No one knew how both teams were going to handle the emotions around tonight’s game. The Marlins seemed to use theirs in the best possible way. They jumped on top early and cruised to a 7-3 win.
Terry Collins indicated prior to the game that the Mets had the best possible starter given the circumstances, with super veteran Bartolo Colon on the hill. In a way, it was a tiny bit of a flashback to Tom Glavine in Game 162 back in 2007. You think you wanted the unflappable veteran. Woops.
There weren’t many positives for the Mets tonight. Five relievers combined to deliver 5.2 scoreless innings and they got another night’s rest for Addison Reed and Jeurys Familia. Asdrubal Cabrera had two hits and two RBIs. No one came down with a season-ending injury.
And the Cardinals are losing 15-2.
The opening of that game, beginning with that pregame ceremony, the anguish on the faces of the Marlins players, was one of the most extraordinary moments I’ve ever seen on a baseball field. It was hard to watch, yet also profoundly real and affecting. The Dee Gordon home run, his teammates openly weeping, the whole of it. Just like nothing I’ve ever seen before.
The Mets ran into an emotional buzz saw.
Turn the page.
Come back tomorrow with Noah on the mound and take care of business.
Please.