The Mets won back-to-back home games for the first time all year with an 11-3 thrashing of the Marlins Saturday night. After dropping five of the first seven games of the year against Miami, New York goes for the sweep of the three-game set on Sunday.
- The last time Odrisamer Despaigne started a game against the Mets, he held them hitless for 7.2 innings. This time they brought their offensive shoes and tallied five runs in the first inning, extending their streak of games with at least five runs to nine games.
- Every starting position player scored a run. Jay Bruce led the way with two doubles and three RBIs. Michael Conforto drew three walks and added two RBIs. T.J. Rivera scored twice and played a solid game defensively at first base. The Mets ended up scoring 11 runs without a single home run
- The pitching remains a sore subject. Robert Gsellman was lifted after just five innings. He gave up two runs in the top of the fifth but the Mets got one back, held a three-run lead and had the bases loaded with two out with Gsellman’s turn in the order. Terry Collins opted to pinch-hit and the Mets tacked on two more runs but at the cost of asking the bullpen to again provide four innings.
- There was a 39-minute rain delay plus Gsellman was far from overpowering, as he allowed eight hits, including two homers, in five innings. It was a defensible choice to remove him. What was less defensible was the insistence on playing matchups with a five-run lead, which resulted in four relievers, despite the fact that Paul Sewald pitched two innings.
- Asdrubal Cabrera left the game with an injured hand/thumb. X-rays were negative and an MRI is scheduled for tomorrow to see if there’s any ligament damage. Sandy Alderson was in the booth when the injury happened and they had already discussed the team’s handling of injuries before Cabrera got hurt. And right after the injury the tarp was put on the field. Alderson stuck around in the booth and Gary Cohen asked him point blank if Amed Rosario would be considered for a promotion and Alderson indicated that it would be an option.
Offense is fun !
TJ Rivera is an underdog that you can’t help rooting for.
TC pinch hit for Gsellman even though he had a two run lead (but gave of a 2 run homer in the top of the inning). The move busted the game over. Nice call TC.
The five run lead should have allowed the Mets to try to get two innings out of Salas (who needs to figure things out) and two more from Sewald. Instead Edgin and Robles were used. They still may have been needed if Salas failed but at least let Salas give up a run. TC’s philosophy has been when a win is in hand don’t let the other team back in the game. I hope he has enough relief pitchers in August because no one will remember this game.
BTW, TC is once again doing a very good job keeping the clubhouse attitude positive with his two best players out.
Breaking news on Matt Harvey. Scratched from start today. Suspended 3 days without pay for violating team rules. Details to come? Adam Wilk recalled to pitch today.