was really wanting a PR— I believe Wilmer was still on the bench…as was d’Arnaud.
Loney doesn’t score on a Double…. he doesn’t score on a single when he’s on 2nd. You have a RH PH on the bench–d’Arnaud, still available for another ab if the game goes along. You can’t run Flores because he’s as slow as loney!!!
deGRom was on the bench…he could have run… Yeah—I Know!!! But you need the game. Flores would then Sub for Loney at First—and with a late inning Pitching switch, you get to switch Flores and the Pitcher to arrange to use his bat quickly.
ZZZZZZZZZZZZ Terry!!!!!!!!
Well, in fairness, I don’t think you should switch in a cold Jake deGrom for what could be a sprint from 2nd to home. Not unless you’ve had the discussion beforehand, he’s been on the bike in the locker room, properly warmed up, etc. I personally would not do this to a starting pitcher in July, in Chicago, with so much season ahead. The club is counting on that right arm.
Flores is slower than Loney, or very close.
And in today’s baseball, nobody ever expends the backup catcher, especially in a game that’s shaping up to go into extras.
I don’t know that TC was sleeping, exactly, just that he stuck with the best alternative. Not ideal, but I’m sympathetic to the decision-making process here.
Also, if they make those switches, does Flores scoop the throw at first base that ended the game? I expect a 1B to make that play but Flores isn’t really a 1B.
Mets are 8-4 against the Pirates and Cubs this year, after not getting a win against them last year during the regular season.
Brian—Flores does not make the plays that Loney Makes.
I’m giving you my forethought on it—most of this stuff is “you win, you’re smart—you don’t, you’re dumb”.
I don’t normally pick on Terry— he has a relatively inflexible roster—they cover most skill traits collectively, but his players are decidedly one dimensional, generally.
If you have a couple of minutes and MLB.tv subscription, check out the wrap from last night’s game. They have adjusted it to include all four calls from the ending, meaning tv and radio from both clubs’ respective stations.
That was Reye’s 100 triple as a Met.I know it’s a small silly thing but it always annoyed me he left the team with 99 .:)